Franz Sigel papers
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Abstract
Franz Sigel was a German American general during the American Civil War who was enormously popular with German immigrants. His papers include correspondence, including correspondence from President Abraham Lincoln; military materials, which includes battle orders and maps; and other personal writings and ephemera. Many of the materials in this collection are in German. Portions of this collection relating to the Civil War have been digitized and are available to on-site researchers and to users affiliated with subscribing institutions via EBSCOhost.
Biographical Note
Missing Title
Franz Sigel was born on November 18, 1824 in Sinsheim in the Grand Duchy of Baden, what is now modern day Germany. His military career began upon his graduation in 1843 from the Military Academy at Karsruche when he joined the Grand Duke of Baden's army. His time in the army was short though, because Sigel resigned his commission in order to partake in the the Revolutions of 1848 in Germany. Sigel was rather notable among the revolutionaries because he had actual military experience. After the Prussians put down the revolution, Forty-Eighters (those who had supported the revolution) fled Germany in droves. Sigel was one of those Forty-Eighters and lived in exile in Switzerland, France, and England.
At some point after the revolution, Sigel married Elsie Dulton with whom he eventually had five children, which included three sons and a daughter: Rudolph, Paul, Franz Jr., and Lulu. No information is available about the fifth child. Sigel's granddaughter, Paul's daughter, Elsie, was a missionary among Chinese immigrants in New York City. She gained notoriety 1909 when there was extensive newspaper coverage of her sensational murder allegedly committed by one of the immigrants she had been helping.
In May 1852, Sigel, like many Forty-Eighters before him, came to the United States and settled in New York City. Sigel began building his ties with the German immigrant community when he established the German-American Institute in New York City with his father-in-law, Rudolf Duton. Sigel taught mathematics, history, and languages at the Institute. Sigel also taught at the German Turner Society, which was an institution that believed in mixing learning and exercise. During this period Sigel was also active in the 5th New York Militia. Sigel then moved to St. Louis in 1857 to become a professor at the German-American Institute there. In 1860 Sigel was elected director of St. Louis' public schools.
Like many other Forty-Eighters, Sigel was considered a progressive who opposed slavery. When the American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, Sigel was ready to join the fray. He was commissioned as a colonel of the 3rd Missouri Infantry in the Union Army on May 4, 1861. Soon Sigel became a household name--at least in German households. In what was considered a political maneuver, President Abraham Lincoln promoted Sigel to the rank of brigadier general. The reason for this promotion most likely had something to do with the rallying cry from German immigrants—"I goes to fight mit Sigel." (There was also a popular civil war song with that slogan for a title.) Sigel was a significant help when it came to recruiting German immigrants for the Union Army. Interestingly, there were several Civil War generals who were German Forty-Eighters including Carl Schurz, Louis Blenker, and Alexander Schimmelfennig.
Unfortunately Sigel's recruiting successes did not carry over to the battlefield. There were some notable victories during the early years of the war, such as the Battle of Pea Ridge which took place on March 7-8, 1862. However, Sigel's American military career was punctuated by a resignation in 1861, which he did in protest over being replaced, and numerous losses on the battlefield. Although he was removed from active command, Sigel managed to stay in Lincoln's good graces due to his popularity with the German immigrants. On May 15, 1864, Sigel suffered an embarrassing loss at the Battle of New Market where the Confederate force had a number of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute whose average age was eighteen. Sigel continued in the Union Army without active command until his second and final resignation on May 4, 1865.
As a civilian, Sigel kept active in politics. He attempted to run for New York Secretary of State in 1869, but he was defeated by Boss Tweed's candidate. Boss Tweed was a political machine boss. He is associated with Tammany Hall, a notorious New York political machine which was founded in 1876, devoted to Democrats, and fueled by Irish immigrants. In 1886, Sigel was appointed U.S. Pension Agent for New York and he held the position until 1889. On August 21, 1902 Sigel died in New York City.
Sources:
Stephen D. Engle, Yankee Dutchman: The Life of Franz Sigel Louisiana State University Press, 1999.
"Franz Sigel," Civil War Trust, available at http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/franz-sigel.html.
"Franz Sigel," Encyclopedia Virginia, available at http://encyclopediavirginia.org/Sigel_Franz_1824-1902
"Gen. Franz Sigel Dead," N.Y. Times, Aug. 22, 1902.
Arrangement Note
This collection is arranged into seven series which are arranged chronologically.
Franz Sigel Papers
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: Legal Documents
- Series III: Professional and Political Documents
- Series IV: Military Documents
- Series V: Writings
- Series VI: Clippings, Ephemera, Tributes
- Series VII: Family Papers
Scope and Content
The Franz Sigel Papers consist mainly of correspondence and military materials. The correspondence, which includes Sigel's as well as some of his family members, spans over important periods in history, such as the German revolution of 1848, waves of German immigration into the United States, and the American Civil War. The military papers include correspondence, reports, orders of battle, and maps. There are also a number of Sigel's writings and translations as well as materials that others have written in his honor. Although many of the military documents are in English, most of Sigel's personal documents are in German.
In part because Sigel was a high-ranking military officer during the Civil War whose rise was suspected to be due to political maneuvering than military prowess, there are a number of letters written to President Abraham Lincoln, both from and concerning Sigel. There are also copies of letters and dispatches with Lincoln's signature. Please note that manuscript items written by U.S. Presidents and other notable figures will only be delivered to researchers in a photocopy format. Researchers can also access most presidential papers through their published form. See staff for more details.
Portions of this collection relating to the Civil War have been digitized and are available to on-site researchers and to users affiliated with subscribing institutions via EBSCOhost.
Lincoln Correspondence
- Box 1/Folder 10: Copy of Lincoln's order to form the Army of the Potomac
- Box 1/Folder 12: Copy of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 1/Folder 12: Draft of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 1/Folder 12: Draft of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 1/Folder 13: Copy of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 1/Folder 14: Copy of dispatch from President's Office
- Box 1/Folder 14: Copy of letter to Lincoln from Offciers of the Eleventh Corps
- Box 1/Folder 12: Drafts of letter to Lincoln from Officers of the Eleventh Corps
- Box1/Folder 14: Copy of letter to Lincoln from Officers of the 3rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry
- Box 1/Folder 15: Copy of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 1/Folder 15: Draft of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 1/Folder 15: Draft of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 2/Folder 2: Draft of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 2/ Folder 2: Draft of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
- Box 2/ Folder 2: Draft of letter from Sigel to Lincoln
Subjects
Families
People
Topics
Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation Note
This collection should be cited as the Franz Sigel Papers, MS 565, The New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Franz Sigel Papers were given to New-York Historical Society by Mrs. Robert P.J. Barry in 1946. The oversized maps in Series III, Subseries E were gifted from Franz Sigel III in 1985.
About this Guide
Repository
Series I: Correspondence, 1848-1901, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
Within this series, Sigel's correspondence is separated into three subseries, based upon the method of organization. There is a subseries of loose correspondence, numbered correspondence, and bound correspondence. The bulk of this correspondence was written during the American Civil War, although it dates back as far as the 1848 revolution and as far forward as 1901, a year before Sigel's death. There are a number of letters written to President Abraham Lincoln, and a couple with his signature. There does not appear to be a reason why some of this correspondence was numbered, some bound, and others left loose. Many items in this series are written in German.
Subseries I.A: Loose Correspondence, 1848-1901, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
This subseries contains correspondence written upon loose pieces of paper. It is organized chronologically and has a number of letters written to Lincoln as well as a few letters with his signature.
Correspondence, 1849-1860, inclusive
Correspondence, January-August 1861, inclusive
Correspondence, September 1861, inclusive
Correspondence, October 1-11, 1861, inclusive
Correspondence, October 12-31, 1861, inclusive
Correspondence, November 1861, inclusive
Correspondence, December 1861, inclusive
Correspondence, January-March 1862, inclusive
Correspondence, April-May 1862, inclusive
Correspondence, June 1862, inclusive
Correspondence, July-August 1862, inclusive
Correspondence, September 1862, inclusive
Correspondence, October 1862, inclusive
Correspondence, November-December 1862, inclusive
Correspondence, January 1863, inclusive
Correspondence, February 1863, inclusive
Correspondence, March-July 1863, inclusive
Correspondence, August-December 1863, inclusive
Correspondence, January-March 1864, inclusive
Correspondence, April-December 1864, inclusive
Correspondence, 1865-1866, inclusive
Correspondence, 1867-1869, inclusive
Correspondence, 1870-1871, inclusive
Correspondence, 1872-1875, inclusive
Correspondence, 1876-1880, inclusive
Correspondence, 1881-1886, inclusive
Correspondence, 1887-1902, inclusive
Correspondence, undated
Correspondence (oversized), 1849-1865, inclusive
Subseries I.B: Numbered Correspondence, 1861-1862, inclusive
Scope and Content
The correspondence within this subseries has been numbered, possibly by Sigel as a means of organization. In certain instances, it appears that the numbered progression of correspondence was based on where the correspondence was written. There is a folder within this subseries of numbers that cannot be matched to a particular place or correspondence's numbered progression.
St. Louis Arsenal (1-47), May 16-June 11, 1861, inclusive
General 1861 (1-50), May 17-June 28, 1861
General 1861 (51-102), June 24-July 8, 1861, inclusive
Headquarters Expedition to the South West (1-52), June 28-July 28, 1861, inclusive
Headquarters, Western Department (1-19), August 15-October 30, 1861, inclusive
Unmatched Numbers 1861, May 17-September 18, 1861, inclusive
General 1862 (1-60), January 5-March 12, 1862, inclusive
General 1862 (61-99), March 23-April 3, 1862, inclusive
Subseries I.C: Bound Correspondence, 1861-1862, inclusive
Scope and Content
This subseries contains correspondence that has been bound together, possibly for organizational or storage purposes. Within each bound grouping, the correspondence is organization chronologically.
Letters Written and Received (BI), May 8-October 26, 1861, inclusive
Orders and Instructions Received from Generals Fremont, Hunter, Halleck, and Curtis (EI), August 26, 1861-January 23, 1862
Letters Written and Orders Issued by Brigadier General F. Sigel whilst in Command at Rolla (EIII), December 18-24, 1861, inclusive
Letters Sent and Received, January-August 1862, inclusive
Letters Written and Issued, August 27, 1861-March 22, 1862
Brigade Order Book I and Orders of the Department of the West, June 2-July 20, 1861, inclusive
Brigade Orders II, July 20-August 26, 1861, inclusive
Letters from General Sigel, June 2-August 27, 1861, inclusive
Letters and Orders Received by General Sigel, Missouri, June 3-November 6, 1861
1864 Manifold Writers, June 12-July 7, 1864, inclusive
Series II: Legal Documents, 1849-1889, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
Within this series are a number of documents both printed and handwritten pertaining to citizenship, the military, and Sigel's position as New York's Pension agent. These materials are in both English and German.
Legal Documents, 1849-1889, inclusive
Legal Documents (oversized), 1857-1861, undated, inclusive
Series III: Professional and Political Documents, circa 1854-1872, inclusive
Scope and Content
This series contains materials concerning Sigel's educational, military, and political endeavors. It contains official documents, handwritten notes, and printed materials. This series is in both English and German.
Professional and Political Documents, c. 1854-c.1872, inclusive
Professional Documents (oversized), 1858-1870, inclusive
Series IV: Military Documents, 1856-1864, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
This series contains materials from Sigel's American military career, starting from his time in the New York militia through to his service as a general in the Civil War. There are maps, notes, roll books, fliers, reports, receipts, and certificates. This series is in English.
Subseries IV.A: New York State Militia Materials, 1856-circa 1858, inclusive
Scope and Content
Within these subseries are roll books, rosters, notes, fliers, and other information pertaining to Sigel's time in the New York militia. This series is in English.
New York State Militia, 1856-c.1858, inclusive
Subseries IV.B: Maps, Orders of Battle, and Notes, 1861-1864, inclusive
Scope and Content
There are maps and other notes concerning military engagements. The maps within this subseries are small in size. This series is in English.
Civil War Maps, Orders of Battle, Notes, 1861-1864, inclusive
Civil War Maps, Order of Battle, Notes (oversized), 1849-1864, inclusive
Civil War Maps, Diagrams, and Notes, Gathered (oversized) 1887, 1861-1887, inclusive
Subseries IV.C: Reports, 1861-1862, inclusive
Scope and Content
This series consists of reports and other documents recapping military excursions that took place during the Civil War. This subseries is in English.
1861 Reports, 1861, inclusive
Meysenburg Third Volunteer Regiment of Missouri: Enrolling List and Correspondence, 1861, inclusive
1862 Reports, 1862, inclusive
Report of the Battle of Pea Ridge, March 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1862, March 1862, inclusive
Report of the Battle at Pea Ridge, March 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1862 (copy), March 1862, inclusive
1863-1864 Reports, 1863-1864, inclusive
Report of the Missouri Expedition, Sterling Price, December 28, 1864, inclusive
Reports, no date
Reports (oversized), 1861-1865, inclusive
Subseries IV.D: Bills, Receipts, and Certificates, 1861-1864, inclusive
Scope and Content
Within this subseries are a variety of bills, receipts, and certificates documenting military life during the Civil War. This subseries is in English.
Bills of the Quartermaster, June-September 1861, inclusive
Bills, Receipts, and Certificates, 1861-1864, inclusive
Subseries IV.E: Oversized Maps, 1862-1878, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
The oversized maps in this subseries were commissioned specifically by Sigel or document Sigel's campaign. There are four copies of Map of Route and Positions. These maps are stored in an oversized tube in 2NW Unit 5 A-B Top End.
Untitled Map of Headquarters, no date
Topographical Map of the Battlefield of Bull Run relating to the second day's battle fought on August 30th 1862, no date
Map of N. Eastern Virginia and Vicinity of Washington, August 1862, inclusive
Map of Route and Positions: First Corps Army of VA Maj. Gen. Sigel Com. from July 7th to Sept. 10th 1862, September 1862, inclusive
Battle Grounds of August 28th, 29th, & 30th 1862 in the Vicinity of Groveton, Prince William, Co., VA, 1878, inclusive
Series V: Writings, c.1848-1902, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
There are a wide variety of topics in this series. Most of the items are handwritten either by Sigel or others and include letters, poems, stories, notes, diaries, and scrapbooks. The materials are in both English and German.
Subseries V.A: Sigel's Writings, circa 1848-1902, undated
Scope and Content
This subseries contains Sigel's own writings on a variety of topics. There is a mixture of both English and German, with the bulk appearing to be German. Within these materials, there are translations, notes, autobiographical information, and diaries and scrapbooks.
Writings, circa 1848-1850, inclusive
Writings, circa 1851-1859, inclusive
Writings, circa 1861-1869, inclusive
Memorandum Books, 1863, inclusive
Writings, circa 1870-1879, inclusive
Writings, circa 1880-1899, inclusive
Biographical Dictation, Henry Irving Dodge, 1899, inclusive
1848-1849 Revolution in Germany, circa 1880-1890, inclusive
Autobiographical, circa 1865-1890, inclusive
Teaching German in Public Schools, undated
Civil War, undated
Poems and Translations, 1855-1901, inclusive
Miscellaneous Subjects, undated
Diaries and Scrapbooks: Diary I, 1863-1881, inclusive
Diaries and Scrapbooks: Diary II, 1881-1901, inclusive
Diaries and Scrapbooks: Notices (partial), 1895-1902, inclusive
Scrapbooks and Diaries: Diary VII, 1901, inclusive
Biographical (oversized), 1880, inclusive
Subseries V.B: Writings, not by Sigel, 1862-1874, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
This subseries contains a number of poems, mostly handwritten and in German. There are also odes to Sigel's well known Civil War victory at the Battle of Pea Ridge. There are also a number of letters and other ephemera in a folder of collected works. Some of these items such as the "Citizens and Soldiers' Health" pamphlet give a glimpse of Civil War life.
"The Battle of Pea Ridge", undated
Poems, 1862, undated, inclusive
Poems, 1874, undated, inclusive
Collected Works, 1861-1865, undated, inclusive
"Illustrierte Dorstellung Sudewstlichen Feldzug" George G. Freidlein, undated
Map for "Illustrierte Dorstellung Sudewstlichen Feldzug", undated
Series VI: Clippings, Ephemera, and Tributes, 1855-1930, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
Within this series are a number of articles celebrating Sigel, both before and after his death. Several recount his revolutionary history before he came to the United States. There are also many references to what Sigel meant to the German-American community. There are also various pieces of ephemera and envelopes within this series.
Clippings and Ephemera, 1855-1899, undated, inclusive
Clippings and Tributes, 1902-1930, undated, inclusive
Original Envelopes and Wrappers, 1861-1864, undated, inclusive
Other Envelopes, Wrappers, and Notes, undated
Clippings (oversized), 1863-1902
Series VII: Sigel Family Papers, 1806-1915, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
Within this series there are three subseries. The documents contained within this series are in both English and German, with the bulk of German in the first two subseries. There are letters, telegrams, and some official documents.
Subseries VII.A: Moritz Sigel Papers, 1806-1859, inclusive
Scope and Content
Moritz Sigel was Franz Sigel's father. Like Sigel, Moritz took part in the 1848 revolution and had to leave Germany. He managed to escape when the revolution failed and, like his son, went to the United States and settled in New York City. However, just before the outbreak of the American Civil War, Moritz petitioned the Prussians for a pardon and was able to return to Germany in 1859. All of the documents in this subseries are written in German. There appear to be a number of official documents with seals and a diploma. The majority are handwritten documents that appear to be letters and notes.
Moritz Sigel Papers, 1806-1842, inclusive
Moritz Sigel Papers, 1842-1842, inclusive
Moritz Sigel Papers, 1851-1859, inclusive
Subseries VII.B: Elise Sigel Papers, 1861-1910, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
This subseries which begins during the American Civil War years and ends in the early twentieth century consists of letters and telegrams. The bulk is letters, and those letters are mostly written in German. There are some notable exceptions when the correspondence is in English. Those instances are typically condolence letters or telegrams after Sigel died in 1902.
Correspondence, 1861-1862, inclusive
Correspondence, 1863-1865, inclusive
Correspondence, 1866-1901, inclusive
Correspondence, 1902-1910, undated, inclusive
Subseries VII.C: Other Family Papers, 1900-1915, inclusive
Scope and Content
Within this subseries are Franz Sigel Jr.'s papers and other family correspondence. Franz Sigel Jr.'s papers consist mainly of telegrams telling of his father's deteriorating health and then ones conveying condolences. There is also a letter from the Gen. Franz Sigel Monument Committee. The other family correspondence contains only a few documents which are written in German.