Major General Franz Sigel

Franz Sigel (1824–1902) was born in a small community in Germany. After leading troops in the German revolution of 1848 and fearing he may be arrested, Sigel fled from Germany and stopped in Switzerland, France, and England. He settled in New York City in 1852. In 1855 he and his father-in-law founded the German American Institute. Sigel also wrote for the New York Times. In 1857, he moved to Saint Louis, Missouri, and joined the Republican Party. In 1861, Sigel worked to rally German troops for the Union and was appointed colonel of the 3rd Missouri Infantry. In March of 1862, Sigel was promoted to major general of volunteers. After the Union loss at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Sigel remained in the reserves for the battles of Fredericksburg and Antietam. On May 4, 1865, he resigned from his commission.