Life span: 11/18/1824 to 08/21/1902TabsLife SummaryFull name: Franz SigelPlace of Birth: Sinsheim, GermanyBurial Place: Woodlawn Cemetery, New York, NYBirth Date Certainty: ExactDeath Date Certainty: ExactGender: MaleRace: WhiteSectional choice: NorthOrigins: Free StateNo. of Spouses: 1No. of Children: 5Family: Franz Moritz Sigel (father), Maria Anna Lichtenauer (mother), Elise Dulon (wife, 1854)Occupation: PoliticianMilitaryEducatorJournalistRelation to Slavery: White non-slaveholderPolitical Parties: RepublicanGovernment: Local governmentMilitary: Union ArmyForeign military Note Cards Franz Sigel (American National Biography) ScholarshipThroughout the early part of his public life, Sigel's motives were sincere. Inspired by the liberal themes of the French Revolution of 1848, he genuinely supported the Baden revolution and the war against the Confederacy. However, by 1862 he began to manipulate the press and the public that had showered him with undeserved praise. By 1865 most of his supporters and all of his superior officers abandoned him because they came to realize his accomplishments did not match the promise of his publicity. Nevertheless, he was the most famous German-American general in the Union army and the most visible symbol of immigrant support for the Union cause.Earl J. Hess, "Sigel, Franz," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/05/05-00716.html. Events Date span begin Life span End Event 08/10/1861 08/10/1861 At Wilson's Creek in Missouri, a bold Union attack is thrown back and General Nathaniel Lyon killed 09/27/1861 09/27/1861 General Frémont consolidates his forces and moves against the Confederate invasion of Missouri with five divisions 03/06/1862 03/08/1862 In northwest Arkansas, Union forces win a fierce three-day battle at Pea Ridge, around Elkhorn Tavern Major TopicsRepublican Party Documents Subject Docs Date Title 05/17/1861 Savannah (GA) News, “The Civil War in Missouri,” May 17, 1861 11/18/1861 John S. Phelps to Abraham Lincoln, Monday, November 18, 1861 05/26/1863 Abraham Lincoln to Isaac Newton Arnold, May 26, 1863 Images Franz Sigel Franz Sigel, detail Bibliography
Franz Sigel (American National Biography) ScholarshipThroughout the early part of his public life, Sigel's motives were sincere. Inspired by the liberal themes of the French Revolution of 1848, he genuinely supported the Baden revolution and the war against the Confederacy. However, by 1862 he began to manipulate the press and the public that had showered him with undeserved praise. By 1865 most of his supporters and all of his superior officers abandoned him because they came to realize his accomplishments did not match the promise of his publicity. Nevertheless, he was the most famous German-American general in the Union army and the most visible symbol of immigrant support for the Union cause.Earl J. Hess, "Sigel, Franz," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/05/05-00716.html.
