Appointment & Discharge For a 12th U.S. Infantry 1st Sergeant- 1866-1869

Appointment & Discharge For a 12th U.S. Infantry 1st Sergeant- 1866-1869. The vellum appointment dated 24 December, 1866 to Iris Wood, making him a corporal, and signed by LtCol. George Wallace, commanding, and by 1st Lt. David Johnson Craigie as regimental adjutant.

George W. Wallace had a military career beginning in 1839 as a 2nd Lt. in the 1st U.S. Infantry, captain in 1850, Major of the 6th Infantry in 1862, and Lt. Col. of the 12th Infantry in 1866. He retired in Dec. of 1870.

David Johnson Craigie, born in Scotland, began his career as a 1st Lt. in the 8th Iowa Infantry, to July of 1864, AAG U.S. Volunteers with rank of captain, to Sept. 1865.  2nd Lt. 12th U.S. Infantry 1866, and 1st Lt. 1867, having served as regt. adjt, from Dec. of 1866 to Oct. 1869, Capt. 1880. Promoted to major 25th Infantry 1898, with service into the early 1900s.

The discharge with it’s rather fancy lettering, is dated 9 July, 1869, and signed by Capt. James E. Putnam, Co. C. and commanding the post at Camp Bidwell,  California.  Now a 1st Sergeant, Iris C. Wood, leaves the army after some rough service in California. It is witnessed on the back, “I hereby certify that I witnessed the transfer of the final Statement pertaining to this discharge, J.H. May, 1st Lt. 12th Inf. Bvt Captm USA.”

James E. Putnam, enlisted as a private, sergeant, and 1st sgt, in co. F, 2nd Bn, 12th Infantry to 1863.  Promoted to 2nd Lt, then 1st Lt. to August of 1866, and served during that time as regt. adjt. Jan 1865 to Aug of 1866. Capt Feb. 1869, Bvt capt for gallant and meritorious service at battle of the Wilderness, May 1865, retd. 1873.

James H. May, enlisted as a private, corporal, in co. A, 2nd Bn, and E 1st Bn, 12th U.S. Infantry, Nov 1861 to 1863, 2nd and 1stLt.in 1863, Bvt capt for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of the Wilderness,Va.

Sergeant Wood’s service time took place Camp Augur, and Russell Barracks, Washington, D.C., Wood now in Co. C. sent with company to South Carolina. Wood’s company left Washington, and arrived at Camp Bidwell in the later part of April of 1869.  Throughout 1869, the Camp Bidwell’s  primary function shifted strictly to escorting pioneer wagon trains along the Applegate and Lassen Trails, and executing small reconnaissance scouts to deter livestock raiding. No casualties or notable skirmishes were officially logged for the post that year.

Both documents are in fine condition, with the appointment having two small insect holes.