1926 Typed Letter Signed by Brig. General William H. Bisbee Civil War Veteran
1926 Typed Letter Signed by Brig. Bisbee - Civil War Veteran. Letter typed on Commandery of the State of Massachusetts letterhead, dated June 4th, 1926, to Lt. Ranlett, currently commanding the Boston School Cadets, and signed William H. A photocopy image of Bisbee along with his bio/record are included with the document. In response to President Abraham Lincoln's second call for volunteers, William Bisbee enlisted on September 2, 1861 by joining the Regular Army as part of the 18th United States Infantry, then organizing at Columbus, Ohio. The 18th would be with the Army of the Ohio until November 1862, and then with the Army of the Cumberland. He saw action in the following battles: Corinth, Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lookout Mountain. For bravery at Stone's River he won several citations and a promotion - a commission as a Second Lieutenant from President Lincoln. He was wounded three times in battle. When he acquired his Second Lieutenancy, he decided then to make the army his career. After the Civil War, he served several tours of frontier service during the Indian Wars, first with the 18th U. Infantry on the Bozeman Trail under the command of Col. Carrington and was his Adjutant at that post. Bisbee was a good friend of Capt. Fetterman, who along with 80 other men was massacred on Dec. Carrington blamed Fetterman for disobeying orders and Bisbee became even more of a critic of Colonel Carrington after the fight. As a Captain and as a Major during the 1890's, he led numerous details in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) with the 4th U. In recognition of these frontline efforts he was rewarded with a promotion to Colonel.
Within few months he was transferred to the Philippines. There, as a military governor, he ruled over sub-districts in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija Provinces during and just after the Insurrection. On completion of this overseas tour of duty, as a Brigadier General in 1902, he retired after 41 active duty years, making him one of longest such career officers of Civil War vintage. When he died he was the oldest retired officer of the United States Army at the age of 102.
Was one of the few veterans alive long enough to have received the Purple Heart Medal for Civil War actions and wounds. Document is in VG+ condition; showing moderate aging and wear, discoloration, soiling, and fold creases. Also included is an 8x11 print of an older Col.
Ranlett in full dress, mounted on horseback. These listed items were obtained from the Colonel Charles A. (See photos for Ranlett's bio).
Please refer to the photos for condition and detail.