Brig. Gen. William H. Bisbee, Group of Indian Wars-Period Documents 

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Jun 13, 2014 - Jun 14, 2014

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• Lot Description
  Lot of 3. The earliest is a Civil War document, dated 21 Sept. 1864, "near Atlanta, Ga." This is a recommendation for the awarding of brevets to seven officers of the 18th U.S. Infantry "for  gallant and meritorious conduct during the Atlanta Campaign." Most (probably all) of these men saw subsequent Indian War service. These nominations were submitted by R.B. Hull, Capt. 18th US Infantry.
  
  Named in the document are Captain William Fetterman, who would become famous as the leader of the 80 men who were massacred by a band of Cheyenne and Sioux Indians under Red Cloud near Fort Phil Kearney in December 1866, now known of the "Fetterman Massacre." Fetterman was just out of Civil War service, and relatively new to frontier conditions. He had boasted that with 80 soldiers, he could "ride through the Sioux Nation." And that is just what he had with him - 80 soldiers - when the Sioux proved him wrong.
  
  Another on the list is Captain Anson Mills, later Brig. General, and veteran of battles such as Tongue River (MT), Rose Bud River (MT), and Slim Buttes (DT). He served throughout the West, including Wyoming, Nebraska, Indian Territory, Arizona, Texas, and, once the Plains groups were "pacified," Walla Walla, Washington. He invented the woven cartridge belt and set up a company to manufacture them. He served on the US-Mexican Boundary Commission and later tried to get equitable distribution of Rio Grande waters. His work in El Paso, platting the town and helping to develop the area earned him the sobriquet "Father of El Paso."
  
  1st Lieutenant James Powell later also fought with Red Cloud at the "Wagon Box Fight" in late July 1867, about five miles from Fort Phil Kearney. Capt. Andrew Sheridan Burt saw service after the Civil War in the 9th US Infy., and the 8th Infy. The 9th was in Northern California just after the Civil War, and there engaged in the "Snake Wars." In 1869, it was transferred to the Platte, and in 1873 to Dakota. Some companies were at Tongue River, Rose Bud and Slim Buttes. Burt retired as Brig. Gen. 1st Lieut. Daniel W. Benham transferred to the 36th US Infy. in 1866, and the 7th Infy. in 1869. He eventually retired as Brig. Gen.
  And, of course, William Bisbee (1840-1942). At the time of this brevet, he was a 1st Lieut. Bisbee answered Lincoln's second call for troops by enlisting in the Regular Army, the 18th Infantry which was organizing in Columbus, Ohio in Sept. 1861. Most of these individuals named were Ohio natives or lived in Ohio at the time of the Civil War. Bisbee was born in Massachusetts, but had taken positions in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Ohio, where he was when war erupted. After the Civil War, he decided to make the army a career and was sent to Fort Phil Kearny.
  
  Another item in this group is an unsigned note hastily written by Capt. Francis Dodge who led his unit of 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers to the aid of Captain Payne after they were ambushed by Utes under the leadership of Captain Jack. The note is addressed to the Adjt. Genl. of the District of New Mexico: "Succeeded this morning at daylight in reinforcing the command of Capt Payne 5th Cav. on Milk River near the late battle field. The command is composed about 200 men, about 40 of whom are wounded. We can, I think, hold out until succor arrives." Bisbee later wrote at the bottom of the page:  "Dodge / 9th Cav / Reinforcing Cav Command at Milk River / Thornburgh fight with Ute Indians 1879."
  
  The message reached Bisbee at Fort Steele where he was in command at the time. Major Thornburgh and his wife were close friends of Bisbee's, and it fell to him, both as post commander and friend, to inform Mrs. Thornburgh of her husband's death in the fight. 
  
  The last item is Bisbee's Marksman's Certificate for the year 1886. Issued by the Department of the Platte, and signed by the Inspector of Rifle Practice, George King, and approved by George Crook as commanding Brig. Gen.
  
  Bisbee went on to serve in the Spanish American War, where he saw action in Cuba and Puerto Rico became military governor of a couple sub-districts of the Philippines under his friend, General MacArthur. He retired in 1902 after 41 years of active service. He was awarded the purple heart on his 100th birthday, for wounds received during the Civil War (he was wounded 3 times), as well as presented with letters of commendation for his earlier services. He was one of the eldest retired officers ever in the army. He died in June 1942 at 102 years old, no doubt dismayed that the US was engaged in yet another military conflict. He was reportedly so tired of the "military atmosphere," that he never joined the GAR, although he was a MOLLUS member. He is buried at Arlington. 

  Condition

  Condition is overall very good.
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