This chromolithograph of General Franz Sigel at the Battle of Pea Ridge is titled “Genl. Sigel in der Schlacht bei Pea Ridge, Ark. Maerz 8, 1862” (“General Sigel in the Battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., March 8, 1862”). Identifications are printed along the bottom of the print; from left to right, “General Sigel, General Curtis, General Osterhaus, and General Asboth.” The print was made and published in 1862 by Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio.
The print is an example of the enormous popularity of General Franz Sigel in the German-American community. It also shows that a large market existed in the North for illustrations with a German theme.
The print is inaccurate in depicting Native Americans in the ranks of the Union army. At the Battle of Pea Ridge, Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws and Creeks fought for the Confederates, but no Native Americans served in the army of General Samuel Curtis.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 32118
