Philip W. Lett

Philip W. Lett was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He is primarily noted for his service with the 6th Ohio Infantry and for receiving a brevet promotion to the rank of brigadier general near the war's conclusion. His military record reflects the experiences of many citizen-soldiers who rose to command during the conflict.

Early life and education

Little is documented about his formative years prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War. Like many of his contemporaries, his early life was likely spent in Ohio, where he would later help raise a volunteer regiment. The political tensions surrounding the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent secession of Southern states precipitated a national crisis, compelling individuals from civilian professions to take up arms.

Military career

His military service began with his enlistment and commissioning as a captain in the newly formed 6th Ohio Infantry in the spring of 1861. The regiment was quickly mobilized and saw early service in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. He participated in the Battle of Shiloh, a brutal and pivotal engagement in Tennessee, and later in the Siege of Corinth under the command of Major General Henry W. Halleck. Following these campaigns, his unit was involved in the arduous and critical Vicksburg campaign orchestrated by Major General Ulysses S. Grant, which culminated in the Siege of Vicksburg and a major Union victory.

He demonstrated consistent leadership, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel within the regiment. The 6th Ohio Infantry continued its service, participating in the Atlanta campaign led by Major General William Tecumseh Sherman. During this grueling series of maneuvers and battles, including the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and the Battle of Atlanta, he commanded the regiment. For his faithful and meritorious service throughout the war, he was honored with a brevet promotion to brigadier general of volunteers in March 1865, a common practice for recognizing distinguished service as the conflict neared its end at Appomattox Court House.

Later life and legacy

Following the surrender of the Confederate States Army, he was mustered out of the volunteer service with his regiment in the summer of 1865. He returned to civilian life in Ohio, leaving few public records of his postwar activities or profession. His legacy is encapsulated in his official military service record held within the National Archives and through the documented history of the 6th Ohio Infantry. The regiment's service, and by extension his, is commemorated in various histories of the Union Army, particularly those focusing on Ohio's contributions to preserving the United States during its greatest internal crisis.

Category:Union Army officers Category:People of Ohio in the American Civil War Category:Brevet generals of the United States Army