This item is an 1884 check drawn on Daniel Sickles account at the Bank of the Metropolis in New York’s Union Square. The check is made out to Knox “The Hatter” in the amount of $19.50 and is endorsed on the reverse by E. M. Knox. Reverse also has cancelation stamps.

Check meas. approx. 8.00 x 3.00 inches and is in good condition. All ink is strong.

With the check is a full color postcard advertisement for the KNOX HAT FACTORY. Card is in excellent condition.

Daniel Edgar Sickles was an American politician, soldier, and diplomat.

As an antebellum New York politician, Sickles was involved in a number of public scandals, most notably the killing of his wife's lover, Philip Barton Key II, son of Francis Scott Key. He was acquitted with the first use of temporary insanity as a legal defense in U.S. history.

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Sickles became one of the war's most prominent political generals, recruiting the New York regiments that became known as the Excelsior Brigade in the Army of the Potomac. Despite his lack of military experience, he served competently as a brigade, division, and corps commander in some of the early Eastern campaigns. His military career ended at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, after he insubordinately moved his III Corps to a position where it was virtually destroyed. He left the battle with an amputated leg, struck by cannon fire, and was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. He devoted considerable effort to establishing his role in achieving the Gettysburg victory, writing articles and testifying before Congress in a manner that denigrated the intentions and actions of the army commander, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade. After the war, Sickles commanded military districts during Reconstruction, served as U.S. Minister to Spain, and eventually returned to Congress, where he made important legislative contributions for the preservation of the Gettysburg Battlefield.

Edward M. Knox was born in New York in 1842. He served with the 8^th New York Militia at 1^st Bull Run and then as a lieutenant in the 15^th New York Independent Light Artillery.

At Gettysburg on July 2^nd Knox and his battery were posted to the left of the famous “Peach Orchard.” It is worth quoting Knox directly on the events of the battle:

“" My battery galloped into Peach Orchard, by order of General Hunt, who, pointing in the direction of the orchard, said:  'Go in there.  Rush!'  I was junior officer, and with Captain Hart,

the only officer there.  As we went in, the captain shouted:  'Lieutenant, you fight the right section.  I will look out for the left.'  My speed had carried me fully 100 yards ahead of the

artillery line on the left (the Sixth and Ninth Massachusetts Batteries,) and of my own left section.  The Confederates thought they had my guns and made a dash for them.  As they came, I let go both pieces with double canister, and as I did so, I yelled to my boys to lay down and pretend that they were done for.  And thus, not heeding us, the 'Johnnies' swept through my section to meet a charge from the support in our rear,-the Seventy-second New York Infantry-I think.  Then, repulsed and driven back, they came back more rapidly than they came in.

After they had again passed over us, we got up and with our prolonges and the assistance of the infantry boys, hauled our guns back.

" I lost seven men and eleven horses; the battery, eight men and thirteen horses.  I was myself severely wounded in this action; and the next day, at the time of Pickett's charge on our front, I was shot, a round musket ball passing through both hips.  Although the latter wound made me an invalid for the next eighteen months, I received my commission as first lieutenant of the Fifteenth Independent New York Light Battery.  I was never physically able, however, to be mustered or serve thereafter."

Knox died in New York City on March 28, 1916 and is buried there in Woodlawn Cemetery.  [ad]

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