American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Collection of approx. 25 items related to the military career and post-war life of Lt. Col. William M. Vogelson, including Civil War-era documents and appointments, personal photographs, deeds, and other ephemera. Archive highlighted by Vogelson's manuscript copy of a 50pp report to General Thomas J. Haines, Chief Commissary of the Military Division of the Missouri, "Inspection in the District of Nebraska," Columbiana, Ohio, 26 December 1865, and an untitled, undated [ca 1865] hand drawn map of the Western frontier, delineating U.S. Army camps, forts, and posts from parts of present-day Nebraska to Colorado and Wyoming. The map was likely created while Vogelson was assigned to duty as Inspector of Posts of Subsistence, and was tasked with visiting posts and Subsistence Departments on the frontier along the Platte and Powder Rivers. The map indicates well-known Army posts such as Kearney and Laramie, as well as smaller stations such as Alkali and O'Fallon's. Complementing the map is Vogelson's inspection report, which includes details of inspections and rations at each location including Fort Kearney, N.T., Sept 11-12, 1865; Fort Cottonwood, N.T. Sept 13, 1865; Fort Sedgewick (Julesburg), C.T., Sept, 16, 1865; Fort Laramie, D.T., Sept 20, 1865; and more, all recorded during his trip which ended in December 1865. The report also contains tables of data and Vogelson's recommendations on the ways in which subsistence matters can be improved.

[With:] Group of 7 Vogelson appointments, including: First Lieutenant, 27th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Militia, 24 July 1861, signed by C.P. Buckingham, Adjutant General State of Ohio; Captain, Commissary of Subsistence of Volunteers, 18 November 1862, signed by Edwin W. Stanton, Secretary of War; Major of Volunteers by Brevet, 10 November 1865, stamp signed by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War; Lieutenant Colonel by Brevet, 25 May 1866, stamp signed by President Andrew Johnson; and Major by Brevet, 30 July 1866, stamp signed by President Andrew Johnson.

[With:] One manuscript biography and two typed biographies of Vogelson, together providing a detailed account of his Civil War and post-war service. -- A presentation on the "Commissary Department in the war" given by Vogelson to the Society of the Army of the Tennessee and signed by Vogelson.

[Also with:] A group of photographs, none identified: a CDV without backmark, cut at top and bottom, possibly showing a young Vogelson; two cabinet cards, one showing an older gentleman with a visage closely resembling the young man in the CDV; and an oval albumen photograph of a soldier, ca late 1800s - early 1900s. -- Hastings & Co. "Improved Patent Gold Leaf." -- Small Arms Firing Manual 1913. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1914. -- An undated map of Coconut Grove, Florida, in Miami Dade County. -- 5 miscellaneous deeds, spanning 1879-1887, associated with William and Amanda Vogelson.

Together, approximately 25 items. Condition of items generally good with expected wear, toning, creasing, and soil. Biographical accounts and reports are heavily curled and/or folded.

William McKendree Vogelson enlisted on 7/24/1861 as a 1st Lieutenant and was commissioned into Field & Staff Ohio 27th Infantry serving as Quartermaster for his regiment. He was discharged for promotion and commissioned Captain & Commissary of Subsistence on 11/30/1862 with the U.S. Volunteers Commissary Department, rising o the rank of Lt. Colonel by Brevet in 1865. During the course of the war Vogelson served with General Sturgis in Kansas, Pope in Missouri, with the Army of the Mississippi and the Army of the Tennessee, and then ultimately to Vicksburg where he was assigned as Commissary of the Post. In January 1865 he was transferred to St. Louis and the Division of the Missouri, where in August of that year he was assigned to duty as Inspector of Posts of Subsistence. In that capacity he was selected by Brigadier General T.J. Haines to visit posts and inspect Subsistence Departments on the frontier along the Platte and Powder Rivers. He was discharged on 2/21/1866 as part of the 6th Division, 17th Corps. After the war he lived in Pittsburgh, PA, where he died in 1892.