Alexander Asboth | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Alexander Asboth | |
| 7thUnited States Minister to Argentina | |
| In office March 12th, 1866:Presented credentials October 20th, 1866 – January 21st, 1868 | |
| Nominated by | Andrew Johnson |
| Preceded by | Robert C. Kirk |
| Succeeded by | Henry G. Worthington |
| Ambassador of the U.S. to Uruguay | |
| In office October 2nd, 1867 – January 21, 1868 | |
| Nominated by | Andrew Johnson |
| Preceded by | office established |
| Succeeded by | Henry G. Worthington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1811-12-18)December 18, 1811 |
| Died | January 21, 1868(1868-01-21) (aged 56) |
| Education | Mining Academy of Selmecbanya Institutum Geometricum |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Hungary United States |
| Branch/service | Hungarian Army United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1836–1849 (Hungary) 1861–1865 (USA) |
| Rank |
|
| Battles/wars | Hungarian Revolution of 1848 |
Alexander "Sandor" Asboth (Hungarian: Asbóth Sándor, December 18, 1811 – January 21, 1868) was aHungarian military leader best known for his victories as a Union general during theAmerican Civil War. He also served asUnited States Ambassador to Argentina and asUnited States Ambassador to Uruguay.
Asboth was born inKeszthely, Hungary.[1] When Asboth was 8, his family moved toZombor (nowSombor inSerbia). Asboth wanted to be a soldier, like his elder brother Lajos, but instead his parents decided he should be an engineer. He studied at the Mining Academy of Selmecbánya and the Institutum Geometricum inPest.[2]
After graduation he worked on the construction of theSzéchenyi Chain Bridge as a civilian engineer and later he had some part in the river regulation of the Lower-Danube. He joined with freedom-fighterLajos Kossuth in the1848 revolutionary movement.[2] In December 1848 he was promoted tocaptain.[1] During his time as captain, he took part in the battles ofKápolna andNagysalló. In the spring of 1849 he was promoted to the rank ofmajor, then he became anadjutant of Kossuth and achieved the rank oflieutenant colonel.[3] Asboth traveled with Kossuth to theOttoman Empire and then to the United States in 1851, after the revolution failed.[4]
Asboth remained in the United States and joined theUnion Army. Starting in July 1861, he served as chief of staff for GeneralJohn C. Frémont. Asboth was nominatedbrigadier general by PresidentAbraham Lincoln on December 26, 1861, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the promotion on March 24, 1862, as the President did not formally make the appointment until March 22, 1862.[5] Asboth was assigned command of the 4th Division in Frémont's western campaign.[6] Asboth later led a division underSamuel Curtis, and during the Arkansas campaign he occupiedBentonville andFayetteville. He participated in theBattle of Pea Ridge, leading troops at the Little Sugar Creek position.[7] His right arm was fractured by a musket ball while bringing reinforcements to support ColonelEugene A. Carr. Reinforcements were transferred toHenry Halleck from the Army of the Southwest and during theSiege of Corinth, Asboth commanded a brigade in theArmy of the Mississippi.[2]
Asboth later commanded garrisons inKentucky andOhio. In August 1863, Asboth was assigned to the District of West Florida, with his headquarters atFort Pickens. He was badly wounded in theBattle of Marianna on September 27, 1864; his left cheek-bone being broken and his left arm fractured in two places.[8] Asboth was mustered out of the volunteer service on August 24, 1865.[9] On January 13, 1866, PresidentAndrew Johnson nominated Asboth for the award of thebrevet grade ofmajor general to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 12, 1866.[10]
In 1866, he was appointed U.S. Minister toArgentina andUruguay. He died inBuenos Aires in 1868, likely due to his wounds received in Florida.[2] He was initially buried in the city's British cemetery, but was re-buried in 1923 whenLa Chacarita Cemetery became a park. His remains were returned to the United States in October 1990 for burial atArlington National Cemetery.[8][11]
"Asboth, Alexander Sandor".The Biographical Dictionary of America. Vol. 1. 1906. p. 152.| Diplomatic posts | ||
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| Preceded by | United States Minister Resident, Argentina October 20, 1866–January 21, 1868 | Succeeded by |
| United States officially recognized Uruguay on October 2, 1867 | United States Minister Resident, Uruguay October 2, 1867–January 21, 1868 | |
| Chargé d'Affaires |  | |
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| Minister Resident | ||
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | ||
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | ||
| Minister Resident | |
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| Chargé d'Affaires | |
| Minister Resident | |
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
