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Daniel Sickles. Served as U.S. Congressman 1857-1861. In 1859, he shot his wife's lover, the son of Francis Scott Key, being acquitted on the grounds of temporary insanity. In September 1861, he became a brigadier general of volunteers, serving in the Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. At Chancellorsville, he was sent to pursue Stonewall Jackson's command, mistakenly reporting that the Confederates were retreating which led to a gap in the Union lines which contributed to the success of Jackson's attack. During Gettysburg, he was ordered to cover the Union left at the Round Tops but he decided to move his troops ahead of the line, causing massive losses during Longstreet's assault. He lost his leg and command during the battle and endlessly charged Meade with incompetence. He retired in 1869 and became U.S. minister to Spain (1869-75) and U.S. Congressman (1893-95). He helped create the national battlefield park at Gettysburg and there's been a move to have his grave moved up to that cemetery instead of here. |