August Kautz | |
---|---|
August Kautz
|
|
Born |
Ispringen, Grand Duchy of Baden |
January 5, 1828
Died | September 4, 1895 Seattle, Washington |
(aged 67)
Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
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 |
Relations | Rear-Admiral Albert Kautz (brother) |
Mexican-American War
Rogue River Wars
Puget Sound War
American Civil War
August Valentine Kautz (January 5, 1828 – September 4, 1895) was a German-American soldier and Union Army cavalry officer during the American Civil War. He was the author of several army manuals on duties and customs eventually adopted by the U.S. military.
Born in Ispringen, Baden, Germany, Kautz immigrated with his parents to Brown County, Ohio in 1832. He later enlisted as a Private in the 1st Ohio Infantry, serving in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1847.
Entering the United States Military Academy following the war, Kautz graduated in the class of 1852. He primarily served at Fort Steilacoom in the Pacific Northwest, where he was wounded twice with the 4th U.S. Infantry during Rogue River Wars with Indians along the Snake River in 1855, and also served in the Puget Sound War in 1856. He was rewarded with a commission as a lieutenant in the regular army.
On July 16, 1857, Kautz made what is sometimes credited as the first ascent of Mount Rainier. Kautz is reported as having climbed to the edge of Rainier's crater rim, but as he did not make the final walk to Rainier's Columbia Crest, his ascent has often been described as incomplete.