Soldier, Diplomat, Banker: USA Maj. Gen. Augustus Chetlain

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Augustus L. Chetlain (b. 1824, d. 1914) Soldier, diplomat and banker; those occupations accurately describe the life of Augustus Louis Chetlain. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Swiss immigrants, Chetlain’s family moved to Galena, Illinois, when he was young. He became a clerk after being educated in local schools. By 1859, Chetlain was a wealthy businessman and active in the 1860 presidential campaign. At the start of the Civil War, Chetlain joined the local regiment being formed. At the suggestion of U.S. Grant, Chetlain was elected captain of his company. When the unit was absorbed into the 12th Illinois, Chetlain became a lieutenant colonel under Col. John McArthur. This regiment saw action in the capture of Forts Henry, Heiman and Donelson in February of 1862. With McArthur leading the brigade, Chetlain led the regiment during this campaign. In April of 1862, Chetlain was elevated to colonel. He led the regiment at Shiloh, Iuka and Corinth. Chetlain was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers Dec. 18, 1863. Based in Memphis, Chetlain recruited Negro troops from Tennessee and Kentucky. He continued in this capacity until Jan. 26, 1865, when he was appointed commander of the Post and Defenses of Memphis, a subdistrict of the District of West Tennessee. After the war, Chetlain received a brevet promotion to major general of volunteers June 18, 1865. He continued in the service until January of 1866. He then moved to Salt Lake City, where he was collector of internal revenue from 1867 to 1869. After that, he served as U.S. consul in Brussels for three years. In 1872, he entered the banking business in Chicago, becoming president of the Home National Bank. He organized the Industrial Bank of Chicago and became director of the Chicago Stock Exchange. Additionally, he served on the board of education. He belonged tot he Military Order of the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1893, he wrote Recollections of Seventy Years. Chetlain died in Chicago, March 15, 1914, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Galena.

[Gil R.]

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