August Kautz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
August Kautz
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August Kautz
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| Born | January 5, 1828 Ispringen, Grand Duchy of Baden |
| Died | September 4, 1895 (aged 67) Seattle, Washington |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1847, 1852–1892 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 2nd Ohio Cavalry 15th U.S. Infantry 8th U.S. Infantry Department of the Columbia |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War Rogue River Wars Puget Sound War American Civil War |
| Relations | Rear-Admiral Albert Kautz (brother) |
August Valentine Kautz (born January 5, 1828 – died September 4, 1895) was a German-American officer. He became a general in the Union cavalry during the American Civil War. Kautz also wrote several important army guidebooks. These books explained military duties and traditions, and the U.S. military later used them.
Contents
Early Life and Early Military Career
August Kautz was born in Ispringen, Germany, in 1828. When he was four years old, his family moved to Brown County, Ohio in the United States.
Joining the Army
In 1846, Kautz joined the 1st Ohio Infantry as a private. He fought in the Mexican–American War from 1846 to 1847. After the war, he attended the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1852.
Service in the Pacific Northwest
Kautz spent much of his early career in the Pacific Northwest. He was stationed at Fort Steilacoom. He was wounded twice while serving with the 4th U.S. Infantry. This happened during the Rogue River Wars in 1855. He also served in the Puget Sound War in 1856. For his service, he became a lieutenant in the regular army.
Family Life and Mount Rainier
In the 1850s, Kautz married a Nisqually woman named Tenas Puss. She was also known as Etta or Kitty. They had two sons, Nugen (born 1857) and Doctin (born 1859). Doctin later changed his name to Augustus. Both sons attended the Forest Grove Indian Training School. This school is now called the Chemawa Indian School.
On July 16, 1857, Kautz made a famous climb. He reached the edge of Mount Rainier's crater rim. Some people say this was the first ascent of the mountain. However, because he did not walk to the very top, called Columbia Crest, his climb is sometimes seen as incomplete.
Supporting Chief Leschi
During his time in the Pacific Northwest, Kautz supported Chief Leschi. Leschi was a Nisqually leader who was executed in 1858. Kautz believed Leschi should have been treated as a prisoner of war. He thought Leschi's execution was wrong.
Before Leschi's execution, Kautz even started a newspaper. It was called the Truth Teller. He published two issues to defend Chief Leschi. The newspaper's motto was: "Devoted to the Dissemination of Truth and the Suppression of Humbug."
Travels and Return East
From 1859 to 1860, Kautz traveled in Europe. In 1860, he led a group of 150 new soldiers. They marched from Fort Benton to Fort Vancouver. His group then went to serve at Colville Depot in Washington Territory. In April 1861, he returned to the Eastern United States. This was just after the American Civil War began.
Service in the Civil War
Kautz was a captain with the 6th U.S. Cavalry. He fought in the Peninsula Campaign from April to July 1862. Later, he moved to the Western Theater.
Fighting in the West
As a colonel with the 2nd Ohio Cavalry, Kautz helped stop Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's raid. Morgan's forces went behind Union lines in Indiana and Ohio in mid-1863. Kautz also served under Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside. He was at the Battle of Knoxville from September to December 1863.
Rise to General
On April 16, 1864, Kautz was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. He led cavalry operations under Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler. These operations were part of Ulysses S. Grant's campaigns against Richmond and Petersburg. This happened between April and June 1864.
Kautz's cavalry division was part of the Army of the James. They had to retreat from White's Tavern after an attack by Confederate forces. On December 12, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Kautz for a special promotion. He was to become a brevet major general of volunteers. This promotion was confirmed in February 1865. He left the volunteer service in January 1866. Later, in July 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated him for another brevet major general rank in the U.S. Army. This was confirmed later that month.
End of the War
In early April 1865, Kautz led a division of United States Colored Troops into Richmond. These troops were part of Godfrey Weitzel's XXV Corps. Kautz was active in the Union's pursuit of Robert E. Lee. This chase lasted from April 2 to April 9, 1865. It ended with Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
After the Civil War
After the war, Kautz served on a special trial board. This board investigated the people involved in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. This was from May to June 1865.
He then served extensively in the southwest frontier. He commanded the Department of Arizona and was commanding officer of Fort McDowell. In July 1891, he became commander of the Department of the Columbia. He held the rank of brigadier general.
Kautz left military service in 1892. He lived in retirement until his death in Seattle, Washington. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
