Interesting Group of 17th U.S. Infantry Letter & Documents- Dakota Territory 1871-1872

Interesting Group of 17th U.S. Infantry Letter & Documents- Dakota Territory 1871-1872. The first document generated and adhered in this group dated Headquarters Military Station Grand River Agency, D.T. (Dakota Territory), “Special Orders, No 116” has to do with a sick soldier by the name of Corporal Patrick Conway, Co. F, 17th Infantry, “In view of the lateness of the season, the nearness to the close of steamboat navigation on this portion of the Missouri River, the Physical Condition of Corporal Patrick Conway…and upon recommendation by the Post Surgeon…Conway will proceed by boat to Sioux City…and report in person to the Pay Master..in that place and then await the orders of the Department Commander in his case.” The A.A.G at this Station will firnish transportation in one of the steam boats of the Kounty Line (Contract boats) to Conway…from this Station to Sioux City.  “By Order of Capt. C.E. Bennett, (sgd) James Humbut, 1st Lieut. 17th Infantry, Post Adjutant.”   Also endorsed by Captain Bennett, an “Official Copy.”

Stacked, as this correspondence was dealt with by Bennett, HQ, Co. F, 17th, Grand River Agency, dated October, 11, 1871, to Pay Master…Sioux City, “Sir, I have the honor to transmit ..the Descriptive List, account of pay and clothing of Corp. Conway, and an official copy of the Order in his care herewith Enclosed.  Signed Clarence E. Bennett.”

Bennett sent this letter dated November 20, 1871 from Grand River Agency, D.T.,  to Pay Master Major J. W. Nicholls at Sioux City, Iowa. Further information regarding the transmitting of Conways papers, and more.  Bennett request of the pay master to fill in the documents so a not to delay Corp Conway and family at Sioux City, at heavy expense, as Corporal Thomas Bernard has to remain at Yankton, D.T. as witness before civil Courts.  More,  Signed By Bennett.

In the last letter to the Paymaster Nicholls, Bennett acknowledges receipt of Conways papers. Capt. Bennett goes on, ” I would respectfully state that I forwarded Corporal Bernard’s discharge and Final Statements to you…”

The Grand River Agency, then what will become, South Dakota was established in 1869. It was responsible for many of the bands of the Sioux Nation. The location moved from the Grand River and Missouri River to a new location 50 miles north on the Missouri in 1873. This new location became the Standing Rock Agency.  So the Grand River Agency was active for only a brief time, and making this a scarcer piece.        Clarence Edmond Bennett, 1833-1902, Graduate USMA, Class of 1855. Most of his time in service was on the frontier, and Civil War in California, New Mexico, Arizona, some Reconstruction duty, and back to the frontier.  Was at Fort Ripley, Minn., took park in the Utah Expedition, Fort Laramie,DT, – Indian Wars, Fort Sully, 1870, Grand River Agency for two year to 1872, Fort Rice & Yellowstone Expedition, Fort Abercrombie to 1876, Standing Rock Agency to November of 1876, Fort Snelling to Oct. of 1878, Fort Sisseton to Dec. of 1878,  many more fort assignments.  Major in the 19th Infantry, 1893, LtCol. 11th Inf. 1897, and retired Dec. 2, 1897.

The next document dated June 30, 1871, is a pay voucher for 1st Lieut. Horation Potter, Jr. (also adjutant), 17th Infantry. Signed by Potter twice, as the document is made out by him.  Paymaster is Major Nicholls. Horatio Potter, Jr., 2nd NY 7th Artillery, 1862, Captain to 1865.  Brevet major for Petersburg, Va.1865, 2nd Lt, 17th Infantry, 1866, regimental adjutant to 1874, died in 1874.

A voucher for Captain L.H. Sanger, 17th Infantry receiving his pay on Novermber 1, 1871, by Paymaster W. H. Johnston.  Sanger  held a brevet captain’s rank for the Battle of Gettysburg.  He began as a private in 1861 and came up through the ranks always with the 17th Infantry. He was dismissed in 1872, but reinstated the following year.  Died in 1884.

Another pay voucher for 1st Lieut. C.S. Roberts, 17th. Signed as well dated July 20, 1871. Private 22 NY state militia, 150th NY Infantry 1862, captain to 1865, brevet commissions of and major for West Virginia, Shenandoah in 1865.  2nd Lt. 17th Infantry 1866, captain by 1878, Captain acting Judge Advocate 1885-1886. Major 17th Infantry, 1898, LtCol. 13th Infantry 1899, 21st Infantry 1901, Col. 2nd Infantry 1901.  He retired as a brigadier general in 1913.  Was Aide de Camp to Gen. Crook in Indian Wars. Died 1917.

The last document is an invoice of Quartermaster Stores Transferred by 1st Lieut.Edward B. Northrup, QM,17th, signing for 24 new corn brooms transferred to Captain Edward Collins, at Fort Stevenson, D.T., dated April 12, 1872. Edward B, Northrup, Civil War service 44th NY, and VRC to 1866. 2nd Lt. 44th U.S. Infantry, 1866, 17th Inf., 1869, Brevet for the Battle of Malvern Hill, Va. , died 1873.           Edward Collins, Private, corporal, sergeant Co. A, Engineers, June 1848 to 51; 1st Lt. 17th Infantry, 1861, Captain 1863, Major 1st Infantry, 1882, LtCol. 7th Infantry, 1887,  retired 1888.