SIGEL, sO'gel, FRANZ (1824-1902). A German American soldier, born at Sinsheim, in Baden. In 1848 he took a prominent part in the revolu tionary movement in Baden, and on the reviewed outbreak of the insurrection, in the spring of 1849, commanded the troops on the Neckar. In May he was made a member of the provisional government and Minister of War; later he be came Mieroslawski's adjutant-general, and after that general's retirement, in July, Sigel led the remainder of the revolutionary army, which re treated into Switzerland. In 1852 he grated to the United States; and in 1S58 he went to Saint Louis, where he taught in a German military institute. and edited a mili tary periodical. On the outbreak of the Civil War he espoused the side of the North, and or ganized a regiment of infantry and a battery of artillery, which rendered good service in the oc cupation of Camp Jackson. On July 5, 1861, he was defeated in the battle of Carthage; later he took part in the battle of Dug Springs; and after the death of General Lyon at Wilson's Creek, conducted the retreat of the army. He was made a brigadier-general of vol unteers, and at the battle of Pea Ridge, March 8, 1862, he ordered a well-timed charge which de cided the day. Soon afterwards he was made a
major-general of volunteers, and was placed in command of Harper's Ferry. He commanded the First Corps in the campaign which terminated with the second battle of Bull Run, August, 1862, and in February, 1864, was given com mand of the Department of West Virginia. He soon afterwards led an expedition into the Shenandoah Valley, but on May 15th was de feated at New Market by a superior force under General Breckenridge. In consequence he was relieved of his command by General Hunter, and was put in charge of the division guarding Harper's Ferry. In the following July, he suc cessfully defended Maryland Heights against General Early, but the Administration had lost confidence in him, and he was relieved of com mand. He resigned from the army in May, 1803, and was for a short time editor of the Baltimore Meeker. From 1871 until 1874 he was register of New York City, and from ISM; until 1889 was United States pension agent at the same place. He also lectured, engaged in the advertising business, and for several years published the New York ilonthly, a German American periodical.