He received his commission from Ohio, 28 September 1854, and attended the United States Naval Academy from September 1854 to June 1858. He was promoted to Captain, 2 June 1885; to Commodore, 6 April 1897; Rear Admiral, 25 December 1898 and placed on the retired list, 29 January 1901. 

During the Civil War he was taken prisoner off Cape Hatteras 25 June 1861, and was paroled by Confederate President Jefferson Davis along with Lieutenant John L. Worden and another officer; they subsequently became first officers exchanged in the Civil War. Then served on staff of Rear Admiral Farragut on lower Mississippi River, commanding the first division of guns against Confederate Forts Jackson and St Philip, the Chalmette batteries, and the capture of New Orleans. He personally hauled down Lone Star flag from city hall (which Mayor Munroe refused to strike), and hoisted Stars and Stripes on the customs house. He was on the USS Hartford during the engagements with the Vicksburg batteries, June and July 1862. 

He later served on various stations and duties and was in command at Apia, Samoa, March to April 1899, during the troubles with native chiefs, and was commended for conduct on that occasion. He died in 1907 and was buried in Section 2, Grave 1108, of Arlington National Cemetery. 

His wife Esther Hemphill Kautz, 1844-1922, is buried with him as is his son, Albert Hemphill Kautz who died on 12 July 1933.

Albert Hemphill Kautz was the son of Admiral Albert Kautz.  He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in December, 1871.  Unfortunately, he was severely retarded, possibly from cerebral palsy.  Despite the fact that his parents took him to prominent doctors all over the country, he probably never was able to walk alone and (according to one U.S. Census report) he was blind.  After the deaths of his parents, he was cared for by relatives in Ripley, Ohio.

KAUTZ, ESTER HEMPHILL W/O ALBERT KAUTZ
DATE OF DEATH: 05/08/1922
BURIED AT: SECTION E N  SITE 1005
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

KAUTZ, ALBERT HEMPHILL S/O ALBERT
DATE OF DEATH: 07/12/1933
BURIED AT: SECTION EAST  SITE 1005
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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