Abraham Lincoln papers From Franz Sigel to Henry W. Halleck, January 6, 1862 C. Copy Head Quarters 3d Division In Camp near Rolla January 6th 1862 General 1 Your favor dated January 2d I have received and thank you for the kind consideration you have given to my letter. I am indeed sorry that my resignation is just laid before you, when your attention is directed to so many important duties. But as I feel, that the interest of the troops now under my command, is more or less affected by my own case, I think it not improper to add to my original letter some further explanations. 1 Halleck's January 2, 1862 letter to Sigel is in this collection. For additional correspondence pertaining to Sigel's resignation, see Sigel to Samuel R. Curtis, December 31, 1861; P. A. Ladue to Francis P. Blair, Jr., January 6, 1862; and Sigel to Halleck, January 10, 1862. There are also several petitions on behalf of Sigel in this collection. On the 29th of November, I sent in a report and some propositions in regard to the organization of the Third Division, but did never receive an answer. Instead of having the 43rd Illinois and 9th Wisconsin added to the Division, one of the regiments was sent to Otterville and the other (I am 2 informed) to the Division of General Hunter, although these regiments were assigned to the Division by special order of General Fremont, principally because they were raised and organized by my assistance and under the condition that they should form a part of my command. 2 David Hunter 3 Besides this a regiment, organized at Pittsburgh (commanded by Col. Schimmelphennig) and 4 another organized at New York, and commanded by Col. Frank could never have been raised, if Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.1386400 not under my name and under the condition that they should be sent to Missouri, to join the Third Division. And although this privilege was granted to them, they afterwards were sent to the East, to reinforce the Army of the Potomac. 3 ID: Alexander Schimmelfennig, a veteran of the Prussian Army, immigrated to the United States in 1853 and was commissioned colonel of a Pennsylvania regiment at the outbreak of the Civil War. Schimmelfennig held a field command under General Franz Sigel and was promoted to brigadier general in November 1862. Schimmelfennig saw action with the 11th Corps at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. 4 Paul Frank was colonel of the 52nd New York I do not know whether it was at that time in the power of the General of the Department to grant such a privilege, but as it was given, and all preliminary arrangements made accordingly, I am to a certain degree responsible for the transaction and may justly be accused of deceiving the officers and men, who entered the service under the above mentioned conditions and who repeatedly petitioned to be transferred. Almost the same it was with the regiment of the “Benton Hussars.” The organisation of this regiment was entrusted to me, as shown by various copies of orders sent to you some time ago, but against all previous arrangements the organisation of the regiment was taken out of my hands, and an officer without my knowledge and recommendation, and contrary to the spirit of your order No. 22, put and held in command in spite of my own remonstrances and those of the Officers of the regiment, with the exeption of three, and although in consequence of this action the officers and men of this regiment became demoralized, and in the highest degree dissatisfied. In denying the right to any officer to enlist troops for his own gratification and personal service, and without having had the intention to organize and command troops of a distinct nationality, I believe on the other side, that when troops are raised and organized for the public service by the influence and exertions of a General of Brigade or Division, he should have the privilege to command them, especially if he has not the number of regiments prescribed by law to form a Brigade or Division, and as long as he has not lost the confidence of higher authorities. I therefore respectfully request you General to accept my resignation. With the highest regard for you, as the commander and chief of this Department, I am General your most obed't serv't Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.1386400 (signed) F. Sigel Brigr. Gen'l. Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.1386400.