BRG CWTs and Store Cards
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Purchased on 10/9/2011.

The obverse of this civil war token features the image of Franz Sigel on horseback, and commemorating his victory at Pea Ridge (described below). Shortly after the start of the war, Sigel was commissioned colonel of the 3rd Missouri Infantry on May 4, 1861. Throughout the summer, President Abraham Lincoln was actively seeking the support of anti-slavery, pro-Unionist immigrants. Sigel was always popular with German immigrants and was a good candidate to advance this plan. He was promoted to brigadier general on August 7, 1861, one of a number of early political generals endorsed by Lincoln.

Sigel served under Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon in the capture of the Confederate Camp Jackson in St. Louis and at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, where his command was routed after making a march around the Confederate camp and attacking from the rear. Sigel conducted the retreat of the army after the death of General Lyon. His finest performance came on March 8, 1862, at the Battle of Pea Ridge, where he commanded two divisions and personally directed the Union artillery in the defeat of Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn on the second day of the battle. Sigel was promoted to major general on March 21, 1862.