Evening star., 1902-08-29
FRANZ SIGEL.
The Veteran Union Commander as Re-
membered by a Friend.

| To the Editor of The Evening Star:
The death of Gen. Franz Sigel brings on
| the canvas of memory pictures glowing
with life and color. Born not far distant
from the town which gave birth to the
| illustrious hero of two countries, l nat
urally feel an affinity and remember well
how enthusiastically my sainted father
spoke of Gen. Slgel, for he, too, was one Of
that tried band of Germans that loved lib
erty more than life. l made the acquaint-
ance of Gen. Sigel forty years ago, just
prior to the second battle of Bull Run. and
from that day to this entertained for him
the highest regard as g. man. as a soldier,
patriot and citizen. As student of Ameri-
can history, have become thoroughly con-
vinced of the fact that Gen. S.gel contrib
uted largely to the preservation of the
Union 1t was at the inception of the civil
war, when every moment was important,
when every act was making history, that
Gen. SigePs conduct and patriotism came to
the fore. st. Louis, Camp Jackson Ms
souri,, were saved by his indomitable en-
ergy, experience in warfare. high-souled,
broad and liberal principles, for the Union.
the saving OF Missouri preserved kentucky
and Tennessee and prevented an invasion
Of Ohio, and the nation can never be too
generous In Its recognition of what Gen.
Sigel did then and there. Aside from this
his name was one to conjure with. To
fight NIT Sigel' became a rallying cry, not
only among those Of his own countrymen.
but among all lovers Of liberty. His re-
treats from superior numbers were mas
terly, and instead of discouraging became
inspirations.
He was a soldier in the best sense Of the
term uncomplaining, unpretending. always
ready to discharge the duties imposed upon
him by circumstances conditions, and
when the war closed his first ambition was
not to secure official recognition, but to
work for those whom he most loved and
/
Gen. Grant offered him positions of trust
and responsibility which were at three diff
ferent occasions declined, but finally he did
accept the asSessorship, collectorship of in
ternal revenue in the city of New York
He was rendered, at my request, the posi-
ton of secretary Of the commission to go to
San Domingo. and declined, but finally did
go as the representative of the President
In this connection an anecdote Is in point
The steamer on which the San Domingo
commission was embarked on its return
passage was reported lost at sea. In con-
versation with President Grant he asked me
what l thought of the rumor. / promptly
told the President that L did not believe 1t.
He said. "Why?" 1 said: Simply because
Gen. Sigel Is on board, and he would de-
cline death" The President enjoyed the
joke very heartily knowing how often Sigel
had declined offices of trust rendered him.
The several positions the general filled in
civil life were discharged with singular
ability, faithfulness and with that self
same vigilance as had characterized him
curing the CIVIL war.
To understand the perfect Spartan char
acter of the general it need but be men
toned how when he was pension agent of
the city of New York he gave up his son to
the courts of justice. declining any favors in
consequence Of his standing or record.
claiming that having helped to save the
Union he must lay no claims for immunity.
President Harrison. to whose attention 1
called the condition Of affairs, promptly
pardoned his son.
Gen. Sigel apart from his military ability,
was q student and scholar, He wrote and
thought with great facility, and his history
of the revolutionary struggle in Germany
ture historians. His companions In the
armies were his devoted friends The hum
biest of his soldiers received as much at
tention. nay, more. than those Of higher
rank. The acquisition of money played no
part and thus In the last years of his life
he had to struggle for existence on the IN
significant pension Of 500 per month given
by the government he helped to save. 1t was
q small pttance, and yet aided him mate
rally Now that he has Joined the Great
Army Of the Republic-now that he is
standing side by side with Lincoln. Grant,
Sherman, Thomas, Lee. Jackson and others
it behooves us who are reaping the benefits
of his work and sacrifices to see that those
he has left should become our wards, to |
that his widow receives not only the |
pension that he did, but that 1t should be |
doubled, so that her declining years shall
be made happy and contented; and L am
sure that l am yoicing the sentiments of |
every lover of his country and of every SOL |
dier who fought in the blue or in the gray |
when L say let Congress in its coming ses- |
sion vote liberal pension to the widow of |
the hero of two countrieS-an American /
who fearlessly did his duty, and whose
memory will ever be cherished by his CRATE |
full countrymen. SIMON WOLF. |