Philipp Philippi

Philipp Philippi

Philipp Philippi was born May 13, 1838 in Hesse-Homburg, Germany and came to America with his family as a 9 year old, arriving in New York July 10, 1847. The family moved first to Tuscarawas County, Ohio and then to Marion County, Ohio where he enlisted in Company K, 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on November 9, 1861. His father, Nicholaus Philippi, enlisted on December 2nd in Company B, 58th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and his brother, Charles Philippi, enlisted on August 22, 1862 in Company B, 40th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry.

After receiving his discharge in 1865, Philipp moved to Montezuma, Iowa, near his brother Charles and married Jane Norris on July 16, 1868. In 1872, he filed for a homestead in Potowatami County, Kansas and later moved to Marshall County, Kansas. A total of 12 children were born to this union. Philipp died in 1927.

The History of Marion County, Ohio published in 1883, lists Philip in Company K, 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was organized at Camp Mac Arthur, Urbanna, Ohio, on October 1, 1861.

In January of 1862, it moved to West Virginia. It soon was given orders to march to the relief of General Banks in the Shenandoah Valley and for the protection of Washington, which was threatened by Stonewall Jackson. The regiment also took part in many other battles, including Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Ringgold in Tennessee. In the battle of Gettysburg, the 66th Ohio Regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, XII Corps,2nd Division, 1st brigade under Col. Charles Candy. On the 2nd and 3rd days of the battle they fought on Culp's Hill. In the battle of Lookout Mountain near Chatanooga, Tennesee, the 66th Ohio was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, XII Corps, 2nd Div., 1st brigade under Col. Charles Candy. Their purpose was to sweep around the side of the mountain from top to bottom. After the battle the regiment re-enlisted in December of 1863, at Wauhatchie, Tenn. and its members were given veteran furloughs and returned to duty at Bridgeport, Alabama. In May of 1864, the regiment joined other units in the Atlanta campaign. The regiment took part in battles at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and Pumpkin Vine Creek. On the 15th of June, the regiment led the advance on Pine Mountain and in the battles of Kennesaw, Marietta, and Peach Tree Creek, where it fought with conspicuous gallantry. After the capture of Atlanta, the 66th remained on duty in that city for three months, until Sherman started on his 'march to the sea.' The regiment moved North from Savannah through the Carolinas and on to Washington, thus making an entire circuit of the Southern States. The regiment was finally mustered out at Columbus, Ohio on July 19, 1865, after serving in twelve states, marching over 11,000 miles and participating in 19 battles with a loss of 112 killed and about 350 wounded.

A new book by David T. Thackery, A Light & Uncertain Hold , gives a more detailed account of the history of the 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Civil War records from the Archives in Washington D.C., indicate Philipp re-enlisted on December 12, 1863 while in Wauhatchie, Tennessee. In September 1864, as a corporal, he received a 30-day furlough to go to Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio to settle personal matters and later to rejoin his company in Atlanta, Georgia. Philipp was discharged as a sergeant on July 15,1865 near Louisville, Kentucky.

Photograph and information submitted by Philipp Philippi's grandson Leonard A Philippi.

Philipp Philippi