General George Sykes, born in Dover, Del., October 9th, 1822, died in Brownsville, Texas, February 9th, 1880, was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1842, and assigned to the Third Infantry; served in the Florida and Mexican Wars, and was brevetted captain for gallantry at Contreras, Churubusco and the capture of the city of Mexico. He became major of the Fourteenth Infantry, May 14th, 1861; was at the battle of Bull Run, and then commanded the regular infantry at Washington till March, 1862. He took part in the Peninsula campign, receiving the brevet of colonel for gallantry at Gaines's Mill and in the succeeding operations of the Army of the Potomac. At the close of the war he was brevetted major general for gallant services in the field. - Frank Leslie, 1896