Emilio Kosterlitzky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emilio Kosterlitzky
|
|
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Eagle of Sonora Mexican Cossack |
| Born | November 16, 1853 Moscow, Russia |
| Died | March 2, 1928 (74 years old) Los Angeles, California |
| Buried |
Calvary Cemetery
|
| Allegiance |  Mexico |
| Service/ |
 Mexican Army |
| Years of service | 1871 - 1914 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Mexican Apache Wars |
| Other work | Spy |
Emilio Kosterlitzky (1853–1928) was a Russian-born soldier who became a famous commander in Mexico. He led the Mexican Rurales, who were like border police, in the late 1800s. He was known for his bravery and his many skills.
Contents
Emilio Kosterlitzky's Early Life and Skills
Emilio Kosterlitzky was born on November 16, 1853, in Moscow, Russia. His mother was German, and his father was a Cossack, a type of Russian soldier. Emilio was very good with languages. He could speak English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Italian, Polish, Danish, and Swedish. This skill helped him a lot in his later life.
When he was a teenager, Emilio joined the Russian Navy. He was a midshipman, which is a junior officer. But in 1871, when he was 18, he left his ship in Venezuela.
Becoming a Mexican Soldier
After leaving the Russian Navy, Kosterlitzky traveled to Sonora, a state in Mexico. There, he changed his first name to Emilio. He then joined the Mexican Army. This was the start of his long military career in Mexico.
During the 1880s, Emilio fought in the Mexican Apache Wars. These were conflicts against the Apache people. He also helped American soldiers who were chasing Apaches across the border. This was possible because of a special agreement between the United States and Mexico made in 1882. American troops knew him well and called him the "Mexican Cossack."
In 1885, Porfirio Díaz, who was the President of Mexico, gave Kosterlitzky an important job. He became the commander of the Gendarmería Fiscal. This group was like a customs guard, helping to control the borders for the Mexican government.
Life During the Mexican Revolution
In 1913, during the Mexican Revolution, Kosterlitzky was captured. This happened in Nogales, Sonora, during the Second Battle of Nogales. He was held in jail until 1914.
After being released, Emilio, his wife Francisca, and their two daughters moved to Los Angeles, California, in the United States. There, he worked as a translator for the U.S. Postal Service. During World War I, he pretended to be a German doctor.
In 1927, Kosterlitzky went back to Mexico. He was investigating a secret plan against the government in the state of Baja California.
Later Years and Legacy
Emilio Kosterlitzky died in Los Angeles on March 2, 1928, when he was 74 years old. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles. He is remembered for his adventurous life and his service in the Mexican military.
See also
In Spanish: Emilio Kosterlitzky para niños
