The New York Times/1902/3/2/The Men Who "Fought mit Sigel"

The Men Who “Fought mit Sigel.”

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PRINCE HENRY'S overtures to Carl Schurz at the gala opera Tuesday, when he invited the former revolutionary German to sit by him in his box, have called attention to the fact that Carl Schurz would not have been able to enjoy the friendship of Prince Henry had he not fled from Germany over fifty years ago. In connection with Mr. Schurz the name of another prominent German who also had to leave his fatherland under similar conditions is recalled, that of Franz Sigel, who is five years older than his compatriot and is now living in this city in his seventy-eighth year. After their part in the unsuccessful Hecker-Strube insurrection in 1848 to secure greater freedom for the German States both Sigel and Schurz spent some time in France and then came to America. In the civil war they came together again when both took an honorable part in the struggle. Schurz resigned an appointment as Minister to Spain in order to enlist in the army, and in 1862 he had command of the Third Division in the corps of Major Gen. Franz Sigel of the Army of Virginia. It was this army which had the difficult task of holding “Stonewall” Jackson at bay and a number of hot engagements were fought, beginning at Cedar Creek and ending with the second battle of Bull Run, where Sigel commanded the right wing and scored a decided advantage over Jackson in the first day's conflict. When the Union forces were finally forced back Sigel skillfully covered the retreat to Centreville. At the outbreak of the war Sigel was a school teacher in St. Louis, where he had gone from New York in 1857. He organized in 1861 the Third Regiment of Missouri Volunteers. Sigel soon became the great rallying centre for the St. Louis Germans, whose devotion to the Union is so well brought out in Churchill's latest novel, “The Crisis.” He participated in the famous affair of Camp Jackson in St. Louis, and later was of invaluable assistance in saving St. Louis, and with it Missouri to the Union cause. A little later he and his intrepid Germans performed such deeds of valor at the battles of Carthage and Wilson's Creek that the young leader's name became famous throughout the North, and for a German to say he “fit mit Sigel” was honor enough. The brave Gen. Lyon met his death at the latter battle and Sigel conducted the retreat from a vastly superior force with such skill that he became the favorite of

his troops and was honored with their highest confidence. His successes in those trying days of Missouri were recognized by his appointment as Brigadier General of Volunteers, and after the battle of Pea Ridge in March, 1862, he was elevated to a Major Generalship. At this time many war songs and patriotic sentiments of rhyme appeared with the “fit mit Sigel” expression for the chief theme. One verse of these popular effusions, describing a typical Sigel soldier, may be interesting: The next time I saw him his knapsack was gone, His cap and canteen were missing, Shell, shrapnel, and grape, and the swift rifle ball Around him and o'er him were hissing. “How are you, my friend, and where have you been, And for what and for whom are you fighting?” He said, as a shell from the enemy's gun Sent his arm and his musket a-“kiting,” “I fights mit Sigel!” After Sigel was made Major General he was transferred to the East and his faithful St. Louis Germans separated from him with the deepest sorrow and reluctance. He was placed in command of the troops at Harper's Ferry and followed Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson in his retreat to Winchester and Middleton. In June, 1862, after the creation of the Army of Virginia, which was placed under the command of Gen. John Pope, Sigel was given command of the First Corps. He was engaged in the battle of Cedar Mountain. With Gens. Banks and McDowell, he took an active part in the operations on the Rappahannock and performed valuable service at the disastrous second battle of Bull Run. Carl Schurz's division held Bald Mountain against many charges of Hood's Texan troops, in one charge nearly one-fourth of the latter's men being killed or wounded. Finally Schurz had to retire and with the remainder of Sigel's corps effected an orderly retreat. Soon after these stirring scenes Gen. Sigel obtained a leave of absence on account of poor health, but in June, 1863, he returned to active service, taking command of the reserve army of Pennsylvania, and he organized a corps of 10,000 men to aid in repelling Lee's invasion. In February, 1864, President Lincoln placed him in charge of the Army of West Virginia, but after his defeat at New Market by Gen. John C. Breckinridge he was relieved, being succeeded by Gen. Hunter, and Sigel was sent to the reserve division on the Potomac. He defended Maryland Heights in July, 1864, against the attacks of Gen. Jubal A. Early.

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