1871 17th U.S. Infantry Private’s Final Statement With Issue of Rifled Musket For Protection.

Likely the mention of issued martial arms to a soldier on a discharge is likely rather uncommon, if not a singular example.

Final Statement & Attached Pay and Travel Voucher, for Private Charles E. Manning of Co. “E,” 17th U.S. Infantry. Essentially Manning’s discharge, these documents were issued the 8th of July, 1871 at Fort Stevenson, Dakota Territory. The Final Statement is signed by his commanding officer, Captain Edward Collins. On the docket is another entry signed by Capt. Collins, “Fort Stevenson, D.T. July 15/71 Chs.Manning late Priv. Comp. E, 17th Inftr’y has received 1 Breech loading Musket Calibre .50 and 40 rounds of Metallic Cartridges for his protection as far as Fort Randall, D.T.  where he will turn it over to the Commanding Officer of that post who will please acknowledge receipt on final statement…”  Once Manning arrived at Headqrts U.S. Military Station, Cheyenne Agency, D.T. July 22, 1871. This notation/ receipt reads nearly the same, but the officer, Captain Edward P. Pearson, Jr. notes “without bayonet and 40 rounds…..”

As was Army policy, travel expenses upon discharge were from the place discharged to home; in this case to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1247 miles.  The voucher is signed by Manning.

Manning had enlisted at Milwaukee on 3 October, 1870 for five year, but due to “Special Orders No. 132 dated HQtrs Dept. of Dakota, St. Paul, Minn. June 14, 1871, in accordance with General Orders No. 23, War Dept. AGO.”  Not having looked up this order, I am assuming it relates to some disability that Private Manning had incurred.

7 days after Manning was discharge, he was issued the 2nd Allin Conversion Springfield Rifle, and likely moved out with a patrol, or some supple train. The need for issuing a weapon to a discharged soldier simply implies the danger of hostile attacks to smaller units or patrols away from the safety of military posts.

Fort Stevenson was established in 1867 in the Missouri River Basin, 30 some miles southeast from Fort Berthold, later under water when Lake Sakakawea was formed  in 1953.

The Cheyenne Agency, Established in 1869, tis sometimes referred to Cheyenne River Agency. The agency was located on the west bank of the Missouri River below the mouth of the Big Cheyenne River, and was about 12 miles from Fort Randall, DT. (now South Dakota).

Edward Collins enlisted as a private, artificer, corporal in Company “A”,  U.S. 1st Battalion of Engineers in 1846, then sergeant in the same company from 1851, to 1861, and was discharged for promotion, becoming a 1st Lieutenant in the 17th U.S. Infantry on May 4, 1861.  Promoted to captain about a year later.  Collins would transfer to the 1st Infantry as a major in June of 1882, then LtCol. in the 7th Infantry in February of 1887.  He retired the next year on January 1, 1888.

Edward P. Pearson, Jr, enlisted in the 25th Pa Infantry during the Civil War and later transferred to the 17th U.S. Infantry. He saw much action in the East and later in the Western theatre of the War on Gen. O.O. Howard’s staff. a part of Sherman’s army on the march to the sea. He spent most of his career on frontier posts; at the Battle of San Juan Hill, Cuba, and retired as a Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers in 1899.