Evening star., 1897-02-17

leader this morning by Major Guest, his
grandnephew, and the news spread rapidly
through the War Department. General re-
gret was expressed and many of the older
ofi1cers gave personal testimony to the gal
liant services performed by General Pleas
onton during the war Although he was
brevetted major general for particularly
was but major on the retired list at -he
time OF his death. Ii is not usual to ac-
cord military honors at the funeral of an
officer on the retired list except Il is eX-
preSsly requested by the family and the
same course will be followed in the case
or General Pleasorton. In case those hav-
ing charge of his funeral arrangements
quest II. the department will provide
military escort and pay the usual military
honors az the grave.
His Long and Brilliant Career.
Gen. Alfred Pleasonton was born in this
city June 1. 1924 He was graduated at the
United states Military Academy in lS4i,
served In the Mexican war and was brew
cited first lieutenant fer gallant and meri-
torious conduct in the battles of Palo Alto
and Resaca de la Palma" He subsequent
ly was on frontier duty with his company.
and was commissioned first lieutenant I'm
1919, and captain In 1865. He was actinc
assistant adjutant general to Gen. William
). Harney during the Sioux expedition. and
his adjutant general from 1856 until 1860
in the campaign against the Seminoles in
Florida, and the operations In Kansas.
Oregon and Washington. He commanded
his regiment in its march from Utah to
Washington i'll the autumn of 1851 was
commissioned major of the ID Cavalry in
February. 1867, served through the Nir-
ginia peninsular campaign, became briga-
der general of volunteers In July of that
year. and commanded the division of cav
airy OF the Army Of the Potomac that fol-
lowed Lees invading army into Maryland
he was engaged at Boonesborough, South
Mountain, Antietam and the subsequent
pursuit. engaged the enemy frequently at
Fredericksburg. and stayed the further ad-
vance of the enemy at ChancellorSviile.
May =. when Jackson's confederate corps
was coming down the right flank of
HookerS army, and had already routed
Howard's corps. Gen. Pleasonton, by his
quick and skillful action, saved the army
from serious disaster. Ordering the Sth
Pennsylvania Cavalry to charge boldly IN
10 the woods, IN the face of the advancing
host, he delayed Jackson'S progress a few
minutes-just long enough to throw into
position all the artillery that was within
reach. He ordered the guns loaded with
grape and canister. and depressed enough
to make the shot strike the ground half
way between their line and the edge of the
woods When the confederate column
emerged 1t met such storm Of iron no
troops could pass through. About this
time jackson fell. and before any new
maneuvers could be undertaken darkness
put an end to the days work. He received
tit oi cOltncl LOT An
tietam in lst.. was promoted major gen
eral of volunteers in June, 1863, partici-
pated in the many actions that preceded
the battle of Gettysburg, was commander
in-chief of cavalry in that action. and wa
brevetted colonel "a of July. 1853. He was
transferred to Missouri in 1864 drove the
forces under Gen. Sterling Price from tn
state. and in March, 1850, was brevetted
brigadier general in the United States army
for gallant and meritorious conduct in that
campaign and major general for services
throughout the civil war. He resigned in
1865. was United States collector of revenue
for several years. and subsequently presi-
dent of the Terre Haute and Cincinnati
railroad In May. 1888, he was placed on
the retired list with the rank OF colonel,
United States army.