DANIEL

See also:

• EDGAR (EADGAR)
• EDGAR, or EADGAR (c. 1050-c. 1130)

EDGAR

See also:

• DANIEL EDGAR SICKLES (1825– )

SICKLES (1825– )  , American soldier and diplomatist, was born in New York City on the 20th of October 1825 . He learned the printer's trade, studied in the university of the City of New York (now New York University), was admitted to the bar in 1846, and was a member of the state Assembly in 1847 . In 1853 he became corporation counsel of New York City, but resigned soon afterward to become secretary of the U.S. legation in London, under James Buchanan . He returned to America in 1855, was a member of the state Senate in 1856–1857, and from 1857 to 1861 was a Democratic representative in Congress . In 1859 he was tried on a charge of murder, having shot Philip Barton Key, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, whom Sickles had discovered to have a liaison with his wife; but was acquitted after a dramatic trial lasting twenty days . At the outbreak of the Civil War Sickles was active in raising United States volunteers in New York, and was appointed colonel of a regiment . He became a brigadier-general of volunteers in September 186,1, led a brigade of the Army of the Potomac with credit up to the battle of Antietam, and then succeeded to a divisional command . He took part with distinction in the battle of Fredericksburg, and in 1863 as a major-general commanded the III. army corps . His energy and ability were conspicuous in the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville (q.v.); and at Gettysburg (q.v.) the part played by the III. corps in the desperate fighting around the Peach Orchard was one of the most noteworthy incidents in the battle . Sickles himself lost a leg and his active military career came to an end . He was, however, employed to the end of the war, and in 1867 received the breve.ts of brigadier-general U.S.A. and major-general U.S.A. for his services at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg respectively . General Sickles was one of the few successful volunteer generals who served on either side .

Soon after the

close of the Civil War he was sent on a confidential mission to Colombia to secure its compliance with a treaty agreement (of 1846) permitting the United States to convey troops across the Isthmus of Panama . In 1866–1867 he commanded the department of the Carolinas . In 1866 he was appointed colonel of the 42nd infantry (Veteran Reserve Corps), and in 1869 he was retired with the rank of major-general . He was minister to Spain from 1869 to 1873, and took part in the negotiations growing out of the " Virginius Affair " (see SANTIAGO, CUBA) . General Sickles was president of the New York State Board of Civil Service Commissioners in 1888–1889, was sheriff of New York in 1890, and was again a representative in Congress in 1893–1895 .