17th U.S. Infantry Officer Voucher- 1871 In Dakota Territory for Capt Clarence E. Bennett – SOLD

Description

This voucher dated 4 July, 1871 was for pay from 31 May to 30 June for Captain Clarence E. Bennett, Co. “F”, 17th Infantry, while stationed at Grand River Indian Agency, Dakota Territory.

Clarence Edmund Bennett, (1833 – 1902), USMA Class of 1855, entered service with 3rd Infantry at Carlisle Barracks. 2nd Lt. Bennett was assigned again in the same year to the 10th infantry, on the frontier, first at Fort Ripley, Minnesota, from 1855 – 1857. He was in the Utah Expedition for 1857 -60, serving as the regimental adjutant (1858-60), then serving at Fort Laramie, D.T.

At the beginning of the Civil War, having been in retirement briefly in California, Bennett formed the San Bernardino Mounted Rifles in Oct. of 1861. He later enlisted in the 1st Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry in San Francisco in 1863, and that unit was stationed on frontier duty while at Camp Morris, and Fort Yuma as a Lt. Colonel.

In 1866, Bennett returned to the regular army as a 2nd Lt. in the 6th Cavalry. During the time of July, 1866 to March of 1867, while at Camp McDowell, he transferred to the 17th Infantry as a captain. He saw service in Texas, Reconstruction duty in Virginia to 1869, and North Carolina during troubles there until 1870.

Increased troubles with the Sioux in Dakota Territory, his “F” was first stationed at Fort Sully in mid 1870, then the Grand River Indian Agency to 1872. He and his company traveled to Fort Rice in 1872 to prepare for the Yellowstone Expedition of 1872, under General David S. Stanley from July to September of that year. He would return to Fort Rice, then Fort Abercrombie in 1876, then Standing Rock Indian Agency (Aug 1876 to Nov. 1876)).

After Prison Board duty, Captain Bennett returned to frontier duty at Standing Rock Agency to 1877, and then to Fort Snelling, Minn. from Dec. 1877 to Oct. 1878, Fort Sisseton, DT to Dec. of 1878. From that time on, he saw service at various posts including Fort Totten, Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming to 1886.

Bennett was promoted to major, 19th Infantry on Nov. 1893, then LtCol. 11th Infantry in June of 1897, and shortly thereafter retired as a LtCol. on Dec. 2, 1897.  H died on November 4, 1902 of apoplexy and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Va.

The document is in fine condition with some light staining on one fold, a few small tears at bottom fold areas, but overall sound and clean with his bold signature and writing on this document he personally filled out.