The morning times., 1897-02-18
A. GALLANT SOLDIER DEAD
The Brilliant Career of the Late
Gen. PleaSOntOn.
A FAMOUS CAVALRY OFFICER
He Served with Distinction i'll the
Mexican and Civil Wars, and
Covered Himself with Glory in
Many Battles-After a Life of
Honor He Died a RecIuse.

Cen, Alfred Pleasonton, a hero OF two
wars, one of the most famous cavalry
officers who ever drew sword, and a
loyal, honorable and trustworthy man.
died at O'Clock yesterday morning. in
his apartments at the Greason House
Thirteenth and Z streets northwest. The
Immediate cause of death was grip but
the general has been for years u sufferer
from the effects OF dropSy, and this, in
complication with the grip, proved too
much for the skill OF the physician and
after weakening perceptihly, the hero fell
asleep and in a few hours was no more.
The Greason House has been the home
OF Gen. Pleasonton during the past twenty
years, but in accord with some mex plicable
notion, the general lived the life OF a
recluse during the last eight years
OF his life. He never offered any
explanation himself, and all conjecture
failed TO find any cause for the ac-
ton, bat during all those years he was
isolated as thoroughly as If he were an
inhabitant OF some other sphere. Even
the warmest friends OF the old days, when
At Godfrey's Thirteenth-Street restaurant,
the general would entertain the entire
house for hours with wealth OF wartime
"reminiscences were refused admittance to
the apartments and none but the faithful
nurse OF declining years, Henrietta Rowan;
a visit from someone especially dear To
him and his books. served TO brighten
the last decade OF his lire, crowned with
such great honers.
Gen. PicBsouton, since by act OF Con
cTesS he received a comfortable pension
and by the death OF "A brother aud two sis
ters handsome competency, has been gwen
tochantable deeds, so that many cOmrade
has blessed the name OF his old commander
The explosion OF cannon during the
war shattered the drums Of the generals
ears, and IN consequence he suffered at
times CNCTuciating agony, and for years it
was necessary to apply soothing ointments,
and one reason for the general 5 seClusion
is thought To have been desire for abso-
lutte quiet, such as could only be had dsecurely
hid from intercourse with men and the busy
world.
Great sadness throughout the depart
nents and city was felt Yesterday when
the news OF the decease of the great man
was announced, and especially among the
Older of the Inhabitants, who are more ia
miliar with the brilliant record OF the
great cavalryman.
The ercmains have been placed in charge of
Undertaken Gardner, but no arrangements
viii be made for the funeral until after the
arrival of the general relatives.
Gen. Alfred PleaSonton was born in
Washington, June 7, 1924. He graduated
at the United states Military Academy in
1914 and served in the Mexican war He
cd Ean Gall
and meritorious conduct in the battles of
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He
subsequently was on frontier duty with his
company and was commissioned first
lieutenant in 1s49 and captain in 1855.
He was acting assistant adjutaRt general
to Gen William $ Harney during the Sioux
exposition and his adjutapt general from
1856 TO 1860, in the campaign against the
Seminolcs in Florida ard the operations
in Kansas Oregon and Washington Terri
tory.
gen. PIeasonton comm landed his regiment
in its march from Utah to Washington in
the autumn Of 1851 ard was major in
command of the Second Cavalry in Febru-
airy, 1862 He served thorugh the Vir-
ginia peninsular campaign and became brig
adler 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 RooneSborough, South
Mountain, AntIetam and in the subsequent
pursuit engaged the enemy frequently at
Fredericksburg and stayed their further
advance at Charlottesville.
on May when Jackson and the Confed
crate corps was down the right flank of
Hooker's army and had already routed
Howard's corps Gen. PIeasonton by his
quick and skillful action saved the army
from serious disaster. Ordering the Eighth
Penns ylvania Cavalry to charge boldly into
the woods, in the face of the advancing
host, he delayed Jackson S progress few
minutes, but long enough to throw into
position all the artillery that was within
reach. When the long column emerged it
met with such a storm of shot that no
troops could pass through. About that
time Jackson fell and before any new
maneuvers could be undertaken darkness
put an end 10 the conflict.
Gen PleaSonton received the brevet of
lieutenant general for his services at
Antietam in 1862. He was promoted major
general of volunteers in 1868, and partici-
pated in the numerous engagements that
proceeded the battle of Gettysburg, and
was commander-in-chief of cavalry in that
action. He was promoted to colonel in the
regular army in 1853 He resigned in 1868,
and was United States collector of revenue
for several years, and subsequently presi-
dentofthe Terra Haute and Cincinnati Rail-
road. In May, 1888, he was placed on the
retired list with the rank of colonel, U.
$. A.