The National tribune., 1910-03-31
=! eH' . :.
GEN. sIGKLES'S MILITARY SER
VICE

1t is inevitable in so colossal con-
test as our great civil war that the
public mind does not and cannot grasp
more than few salient events. 1t
looks upon AppomattoX as the crown
ing conflict with almost forgetfulness OF
the tremendous work that had to be
done, of the colossal blows that had to
be struck. of the tremendous efforts OF
four long years before AppomattoX
could be possible There could have
been no Apomattox if every one of the
battles preceding it had not been
fought, if millions of men had not
planned. Iabored and fought with en-
ergy and ability almost superhuman to
accomplish the end. A thousand espe-
cial things might be mentioned, the
lacking of one of which might have
rendered Appomattox impossible. 1t is
only when we come to carefully study
the history, analyze all the influences
and estimate how much each man con-
tributed toward the final success that
we begin to understand this.
A conspicuous Illustration can be
and the present effort to give tardy rec
ognition of his eminent services by pro-
. Ioting him to Lieutenant-General. At
the time the secession conspiracy cul-
minated in the firing on Fort Sumter
the attitude of the Northern Democracy
was of overwhelming, even vital i'm
portance. Had the Northern Demo-
Gratis, as the secession cOnspirators san
guincly expected, given cold counte-
nance to the radical Administration"
Just coming int" power and an active
sympathy with the complaints of the
Southcrners, there could have been no
real war for the preservation of the
Union and none of the towering great
ness which the Nation has assumed by
reason of the war. At that time Mr..
Daniel z. Sickles was in the early flush
of his success as leader of the Democ-
racy. With a magnetic personality and
an intellectual pre-eminence which at
once forced recognition, he had been
accepted as the leader of the young
Democracy of New York, and was serv-
represented in it's fullest the patriotism
and the fighting spirit of the young
Democracy of his State. He at once
took his stand in support of the Union
in q way that electrified these men, and
they fiocked to his banner. He started
to raise a regiment at his own indi-
vidual expense, but his leadership was
so attractive that almost before he
realized it he had full brigade made
up of the flower of the young manhood
of New York and adjacent cities. A
soldier by nature, he had that in him
which West Point could not give, and
in short time his brigade had an or
ganiZation, a discipline and an enthu-
siasm which made it conspicuous in
the Army of the Potomac, to which it
erals commission came promptly. and
on the Peninsular Campaign his gener-
alship shone out brilliantly, so that he
seemed to be the fittest man to lead a
division, which he did with success in
covering McClellans communications
.
manifestation of his abilities as a divi-
sion commander that he was called up
higher, and given command of the
splendid Third Corps, with whose his
tory his name was thenceforward asso-
ciated. His magnificent handling of
the few redeeming features of the dis
astrous battle. No matter who else
might have been at fault, SickIes was
one of the men who fought skilfully
and successfully for victory.
We now come to the crowning act in
tie of Gettysburg. In the momentous
march northward and the swift, effec-
tive movements to outmanuver Gen.
Lee and cover at the same time the
National Capital, Baltimore and Phila-
delphia, Gen. Sickles had his Third
Corps all the time at itS proper place,
doing the right thing, in touch with
the other corps to the right and left,
and instantly ready for either vigorous,
aggressive or unshakable defense.
When the Unframed points of mighty
opposites" were swiftly nearing the de-
cisive collision on those momentous
June days Gen. Sickles had his corps at
Emmitsburg, Md, ready for instant
work in whatever direction it might be
called upon. He was we'll out to the
front, in position to strike at Lees
flank and rear if an opportunity should
serve, or to fall back to the line at Pipe
Clay Creek, upon the banks of which
Meade expected to fight defensive
battle. Gen. Reynolds. with the First
Corps, had hurried on to Gettysburg to
ascertain the condition of things pre-
cipitated by Gen. Buford's Cavalry in
the first collision with the enemy. The
Eleventh Corps was ordered to follow
Reynolds and support the First Corps
AS everyone knows, the battle suddenly
developed at Gettysburg, contrary to
the expectations and plans of both Lee
and Meade. Reynolds was soon killed,
and the command fell upon Gen. o. O.
Howard, who sent urgent appeals to
his brother corps commanders to come
to his help. This appeal found a swift
echo in the soldierly spirit of Gen.
Sickles, whose every impulse was to
march to the sound of the enemy's can
non. He had orders to remain in the
M J,n yE-nc J,1t L,