George Pomutz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Pomutz
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George Pomutz
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| Born | May 31, 1818 Gyula, Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire |
| Died | October 12, 1882 (aged 64) Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Place of burial |
Smolensky Cemetery, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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| Allegiance | Kingdom of Hungary United States of America |
| Service/ |
Honved Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 (USA) |
| Rank | Captain (Hungary) Lieutenant Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General |
| Unit | 15th Iowa Infantry Regiment |
| Commands held | (Provisional) Iowa Battalion Provost Marshal, XVII Corps |
| Battles/wars | Hungarian Revolution of 1848 American Civil War |
| Other work | U.S. Consul |
George Pomutz (born May 31, 1818 – died October 12, 1882) was an important figure in both Hungarian and American history. He was born in Hungary and later became an American citizen. Pomutz served as an officer in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. He then became a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he worked as a diplomat for the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Move to America
George Pomutz was born in Gyula, a town in the Kingdom of Hungary. At that time, Hungary was part of the Austrian Empire. His parents were Romanian.
He went to military schools in Vienna, Austria, and France. He learned to speak several languages. Later, he became a royal prosecutor in France.
In 1848, Pomutz fought as a captain in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. This was a fight for Hungary's freedom from the Habsburgs. After the revolution failed, he moved to the United States in 1849. He arrived in New York in early 1850.
Pomutz and about 20 friends, who were also Romanian and Hungarian immigrants, settled in Iowa. They started a new community called New Buda. George Pomutz became a U.S. citizen in 1855. He bought land and even a mining business.
Fighting in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, George Pomutz joined the Union Army. He started as a first lieutenant in the 15th Iowa Infantry Regiment.
He was injured during the Battle of Shiloh, a very important battle. In 1864, he was put in charge of a group of Iowa soldiers. Later, he became the Provost Marshal for the XVII Corps. This meant he was like a military police chief.
In August 1864, Pomutz returned to his regiment. He led the 15th Iowa Infantry in the Battle of Atlanta. This was another major battle of the war.
After the war, in 1866, President Andrew Johnson honored Pomutz. He was given the rank of brevet brigadier general. This was a special honorary rank.
Life After the War
After the Civil War ended, Pomutz went back to Keokuk. But he soon started a new career as a diplomat.
In 1866, he was appointed as the United States Consul in Saint Petersburg, Imperial Russia. He worked there until 1870. During this time, he helped with important talks for the Alaska Purchase. This was when the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia.
Later, he became the American Consul General in Saint Petersburg. He served in this role from 1874 until he died in 1882. He was buried in Smolensky Cemetery in Saint Petersburg. His grave may have been lost after 1917.
Legacy and Recognition
George Pomutz has been honored in several ways:
- A Liberty ship named the SS George Pomutz was launched in 1944. It served until 1970.
- In 2004, a statue of Pomutz was put up in Cleveland, Ohio.
- A street in Timișoara, Romania, is named after him.
Images for kids
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George Pomutz
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Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia
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Brigadier General rank insignia
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Memorial tablet of Pomutz in Gyula, Hungary
See also
In Spanish: George Pomutz para niños
