American Historical Ephemera & Photography

The United States in account for Purchases & Expenditures on account of the Qtr. Mr. Department in the Quarter Ending the 31st of December, 1824, with Lieut. J.W. Baxley, Actg. Adt. Qr. Master, at Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien.) Signed by Lt. Joseph Baxley ("J.W. Baxley"). 31 December 1824. 1p, 15 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. (toning, tears along folds, adhesive tape repairs along folds on verso).
The document is for the total purchased within the last quarter of 1824 and the amount of cash left on hand.

The US Army first established a presence at Prairie du Chien during the war of 1812, and started construction on Fort Crawford in June 1816. The first Fort Crawford was occupied from 1816-1832 and the second from 1832-1856. Joseph Merryman Baxley (1795-1839) of Maryland had served in the War of 1812, making 2nd Lieut. of Infantry in June 1819, and 1st Lieut. of Fifth Infantry in 1824. He rose to captain and went on to serve as a member of the Fort Dearborn garrison from June 1833 until April 1836. He was listed among "500 Chicagoans" on the census which Commissioner Thomas J.V. Owen took prior to the incorporation of Chicago as a town in early August 1833, and was present during the Indian Treaty of Chicago in September, signing as witness on the document.
 
[With:] Abstract of Disbursements on account of Transportation, Repairs, etc by Lieut. J.M. Baxley, Actng. Adt. Qr. Mr. in the Quarter ending the 31st of December, 1824. Signed by Lt. Joseph Baxley ("J.W. Baxley") and Willoughby Morgan ("W. Morgan"). 31 December 1824. 1p, 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 in. (small tears along vertical folds, toning, minor ink feathering). Indicates payment made to "Doctor E. James" on 10 December 1824 for "Transportation of Baggage & attendance of court of inquiry...." Willoughby Morgan (1785-1832) was the son of Revolutionary War soldier General Daniel Morgan. The younger Morgan served in the War of 1812 before coming to the Wisconsin Territory where he would die of a stomach ailment in 1832. -- Abstract of Stationary [sic] issued at Fort Crawford in the Quarter ending 31st of December 1824.  Signed by Lt. Joseph Baxley ("J.W. Baxley") and Willoughby Morgan ("W. Morgan"). 31 December 1824. 1p, 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 in. (almost completely separated along vertical center fold, light toning). Indicates stationery issued for use in the Adjutants office and for the use of the Court of Inquiry.

[Also with:] Received Fort Crawford 21st of March 1839 of Capt. E. M. Lacy 5th infantry the following articles of Clothing, Camp, and garrison Equipage, pertaining to Company C, 5th Infantry. Duplicate copy signed by George Deas ("Geo. Deas"), 2nd Lieut. 5th Infantry Commanding. 8 x 9 3/4 in. (creasing at folds). West Point graduate Captain Edgar M. Lacy died on April 2, 1839, just 2 days after this document was made, and is buried in Fort Crawford Cemetery.   

[Also with:] Stampless cover sent by Captain C.H. Lannard, 4th Infantry, from "Fort Mackinac Mich." 24 November 1848. Addressed to Brig. General R. Jones in Washington, D.C. reporting his arrival with Company A "mustering forty-six rank and file and three comm'd officers, and re-garrisoned this post." Marked "Official Business" and with handstamp of "Makinac." Provenance: The W. Parsons Todd Collection.