New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-18


one Of the most distinguished cavalry officers on
the Union side In the late Civil War. died at his
home in this city at O'Clock this morning
nurse and his physicians only were with him.
General Alfred Pleasonton was one OF the few re-
naming officers on the retired list Of the Army
whose active service dated back before the out
break of the Mexican War. He was born In Wash
ington in June, 1894. and appointed a cadet In
the Military Academy in 1870 his nomination being
credited to the District of Columbia. Leaving West
Point in 1874 he entered the LIST United States ORA
goons stationed at Fort Atkinson, In Iowa Terri
tory. In the following year he took part in Cap
tain Summers expedition 10 the Devils Lake region
in what Is the State of North Dakota, march
ing 5000 miles into the wilderness. AT the begin
ming Of the Mexican War Pleasonton. having been
promoted to second lleutenancy in the I'd United
States Dragons. Joined the Mexican army OF occu-
patton under General Zachary Taylor at Corpus
Christi He was engaged in the battles OF Palo
Alto and Resaca de Ia Palma. and was brevetted a
first lieutenant for distinguished gallarry in these
actions. He remained with General Taylors COM
mand until the close OF the and was then sent
with his cavalry company garrison Monterey.
Mexico, and Santa Re. y. VI.
The years 1919 and 1850 Lieutenant Pleasonton
spent in California the staff of General P. F.
Smith. and then for two years he took active
part in warfare against the Apachcs and NavaJoes
in NewMexico. In 1867 while in garrison IN Texas.
he became a captain and after attached
to the staff OF General Harvey. With this general
officer he served in the campaign against the Sioux
In ls that against the Seminoes in sj, and in the
Utah expedition OF 1853.
In March 1861, Pleasonton was ordered to rejoin
his company at Camp Floyd, in Utah. Being In
the East. however, he took temporary service I'M
der General Patterson for the defence Of Whining
ton and =, AZ Hayng gone to Utah ne re-
f r OF 1851 and served VITA that regiment in the
ha he wa W. rde
with brevet brigadier-generalship and made A
major in the regular cavalry. on General McCel-
lans return TO Washington. General Pleasonton
was put IN command OF the cavalry corps Of the
began TO acquire greatly increased efficiency and
discipline Before and after Antetam and at Fred
ericksburg the Federal cavalry rendered important
services both in lighting and recommending
While at Charlottesville General Plea sonton had
efforts to the imperilled right and centre OF
Rockers army litter the rout of the Eleventh
Soon after Chanceliorsvie General Pieasonton
fought the imp9rt ant cavalry engagement OF Bran
with Stuart succeeded in uncoverng Lees
men; into Maryland and PENNSYLVANIA. During
the Gettysburg campaign the cavalry corps
engaged in continued hard lighting and its opera
on June 81 ten days before Gettysburg. General
Pleasonton was made a major general in the vol
In 1854 he ordered West and put in charge OF
The ,hi. cavalry and artillery in the Department OF
In the fall OF 1864 and practically brought hostes
70 a cose in that part of the Union. In January
retaining his place major in the cavalry. Two
years later he resigned from the Army to enter
civil life. holding for one term the post of Commits
soner OF Internal Revenue He was removed in
1871. and was then for. short time president Of
the Terre Haute and Cincinnati Railroad. Failing
in health, he sought IN 1882. TO be reapponted and
pu, the retired list of the Army. and a bill for
that purpose was introduced in Congress. The
original measure was 70 restore him to his rank
as mator-general but finally. in 1885 act was
passed giving him the rank and pay OF major.
For many years General Pleasonton had suffered
with ncurable malady. living in close retire
ment in Washington. in the disappointed and mis-
anthropic conviction that justice had not been done
him fer HIS brilliant services in the No fam
lily survives him His brother. General Augustus
J. PleasOnton. also served with distinction in the
war. but gained his greatest rcpute by his promul-
cation in 1875 Of his theory that sunlight through
blue glass stimulated vegetable growth and a
cure for many diseases-a theory that attracted
great attention. but collapsed suddenly as it had
| arisen. He died about ten years ago.