Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Daniel Edgar Sickles (1819-1914)
1860-1900
E. & H. T. Anthony
USA: New York, New York City
Photograph on paper mounted on board
overall: 4 x 2 6/16 in.; 10.16 x 6.0325 cm
Gift of Mrs. Doris Hudson May
78.14.12.7

Carte-de-visite photograph; portrait of Daniel Edgar Sickles seated while wearing Civil War uniform, mustache; printed on back "Published by / E. & H. T. ANTHONY, / 501 Broadway, / New York. / EA. / FROM / PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVE / in / BRADY'S / National Portrait Gallery"; written above photographic information in pencil "Sickles."

Daniel E. Sickles was born in New York City on October 20, 1819, where he attended New York University and started a law parctice in 1846. He was elected to Congress in 1857, serving until 1861. While in the capital Sickles shot his wife's alleged lover, Philip Barton-Key (son of Francis Scott Key author of the Star Spangled Banner). Sickles was represented by Edwin Stanton for the killing and was cleared on the first successful use of the "temprary insanity" defense. Sickles' Civil War service began as colonel of the 17th New York Volunteer Infantry. By November 1862 he was promoted to major general. Sickles fought during the Pennsylvania Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and through the Chancellorsville campaign. By this point, her had cultivated a reputation for commanding a rowdy division and circumventing orders by his superiors. This came to a head at Gettysburg when disobeying General George Meade, Sickles moved his troops from the Round Tops to the Peach Orchard, which left them vulnurable. Sickles himself lost his right leg in the battle, which he donated tot he Army Medical Museum in Washington D.C. Although his actions were questionable, in 1897 Sickles was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in Gettysburg. His service in the army ended on January 1, 1868 as a major general. After the war, Sickles held a variety of public positions, Minister to Spain under Grant, New York City Sheriff, New York Congressman, and Chairman of the New York State Monuments Commission. Sickles died in New York City on May 3, 1914.