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Daniel E. Sickles

Daniel Edgar Sickles
Daniel Edgar Sickles.jpg
Major General Sickles circa 1862
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 10th district
In office
March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895
Preceded by William Bourke Cockran
Succeeded by Amos J. Cummings
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861
Preceded by Guy R. Pelton
Succeeded by Benjamin Wood
United States Minister to Spain
In office
May 15, 1869 – January 31, 1874
Preceded by John P. Hale
Succeeded by Caleb Cushing
Member of the New York Senate
from the district
In office
January 1, 1856 – March 3, 1857
Preceded by Thomas J. Barr
Succeeded by Francis B. Spinola
Personal details
Born (1819-10-20)October 20, 1819
New York City, New York
Died May 3, 1914(1914-05-03) (aged 94)
New York City, New York
Resting place Arlington National Cemetery
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Teresa Bagioli Sickles (m. 1852–67)
Carmina Creagh (m. 1871–1914)\
Awards Medal of Honor
Military service
Nickname(s) "Devil Dan"
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861–1869
Rank Union Army major general rank insignia.svg Major General
Commands Excelsior Brigade
III Corps
Battles/wars

American Civil War


American Civil War

Daniel Edgar Sickles (October 20, 1819 – May 3, 1914) was an American politician, soldier, and diplomat.

Born to a wealthy family in New York City, Sickles was involved in a number of public scandals, most notably the killing of his wife's lover, Philip Barton Key II, son of Francis Scott Key. He was acquitted after using temporary insanity as a legal defense for the first time in United States history. This became a defense associated with 'crimes of passion' (crime passionnel in French).

Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Sickles became one of the war's most prominent political generals, recruiting the New York regiments that became known as the Excelsior Brigade in the Army of the Potomac. Despite his lack of military experience, he served as a brigade, division, and corps commander in some of the early Eastern campaigns. His military career ended at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, after he moved his III Corps (without orders) to an untenable position where it was virtually destroyed. He was wounded by cannon fire and had to have his leg amputated. He was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Sickles devoted considerable effort to trying to gain credit for helping achieve the Union victory at Gettysburg, writing articles and testifying before Congress in a manner that denigrated the intentions and actions of his superior officer, the army commander, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade. After the war, Sickles was appointed as a commander for military districts in the South during Reconstruction. He also served as U.S. Minister to Spain. Later he was re-elected to Congress, where he helped pass legislation to preserve the Gettysburg Battlefield.


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