About Me
I was born Daniel Edgar Sickles in New York City on October 20, 1819 to George Garret Sickles and Susan Marsh Sickles. My father was a real estate speculator, and despite financial fluctuation, he ended up wealthy, as a result I inherited a large estate from him, though it did not last long enough... When I was young, I apprenticed as a printer, however, in 1838, my parent sent me to live in the house of Professor Lorenzo L. Da Ponte from New York University. Along with the professor, his adopted daughter Maria and her husband Antonia Bagioli lived here with there young daughter Teresa, who was just learning to walk and talk. In 1841, after finishing my studies in law at the University, I opened a number of law offices, however, I managed to gain a reputation as a fraud and a thief with more or less "questionable practices." Soon, I was indicted for "obtaining monet under false pretenses," while I was almost prosecuted for "appropriating funds from another man," and accused of "pocketing money that had been raised for a political pamphlet." I was charged, though, with "improperly retaining a mortgage that I had pledged as collateral on a loan."
My career in politics and law began in 1844 when I began working in Tammany Hall. I those days, and now, I considered myself to be "a tough Democrat; a fighting one; a Tammany Hall Democrat." However, it was not until 1846, when I was admitted to the bar, could I practice in New York City. I became Member of the State Assembly in 1847, Corporation Attorney in 1853, Secretary of the Legation at London by appointment from President Pierce from 1853 until 1855, Member of the Senate in 1856 and 1857, and was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-Fifth and Thirty-Sixth Congresses (March 4, 1857- March 3, 1861).
I was considered a "lady killer" in my youth. I was a "professional bachelor," a partier, who never held any quarrels with drinking anywhere I pleased. I gambled, of course, but was always considered charismatic, even if I was flambouyant and controversial. Everyone thought something of me, both good and bad, however, I value my opinon of myself above the opinion of another. Even when I began having a relationship with a Miss Fanny White, who owned... a brothel... in the city. We were romantically involved and I did manage to make a few bucks off of some of her jewlery in exchange for some... "favors..."
I was 33 years old when I married, the then, 16 year old Teresa Bagioli. Both of our families whole-heartedly disaproved of our union, however, we were wed in September of 1852 thanks to the Mayor (of New York.) Soon after, we had a beautiful daughter named Laura. However, marriage... cannot keep me away from a beautiful women... I even still keep in contact with my friend Fanny White.
My career in politics and law began in 1844 when I began working in Tammany Hall. I those days, and now, I considered myself to be "a tough Democrat; a fighting one; a Tammany Hall Democrat." However, it was not until 1846, when I was admitted to the bar, could I practice in New York City. I became Member of the State Assembly in 1847, Corporation Attorney in 1853, Secretary of the Legation at London by appointment from President Pierce from 1853 until 1855, Member of the Senate in 1856 and 1857, and was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-Fifth and Thirty-Sixth Congresses (March 4, 1857- March 3, 1861).
I was considered a "lady killer" in my youth. I was a "professional bachelor," a partier, who never held any quarrels with drinking anywhere I pleased. I gambled, of course, but was always considered charismatic, even if I was flambouyant and controversial. Everyone thought something of me, both good and bad, however, I value my opinon of myself above the opinion of another. Even when I began having a relationship with a Miss Fanny White, who owned... a brothel... in the city. We were romantically involved and I did manage to make a few bucks off of some of her jewlery in exchange for some... "favors..."
I was 33 years old when I married, the then, 16 year old Teresa Bagioli. Both of our families whole-heartedly disaproved of our union, however, we were wed in September of 1852 thanks to the Mayor (of New York.) Soon after, we had a beautiful daughter named Laura. However, marriage... cannot keep me away from a beautiful women... I even still keep in contact with my friend Fanny White.
Comment- Teresa Bagioli Sickles
Darling, I love you with all my heart!!
Murdering the Son of "The Star Spangled Banner"
It began on a Thursday in Feburary, 1895. I had recieved an anonymous letter, cruely detailed, it told of my wife's affair with the young Key boy. It was an utter shock and an utter betrayal. I was unsure of what to do, but there was this rage within me, a deep burning sensation that began at the base of my stomach and rose to my head, turning everything around me red with the flames of wrath. I once believe Key to be a friend, and now I knew he was only using me... to get to my wife. Oh, and she is so cunning, that wife of mine... the gossip about the affair... it had certainly reached me before, and upon my confrontation, she denied it, saying it was nothing but palaver and the spawn of jealousy. Now, I was certain, and to be doubly certain, I hired an investigator, a friend of mine, who confirmed it- with similar testimony from a large number of neighbors and general witnesses. It came again, after that double certainty. The blinding rage. It was a Saturday evening when I confronted my wife again, throwing the incriminating evidence at her. She tried to deny it... but the evidence against her was overwhelming. I forced her to write a confession... it read:
I have been in a house in Fifteenth Street, with Mr. Key. How many times I
don’t know. I believe the house belongs to a colored man. The house is
unoccupied. Commenced going there the latter part of January. Have been in
alone and with Mr. Key. Usually stayed an hour or more. There was a bed in the
second story. I did what is usual for a wicked woman to do.
Upon her signature I took to the streets, and to my good luck, there he was, just across the street from my home, emerging from a clubhouse, like the scoundrel he is. With my friend Butterworth standing nearby, I ran at the man, one gun in my pocket, one gun tucked behind my back, and another in my hand, shouting: "Key, you scoundrel, you have dishonored my house- you must die!" I took one shot with the gun in my hand, but the gun misfired. Key lunged at me, trying to wrestle away the gun, but I mamanaged to push him down and pulled out the gun from my back and took another shot, but missed as I was distracted by an object he had thrown my way. He was on the ground now, begging me not to kill him, but the blinding rage had taken over, I had tunnel-vision, focused on the space where his heart should be, and I shouted again: "You villain! You have dishonored my house-you must die!" I pulled the trigger. He slumped over on the ground, blood pooling around him. Butterworth and I walked off together, in the direction of the attorney general's house, so as I may turn myself in, however, Butterwork went back and picked up the object Key had thrown at me- His opera glasses. I sneered at them as he handed them to me, knowing full well they were what he used to watch for my wife's messages.
I have been in a house in Fifteenth Street, with Mr. Key. How many times I
don’t know. I believe the house belongs to a colored man. The house is
unoccupied. Commenced going there the latter part of January. Have been in
alone and with Mr. Key. Usually stayed an hour or more. There was a bed in the
second story. I did what is usual for a wicked woman to do.
Upon her signature I took to the streets, and to my good luck, there he was, just across the street from my home, emerging from a clubhouse, like the scoundrel he is. With my friend Butterworth standing nearby, I ran at the man, one gun in my pocket, one gun tucked behind my back, and another in my hand, shouting: "Key, you scoundrel, you have dishonored my house- you must die!" I took one shot with the gun in my hand, but the gun misfired. Key lunged at me, trying to wrestle away the gun, but I mamanaged to push him down and pulled out the gun from my back and took another shot, but missed as I was distracted by an object he had thrown my way. He was on the ground now, begging me not to kill him, but the blinding rage had taken over, I had tunnel-vision, focused on the space where his heart should be, and I shouted again: "You villain! You have dishonored my house-you must die!" I pulled the trigger. He slumped over on the ground, blood pooling around him. Butterworth and I walked off together, in the direction of the attorney general's house, so as I may turn myself in, however, Butterwork went back and picked up the object Key had thrown at me- His opera glasses. I sneered at them as he handed them to me, knowing full well they were what he used to watch for my wife's messages.
Gunning down an adulterer
An artists depiction of my shooting Phillip Barton Key, son of Francis Scott Key, in 1859. This abomination carried out an affair with my wife, Teresa, and thought I would sit placidly by and let it continue! Well, I certainly protected the sanctity of my marriage! (This version was published in Harper's Weekly.)
Another angle.
Here is another drawing of the shooting. The man against the fence is Mr. Samuel F. Butterworth. Many consider him to be an accomplice to the crime because he did not stop me from committing it. (This version was published in Frank Leslie's Illustrated. )
prison
My cell was small and uncomfortable, however, when I recieved guests, which came in the boat load, I was given a much larger cell, with more comforts than my own. It was hard with my friends visiting, but the hardest was Teresa's mother and her clergyman, who begged me to return the wedding ring I had taken from her, to think of our daughter... I gave in and returned it... despite the hole in my pride. "It will not repair our marriage vows..."
"More sinned against then sinning."
"More sinned against then sinning."
Comment-Edwin stanton
My boy, our defense was spot on! This is the first time that Temporary insanity has evern been used in legal history, and I just know it will assure your freedom!
The Trial
There were many views as to the outcome of the trial, however, the most prevailant was that I "held his life in my hands," as he was my wife's "seducer," thus, I would be found not guilty. That was "the American way." (In France, the husband would challenge the "seducer" to a duel, while in England, the husband would sue the man.) The trial did not last long, and the judgement came from the jury in only an hour. "Not Guilty!"
The Villain
Phillip Barton Key... A man who could never live up to the legacy of his father...
My Part in the American Civil War
After the Key scandal, and the public opinion about my publicly forgiving my wife, as well as, the end of my Congressional term, April 1861, while drinking with my friend Captain William Wiley, I officially began my service of the Union in the American Civil Way. Wiley offered to start up a regiment and offered me the position of Commanding Officer. I was uncertain, however, once I met President Lincoln, my mind was changed, and the President and I would have something of an "exploitive" relationship (as he benefited from my Democratic status, and I the position). Rather than our original plan of building a regiment, Wiley and I built a brigade, while I was named Colonel of this new "17th Brigade; Excelsior Brigade." (Named after the New York motto "Ever Upward.") (I was also Colonel the New York Volunteer Infantry.)
After the failure of the First Bull Run, our Brigade was called out, and I believed this would immediately assure my promotion to Brigadier General, however, it did not come. So, I began furthering my relationship with the President, both as he was a good man and as the fact that this would speed up my promotion. Soon after, though, I met Mary Todd, Lincoln's wife, and we began go out when Lincoln was "unavailable" to court her...
In 1862, the Excelsior Brigade was assigned to Joseph Hooker's division in the Third Corps, where we saw our first combat at Fair Oaks (Seven Pines) on June 1st. Our Brigade was given high praises by George McClellan and Hooker. We saw more combat during the Seven Days' Battle, which gave me proper battlefield experience before the Battle of Gettysburg. Soon after this battle, though, I left the Brigade and went on a recruiting tour, giving speeches. It was because of this that I missed the Second Manassas Campaign and the Antietam Campaigns.
I rejoined the Brigade in November of 1862 and by this time I was already a Brigadier General, however, when Hooker was taken into the Center Grand Division under Ambrose E. Burnside, who replace McClellan, thus, resulting in my promotion to Major General and I was given command of Hooker's old Second Division of the Third Coprs.
During the Battle of Fredericksburg, I was under the Command of George Stoneman, however, we saw almost no action, while others, such as Meade and Birney came to heads after the battle due to some mishap in strategy...
When 1853 hit, we were still seeing little combat, despite my commanding an entire division. Although, I was also the highest ranking "Non-West Point in the army.
While here, with no combat on the horizon, I began to befriend Joe Hooker and Dan Butterfield and the three of us, bored out of our minds, partied together, with women and alcohol.
The real changes, though, took place during the battle of Chancellorsville, in which both mine and Hooker's armies took a beating from General Lee of the Confederate army. We lost over 4,100 men in the battle and are eventually pushed back from major points as a result of...well.... poor judgement, on my part, I guess.
Hooker eventually resigned after the battle, only three days before Gettysburg, giving way for Meade to come in. I never liked that Meade, so full of himself for being "higher on the upbringing scale..." We argued a great deal, Meade and I... it made life difficult.
A few days later, when I reached Gettysburg, on July 1st, I was given my orders to hold down a hill, however, I became confused as to which one, and there seemed to be many more people confused also. When I confronted Meade on my confusion, he sent a man named Hunt to show me the way, even though I was still uncertain. Later, though, Meade called a meeting, in which an argument ensued between us again. It was during this that the Confederates attacked and we ran to prepare to fight back. The fighting was fierce, and my lines were crumbling. While attemping to regather them, I was hit in my right leg by an artillary shell. My men were distressed, but, being as I am, I tried to cheer them up by keeping a grin on my face and smoking a cigar, looking as care-free as I could manage. However, I did not know that this would be my last day in battle, as my leg was later amputated. It was a sacrifice I could live with though, as it was given in a great service, and as I donated the leg to the Army Medical College in Washington D.C. I have never once failed to visit my aputated leg on the anniversary of its amputation.
After the failure of the First Bull Run, our Brigade was called out, and I believed this would immediately assure my promotion to Brigadier General, however, it did not come. So, I began furthering my relationship with the President, both as he was a good man and as the fact that this would speed up my promotion. Soon after, though, I met Mary Todd, Lincoln's wife, and we began go out when Lincoln was "unavailable" to court her...
In 1862, the Excelsior Brigade was assigned to Joseph Hooker's division in the Third Corps, where we saw our first combat at Fair Oaks (Seven Pines) on June 1st. Our Brigade was given high praises by George McClellan and Hooker. We saw more combat during the Seven Days' Battle, which gave me proper battlefield experience before the Battle of Gettysburg. Soon after this battle, though, I left the Brigade and went on a recruiting tour, giving speeches. It was because of this that I missed the Second Manassas Campaign and the Antietam Campaigns.
I rejoined the Brigade in November of 1862 and by this time I was already a Brigadier General, however, when Hooker was taken into the Center Grand Division under Ambrose E. Burnside, who replace McClellan, thus, resulting in my promotion to Major General and I was given command of Hooker's old Second Division of the Third Coprs.
During the Battle of Fredericksburg, I was under the Command of George Stoneman, however, we saw almost no action, while others, such as Meade and Birney came to heads after the battle due to some mishap in strategy...
When 1853 hit, we were still seeing little combat, despite my commanding an entire division. Although, I was also the highest ranking "Non-West Point in the army.
While here, with no combat on the horizon, I began to befriend Joe Hooker and Dan Butterfield and the three of us, bored out of our minds, partied together, with women and alcohol.
The real changes, though, took place during the battle of Chancellorsville, in which both mine and Hooker's armies took a beating from General Lee of the Confederate army. We lost over 4,100 men in the battle and are eventually pushed back from major points as a result of...well.... poor judgement, on my part, I guess.
Hooker eventually resigned after the battle, only three days before Gettysburg, giving way for Meade to come in. I never liked that Meade, so full of himself for being "higher on the upbringing scale..." We argued a great deal, Meade and I... it made life difficult.
A few days later, when I reached Gettysburg, on July 1st, I was given my orders to hold down a hill, however, I became confused as to which one, and there seemed to be many more people confused also. When I confronted Meade on my confusion, he sent a man named Hunt to show me the way, even though I was still uncertain. Later, though, Meade called a meeting, in which an argument ensued between us again. It was during this that the Confederates attacked and we ran to prepare to fight back. The fighting was fierce, and my lines were crumbling. While attemping to regather them, I was hit in my right leg by an artillary shell. My men were distressed, but, being as I am, I tried to cheer them up by keeping a grin on my face and smoking a cigar, looking as care-free as I could manage. However, I did not know that this would be my last day in battle, as my leg was later amputated. It was a sacrifice I could live with though, as it was given in a great service, and as I donated the leg to the Army Medical College in Washington D.C. I have never once failed to visit my aputated leg on the anniversary of its amputation.
Peg-Legged Soldier
A few of my men and I after I lost my leg at Gettysburg.