Yankee Dutchman - (Life of Franz Sigel) by Stephen D Engle (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Lauded as a hero in his native land for his sensational but ultimately unsuccessful exploits during the 1848 German Revolution, Franz Sigel--who immigrated to the United States in 1852--is among the most misunderstood figures of the American Civil War. He was appointed by Abraham Lincoln as a political general in the Union army, a move that successfully galvanized northern support and provided a huge influx of German recruits who were eager to "fight mit Sigel." But Sigel proved an inept and ineffectual leader and, unfortunately, is most often remembered for his disappointing failure at the Battle of New Market and his subsequent loss of command.

In his insightful biography, Stephen D. Engle provides the first complete portrait of this enigmatic leader and German standard-bearer, showing Sigel to be a disciplined, self-sacrificing idealist who sparked more pride among his fellow èmigrés, aroused more controversy among Americans, and perhaps enjoyed more admiration--despite his military shortcomings--than any other Civil War figure.

From the Back Cover

Lauded as a hero in his native land for his sensational but ultimately unsuccessful exploits during the 1848 German Revolution, Franz Sigel -- who immigrated to the United States in 1852 -- is among the most misunderstood figures of the American Civil War. He was appointed by Abraham Lincoln as a political general in the Union army, a move that galvanized northern support and led to a huge influx of German recruits who were eager to "fight mit Sigel". But Sigel proved an inept and ineffectual leader and, unfortunately, is most often remembered for his disappointing failure at the Battle of New Market and his subsequent loss of command.

In his insightful biography, Stephen D. Engle provides the first complete portrait of this enigmatic leader and German standard-bearer, showing Sigel to be a disciplined, self-sacrificing idealist who sparked more pride among his fellow emigres, aroused more controversy among Americans, and perhaps enjoyed more admiration -- despite his military shortcomings -- than any other Civil War figure. Shedding light on the vast cultural dimensions of the war, Yankee Dutchman will fascinate Civil War enthusiasts and German-American scholars alike.

Review Quotes

"Engle's biography is extremely well grounded in primary sources, both German and America, ... and is likely to be the standard work on the subject for some time".

-- American Historical Review

About the Author

Stephen D. Engle is associate professor of history at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and the author of Most Promising of All: The Life and Wars of Don Carlos Buell.