Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-15
A MAN WITH 4 cAhKxR.

hope 80.
AMAs WITH 4 cAnlzR.
General George F. D'Utassy, Of Balti-
more, who died in Wilmington. DEL, re-
Gently, and TO whom was indebted Tor
some interesting figures concerning life
insurance published in this correspond.
epce A few months ago, had o varied and
remarkable career. I don't know that 1
can give my readers 0 more interesting
chapter than brief outline OF his busy
life. General D'Utsssy was about % wears
Of age, but he had the appearance OF man
not over so, and to me ne always seemed 10
be imbued with the exuberance ana entnn-
siasm OF youth. He was man who made
MANY acSuaintances, and yet, with in
innate friends in almost every city In the
United States, there were probably not
many who knew much OF his early LIE.
He was born in Pesth. Hungary. the fami-
Nv being of noble lineage and his father Q
large landowner. He was educated chiefly
in a military school IN Buda-Pesth. and
when he graduated at the age OF about 20
Hungary was in the throes OF the revolt
ton. The name Of Kossuth was beginning
to be heralded on the trump OF fame. HIS
speeches and pamphlets were stirring the
and Young DUtassy was one OF
the most ardent and patriotic OF his
supporters. His enthusiasm and military
knowledge attracted the attention OF Kos
suth. and he invited him TO accept place
on his staff. where he served with distinc,,
ton. When Hungary had been declared
independent. with Kossuth as governor.
the Young soldier was one OF his nearest
friends and was kept advised as to his
plans. Then came the betrayal OF Hun
gary into the hands OF Russia by the
traitor Gorgey. and Kossuth sought saiety
in Turkey. A price was also set upon
D'Utassy's head. and he likewise under
took to leave the country. He was
captured. however. confined IN dun
econ. and would doubtless have been
put to death, but he escaped, and
by the aid of O former schoolmate at
Bn5s- pesth. made his way into Turkey. In
Turkey he communicated with Kossuth,
and was making arrangements to JOIN him
in Asia Minor when the negotiations began
for the departure of Kossuth at the inter
vention of England and the United States.
General D'Utassy was hlled with the war
spirit. and when the Crlmean war proke
out he Joined the forces against Rus
ala. Bepipning with the earliest Skin
mishes on the Danube IN 1853, he went
through the struggle up to the siege OF Be,
bastopol and the capture and sacking OF
Kertch. From the Crimean UUtassy went
to England and became secretary to Sir
Gaspard Depard. Later he became pro-
lessor of languages in Novo Scotia. Be
fore coming TO the United States he went
to Italy, and with letters to Garibaldi was
taken into the confidence OF the Italian
patriot and rendered him valuable service.
He was one of Garibaldi's adherents when
he embarked at Genoa. and later when he
assumed the dictatorship of MARSHA In
Z ha mama of Victor Emanuel.
FORGOT HIS OWN LANGUAGE.
It was while he was with Garibaldi that
DUtassy had an experience which few
men have ever habitat OF forgetting MS
own language, his mother tongue, Leaving
Hungary when Young man, ne mad wan;
dered over all Europe. even into Asia and
Africa. and during this time rarely speak
ing his own tongue. He had a great apti--
tude for acquiring foreign languages, and
spoke at least dozen with fuency: one
day in Turin q Hungarian called upon
him and addressed him IN his own
language. so long neglected, and 1t was
some time before he was able to sum-
mon to his aid enough words to converse.
General D'Utassy was great traveller
and had visited every city OF note IN
Europe. His associations brought nm
into contact with many distinguished
Victor Hugo and Eugene Sue. After Sue
had been exile from France D'Utassy was
his guest at Annecy. where he was still do
ing some of his best literary work.
D'Utassy said that Eugene Sue was
the only literary man he ever saw
who prepared a faultless toilet before
sitting down at his desk to write.
including scrupulously clean kid gloves.
After D'Utassy came to tins coun.
try he paid some attention TO wall street
aud made and lost fortune. At the
breaking out of the war he entered the
Union army as colonel of a New York regi-
ment and did good service In the Valley oil
Virginia. He was gallant soldier and an
intrepid fighter; had proved his mettle
on many battle fields before volunteering
his services to the United States
army, and yet q charge of cowardice was
made against him. | am not certain as 70
the battle. In any event, 1t was the SUI
iect of an exhaustive investigation, whlcr
is set forth in detail in the army records.
The charge seems to have resulted from
ignorance or malice. and an examination
of the evidence leaves no stain upon
O'Utassy's reputation as a man or soldier.
Before the close of the war he was bre-
yeted brIgadIer-general. After the war
and up to the time of his death he had en-
gagged successfully IN the insurance busi-
ness. General D'Utassy died of congestion
of the brain, the result of inhaling illumi-
mating gas. Hanging his umbrella on the
pas-bracket on retiring at hotel in VII
mington. the supposition is that the inside
blinds on the window swung back, and
striking the umbrella the gas was turned
on. He was found next day at O'Clock, and
although he lived until the second day be
did not regain consciousness; and so the
soldier and gentle friend-for be was ell
that was gentle and loving in man-slept
the sleep of the just.