This multi-page document shows everything in the quartermaster stores at Bismarck, Dakota Territory being turned over by 1st Lieutenant William Baker, 6th U.S. Infantry to Captain Edward Dickinson Baker, Jr. Asst. Qtrmtr, USA. in November of 1878. Whether the post quartermaster’s office was at the City of Bismarck or across the Missouri River at Fort Abraham Lincoln I am uncertain.
5 pages list both cavalry and infantry clothing, camp and garrison equipage. If you want to know what was being issued at this specific post in 1878, it is contained here in these 5 pages. It covers untrimmed helmets, and their components, forage caps, insignia, chevrons, fatigue and dress clothing, gloves, Arctic overshoes, rubber goods, camp gear, drums, trumpets, books, target practice book (early), several sizes of flags, barracks items, more.
William Badger, was a Civil War veteran from New Hampshire, and had served in the 6th Infantry at Ft. McKean, (the infantry post on the bluff overlooking Ft. Lincoln) for several years. He is turning over this material to the Department quartermaster as the 6th Infantry is preparing a move to the Colorado area, and would have been moved totally from the DT. by 1880.
Captain E.D. Baker, Jr. was the son of the late Senator E.D. Baker, Brigaider Gen., Colonel (of the 71st PA Vols), who was killed at the Battle of Balls Bluff. The father, was a good friend of President Lincoln’s and Jr. feel under the watchful care of the President. and with Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania, helping the later to get an appointment
Senator Edward Baker of Oregon &
Colonel 71st Pa Vols KIA Balls Bluff.
To understand Lincoln’s interest in the junior Baker, is to understand the friendship between the President and then Senator Baker. Lincoln named his 2nd son after the senator, Edward Bacon Lincoln (Tad). After Colonel Baker of the 71st Penn. Vols was killed at Balls Bluff, in October of 1861, Lincoln sent a message to Penn. Governor Andrew Curtin, inquiring if possible to place Baker the younger into better position within a Pennsylvania regiment. Baker, Jr. was already in the 4th U.S. Cavalry. The message sent to Curtin was, “The bearer of this, Edward D. Baker, is the son of my very dear friend Col. Baker, who fell at Ball’s Bluff,” wrote Lincoln. “He thinks you might be induced to make him a field officer in a Pennsylvania Regiment. Disclaiming all wish to interfere in a matter so purely belonging to you and your State, I still say I would be much pleased if he could be obliged.”
In a short time later, though not in a Pa. regiment, Baker was advanced to 1st Lt. in another U.S. regiment.
An important document concerning Indian Wars cavalry and infantry uniforms and related equipment worn and used on the Plains, but some little known interesting facts about an unknown officer.450
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