| Hurgoj: Re: pomucz-ok | General GEORGE POMUTZ (1818-1882)
The general and diplomat George Pomutz became famous due to his services under arms and the diplomatic abilities with which he served the United States. Born of Romanian parents, Romanian himself through blood and feelings, versed in Hungarian and American culture, he became known throughout his life as a courageous and dignified man, whose life resembled in many respects a legend.
George Pomutz was born on 31st May 1818 in Gyula (Giula, as Romanians call it), a city located in corner Békés County of Hungary.
At the beginning of the revolution in 1848, G. Pomutz enrolled in the Hungarian army. His military unit was even successful in the battles in the summer of 1849. Pomutz’s enthusiasm for the Hungarian revolution was mainly due to his education in Hungarian schools.
G. Pomutz leaves the fortress of Komárom between October 1-3 1849, after the surrender of the fortress to general Haynau. G. Pomutz, still young and with no obligations, chose to emigrate to the United States of America.
Together with 30 of his comrades, G. Pomutz left Hamburg, reaching New York on February 24, 1850. The group of the emigrants settled in the state of Iowa. Their small colony was baptized New Buda, south of Burlington.
On March 15, 1855, G. Pomutz became a full rights citizen of United States. In 1861, G. Pomutz explained the need for Hungary to make friends with its ethnic minorities, as well as the need for cooperation with Moldavia and Wallachia. The events, however, would not develop the way G. Pomutz wanted and his destiny would be linked to the American Civil War, which, when it broke out, our hero would enroll voluntarily in the Union Army in order to support its generous ideals.
He was accepted as a lieutenant in the 15th Regiment of Infantry Iowa, comprising over 1.000 soldiers and 37 officers. G. Pomutz was promoted to first Lieutenant and then Adjutant. He was especially appreciated for his calm and courage.
In the summer of 1863 he was promoted to Major and in May 1864, at the beginning of the Battle for Atlanta, General Frank P. Blair brought him to the Army Headquarters, and appointed him “Provost Marshall” of his Army Regiment (XVII). In August 1864 Pomutz requested that he be sent back to 15th Regiment Iowa, the transfer was approved, and he was to command this Regiment being promoted to Colonel-Lieutenant. Always in the line of fire, G. Pomutz fought in numerous difficult battles.
With regard to the military capacities of G. Pomutz in the Battle for Atlanta, General Walter O. Gresham, Commander of the 3rd brigade which comprised Pomutz’s Regiment, once wrote: “I have met Pomutz; one brave and courageous officer, who enjoyed great popularity among his comrades and soldiers. He is not only a valuable officer, well-versed in all military questions, but also a man of superior culture, a well-mannered gentleman.”
General Pomutz had also been member of the Organization of Former Volunteers, Loyal Legion and of the Blue Arrow Order.
After the war G. Pomutz returned to Keokuk. Here he received notice of being appointed consul of the United States in St. Petersburg in Russia, appointment well earned, on February 16, 1866. Grant’ successor President Rutherford B. Hayes promoted G. Pomutz to General Consul, in 1874.
The fact that he was kept in such a post for 12 years recommends him as a diplomat full of abilities and qualities. He was highly appreciated also because of the 8 foreign languages he knew so well.
Pomutz solved a very serious incident between Russia and the United States. There is also information stating the fact that Pomutz took over at some point the Russian-American negotiations regarding the sale and buy of Alaska.
He died on October 12 1882 in Petersburg in great poverty. One of the Ohio State senators mentioned the two Romanian heroes, General George Pomutz and Captain Nicolae Dunca, among the fighters who shed their blood for the unity of the United States of America and engraved their name in letters of gold on the pages of American history.
The Mayor of Cleveland stressed, in 1932, that the Romanian heroes’ part in American history was to “bind together, through their sacrifice the spirit of the American and Romanian people.”
Gyula, April 18, 2002
http://www.romanul.hu/indexro/cultura/manifestari/Gen G Pomutz (short)[1].html |
 | This image is attached to the message.
To see the image in original size, please click on it. |
|
| | |
