The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Joliet's Civil Warrior: Col. Frederick Bartleson-- Part 2

Frederick Bartleson had only been married when he joined the Union Army, becoming captain of a company in the 20th Illinois Infantry. Promoted to major at Fort Donelson, he lost his left arm at Shiloh.

After recovering, he was promoted to colonel and placed in command of the 100th Illinois Infantry, made up of 1,000 men from Joliet and Will County.

At the Battle of Chickamauga, Col. Bartleson was captured and held prisoner at Richmond's Libby Prison for six months. At the battle, the regiment was in the thick of the fighting, losing 165 of 315 men. Every color guard but one was killed.

He was exchanged in 1864. On June 23, 1864, while commanding a skirmish line at Georgia's Kennesaw Mountain, outside of Atlanta, Col. Bartleson was killed. His body was buried at Joliet's Oakwood Cemetery.

And, I'm Not Finished Yet. --Old B-Runner

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