The Washington weekly post., 1900-04-03

A remarkable Illustration of the serv-
ices OF one family in the army Of the
Un.ted States !s shown by the papers ac-
compauytng the blll 20 increase the pen
sion % Mrs Agnes X. Caproa. widow Of
Allyn Capron. who commanded the "a
IloEs Cspron Battery IN the Cuban cam
paign. Capt CaprOn's father commanded
the same battery In the war with Mexico,
and was killed iu battle. His son. Capt
Allyn X. CaprOn. was killed IN the charge
% the Rough RIDERS at San Juan Dill,
while In command Of a company of that
regiment. He was a second lieutenant IN
the regular army and received his COM
mission as captain IN the Rough Riders
A brief history OF the military service
OF the Capron family Is flied IN the papers
in the case. IL shows that for many
years the CaprOns have been famous IN
the military history OF the government.
Az the eastern end OF a chain Of fOrtid-
cations on Sglliyan's Island, Charleston
Harbor $ G, stands Fort Cspron, an
important permanent work finished dur
ing The war with Spain. In conferT1ng this
name, the President OF the United States
intended TO commemorate the heroism Of
young Capt Allyn Kissam Capron, First
United states Volunteer Cavalry (snd sec
Cavalry, the first army officer TO fail in
action In the Spanish war Years before
another Capt, Capron. the grandfather Of
this young soldier had likewise fallen
while leading HIS men In battle. II was in
the war with hcXico-and his name vas
given 10 fort also. Old Fort Capron
FLORIDA, was abandoned many years ago,
but the new Fort CaprOn will remain 20
remind citizen and soldier OF the three
gallant officers who surrendered their
lives In their country's service.
Younger Capron's Record.
Capt. Allyn CaprOn WAS born in Flor
ida In 1916. His father was Capt. Eras,us
Allyn Capron, FIst United States Artil-
lery: his son, the young officer who fell
IN Cuba and OF whom Col Roosevelt,
OF his regiment has written Ia terms of
highest praise.
Allyn Cspron vas graduated from the
United States Military Academy with the
class Of 1851 and was Immediately as
signed TO his fathers old regiment the
First Artillery. Soon after joining for
duty al one or the forts OF New York hsr-
bor. he was employed with his regiment
IN brooklyn dunrg the disorders known
as the whisky riots" which resulted
from the efforts of the civil authorities
city Later he served at South Atlantic
coast and Gulf Of Mexico stations; on
signal duty at Fort Myer and in the
West; as a student officer Of the artillery
school, becoming an honor graduate" If
that institution in 1873; again in the Ind-
an Territory during the summer OF the
Cus'er massacre, with a battalion OF his
IeSln~Sat assisting TO keep agency Indians
from Joining the hOsUles. His promotion
TO first lieutenant occurred August Is
1913, but s. was not Until December f.
isA thdt he was commissioned captai1
He was assigned 10 the command of Light
Battery Z, First United States Artillery.
AT Fort Vancouver. From there his ba-
terry was ordered to the Preside at San
Francisco, and in 1880 to Fort Douglas
thence TO the light artillery and cavalry
school at Fort Riley. In the fall of the
same year hurry CALI summoned the
troops at that station TO the Pine Ridge
lndldn agency, where large bands of Indi-
ans had assembled and were assuming a
threatening attitl de. When the attempt "a
disarm the Indians at Wounded Knee was
made Capron vas present with four of
his mountain guns. and in the engage.
ment which followed distinguished him,
self by his cool bravery and the efficiency
with which he performed his duties The
commanding general recommended in mis-
report 10 Washington that Can't Caprop's
eohduct should be recognized and the
rank or major by breVet conferred ,,son
MN At the tight at the Drexel mission a
poItion or his battery rendered valuable
service
Fell at san Juan HILL
During the serious outbreak in Chfcago
known as the railway riots Capron and
MS battery were present in the CITY with
other troops until the disorders were sun
pressed.
LSht Battery r was ouarterad az
Washington Barracks when the govern
ment decided 10 send an expedition "a
IuOa. Capron took his battery 10 Tamna
and II formed part of the army corps Sent
against santiago Before the artillery
could be dtsembarked on Cuban soil rhe
engagement took place in which the Firsr
United States Volunteer Cavalry Trough
Rlders) participated, and his son-fba
tall, handsome boy who had won MS
commission in the regular army. and he
cause Of his soldierly qualities. had been
selected for appointment 10 a capraincv
In the volunteer regiment referred to
Itl The news was taken 10 the trans
port ana the gallant young soldiers fath-
ar informed of mis- loss.
Al the battle Of Santiago Capron's s7,ns
opened the fight, and, when some days
later, Gen. Toral capiJulated. TO Capron's
battery was assigned the duty OF firing
the salute in honor of the victory.
Some time after the surrender Capron
began TO show the effects Of the Sc
we're strain resulting from the loss of MS
son ana or other conditions THAI proved |
Iatal 70 many younger men, and 50 i'll |
did he appear that The surgeons uryed
a SiHlg Haa
The United States. but the sturdy soldier
refused 10 so until the time should arrive |
wAen his battery could return also
When al last he reached Montauk Point
With his men he consented 10 60 10 his {
home, near Fort MyeF. Va, but il was /
then TOO late for typhoid fever seized /
him, and In few days he also fell a vic /
tim 20 war. His death occurred Septen,- /
her Is, 1895. and what was mortal OF
Allyn Capron lies near his son at Airing
ton, and what was immortal has gone To |
Join that gallant army OF heroes OF which !
his father, MS son, and himself form a /
notable group.
Won Respect and Affection.
on duty he was a strict dlsciplinarIar |
and. like his father, would spare neither
himself nor others when there was duty
10 be done. 4 noted war correspond,nt |
NTOiC lhAL ne treated MS men as though /
they were lot OF unruly young bears.
y hile TO the young volunteers encamped
near him he was gentle and oons.deraJs.
patiently answering all their questions;
end his men liked the distinction But
y hile apparently severe In dealing with |
his own men-prCs esSicnl soldlers-he /
was II, reality kindly disposed toward 1
then. and Il was lare that actually harsh
measures had 10 be taken against any
Of them. They fully understood that |
faithful performance Of duty woule in |
yariably meet with the appreciation OF 1
their captain. and that he considered the /
comfort and weltsre OF his men and ami !
inals before his own. He took the ut 4
most pride In his regiment and battery,
In the army al large. ard was considered |
an expert in all matters pertaining 10 |
Tie light artillery service. He was Z |
friend OF all little children In every gar- /