Is it Politics or War: Franz Sigel

On May 17, Ulysses S. Grant received disturbing news that Franz Sigel had been defeated at the Battle of New Market in the Shenandoah Valley. Unsurprisingly, Grant thought of an offensive action Sigel could take following the defeat. He inquired of Halleck about the possibility of Sigel moving on Staunton to destroy Confederate supplies there. Halleck responded bluntly that Sigel was already retreating to Strasbourg and that he should not expect anything else from him. He went on to say that "he never did anything else." Grant, believing that was the end of it, received more bad news from Halleck: Butler had been defeated outside of Richmond at Proctor's Creek. Halleck added that Grant should not rely on him for anything else.

These comments by Halleck reflect an ongoing frustration within the Lincoln Administration. Grant's overall strategically sound strategy included a column of Union forces moving up the Shenandoah Valley under Sigel, in hopes of holding a Confederate force in his front while Butler took the newly formed Army of the James into Richmond. Meanwhile, Grant detained Lee's force in front of the Army of the Potomac. Yet, Butler and Sigel were political appointees. Only Sigel had any experience on the battlefield. Therefore, why were these men chosen for such essential operations in the east? Why do they have such spotted records? Finally, how did they impact the war itself? I will assess each one of these men over the next two weeks.

Franz Sigel was born in Baden, Germany, in 1824. He initially attended a military academy but later pursued a degree in law. However, he became associated with democratic revolutionary movements in Germany. Sigel supported the Baden Revolution of 1848 and was assigned to the military command of the Baden Revolutionaries. He fought in several skirmishes but was ultimately defeated. He fled to Switzerland and immigrated to the United States. Initially arriving in New York City, he made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, by 1860. He was a strong antislavery advocate.

At the outbreak of war in 1861, Franz Sigel was awarded the rank of Brigadier General. Despite not participating in military actions for several years, he was considered a political appointee and had connections with the large German community in St. Louis. His reputation from the Baden Revolution preceded him, most likely securing his rank and position. He became a hero in Missouri, working alongside Nathaniel Lyon, capturing Camp Jackson outside St. Louis. They went on to fight at the Battle of Boonville and Wilson's Creek. At Wilson's Creek, Sigel led a detachment of Union forces to attack the rear of Sterling Price's Confederate encampment. He was initially successful, but poor deployment of his troops forced him to retreat, and the full weight of the Confederate army shifted to Nathaniel Lyon's front. Lyon was killed in the second assault on his position.

The Union withdrew from the battle, but despite Sigel's performance, newspapers gave glowing reports of Sigel's service. At the Battle of Pea Ridge, Sigel was responsible for ordering an artillery barrage and infantry attack against Confederate forces at the close of the battle. He deserves credit for this action, but the Confederates already planned a withdrawal at the time of the attack. Sigel was clearly not a man who could read the military environment or evolving circumstances. Yet, his star continued to shine with the public, especially German-Americans, who continued to sign up for the Union cause.

Sigel was given command of the First Corps in the Army of Virginia under the overall command of John Pope. He fought the terrible Battle of Second Bull Run and got himself in trouble with Pope following the disaster. He reportedly spread rumors that Irvin McDowell, commander of the Third Corps, was responsible for the Union defeat. Unsurprisingly, Sigel played a significant role in their defeat due to his inability to command a corps and, again, his failure to deploy his soldiers successfully. These rumors led to him getting sidelined, holding insignificant commands throughout much of 1863-1864. Again, his poor battlefield performance seemed to avoid the conscience of other officers and the public.

Sigel continued to lobby various members of Congress for a larger role in the war effort. Kellian V. Whaley of West Virginia took up Sigel's call. He ensured that he received command of the Department of West Virginia. Whaley visited Lincoln on three separate occasions to promote Sigel to command. Lincoln was persuaded by Sigel's moderate political views and widespread support among German-Americans. The 1864 election largely depended on the support of new immigrant groups, one of which was the German community. With Sigel in command, Lincoln would win their support, highlighting the significant political influence Sigel wielded.

Sigel took an active part in Grant's overall strategy in the Spring of 1864. He had to lead his contingent up the Shenandoah Valley and confront a small Confederate force led by John C. Breckinridge. Part of John Breckinridge's command consisted of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute. As it turned out, Sigel improperly attacked the Confederates twice, being repulsed each time, and his infantry gave way under a Confederate attack. He meddled in the tactical affairs of his division commanders and lost the battle. It took time for Grant to properly find the right general to send to the Shenandoah Valley, but he finally found it in Phil Sheridan a couple of months later.

Franz Sigel held a public image that many other generals did not personify. He represented a key voting bloc for the Republican Party, and he successfully lobbied for himself in Congress. His early work on his law degree may have given him an advantage. However, he hardly personified Carl von Clausewitz's military genius. He had a military education and experience, but it did not come naturally to him. The clouds of war blinded him at each turn throughout the war, and he is the perfect example of those who opposed "politically appointed" generals.

Bibliography

Powell, David A. Union Command Failure in the Shenandoah : Major General Franz Sigel and the War in the Valley of Virginia, May 1864. El Dorado Hills, California: Savas Beatie, 2019.

Woodworth, Steven E. Grant’s Lieutenants: From Chattanooga to Appomattox. First edition. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 2008.