Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-18
OVER HALF A CENTURY
ALFRED HARTENsTEIN HET1REs
AFTER LONG SERVICE
Enlisted In Army In 1869 and Appoint
ed Clerk In the War Depart
ment in 1857.

Ascribing advanced age and continued ILL
health, Mr.. Alfred Hartenstein Of the record
and pension Office in the War Department
has rendered his resignation, and 1t has
been accepted by the Secretary of War. Mr..
Hartenstein'S service to the government
had its beginning nearly ifty-two years
ago. and he feels he has earned the rest
from his labors that he proposes now to
take His career has been one of activity
and interest, covering long term Of service
in the regular army prior to and during the
civil war, and nearly two-score or years In
the War Department.
Mr. Hartenstein enlisted in the army June
IS, 1852, and served in Company F, 9th
United States Infantry, as private and SER
geant for ten years. He was in the general
service of the army until September z, 1867.
and the following day was appointed clerk
in the adjutant generals office In this city.
He has served continuously in that office
and the record and pension branch conse-
quently for about thirty-seven years. MT.
Hartenstein's retirement from active duty
is regretted by a host of friends ne mas
made during his long period Of honorable
and faithful service
Mr.. Hartensteins early army service was
replete with stirring incidents. He was sta
toned in the great western country, OUT re-
Gently opened at the time, and was In a
number of conflicts with the hostile lnd1ans.
Enlisting in 1852 at st. LOUIS IN the OH
Infantry he was soon sent into Kansas leI
ritory with his regiment. In the spring OF
1854 his company acted as escort TO an en-
cheering party In an expeoluon 10 Inc
Rocky mountains Protecting immigrant
trains and serving as escorts occupleo s tlie
attention Of the soldiers for two years t0io
lowing bringing them in the spring OF 1900
into a combat with hostile Sioux lnolans.
In 1858 came the incident of an expedition
against the Mormons of Utah, and later
march to California. ending at the Preside
of San Francisco. During the summer OF
this year the company to which Mr.. hart
enstein was attached marched distance
of 1890 miles.
Service on Pacific Coast.
After a winter in San Francisco the
troops were again on the march. this time
to Fort Yuma, Arizona, proceeding against
hostile Mohave Indians. The soldiers went
by steamer from San Francisco to Cape st.
Lucas Mexico, and thence up the Gulf OF
California to the mouth OF the Colorado
river. Proceeding on foot to point about
200 miles above Fort Yuma, the 9th Infantry
engaged the MOhaves In battle, subse-
quently constructing post called Fort MO-
have.
The regiment continued in western serv.
ice until the autumn Of 1861, when call
for troops for the civil war brought 1t east
The journey was made by way Of San
Diego. Cal, and the 1sthmus of Panama,
New York being reached by steamer in De-
cember. The regiment then proceeded to
this city, and remained here during the
winter of 1851. In the spring Of 1862 Mr.
Hartensteln went with his company as a
part Of the Army of the Potomac to York
town. Subsequently he was before Rich
mond, in the battles Of Gaines Mill and
Malvern Hill the seven days fight. In
July, 1862, he was honorably discharged
from the service on the completion of his
second enlistment of five years each. Mr..
Hartenstein re-enlisted as clerk to the ad-
jutant general, and served as such until
September, 1857 when, as stated, he re-
ceived his appointment in the War Depart
ment. He was a clerk Of class two at the
time of his resignation.
Mr.. Hartenstein is native of Germany,
having been born at Plauen, in that empire
October 8, 1892. He Is in his seventy-second
years.