Horatio G. Sickel
Encyclopedia
Horatio Gates Sickel was a Union general during the American Civil War
. He served in the Pennsylvania Reserves
during the first part of the war and later commanded brigades in western Virginia and at Petersburg
, where a serious wound ended his military career.
. He belonged to a family of Dutch settlers who had emigrated to the area with William Penn
. He was also distantly related to Revolutionary War general, Horatio Gates
, from whom he received his namesake. Sickel spent his early life as an apprentice in coach
making and manufacturing lamps. He served as a Captain in the state militia prior to the war.
. He led his regiment credibly at Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mill
, receiving commendations from his brigade and division commanders, George G. Meade and George McCall. He continued in command of the regiment through the battles of Second Bull Run
and Fredericksburg
. Shortly after Fredericksburg, he succeeded General Meade in command of the Pennsylvania Reserve Division
. Sickel and his division were stationed at Alexandria, Virginia on guard duty. While many of the Pennsylvania Reserves rejoined the Army of the Potomac for the Gettysburg campaign, Sickel stayed behind as commander of a brigade in the Department of Alexandria.
Sickel did not see action again until the Spring of 1864 when he was ordered to join the forces of George Crook
operating in western Virginia, where he commanded the 3rd Brigade of Crook's Kanawha Division
. At the battle of Cloyd's Mountain
, he led his men in a charge against the Confederate breastworks which succeeded in turning the enemy's flank. The following month the 3-year enlistments of the 3rd Pennsylvania Reserves ran out. Sickel and the rest of his men were mustered out of the volunteer services on June 17, 1864. He immediately reenlisted and was appointed colonel of the 198th Pennsylvania Regiment. This command was ordered to the Petersburg front and upon arrival there, Sickel was placed in command of the 1st Brigade in the 1st Division of the V Corps
. Two weeks later Sickel led his brigade into action at Poplar Springs Church
. For his services there he was given a brevet promotion to brigadier general of volunteers on October 21, 1864. Sickel took a supporting role in the battle of Boydton Plank Road
but was again significantly engaged at Hatcher's Run
. There he received a painful flesh wound in his left thigh on February 6, 1865. This wound bothered him for the remainder of his life. In November 1864 General Joshua L. Chamberlain, permanent commander of the 1st Brigade, returned to duty and Sickel reverted to regimental command. He was given a brevet promotion to major general on March 13, 1865. At the battle of Quaker Road, Sickel "greatly distinguished himself", according to Chamberlain,..."and [behaved] in the most admirable manner." He was again wounded at Quaker Road, having his horse shot out from under him. It was believed at the time that his arm would have to be amputated, his arm was saved but he lost his elbow. He mustered out of the volunteer service on June 4, 1865.
General Sickel died April 17, 1890 in Philadelphia and is buried in Doylestown Cemetery.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He served in the Pennsylvania Reserves
Pennsylvania Reserves
The Pennsylvania Reserves were an infantry division in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Noted for its famous commanders and high casualties, it served in the Eastern Theater, and fought in many important battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg....
during the first part of the war and later commanded brigades in western Virginia and at Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
, where a serious wound ended his military career.
Early life
Horatio Sickel was born April 3, 1817 in Bucks County, PennsylvaniaBucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
. He belonged to a family of Dutch settlers who had emigrated to the area with William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
. He was also distantly related to Revolutionary War general, Horatio Gates
Horatio Gates
Horatio Lloyd Gates was a retired British soldier who served as an American general during the Revolutionary War. He took credit for the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga – Benedict Arnold, who led the attack, was finally forced from the field when he was shot in the leg – and...
, from whom he received his namesake. Sickel spent his early life as an apprentice in coach
Coach (carriage)
A coach was originally a large, usually closed, four-wheeled carriage with two or more horses harnessed as a team, controlled by a coachman and/or one or more postilions. It had doors in the sides, with generally a front and a back seat inside and, for the driver, a small, usually elevated seat in...
making and manufacturing lamps. He served as a Captain in the state militia prior to the war.
Civil War
In 1861 Sickel volunteered for the Union army and was appointed captain (May 27) then colonel (July 28) of the 3rd Pennsylvania Reserves. Colonel Sickel and his regiment joined the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula in time for the Seven Days BattlesSeven Days Battles
The Seven Days Battles was a series of six major battles over the seven days from June 25 to July 1, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia during the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee drove the invading Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, away from...
. He led his regiment credibly at Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mill
Battle of Gaines' Mill
The Battle of Gaines's Mill, sometimes known as the First Battle of Cold Harbor or the Battle of Chickahominy River, took place on June 27, 1862, in Hanover County, Virginia, as the third of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War...
, receiving commendations from his brigade and division commanders, George G. Meade and George McCall. He continued in command of the regiment through the battles of Second Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
and Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
. Shortly after Fredericksburg, he succeeded General Meade in command of the Pennsylvania Reserve Division
Pennsylvania Reserves
The Pennsylvania Reserves were an infantry division in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Noted for its famous commanders and high casualties, it served in the Eastern Theater, and fought in many important battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg....
. Sickel and his division were stationed at Alexandria, Virginia on guard duty. While many of the Pennsylvania Reserves rejoined the Army of the Potomac for the Gettysburg campaign, Sickel stayed behind as commander of a brigade in the Department of Alexandria.
Sickel did not see action again until the Spring of 1864 when he was ordered to join the forces of George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
operating in western Virginia, where he commanded the 3rd Brigade of Crook's Kanawha Division
Kanawha Division
The Kanawha Division was a Union Army division which could trace its origins back to a brigade originally commanded by Jacob D. Cox. This division served in western Virginia and Maryland and was at times led by such famous personalities as George Crook and Rutherford B. Hayes.-Kanawha Brigade:On...
. At the battle of Cloyd's Mountain
Battle of Cloyd's Mountain
The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain was a Union victory in western Virginia in 1864 that allowed the Union forces to destroy the last railroad connecting Tennessee to Virginia.-Background:...
, he led his men in a charge against the Confederate breastworks which succeeded in turning the enemy's flank. The following month the 3-year enlistments of the 3rd Pennsylvania Reserves ran out. Sickel and the rest of his men were mustered out of the volunteer services on June 17, 1864. He immediately reenlisted and was appointed colonel of the 198th Pennsylvania Regiment. This command was ordered to the Petersburg front and upon arrival there, Sickel was placed in command of the 1st Brigade in the 1st Division of the V Corps
V Corps (ACW)
The V Corps was a unit of the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War.-1862:The corps was first organized briefly under Nathaniel P. Banks, but then permanently on May 18, 1862, designated as the "V Corps Provisional"...
. Two weeks later Sickel led his brigade into action at Poplar Springs Church
Battle of Peebles' Farm
The Battle of Peebles' Farm was the western part of a simultaneous Union offensive against the Confederate works guarding Petersburg and Richmond, during the Siege of Petersburg in the American Civil War.-Background:...
. For his services there he was given a brevet promotion to brigadier general of volunteers on October 21, 1864. Sickel took a supporting role in the battle of Boydton Plank Road
Battle of Boydton Plank Road
-References:****...
but was again significantly engaged at Hatcher's Run
Battle of Hatcher's Run
The Battle of Hatcher's Run, also known as Dabney's Mill, Armstrong's Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughn Road, fought February 5–7, 1865, was one in a series of Union offensives during the Siege of Petersburg, aimed at cutting off Confederate supply traffic on Boydton Plank Road and the Weldon...
. There he received a painful flesh wound in his left thigh on February 6, 1865. This wound bothered him for the remainder of his life. In November 1864 General Joshua L. Chamberlain, permanent commander of the 1st Brigade, returned to duty and Sickel reverted to regimental command. He was given a brevet promotion to major general on March 13, 1865. At the battle of Quaker Road, Sickel "greatly distinguished himself", according to Chamberlain,..."and [behaved] in the most admirable manner." He was again wounded at Quaker Road, having his horse shot out from under him. It was believed at the time that his arm would have to be amputated, his arm was saved but he lost his elbow. He mustered out of the volunteer service on June 4, 1865.
Later life
Upon his return to Pennsylvania, Sickel was appointed Health Inspector for the Port of Philadelphia. He also served as an I.R.S. collector and pension agent as well as the president of the Philadelphia, Newton & New York Railroad.General Sickel died April 17, 1890 in Philadelphia and is buried in Doylestown Cemetery.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals