The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-28
A SOLDIER-LAwYER.
Lieutenant Colonel CIOus May Draft
Laws for Porto Rico.
From the New York Tribune

ee"H AOH hlcO.
From the New York Tribune.
When Gen. Miles made his arrangements
for goinA to Porto Rico he appointed
Lieut.. Col. John w. Clous, who was then
stationed at Governors Island. as Judge
Advocate on his staff and it was said
at the time that Col Clous would prob
ably be the American law-maker in the
conquered territory
Lieut.. Col. Clous is the ranking DEPUTY
judge advocate general of the United
states army. He was born in Germany
In 1887, and was educated in that coun-
try. When he came to America il was
his intention to engage in merchantlle
pursuits, which he did; but this must
nave been unsatisfactory, for in 1857, he
entered the regular army as a private in
Company K, Ninth Infantry, in which
command he was also a musician. His
record is one of which he is justly proud
He distinguished himself at the battle Of
Malvern Hill while serving as quarter
master sergeant Of the Sixth United States
Infantry. For praiseworthy conduct
during the movement of the army of the
Potomac from the Chickahominy to the
James river, and his cool behavior at the
battle of Malvern Hill in the perform
ance of his duties" President Lincoln
appointed him second lieutenant in the
Sixth Regiment For gallant and mer-
IOIIOuS COnuuCI at NTSlLYSDuTR ne was
brevetted captain.
When the civil war was over the young
soldier remained in the army. and served
as regimental quartermaster sergeant
from Feb. l. 1864 to April 1, 1865. and
regimental adjutant from then until
March 81 1867. In March. 1866, he was de-
tailed as adjutant general of the de-
partment of South Carolina, and rendered
valuable services in formulating the new
laws of the state. He was promoted cap
tain, and commanded the escort of me
construction forces of the Kansas Pacihc
Railroad, in 1868, and was then detailed
as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen.
Philip Sheridan during the latter's win
ter campaign against the Indians in the
Southwest.
Capt Clous had begun the study OF
law before he entered the army, and con-
tInued to study during his whole military
career and was frequently detailed as
judge advocate of general courts mar
tial, and conducted many important trials
From January, 1881, to August, 1884 he
served as judge advocate of the depart
ment of Texas and in April, 1885, on the
recomme ndation of Maj. Gen. HancocK
and other officers he was appointed major
and judge advocate. He. was admitted 10
practice in the Supreme Court OF the
United States in May, 1877, and for four
years from May, 1886, he acted as ASSIST
ant to the judge advocate general OF tne
army at Washington. Judge, or. major
Clous became well known throughout the
army because of his legal services, ana
on Aug. IS, 1890, the Secretary Of War ap,,
pointed him professor of law at the Unlteu
States military academy at West POINT
and two years later he was promoted
lieutenant colonel. After three years SER
vice at West Point Lieut.. Col ClouS came
to the department of the East as judge
advocate, and was serving in that capacity
when he was detailed to a similar place
on the staff Of the commanding general.