Original U.S. Spanish-American War Named & Identified M1872 Kepi of Brigadier General John Walter Clous - Brevetted Twice for Gallantry at Gettysburg & Served on Staff of Generals Merritt, Miles, and Brooke in SAW

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding M1872 Kepi which saw use by Brigadier General John Walter Clous, a German-born American soldier with a fascinating story. Clous wore this kepi while serving as a Brigadier General of Volunteers in the Spanish-American war, serving on the staffs of Gens. Merritt, Miles, and Brooke. He was also the Secretary and Recorder of the Commission for the Evacuation of Cuba.

The kepi has a gorgeous bullion star and wreath sewn to the front, denoting a Brigadier General. These is also a lovely bullion officer’s chinstrap held in by two Army buttons. The interior is in good order with the original sweatband firmly in place. It is inscribed:

J.W. Clous
U.S.V.

Brig. Gen. John Walter Clous, ex-Judge Advocate General, United States Army, died in St. Luke's Hospital yesterday, after a long illness. Gen. Clous was a brother-in-law of Lieut. Gen. Henry C. Corbin. He was 71 years old. He was born in Germany, and came to the United States when 19 years old. After a few years spent in mercantile pursuits he enlisted in the army as musician private in the Ninth Infantry, with which command he remained until the year before the outbreak of the civil war.

Then he went to the front with his old regiment and for two years served as a non-commissioned officer. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and transferred to the Sixth United States Infantry. He was twice brevetted for gallantry in the battle of Gettysburg, and when the war ended he was a Captain in the regular service. In the reconstruction period he was Adjutant General of the Second Military District, in which interval he completed his law studies and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of the United States.

As a result of his legal training he became one of the best known Judge Advocates in the army, and in 1892 reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Deputy Judge Advocate General of the army. On May 1, 1901, he was made Judge Advocate General, and was serving in that capacity when he retired from the service, after an active career of over forty years. He was a Brigadier General of Volunteers in the Spanish-American war, serving on the staffs of Gens. Merritt, Miles, and Brooke. He was also the Secretary and Recorder of the Commission for the Evacuation of Cuba.

This is an outstanding kepi with a great history, and we have included some printed history and a photo of Clous with the kepi. Comes ready for further research and display!