The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-07-30
Col. Franz Sigel.

! Col. Franz Sige!.
The last reports from Col. Sigel's com
mand in Missouri are that he had sur
rounded the rebels at Carthage, but wa
forced to withdraw his forces to the ad
jacent woods in consequence of the over
wheming numbers Of the enemy. HI
gradually fell back to Mt. Vernon, keep
ing the rebels at bay by incessant dis
charges of his artillery and covering hi
retrogade movement with such consum
ate skill that his loss was triiing. Th,
reintorcenents which marched to his re
lief have probably reached him befor,
this time, and we shall undoubtedly sool
hear OF a decided movement against the
rebels with sufficient force
Col. Franz Sigel, the officer who com
manded the federal troops in this en-
gagement, is one Of the best officers ir
the service of the Government. He i:
not only a brave man, but practical and
experienced soldier. In the revolution
Of l848 he was commander Of the repub.
lican forces in the Grand Duchy of Ba-
den, under the Provisional Government
of Hecker, Struve and Brentano, and con
Quoted the campaign with great skill
The insurrection having been finally sup
pressed by the Prussian army, Sigel
made his escape to this country, where
Hecker and other of his compatrio,s also
found refuge.
For several years past Col. Sigel has
resided in ST. Louis, and on the first call
of the President for troops TO defend the
Government against the Vaccinations OF
the rebels, he instantly entered the field.
raising regiment of German troops in
st. Louis. Hecker, his former superior,
left his pleasant home in Illinois, with
his son, and both entered as privates in
Sigel's regiment. This prompt and pat
riotic movement Of the German popala
tion fired the emulation Of their fellow
courtrymen in Illinois, who immediate
ly organized jaeger regiment in that
State and sent for Hecker to become heir
commander At first Hecker declined
the offer Of command, declaring that
he had no higher aspiration than TO serve
as private under his old friend Sigel.
in whom he had more confidence than
in himself; but, yielding to continued
solicitation, he procured bis dismissal
from Sigel's regiment, and proceeded to
Illinois to assume the Colonelcy of the
Jagers. This regiment is now encamp.
ed near Alton. Illinois. 1t will be re.
membered that 1t is the same body of
which Rev. DR.. Bellows spoke in enthu.
siastic terms in his account Of a visit 10
the western camps, published in the
Evening Post few days since.
Col. Sigel is comparatively a young
man. but his active military life and the
experience gained in European warfare
eminently fit him for the command in
which he has already given proof OF rare
ability and singular coolness in the hour
of danger. He will be frequently heard
from in this campaign.
1t is an interesting fact in connection
with his history that he was earnestly so
icited TO take the command of German
brigade in this city. but declined, alleg.
ing as a reason that there was a broad
field of operations in Missouri, and that
he could be more useful there than else
where. He preferred to adhere to his
comrades in the ranks of the loyal Ger
mans Of ST. Louis rather than leave them,
assured that they We're the men to give
excellent accounts OF themselves. His
judgment is confirmed by the admirable
steadiness of his soldiers in the recent af
fair at Carthage T. Ere. Post.