Military officer; born in
Dover, Del., Oct. 9, 1822; graduated at
West Point in 1842; served in the war with
Mexico; and was brevetted captain for gallant services at
Cerro Gordo.
He became assistant commissary of
Twiggs's division of the army in
Mexico, and was promoted to captain in 1855.
In May, 1861, he was commissioned major, United States army; in September was made brigadier-general of volunteers, and in 1862 was promoted to major-general.
He commanded a division of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac under
Generals Fitz-John Porter and
Butterfield, and took a conspicuous part in nearly all the battles fought by that army.
In June, 1863, he was placed in command of the 5th Corps, with which he fought at
Gettysburg, and afterwards was active in
Virginia.
General Sykes was brevetted major-general, United States army, for services in the war, and was afterwards colonel of the 20th Infantry.
He died in
Brownsville, Tex., Feb. 9, 1880.