General Orders For Abandoning two New Mexico Forts

General Orders For Abandoning two New Mexico Forts.  Both of these General Orders were received by David Dougall Van Valzah, Major, 20th U.S. Infantry while stationed at Fort Assiniboine, Montana.

These General Orders announced the decision to abandon Forts, Marcy and Seldon, New Mexico.  Fort Marcy’s history dated back to the Mexican War days, and by 1887 its need as a military post had waned considerably.  Fort Seldon, began as a Confederate camp in was considered Confederate Arizona, and later a post to provide protection to emigrant trains from the East against the Apache.  Garrisoned by many infantry and cavalry units including Buffalo Soldiers.

Both are in fine condition.

David Dougall Van Valzah, (1840-1919).  Born in Illinois, and entered military service from Pennsylvania as a 1st Lieutenant in the 12th U.S. Infantry on 14 May, 1861, and promoted to captain on 10 August, 1864.  After the Civil War he was transferred to the 30th U.S. Infantry, and then under the Army’s restructuring, was unassigned until 1869, than assigned to the 25th (Black) Infantry in December of 1870. He remained with that regiment until his promotion to major and transferred again to the 20th Infantry on October of 1886. Promoted again in October of 1891, he was transferred to the 24th Infantry, (the other Black infantry in the Army), as Lt.Colonel.   Prior to the Spanish American War, now as colonel, Van Valzah took command of the 18th Infantry.

During the Civil War, he received brevet commissions; Brevet captain for gallantry at the Battle of the Wilderness, Va, 23 May, 1864, and the campaign before Richmond, Va.  He retired on 20 June, 1899, due to poor health from hard service in the Philippines with the 18th Infantry.