Background
Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Paul was the grandson of René Auguste Chouteau.
Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Paul was the grandson of René Auguste Chouteau.
He graduated in 1834 from the United States Military Academy, 18th of 36 cadets in his class.
He served as an officer in the 7th United States. Infantry during the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War. He was wounded at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, but recovered to serve in the campaign to capture Mexico City. He led an assault party that captured a Mexican flag during the storming of Chapultepec.
Paul began the Civil War as a Major in the 8th Infantry Regiment, and in December 1861 was appointed Colonel of the 4th New Mexico Volunteers at Fort Union in the New Mexico Territory.
He led a brigade as a brigadier general in 1st Division, I Corps during the Battle of Chancellorsville. He was transferred to a brigade in 2nd Division, fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was seriously wounded in the left eye during the defense of Oak Ridge on the first day of the battle.
His injuries left him totally blind and with severely impaired senses of hearing and smell. Unable to perform anything except some administrative duties, he was kept on the Army"s roll until February 1865, when he was officially retired from the service.
Paul died in Washington, District of Columbia, and was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.
His grave can be found in Section 1, Lot 16.