Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-02-14
THE GALLANT MACKENZIE.
Sketch of Life Now CIouded by. MEN
tai Aberration-A Rare Combination
ofCourage and Prudence.

Y
ofCourage and Prudence.
The news of the transfer of Gen. r.
| ). Mackenzie to the asylum for the
insane at Washington, D. c., on ac
count of alteration of mind, has given
rise TO much discussion 10 army
circles here, and has caused feeling
of sadness among those who have
held official and personal relations
with him, and have watched his car
eer with interest and pride From an
officer living in st. Paul, and who
has been on intimate terms with the
general, it is learned that for num-
Der of years past Gen. Mackenzie has
been subject to attacks of rheumatism,
which caused him at times intense
suffering, and which undoubtedly
resulted from the hardship and expos
ure incident to long years Of arduous
service on the frontier. The first
symptoms of any disorder affecting
his mind We're noticed by his friends
early in October last, when he was
attacked with what is technically
known as aphasia, or inability to ex-
press his thoughts in proper language.
The attack was, however, a slight
one. and the matter was made known
to but few, as it was thought that
with rest and care the general would
recover. But the improvement was
temporary, and from the character of
the malady and the violence of the
present attack there would seem to
be little ground for hope that he will
ever be able to perform active duty
again.
A LIFE SKETCH.
Gen Mackenzie graduated from for
West Point Military academy at the
head Of his class in June, 1862, and
entered the army as second lieutenant
of engineers. He was brevated first
lieutenant Aug. 80, 1862, for gallant
and meritoriOus service in the battle
of Manassa, Va, and was promoted to
be first lieutenant March 3, 1868. re
ceiving at the same tine the brevet of
captain for gallant and meritorious
service in the battle of Chancellors-
vile, Va. His gallantry at the battle
of Gettysburg, Pa, July 4. 1868,
gained him the brevet OF major, and
in November following he was pro
NOTED to be captain of engineers. In
June 1864, he was breveted a lieu
tenant colonel for his gallentry before
Petersburg, and II July was created
colonel of the Second Connecticut
artillery. He was with Gen. Sher-
idan in the fight at Cedar Creek, Oct
10, 1864, and for this and his distin-
guished services in the other battles
of the campaign, was breveted a col
onel and appointed brigadier general
of volunteers. At the close of the
war he was given the rank of brevet
brigadier general of the army, and of
brevet major general of volunteers
In 1867, he was appointed colonel of
the Forty-first infantry. Upon the
reorganization Of the army in 1869,
Gen. Mackenzie, although at the time
less than twenty-seven years of age,
was given command of the Twenty
fourth infantry (colored), and many
stories are told of the unsuccessful at
tempts to snub and ostracise him be-
cause Of his extreme youth and the
character of his command. In 1870,
he was transferred to the Fourth
cavalry, and in October, 1852, was
promoted to the brigadier general.
Ever since the close of the rebellion,
Gen. Mackenzie has been in active
operations, ranging from Texas,
where he suppressed the C0manches
and tranqulized the Mexican border,
through Arizona, New Mexico Colora-
do, Utah, Wyoming and Dakota
Few officers in the service have had
the experience in Indian warfare and
the insight into Indian character pos
sessed by him. With excellent judg-
ment, quick to arrive at a decision,
and fertile in resources. he has shown
himself thorough soldier and bold,
dashing commander. There has
hardly been a fight or campaign in
the Southwest during the last fifteen
years in which he has not taken part.
Nor has he always been noted for his
fighting proclivities. The fact and
Judgment displayed by him in remov-
ing the Uncompahgre Utes IN 1881,
from Colorado to their new reserva-
ton in Utah, in the face of their de-
fant refusal to accede to the demands
of the Ute commission, are still re-
membered. Gen. Mackenzie is forty
three years of age, and is summarized.
CHICAGO, Special Telegram, Dec.
2S.-Gen. Williams, adjutant gen
eral on Gen. Schofeld's staff, said to
reporter that Col Vincent ad-
iutant general of the Texas depart
ment, would assume charge of the
command under Gen. Schoheld's
direction. He did not think that
Gen. McKenzie's mental faculties
were clouded from the nervous dis
order as the surgeons report OF the
case did not so state The report
directly contributed the commanders
illness to continued exposure in
/ frontier service and severe wounds
received in the war. The nervous
! trouble had affected the general for
wears. but never of the same violent
degree as at present. Gen. Williams
believes that upon Gen. McKense's
recovery he will again be able to as
sumo charge Of his post, and that
rest and quiet will make ell good.
The Shirt Must 60.
N.,.. Norl- Morning Journal