24th U.S. Infantry Document – Captain John Walter Clous – SOLD

Description

John Walter Clous was born in Germany, and came to America at the age of 19. He enlisted in the Army as a private in 1857 in Company “K” and the band of the 9th U.S. Infantry to 1861.  At the beginning of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 6th Infantry and went up rapidly in the ranks from private to Captain by war’s end.  Clous earned two brevet commissions (1st Lt. and capt.) for gallant and meritorious service at the Battle of Gettysburg.  He was the regimental quartermaster in 1864, and the regimental adjutant in 1865.

In 1867, Clous transferred to the 38th Infantry, a Black unit established in 1866, and in 1869, with the Army’s reorganization, the 38th and 41st infantry regiments became the nucleus for the new 24th Infantry,  Clous was given command of Company “E.”

Captain Clous was ordered on April 19, 1873,  to “report to Colonel Hatch, 9th Cavalry and perform what duties Colonel Hatch ordered. In the citation of this order, “E” Company is specifically noted to be a mounted company. This fact is not mentioned in many other sources, so it is possible that after reporting to the 9th Cavalry, “E” Company was mistaken for another company (E -10th). The experiment may not have lasted long, as later records show “E” Company conducting dismounted operations.”  (ref: The 24th Infantry Regiment and The Racial Debate in the US Army).

Another important historical event for which Clous was a part, was his acting judge advocate presenting the government’s case in the Lt. Henry Flipper Court Martial. During is time as a field officer, Clous had studied law and became proficient to be used by several commanders of the Department of Texas. This would ultimately lead to Clous joining the Judge Advocate Department, and his later promotion as the Armies, Judge Advocate General of the Army in 1901.  His brother in law, a fellow officer in the 24th Infantry, Henry C. Corbin, would be the Army’s Adjutant General at the same time.

The document is in fine + condition. Dated 20 October, 1873, this voucher for postage was signed by Captain Clous, while at Fort Brown, Texas.