The Biographical Dictionary of America/Augur, Christopher Colon

AUGUR, Christopher Colon, soldier, was born in New York city in 1821. He was graduated from West Point in 1843, with the brevet rank of 2d lieutenant. For two years following he was in garrison at Fort Ontario, N. Y., receiving the full commission of lieutenant in September, 1845. During the war with Mexico he rendered distinguished service, being engaged in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. In 1847 he was made aide-de-camp to Brig.-Gen. Cushing. He was promoted 1st lieutenant in February, 1847, and until 1855 was in garrison and on recruiting service at various points. In August, 1852, he was promoted captain, and in 1855 he was engaged as a scout against the Yakima Indians at the Two Buttes, Washington territory. He received the rank of major by promotion in May, 1861, and that of brigadier-general in November of the same year. He served throughout the civil war, and was brevetted colonel for his conduct at Cedar Mountain, where he was severely wounded. In 1863 he was in command in the action of Port Hudson Plains, and in the siege of Port Hudson, and as president of military commission at Washington. From Oct. 13, 1863, to Aug. 13, 1866, he was in command of the department of Washington. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel July 1, 1863, brevet brigadier-general March 13, 1865, brevet major-general March 13, 1865, and colonel March 15, 1866. He was mustered out of volunteer service Sept. 1, 1866, and from January, 1867, to November, 1871, he was in command of the department of the Platte. He was promoted brigadier-general March 4, 1869, commanded the department of Texas, 1872-'75, the department of the Gulf, 1875-'78, the department of the South and of Missouri, 1878-*85, and he was retired July 10, 1885. He died at West Washington, D.C.. Jan. 16, 1898.