1. Felix Agnus was a French-born sculptor, newspaper publisher and soldier who served in the Franco-Austrian War and the American Civil War.
24 Facts About Felix Agnus
1. 2.
In 1861, upon the outbreak of the American Civil War, Felix Agnus enlisted in the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, and served with merit, rising to brevet brigadier-general before being mustered out of service.
3.
Felix Agnus was then inspector general of the Department of the South and supervised the dismantling of Confederate forts.
4.
Charles Fulton, the previous publisher, was his father-in-law, Felix Agnus having married Fulton's daughter Annie on 13 December 1864.
5.
Felix Agnus was offered political positions, including as a United States Senator and a United States Consul, both of which he declined.
6.
Felix Agnus was born in Lyon, France, on 4 July 1839, to Felix-Etienne Agnus and Anne nee Bernerra Agnus.
7.
Felix Agnus was educated at College Jolie Clair, near Paris, and, in 1852, set out on a voyage around the world for four years.
8.
Felix Agnus abandoned school to fight in the Franco-Austrian War.
9.
Felix Agnus served in the 3rd Regiment, and fought in the Battle of Montebello.
10.
On 25 April 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, Felix Agnus enlisted in Duryee's Zouaves.
11.
Duryee's Zouaves were next stationed in Baltimore, Maryland, on Federal Hill, where the wounded Agnus was billeted on Charles C Fulton, publisher of the Baltimore American.
12.
Felix Agnus helped raise four companies of the 165th New York Infantry Regiment, in which he was given the captaincy of the color company.
13.
Captain Felix Agnus was wounded on 27 May 1863, during the siege of Port Hudson, he was promoted to major on 2 September, and for a time had command of his regiment.
14.
Felix Agnus served in Texas, and, after attaining the rank of lieutenant-colonel, was ordered eastwards to join the 19th Corps.
15.
Felix Agnus served under General Philip Sheridan, taking part in the battles of Opequon, Fisher's Hill, Winchester, and Cedar Creek.
16.
Felix Agnus received the brevet of brigadier-general of volunteers on 13 March 1865, making him the youngest brigadier-general in the army at the time.
17.
Felix Agnus was mustered out of service on 22 August 1865.
18.
Felix Agnus worked for, and was eventually given charge of the business department of the Baltimore American on 4 July 1869, and later became its publisher.
19.
Felix Agnus found printing facilities in Washington, DC, and soon began construction on a new, 16 story building.
20.
Felix Agnus sold both newspapers on 1 December 1924, to Frank Munsey.
21.
Felix Agnus was twice asked to be the Republican nominee for a seat in the United States Senate, but declined.
22.
Felix Agnus was appointed US Consul to Derry, Ireland, and confirmed by the Senate, but declined to accept the position.
23.
Felix Agnus served as the chairman of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Commission, a member of the Board of Visitors of West Point and of the commission that built the Baltimore Courthouse.
24.
Felix Agnus was one of the original members of the Associated Press, a delegate to multiple Republican national conventions and a charter member of the Army and Navy Club.