John A. Koltes

John Albert Koltes (1827 – August 30, 1862) was an American colonel of German origin who commanded the 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War before being killed at the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Biography Early years John was born at Trier in 1827 before emigrating to the United States at the age of 17 to Pittsburgh as a temporary teacher at a Catholic school before enlisting in the Mexican–American War until he was discharged at Philadelphia. He then served as a member of the U.S. Marines at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.

Second Battle of Bull Run Koltes was ordered to assume command of the 41st New York Infantry Regiment after Julius Stahel was too far to effectively command it as well as the 41st New York being stationed all the way at Chinn Ridge. When Koltes came up to the ridge, he noticed remnants of Nathan G. Evans's South Carolina brigade, the 11th Mississippi Infantry Regiment and some of James L. Kemper's men and were threatening his right flank. At this point, Koltes had been acting brigadier general in General Adolph Von Steinwehr's division for four months, and his friends who had secured his promotion to Colonel managed to carry his body away and bury him at Glenwood Memorial Gardens, leaving his wife and four children. Koltes was posthumously praised by Carl Schurz and Franz Sigel for his service during the battle.