| Daniel Edgar Sickles was born in New York, New York on October 20, 1819. He died there on May 3, 1914. He atteded the University in the city. He left before graduating to enter to enter the printing trade, then studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1846. Elected to state legislature as a Democrat in 1847. In 1853 he became a coporation counsel for New York. Through his efforts, Central Park was obtained in 1853. In 1855 he was elected to the Senate. Then in 1857 he became a member of congress serving until 1861. Before his term was up he was tried for the murder of Philip Barton Key. (Key was son of Francis Scott Key, the writer of the Star-spangled banner) Due to Key's liason with his wife, he was aquitted due to tempoary aberration of the mind. This was the first case in which that defense was set up. Sickles joined the Excelsior Brigade of N.Y. and was commisioned a Colonel. Then Sickles was promoted to Brigadier General the following September for his participation in the Peninsullar campaign. Then as a Major General of volunteers he was given command of the 3rd corps in Febuary 1863 which then fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He gained first success of the day at Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg his corps withstood the Confederate assault on the famous peach ochard attach. When the attack occured Sickles was wounded in his leg which he then lost. He remained in active service until 1865 when he was sent on a confidential mission to South America. Upon his return later that year he was appointed military governor of the Carolinas. In 1867 he was relieved of his command by President Andrew Johnson because of the severity of his measures. He left the army of volunteers in 1868 and became a colonel in the regular army. In 1869 he retired in the position of major general. In 1869-1873 he served as a U.S. minister to Spain. He also served another term in congress from 1893-1895. |