Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-08-25
MONDAY. AUG. %. 1902.
THE DEATH OF SICEL.

remaining great landmarks Of the
war for the Union, calls to mind the
eminent service to our country Of this
picturesque and patriotic German
American soldier, scholar and politi-
clan.
Gen. Sigel was native of Baden,
where he was born in 1924. He re-
ceived a thorough military education
at Carlsruhe and entered the armies
of bis country as a subaltern. At
the end of four years service he was
forced to resign his commission in
consequence Of having killed broth
or officer in duel. His liberal views
: In, regard to the welfare of the Ger
man people then impelled him to
enter the field of journalism, calling
for which he had rare capacity.
The outbreak of the revolutionary
Increment OF 1S4S enlisted the ardent
sympathies of young Sigel, and he
was entrusted with the command of
the South German contingent Of 1000
men. The military slle of the revolt
turned out TO be largely a failure, but
Gen. Sigel proved an excep-
tion, and acquired a good
repute for so young a COM
mander, fighting several battles
against enormous odds, and finally
beating successful retreat with
what was left of his troops through
the lines Of the enemy and escaping
himself to neutral ground in Switzer-
land.
This was in the summer of 1S40.
He never again set foot on German
soil, but remained in Switzerland till
1851, when the Swiss government
sent him into France, and the French
authorities in turn sent him to Eng.
land. He reached America an exile In
1852.
He began his career here by teaching
school and editing military period
ical in New York. Six years later he
migrated west and became professor
OF history and mathematics in the
German institute at st. Louis, where
the opening of the Civil war found
him. 1t found him also willing cham
pion of the Union cause, and in n
position to be of value to Mr.. Lincoln's
administration, by reason OF his mil
ttary experience and knowledge. and
his Influence over the large German
American population Of Missouri. 1t
was largely owing to his efforts that
the State was saved to the Union.
For some time prior to the breaking
out of hostllitles, Gen. Slgel-then
foreseeing the conflict which was
clearly impending, began secret or
ganization and drilling of the young
Germans OF st. Louis, and these were
The chief support of Capt. Lyon and
Francis +. Blair when they removed
the immense stores of arms from the
arsenal there and transferred them to
Alton. safe within free-state lines.
This was one of the heaviest blows
which Jefferson Davis at the incep.
ton of the rebellion received. and It
was continuing loss throughout the
Z war.
Gen. Sigel was second in command
Mt the battle of Wilson's Creek. in
July, 1861, under Gen. Lyon, and
after the death OF that gallant com.
mander, brought the army safely off
the field. He took most Important
part In the tbree-days' conflict at Pea
Ridge, early in 1862, and commanded,
with Indifferent success, the 1st corps
IN the Army of Virginia In Pope's
campaign, during the summer OF that
year.
In the Gettysburg campaign Gen.
Sisel led body of Pennsylvania
reserves, organized to check Lees I'm.
yasion, ana upon the transfer Of Grant
70 the leadership Of the eastern armies
Mi. Lincoln entrusted him with the
command In the Shenandoah Valley.
where he was roughly handled by
breckenridge at Newmarket and COM
PEELED TO retreat. Grant thereupon
relieved him, but President Lincoln
who estimated Alright the value of
Gen. sigefs Influence over the large
German element In our armies. gave
him division, and his last military
service was in resisting Early's ad-
vance into Maryland.
During the Grant administration
sgel was given the important post
OF collector OF internal revenue, at
New York. and in 1886, President
Cleveland made him pension agent at
the same place, both OF which offices
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