Daniel Sickles
United States Army Medal of Honor recipient and Union Army general (1819-1914) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Daniel Edgar Sickles (1819–1914) was a controversial New York politician, diplomat, and political general during the American Civil War.[2] He was the first person to successfully use the Insanity defense as a legal defense.[2] As a result, he was acquitted of killing his wife’s lover, Francis Barton Key (son of Francis Scott Key).[2] As a general, he was a political appointee who gained his high rank strictly through political influence. Without any military experience or training, Sickles found it difficult to follow orders. In spite of his battlefield failures, he managed to get himself awarded the Medal of Honor.[3]
Quick Facts Preceded by, Succeeded by ...
Daniel Edgar Sickles | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 10th district | |
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895 | |
Preceded by | William Bourke Cockran |
Succeeded by | Amos J. Cummings |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 3rd district | |
In office March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861 | |
Preceded by | Guy R. Pelton |
Succeeded by | Benjamin Wood |
United States Minister to Spain | |
In office May 15, 1869 – January 31, 1874 | |
Preceded by | John P. Hale |
Succeeded by | Caleb Cushing |
Member of the New York Senate from the 3rd district | |
In office January 1, 1856 – March 3, 1857 | |
Preceded by | Thomas J. Barr |
Succeeded by | Francis B. Spinola |
Personal details | |
Born | (1819-10-20)October 20, 1819 New York City, New York |
Died | May 3, 1914(1914-05-03) (aged 94) New York City, New York |
Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) |
Teresa Bagioli Sickles
(m. 1852–1867)Carmina Creagh (m. 1871–1914) |
Children | 3 |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Military service | |
Nickname(s) | "Devil Dan"[1] |
Allegiance | United States of America Union |
Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1869 |
Rank | Major General |
Commands | Excelsior Brigade III Corps |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
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