The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-31
GEN. KAUTZ rs HERE.
Distinguished Soldier Stopping
in Seattle.
BRILLIANT MILITARY RECORD.
Services on Puget Sound in Days Of
Indian Wars-Present Condi-
ton OF Army.

General August Valentine Kautz. one of
the most distinguished soldiers in the
United States army, arrived at the Rainier
hotel yesterday He has many acquaint-
ances in Seattle, and will spend several
days here looking over property which he
holds in this vicinity.
General Kautz is a soldierly looking
man. not very tall, but compactly built.
His hair is almost white, and moustache
and imperial also turning to the white,
somewhat cover the firm lines about his
mouth.
He was born in Inspringen, Baden, Ger
many, January 5, 1928. In the same year
BIS parents came to this country. and four
years later they settled in Brown county,
Ohio. The son served as a private in the
First regiment of Ohio volunteers i'll
the Mexican war. and in his dis
charge was appointed to the United
States military academy where he was
graduated in 1852, and assigned to the
Fourth infantry. He served in Oregon
and Washington territory till the civil
war, and in the Rogue river wars OF
1856 and was wounded in the latter.
He was also wounded in the Indian war
on. Puget sound in 1856. In 1855 he was
promoted first lieutenant, and in 1857 COM
mended by General Scott for galiantry.
In 1890 he travelled in Europe. He was
appointed captain in the Sixth United
States cavalry in 1861. and served with the
regiment from its organization through
the Peninsui2r campaign Of 1857, COM
handing it during the seven days. until
Just before South Mountain, when he was
made colonel of the Second Ohio cavalry.
His regiment was ordered TO Camp
Chase, Ohio, to remount and
refit, and he commanded that post from
December is62 10 April 1868. when he led
a cavalry brigade in Kentucky. forming a
part OF General Carter's division of the
army of the Ohio. He took part in the
capture of Monticello, KY, May 1, 1868,
and on June was breyet:ed major for
commanding in an action near there. He
was engaged in the pursuit and capture of
John Morgan, in July, 1853, preventing
him from crossing the Ohio. Afterward
Colonel Kautz served as chief Of cavalry of
the Twenty-third corps.
On May Z, 1864, he was made brigadier
general of volunteers and assigned to the
command of the cavalry division of the
army of the James He entered Petersburg
with his small cavalry command June 8,
1864, for which attack he was brevetted
lieutenant colonel. Later he led the adj
vance of the Wilson raid, which for more
than forty days cut the roads leading
into Richmond from the South.
On October >, 1864, ne was brevetted
major general of volunteers, and in
March, 1865, was assigned to the command
of a division of colored troops, which he
marched into Richmond April g. He was
brevetted colonel in the regular service for
gallant and meritorious service in action
on the Derbyshire road, Virginia, October
Z, 1854; also brigadier and major general
for gallant service in the field March 13,
1865.
General kautz was appointed lieutenant
colonel of the Thirty-fourth infantry in
1855, transferred to the Fifteenth in 1869,
and commanded the regiment on the
Mexican frontier till 1874. He organized
several successful expeditions against the
Mescalero Apaches, who had fed from
their reservation IN 1864, and in 1901 he
succeeded in establishing the tribe on its
reservation, where it has since remained.
In June. 1874, he was appointed colonel
of the Eighth infantry, and in 1875 was
placed in command OF the department of
Arizona. He served in California from
1873 till 1885, and then in Nebraska He
is now stationed in New York, a member
OF the magazine gun board, appointed last
December, which has for its duty the
choosing OF the best magazine system for
the guns used in the Notifications and
war ships of the United States.
General kautz has written extensively
on military subjects. being the author of
"The Company Clerk" Customs of Ser
-. e q
Soldiers" Customs of Service for
Officers" and other works.
II came to Seattle" said he last even
ing, from Walla WaIla, where I have
been acting as a member of the board of
inquiry appointed toinvestIgate the lynch
| ing affair there. There is nothing to be
said in this matter until the matter comes
| out through the var department at Wash
! ington City.
Yes, was here in 1858, when Seattle
| was nothing but Yesler's sawmill The
| places on the Sound then were Olympia.
steilacoom and Port Townsend. l went
through the various Indian fights in this
vicinity, and l can assure you that the
| Puyallups, although they do not now
seem very warlike, were then a dangerous
| foe TO meet IN the field. In 1878 helped
: a.
COON.
After, the civil war 1 did not get =
chance 10 come back here until in the
| eighties, but lately / have visited the
Sound country quite regularly In those
early days / foresaw the ultimate de-
velopment Of this country and
made number of investments
here. ! bought lots in Steilacoom when
that seemed the most prominent point
and since that l have invested in several
OF the places on the Sound. In January
! mex; shall be put on the retired list. and
then ! hope TO give more attention 10 nv
property here.
Ny belief is that ultimately the head
quarters for the Department of the Column
hla must be removed to some point on
Puget sound. The increase of population
which Is reasonably to be expected for the
Sound country must make that a mere
matter Of policy before very long The
same reason exists why the Puget sound
region should be fortified. 1t is not now
AS important IS New York city. but il is
all the time becoming more populous, and
in case Of war with Chile or Great
Britain, fer instance, il would be neces-
sary 70 fortify ii At once.
From time 10 time have EXPRESSED
my opinion pretty strongly as TO the
means to be taken to improve the morale
OF the army and prevent desertions. The
trouble Is thar We are enlisiing the wrong
kind OF men-those but little better than
I So q,