$800.00 CAD
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Nice rare parchment that documents the promotion of a Cavalry Corporal to Sergeant, signed at Camp Grant, Arizona Territories.
The 6th Cavalry was involved in chasing renegade Apaches such as Victorio and Geronimo.
Nice eagle letterhead.
Note that the ink is faded. I used a UV light to decode the written portions, all were visible.
THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE Sixth REGIMENT OF US CAVALRY
To All who shall see these presents, greeting:
Know Ye That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Corpl henri Ehrlik
I do hereby appoint him Sergeant in company M of the Sixth Regiment of Cavalry in the service of the UNITED STATES, to rank as such from the twenty seventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy six...
Given under my hand at the Head Quarters of the Regiment at Camp Grant A.T. this eleventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred seventy six
JB Kerr Compton
1st Lieut Colonel cavalry Major Colonel cavalry
Adjutant of the Regiment Commanding the Regiment
For decoding the Adjutant signature, I referred to 'Records of Living Officers of the United States Army' by Lewis Randolph Hamersly. It listed a John B. Kerr as 1st lieutenant on August 1st 1874, and adjutant on September 30, 1876. See below for biography
Printed on parchment.
Horizontal and vertical folds. Some staining along top border. Creases lower border, tiny tear.
9 ½” x 14 ⅜”
The 6th Cavalry ("Fighting Sixth'") is a historic regiment of the United States Army that began as a regiment of cavalry in the American Civil War.
During the majority of the 1870s & 1880s, the 6th Cavalry was based in the Southwest and served in the thick of the Apache Campaigns of that time period. Capt Whitside and two Troops of the 6th Cav founded Fort Huachuca (SE of Tucson) March in 1877.
WIKIPEDIA
During the summer of 1876, while the great Sioux war was progressing in the north, the entire regiment was called to the field to put down the Chiricahua Apaches, and later to assist in removing them to San Carlos Agency. Before the arrival of the regiment at the scene of operations several parties were sent out to stop the numerous raids. Lieutenant Henely went from Camp Bowie with a detachment and had an engagement April 10, 1876, and subsequently assisted about 200 friendly Chiricahuas to the agency adjoining the post in Apache Pass. The regiment arrived and during June was sent around the Indian reservation to drive in the Indians, but many of the worst had fled to the rocky fastnesses of the Mexican mountain peaks, and remained a thorn in the side of the army and the settlers for more than ten years.
Such Indians as were willing were moved to San Carlos Agency, the troops sent back to their stations and soon the dangerous country was filled with daring prospectors seeking the fine mines located thereon. Many of these hardy miners have paid with their lives for the privilege of prospecting that section.
Encounters with the Indians occurred August 15, and October 4, 1876, and January 9, 1877.
http://www.history.army.mil/books/R&H/R&H-6CV.htm
John Brown Kerr
Born near Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, March 12, 1847, he graduated from West Point in 1870. He was appointed Second Lieutenant, 6th U.S. Cavalry, June 15, 1870 and thereafter promoted through the ranks to Brigadier General, April 13, 1908.
His military duty was on the Western frontier in Texas, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), Kansas, Arizona, and New Mexico, 1870-1888. He was active in movements against and engagements with hostile Indians and was honorably mentioned in General Orders, June 25, 1888 "for meritorious conduct in defeating an attempt made by Navajo Indians to rescue from custody prisoners between Fort Wingate and Gallup, New Mexico."
He engaged in campaigns against the Sioux Indians, under General Nelson A. Miles, 1890-97; he received the Medal of Honor for "distinguished bravery while commanding his troop against the Sioux at White River, South Dakota, January 1, 1891" (he received the Medal on April 25, 1891).
He commanded the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry, against Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War, and was wounded in the assault on San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898. He was military attaché to Germany, 1900-02; Assistant Adjutant General, July 15, 1901; Chief of Staff, Philippines Department, 1903-04 and the Atlantic Division, 1904-06.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net
