Madame Turchin
Encyclopedia
Nadine Lvova Turchin was the wife of Union
Brig. Gen.
John Basil Turchin. During the American Civil War
, she traveled with her husband on his military campaigns and at times acted as his surrogate in command of his troops. She kept a detailed diary that remains a leading eyewitness account of her husband's colorful career. She became widely known in the army as "Madame Turchin."
She was born as Nadezhda Antonina L'vova (or Lovow) in Russia
, the daughter of an officer in the Russian Army. On May 10, 1856, in Krakow
, Poland
, she married Ivan Vasilovitch Turchaninov, with whom she immigrated to the United States. Upon their arrival in the U.S. and their eventual settlement on a farm in New York
, they anglicized their names. They later moved to Philadelphia
and then to Chicago, where he worked as a topigraphical engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad.
With the outbreak of the Civil War in early 1861, John Turchin was chosen to be Colonel of the 19th Illinois Infantry
and later would be the only Russian-born general to serve in the Union Army. Nadine traveled with her husband throughout the war (despite orders against wives travelling on campaigns) and kept a diary that included her opinions on her husband’s fellow officers, as well as commentary on battles that she participated in, including Chickamauga
. During the battle, she stayed with the brigade and division wagons which were parked just on the western edge of the battlefield, and she climbed up onto the eastern hills of Missionary Ridge to observe events during the Battle of Missionary Ridge
. She left detailed accounts of both battles, in effect being the only Union female diarist of those battles.
Nadine Turchin died in 1904 and was buried next to her husband in Mound City National Cemetery
in southern Illinois.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
Brig. Gen.
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
John Basil Turchin. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, she traveled with her husband on his military campaigns and at times acted as his surrogate in command of his troops. She kept a detailed diary that remains a leading eyewitness account of her husband's colorful career. She became widely known in the army as "Madame Turchin."
She was born as Nadezhda Antonina L'vova (or Lovow) in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, the daughter of an officer in the Russian Army. On May 10, 1856, in Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, she married Ivan Vasilovitch Turchaninov, with whom she immigrated to the United States. Upon their arrival in the U.S. and their eventual settlement on a farm in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, they anglicized their names. They later moved to Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
and then to Chicago, where he worked as a topigraphical engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad.
With the outbreak of the Civil War in early 1861, John Turchin was chosen to be Colonel of the 19th Illinois Infantry
19th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 19th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 19th Illinois Infantry was organized at Chicago, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on June 17, 1861 for a three year enlistment.The regiment was...
and later would be the only Russian-born general to serve in the Union Army. Nadine traveled with her husband throughout the war (despite orders against wives travelling on campaigns) and kept a diary that included her opinions on her husband’s fellow officers, as well as commentary on battles that she participated in, including Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
. During the battle, she stayed with the brigade and division wagons which were parked just on the western edge of the battlefield, and she climbed up onto the eastern hills of Missionary Ridge to observe events during the Battle of Missionary Ridge
Battle of Missionary Ridge
The Battle of Missionary Ridge was fought November 25, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the...
. She left detailed accounts of both battles, in effect being the only Union female diarist of those battles.
Nadine Turchin died in 1904 and was buried next to her husband in Mound City National Cemetery
Mound City National Cemetery
Mound City National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located near Mound City, in Pulaski County, Illinois. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 8,098 interments. It is administered by Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery...
in southern Illinois.