National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-23
GEN. HORACE cArRoN.
Hts Sudden Death Last Night-Iirief
sketch OF Tits Eventual Life.

Con. Horace Capron, ono of tho best
known ex-governmont officials in this city,
died at the Portland last night aftor an
illness OF only few hours. He attended
tho dedication ceremonies at the Wash.
ington monument aud contracted severe
cold. Ho was not feeling well
yesterday morning. but got up and
went out. lie returned about noon, aud
complained of pains. He was taken seri-
ously Ill during tho afternoon, and n
physician was called in. Tho latter gave
temporary relied but mt IL O'Clock last
night Gen. Caprou was dead. The life
of Gen. CaprOn is an interesting one. He
was born Aug. 4, 1904, at Attleboro,
Mass, and removed to Illinois. He was
COMMISSIONED ny GOV. YATES
Jan. IL 1863, lieutenant colonel Of the
18th Illinois cavalry, and on tho 25th of
February was promoted to the colonelcy.
He commanded his first brigade under
Gen. Judah, in pursuit of Morgan. Ho
entered Knoxville with the advance guard
of Burnside's army, and formed tho first
federal picket for that city; participated
in nearly every battle Of the
campaign of East Tennessee, and at
its close was ordered to Kentucky
to remount and rearm several shattered
regiments. When Gen. StOneman was
ordered to the front, Col, CaprOn was left
in command, and after completing his re-
organization Joined Stoneman near Chat
tanoogai.and immediately vent into
active service with the army Of Gen.
Sherman, participating IN all the battles
of that memorable campaign to the taking
of Atlanta, when Col. Capron furnished the
advance guard Of the Goth corps from his
al lei tf h.. q ~ - n ru
through the city.
He was selected by Gen. Stoneman in
his famous raid through Georgia to COM
mand the brigade known as Capron's
brigade, and was with that general at the
time of his capture, but with 800 men he
CUT THROUGH THE LINES
of the enemy and succeeded in reaching
the federal lines after a six days flight.
Ho was congratulated by Gen. Sherman
and all other officers. He was again
ordered to Kentucky, with five regi-
ments, for remounting and nrming
anew, but had scarcely reached his
destination when he was ordered to
report to Gen. Thomas, under whom
he rendered efficient service in the
campaign against Gen. Hood, and
was injured in night charge be-
fore Franklin, and after tho relief
Of Nashville, believing the war at an
end, he rendered his resignation upon u
surgeons certificate of disabilities and
unftness for active service. April 8, 1866,
he was commissioned brevet brigadier
general-in this instance no self-sought
distinction, but an honorable recognition
of faithful and signal services rendered
in a spirit of earnest patriotism. He was
appointed
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
in 1861, and held that office until 1871.
The Japanese government was at that
| time DESTROYS of developing the resources
of the island Yezo. and Gen. Capron was
appointed by that government to under
take the task, being appointed in 1872
and holding the position until 1875, when
he returned to this country. While
in Japan he collected some val
liable curosties and sent them to
this government. These relics are in the
national museum. He was knighted half a
dozen times by the Japanese government,
and wore some valuable insignias. He re-
turned to this country in 1875 and lived
here since. He leaves wife and son,
who are in the city.