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Captain John Stuart Letter, 1836-06-18

 Item
Identifier: MC-1964-201

Scope and Contents

This eleven page letter, written on June 18, 1836, to Adj. Gen. R. Jones, from Fort Coffee, discusses the situation of the troops in Arkansas Territory.

Dates

  • Creation: 1836-06-18

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access if by appointment only.

Biographical / Historical

John Stuart of Kentucky served as a private in the Thirty-ninth Infantry from July 20, 1814 to June, 1816 and sergeant until August, 1819. He was then appointed second lieutenant in the Seventh Infantry on August 13, 1819 and became first lieutenant on October 6, 1822. He was commissioned captain June 30, 1828. Part of the Seventh Infantry came to Fort Smith in 1822 and to Fort Gibson in 1824, and from 1831 the whole regiment served at Fort Gibson for nearly ten years. Stuart therefore saw nearly all of his army service in the Indian Territory. He was a man of keen perception and deep interest in his surroundings and particularly in the Indians with whom his service brought him in contact. In charge of Company C, Captain Stuart reoccupied the abandoned Fort Smith in 1833 and the next year was directed to move his force ten miles up the river and establish a new garrison at a place that became known as Fort Coffee. Here he served until 1838 when he was ordered to abandon Fort Coffee and move his command to a point near the Arkansas line on the Illinois River and establish a new post which was called Fort Illinois then FortWayne. This was an unhealthful spot where a number of the soldiers died and on December 8, 1838, the toll of death included Captain Stuart himself. – Grant Foreman

Extent

1 item (11 pages.)

Language of Materials

English

Physical Description

A handwritten letter, in fair condition.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum Repository

Contact:
1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.
Tulsa Ok 74127
918-631-6441