Civil War Union Army Officer. He enlisted in the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in 1861, eventually becoming its Colonel and commander. He was in comand of the regiment during the Battle of Gettysburg, where the unit was detached from its brigade to reinforce other III Corps troops being driven back through The Wheatfield and Devil's Den. As the Civil war went on, Colonel Gilkyson was appointed to command the 40th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, the last such unit raised in the Garden State. He led the regiment when it stormed Confederate trenches in Petersburg with other VI Corps elements in early April 1865. The action, which was the 40th's only combat experience, broke though the Southern lines and facilitated the fighting withdrawal that eventually resulted in Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Col. Gilkyson's name is inscribed on the 6th New Jersey Infantry Monument in the Gettysburg National Battlefield, which marks where the unit stood.
Civil War Union Army Officer. He enlisted in the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in 1861, eventually becoming its Colonel and commander. He was in comand of the regiment during the Battle of Gettysburg, where the unit was detached from its brigade to reinforce other III Corps troops being driven back through The Wheatfield and Devil's Den. As the Civil war went on, Colonel Gilkyson was appointed to command the 40th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, the last such unit raised in the Garden State. He led the regiment when it stormed Confederate trenches in Petersburg with other VI Corps elements in early April 1865. The action, which was the 40th's only combat experience, broke though the Southern lines and facilitated the fighting withdrawal that eventually resulted in Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Col. Gilkyson's name is inscribed on the 6th New Jersey Infantry Monument in the Gettysburg National Battlefield, which marks where the unit stood.
Bio by: RPD2
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