After his trial and acquittal for murdering Philip Barton Key, the tenure of Daniel Sickles as a U.S. Congressman from New York came to an unceremonious end. His Washington exploits and tumultuous legal entanglement had cast a shadow of disrespect over his name. Realizing that the prospect of being re-elected to Congress, or holding any public office, was practically nil; Sickles chose to retire to a quiet life away from public scrutiny.
Daniel Sickles wasn’t one who enjoyed solitude and privacy and a fortuitous event – at least from his perspective - soon provided another chance for him to garner the accolades and attention he craved. The onset of hostilities in the War Between the States provided the ever-opportunistic Sickles the chance to rehabilitate his reputation.
The outbreak of the Civil War lured Sickles into public view again as he began a crusade in New York to recruit soldiers for the Union Army. He raised four regiments of men and was appointed, by New York Governor Morgan, to the rank of Colonel and given leadership of one of the regiments. In September 1861 he was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers but the appointment was disputed by Congress and Sickles was forced to relinquish his command in March 1862.
Sickles missed many important military engagements as he spent time lobbying for support to uphold his rank as General. However, he did participate in a few skirmishes during this period and appeared to perform satisfactorily as a commander at the Battle of Seven Pines and the Seven Days Battle. Ever the politician and opportunist, Sickles sought support and advantage by becoming good friends with Union Commanding Major General Joseph Hooker who was in charge of the Army of the Potomac. In February 1863 Sickles was given command of the III Corps by General Hooker. The promotion wasn’t without controversy since Sickles was the only non-West Point graduate to be given corps command in the Union Army.
Daniel Sickles wasn’t one who enjoyed solitude and privacy and a fortuitous event – at least from his perspective - soon provided another chance for him to garner the accolades and attention he craved. The onset of hostilities in the War Between the States provided the ever-opportunistic Sickles the chance to rehabilitate his reputation.
The outbreak of the Civil War lured Sickles into public view again as he began a crusade in New York to recruit soldiers for the Union Army. He raised four regiments of men and was appointed, by New York Governor Morgan, to the rank of Colonel and given leadership of one of the regiments. In September 1861 he was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers but the appointment was disputed by Congress and Sickles was forced to relinquish his command in March 1862.
Sickles missed many important military engagements as he spent time lobbying for support to uphold his rank as General. However, he did participate in a few skirmishes during this period and appeared to perform satisfactorily as a commander at the Battle of Seven Pines and the Seven Days Battle. Ever the politician and opportunist, Sickles sought support and advantage by becoming good friends with Union Commanding Major General Joseph Hooker who was in charge of the Army of the Potomac. In February 1863 Sickles was given command of the III Corps by General Hooker. The promotion wasn’t without controversy since Sickles was the only non-West Point graduate to be given corps command in the Union Army.
Sickles in Battle
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Sickles at Gettysburg. Courtesy Library of Congress.
The Battle of Chancellorsville was General Sickles’ first test as Corps Commander. There he faced off against Confederate general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Hooker ordered Sickles to move his men from a defensive position into an area that left them exposed. The battle was disastrous for the Union command and, likely, affected decisions that would be made later at Gettysburg by Sickles.
Early July 1863 found the Union Army and Confederate forces locked in a battle outside Gettysburg Pennsylvania that would dictate the momentum of the war. After one day of battle, The Union forces controlled the high ground just south of town. General George Meade, who had replaced Hooker as head of the Army of the Potomac three days before the battle, made a decision to maintain a defensive posture on the high ground and force the Confederates to attack his strong positions. General Daniel Sickles and the III Corps were placed on the extreme left of the Union positions.
Prior to the battle, General Sickles determined that the III Corps should occupy a position a half mile to the northwest where the ground was higher and artillery could be more effective. The movement of the III Corps created a dangerous point of vulnerability in the Union lines and Meade was furious when he learned that Sickles had disobeyed a direct order. It was too late for Sickles to move the men back and the battle began.
Gen James Longstreet led the Confederate attack and he and his subordinate commanders were very surprised to find Sickles’ men occupying the forward position since scouting reports indicated the area was vacant. Dan Sickles’ III Corps was beaten severely and, following the battle, was no longer an effective fighting force. A cannonball struck General Sickles leg and severely wounded him. He calmly lit a cigar as he was carried from the battlefield.
Early July 1863 found the Union Army and Confederate forces locked in a battle outside Gettysburg Pennsylvania that would dictate the momentum of the war. After one day of battle, The Union forces controlled the high ground just south of town. General George Meade, who had replaced Hooker as head of the Army of the Potomac three days before the battle, made a decision to maintain a defensive posture on the high ground and force the Confederates to attack his strong positions. General Daniel Sickles and the III Corps were placed on the extreme left of the Union positions.
Prior to the battle, General Sickles determined that the III Corps should occupy a position a half mile to the northwest where the ground was higher and artillery could be more effective. The movement of the III Corps created a dangerous point of vulnerability in the Union lines and Meade was furious when he learned that Sickles had disobeyed a direct order. It was too late for Sickles to move the men back and the battle began.
Gen James Longstreet led the Confederate attack and he and his subordinate commanders were very surprised to find Sickles’ men occupying the forward position since scouting reports indicated the area was vacant. Dan Sickles’ III Corps was beaten severely and, following the battle, was no longer an effective fighting force. A cannonball struck General Sickles leg and severely wounded him. He calmly lit a cigar as he was carried from the battlefield.
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Sickles after the Civil War. Courtesy Mr. Lincoln's White House.
Meade was able to juggle troops to protect the left flank and, thanks to heroic efforts by the 20th Maine, was able to avert a Union disaster and eventually win the battle on the following day.
Dan Sickles lost his leg and, possibly, would have been court-martialed had he not been severely wounded. No active command was ever given again to Daniel Sickles but he proclaimed until his death that he had won the Battle of Gettysburg by his heroic actions. Thirty-four years after the war, Sickles was presented with the Medal of Honor but historians still debate the effect his actions at Gettysburg had upon the outcome of the battle.
Dan Sickles lost his leg and, possibly, would have been court-martialed had he not been severely wounded. No active command was ever given again to Daniel Sickles but he proclaimed until his death that he had won the Battle of Gettysburg by his heroic actions. Thirty-four years after the war, Sickles was presented with the Medal of Honor but historians still debate the effect his actions at Gettysburg had upon the outcome of the battle.