New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-04
GEN. SICKLES DIES
TN ARMS OF WIFE
Continued from page !

NAMED IN the army. although he mad
lost a leg at Gettysburg, and when lie
was retired IL was as major general OF
the regular army. In 1910 il was pro-
posed in Congress to confer upon Cen
eral Sickles the rank Of lieutenant gen.
eral. retired. but the bill failed TO pass.
He participated in many of the larger
battles in the Virginia campaign and
when General Lee went into Pennsyl-
vania General Sickles was commander
of the Sd Corps. When General Meade
won his great victory over General Lee
at Gettysburg General Sickles on the
second dav Of the battle confronted
with his corps the corps commended by
General Longstreet.
General Sickles was proud of letter
which General Longstreet wrote TO him
in 1902, in which the latter said:
ION that field you made your mark
which will place YOU prominently be-
fore the world as one of the leading fig
ures of the most important battle OF
the Civil War. AS a Northern veteran
once remarked TO me, General .;ickles
can well afford to leave leg on that
field | believe that il is wei! conceded
that the advanced position at the peach
orchard. taken by your corps and under
your orders. saved that battlefield to
the Union cause. II was the sorest and
saddest reflection Of my life for many
years, but to-day | can say with sin
cerest emotion that it was and is the
best that could have come to us all,
North and South, and ! hold that he
nation. reunited. may always enjoy the
honor and glory brought to it by that
grand work"
General Sickles was not mustered out
of the volunteer service Until 1868. after
having been colonel Of the 42d regulars.
In 1869 he was placed on the retired list
by President Grant with the full rank
of major general in the regular army.
For gallantry at Gettysburg and at Fred
ericksburg he had the brevet rank Of
major general. From 1860 to 1867 he was
in command Of the military district of
the Carolinas.
Enters Diplomatic Service.
President Grant appointed him Minister
to Spain in 1869, and General Sickles re
NAMED there until 1873, when he returned
10 New York and resumed the practice
CT law DE was Commissioner OF Immi-
grafton in 1887. and in 1880 was elected
Sheriff OF New York County. In 1879 he
was a Representative in Congress.
The later years Of General sicl<les's
/ life were filed with trouble. both finan-
cia and domestic. His business ventures
turned out badly. and he got into diff
Guilty because he applied 10 his own use
money that belonged TO the New Yor'.
State Monument Association.
General Scliles was q close friend OF
General Grant. and always asserted that
il was he VINO caused General Grant "a
be renominated for President. That Cen
eral Grant felt he was indebted to Gen
eral Sickles was shown by the appoint
ment of the latter TO the post of Minister
f 10 Spain. General Sickles often said that
the United States would have annexed
Cuba in the early 70s had not the Spanish
Premier been sssassinated.
General Sickles was married twice. IL
killed Philip Barton Key in Washington
in 1853 because Of his attentions 10 the
first Mrs Sckles The general was de-
Tended at his trial by James 7. Brady
who received credit for the acquittal
General Sickles had one daughter by his
first wife. who died many years ago.
While Minister TO Spain he married ina
daughter OF a Spanish Councillor of state
and they had two children-a daughter
now Mrs. Crackenthorpe, and Stanton
/ sickles. The children were heirs to the
estate OF their grandfather. George q
sickles. and when Mrs Crackenthorpe. ir
1912, failed TO get an accounting for what
she believed was about $4,000 due TO he.
she threatened legal action.
/ General Sickles for many years was
estranged from his second wife because
OF his housekeeper. Miss Wilmerding. bal
every time the general got into serious
trouble Mrs. Sickles. out Of her private
fortune. came to his assistance she paid
4 mart OF his debts time and time again
even going 80 far as to pawn hcirlooniS