Al Sieber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Sieber
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| Born | February 27, 1843 Mingolsheim, Baden, Germany |
| Died | February 19, 1907 (aged 63) Tonto Road-(Apache Trail) Gila County, Arizona |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1864, 1871–1890 |
| Rank | Chief of Scouts |
| Unit | 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Sixth Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Antietam Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of Chancellorsville Battle of Gettysburg Apache Wars Battle of Cibecue Creek Battle of Big Dry Wash |
Al Sieber (born February 27, 1843 – died February 19, 1907) was a German-American man. He fought in the American Civil War. Later, he served in the American Old West against Native American groups. He became well-known as a prospector. He then worked as a Chief of Scouts during the Apache Wars.
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Al Sieber's Early Life
Albert "Al" Sieber was born in Mingolsheim, Baden, which is now part of Germany. He was the 13th of 14 children. His father passed away when Al was very young.
In 1851, when Al was about eight years old, his mother moved the family to America. They first settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A few years later, they moved again to Minnesota.
Fighting in the Civil War
Al Sieber joined the army on March 4, 1862. He was part of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. This was during the American Civil War.
He fought in many important battles. These included the Battle of Antietam, Battle of Fredericksburg, and Battle of Chancellorsville. He was badly hurt on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg. This battle was a major turning point in the war.
After the war, Al Sieber became a prospector. He searched for valuable minerals in California, Nevada, and Arizona. From 1868 to 1871, he also managed a ranch in Arizona.
Becoming an Army Scout
In July 1871, Al Sieber began a new job. General George Stoneman hired him as Chief of Scouts. He worked in this role for much of the Apache Wars. These were conflicts between the U.S. Army and various Apache groups.
Sieber helped General George Crook in a campaign against the Tonto Apache. When a reservation was closed, Sieber helped move the Yavapai and Tonto Apache people. He continued to work as a scout. He tracked Apache groups who had left the reservation.
In 1874, a newspaper reported on Sieber's work. It said he was looking for Apaches who had escaped. He and his team found them and fought them. A woman named Josephine Earp wrote about Sieber. She said he helped protect her stagecoach from escaped Apaches.
Sieber also guided the Pima County Marshal in 1877. He helped the marshal chase outlaws in the area.
In 1883, General Crook went into Mexico. He was chasing the famous Apache leader Geronimo. Sieber was Crook's main civilian scout. He also taught another scout, Tom Horn, to speak German. They fought together in battles like Battle of Cibecue Creek and Battle of Big Dry Wash. Sieber was still a scout when Geronimo surrendered in 1886. He stayed on as Chief of Scouts for 13 more years.
Sieber's Injuries
Al Sieber was shot and wounded in 1887. This happened when the Apache Kid and his followers escaped. Over his lifetime, Sieber was wounded 28 times in various battles and fights.
The Apache Kid Incident
After the Apache Kid surrendered, he was found guilty of mutiny. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. However, the Secretary of War later decided the trial was not fair. The Apache Kid was released and returned to San Carlos.
Al Sieber was unhappy with this decision. He wanted the Apache Kid to be tried again. This time, it was in a local court for attempted murder. Sieber testified that the Apache Kid had shot him. Other witnesses saw a different scout shoot Sieber. But these witnesses were not called to speak. Sieber's testimony led to the Apache Kid being sent to prison again. He was sentenced to seven years.
Later Life and Death
Al Sieber was fired from his scout position in December 1890. He then went back to prospecting. He continued this until 1898.
On February 19, 1907, Sieber was leading a work crew. They were building a road to the new Roosevelt Dam. This was in Arizona. Sieber was killed when a large rock rolled onto him during construction. He was buried with military honors in Globe, Arizona.
Al Sieber in Movies
Al Sieber's life has been shown in several films:
- 1953: The character "Ed Bannon" in the movie Arrowhead was based on Sieber. He was played by Charlton Heston.
- 1954: John McIntire played him in the film Apache.
- 1955: Kenneth MacDonald played him in an episode of Stories of the Century.
- 1979: Richard Widmark played him in the miniseries Mr. Horn.
- 1993: Robert Duvall played him in the film Geronimo: An American Legend.
