Yankee Dutchman: The Life of Franz Sigel
Colleges and Divisions
Arts and Letters
Department
History
Document Type
Book
Description
Lauded as a hero in his native land for his sensational but ultimately unsuccessful exploits during the 1848 German Revolution, Franz Sigel'who immigrated to the United States in 1852'is among the most misunderstood figures of the American Civil War. He was appointed by Abraham Lincoln as a political general in the Union army, a move that successfully galvanized northern support and provided a huge influx of German recruits who were eager to 'fight mit Sigel.' But Sigel proved an inept and ineffectual leader and, unfortunately, is most often remembered for his disappointing failure at the Battle of New Market and his subsequent loss of command. In his insightful biography, Stephen D. Engle provides the first complete portrait of this enigmatic leader and German standard-bearer, showing Sigel to be a disciplined, self-sacrificing idealist who sparked more pride among his fellow EmigrEs, aroused more controversy among Americans, and perhaps enjoyed more admiration'despite his military shortcomings'than any other Civil War figure.
ISBN
9780807124468
Files
Download Full Text
Publication Date
1999
Publisher
Louisiana State University Press
Keywords
Franz Sigel, German Revolution 1848, Union Army, political general, Abraham Lincoln, German immigrants, New Market battle, military leadership, Civil War 1861-1865, United States Army
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | History | United States History
Recommended Citation
Engle, Stephen D., "Yankee Dutchman: The Life of Franz Sigel" (1999). Research Books. 21.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/faculty_books/21
Comments
Originally published: Fayetteville : University of Arkansas Press, 1993.