Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-30

last Two surviving Civil War com
manders. General Sickles was born in
New York City. Oct, 20, 1923. He was
educated at the University of the
City of New York, but left to learn
the printers trade, which he followed
for several years. He then studied
law, was admitted TO the bar in 1874.
and began practice in New York In
1877 he was elected to the Legsla-
ture, in which body he took rank as
leader Of the Democrats. In 1853 he
was appointed corporation counsel Of
New York City, and on July 80. of the
same year, he was commissioned as
secretary of legation at London. and
accompanied james Buchanan TO Eng
land He returned in 1853, was elect
ed after an energetic canvass to the
New York State Senate in the au-
turnn, and year later was chosen
member of Congress. taking his seat
ON December :, 1857. He was elected
for, second term. and served till
March 3. 1861.
At the beginning of the Civil War
he reised the Excelsior Brigade of
United States Volunteers in New York
city, and was commissioned by the
President as colonel of one of the
five regiments. on September 3, 1861,
the President nominated him briga-
dier-general. and he was subsequently,
confirmed by the Senate. Ee com
manded brigade under Gen. Joseph
Hooker. and gained distinction at
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks and Mel
vern Hill. His brigade saw very Sc
Vere service in the seven days fight
before Richmond and in the Maryland
campaign and bore conspicuous
part at Antietam. He succeeded
General Hooker in the command of
the division and was engaged at
fredericksburg. on the re-organiza
tien of the Army of the Potomac. he
was assigned to the command OF the
Third Army Corps. and was appoint
ed major general on March Z, 1863, his
commission dating from November %.
1869. AT Charlottesville he displayed
eailantry and energy. gaining the
first success Of the day by cutting off
an ammunition train Of the enemy.
arresting a general panic by rallying
sretreatng artillery and Withstand
ing the force of StonewaIl Iaaksons
attack with determination after the
line was formed.
VI Gettysburg his corps was posted
Between Cemetery Hill and Little
Round Top. He advanced to an Gle
walton which he thought desirable To
hold, and in this position was assail-
ed sby Cen james Longstreets col
umn while Gen. John b. Hood en-
deavored to gain the unoccupied slope
of Little Round Top. In the desper-
ate struggle that followed, the 3rd
Corps effectively aided in preserving
that important position from the
enemy, but was scattered by the on
set of overwhelming numbers. After
the line was broken, Gen Ambrose +.
Hill followed the Confederate advan-
taee with an attack on Sickle,s right,
during which General Siekles lost
leg.
He continued in active service till
the beginning of 1865, and was then
sent on a confidential mission to Co
lombia and other South American
countries. on July %, 1866. he Joined
the regular army as colonel of the
42d Infantry. son March 2. 1867, he
was breveted brigadier- general for
bravery at Fredericksburg. and major
general for gallant and meritorious
service at Gettysburg" He command
ed the military district of the Caro-
Iinas in 1865 81, and carried out the
work of reconstruction so energetical-
Nv that President johnson relieved him
from his command after offering him
the mission to The Netherlands, which
he declined He was mustered out
of the volunteer. service on Jan. i,
1868, and on April IA, 1869. was placed
on the retired list of the United States
army, with full rank of major general.
He was active in promoting General
Grant for Presidency and on May 10.
1869, he was appointed minister To
Spain He relinquished this post on
March 20, 1873, and resumed his resi-
denee in New York City. He is presi-
dent of the State Board OF Commits
sioners for the erection of the New
York monument at Gettysburg. In
November 1892, he was elected
member of Congress.
There was considerable criticism as
to the position taken by Gen. Sickles
at Gettysburg July :. 1863. by officers,
and also, there are many others who
agree that General Sickles took just
the right steps to defeat the enemy,
and below is quoted letter from
James Longstreet, Lieut.. Gen. Con-
federate army.
Washington, Sept. 10, 1902.
General D. f. Sickles, Gettysburg, Pa.
My Dear General Sickles: My plan
and desire was to meet YOU at Gettys-
burg on the interesting ceremony at
tending the unwilling of the Slocum
monument; but, today | find myself in
no condition to keep the promise made
you when last we We're together l
am quite disabled from severe hurt
in one of my feet, so that | am un-
able to stand more than minute or
two at a time. Please express my sim
cere regrets to the noble army of the
Potomac. and to accept them, espe-
cially, for yourself.
On the field you made your mark
that will place you prominently before
the world as one of the leading figures
of the most important battle OF the
Civil War. As a Northern veteran once
remarked to me: General Siclsles can
we'll afford to leave "a leg on that field"
| believe that 1t is now conceded that
The advanced position AT the Peach