An excellent group of eighteen (18) documents related to the 17th United States Colored Infantry, 1864-1866. Such large groupings related to USCT regiments are very scarce. A complete list of documents below.  

 

The 17th United States Colored Infantry (USCI) was organized in Nashville on 12 December 1863, under the command of Colonel William Rufus Shafter, who has signed several of the documents included here. 

 

The 17th remained stationed in Tennessee throughout their 3-years of service, engaging in intense and deadly combat at the Battle of Nashville. As a part of the 1st Colored Brigade, they launched a diversionary attack on the Confederate right on the first day of action. Flanked by the 17th and 44th USCI, the 17th pushed through and captured the Confederate rifle pits. Going even further, they reached the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad at Rains’ Cut. The Confederates, however, had constructed a lunette armed with cannons, which resulted in 17 deaths and 67 wounded. The regiment nevertheless continued in pursuit of Hood until December 26th, after which they served guard duty in the Department of Tennessee until they mustered out on 25 April 1866. 

 

The archive here consists of documents related to the equipment of the 17th. Most documents are signed by Augustus F. Kliese, who was a 1st Lieutenant (of Company B), and later as Captain (of Company E) as of 9 November 1865. Prior to serving as an officer in the 17th USCI, he was a corporal in the 22nd Wisconsin Infantry. 

 

Two documents are also signed by William Rufus Shafter (1835 - 1906), who originally served with the 7th Michigan Infantry. He was wounded while leading the charge at the Battle of Fair Oaks with the 7th, for which he would later receive the Medal of Honor. Shafter also served as a major in the 19th Michigan Infantry before he was appointed Colonel of the 17th United States Colored Infantry. After the war, he continued his military service in the regular army, leading the 24th Infantry during the Indian Wars and playing a  prominent role in the expedition to Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

 

Documents include: 

 

1. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by Colonel & Asst. Quarter Master General Charles Thomas and Lt. A. F. Kliese. Washington, D.C., 19 March 1864. 
 

2. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by Gen. A. Hayward. Nashville, Tennessee, 30 April 1864. 

 

List of Quartermaster’s Stores &c. Transferred by George A. Hayward to A.F. Klise.

 

3. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by George F. Balch and Lt. A. F. Klise. Washington, D.C., 26 May 1864. 1 page, 4to, on Ordnance Office letterhead.

 

Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores pertaining to Co. B.

 

4. Return of Quartermasters’ Stores. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, Tennessee, 31 May 1864. 1 page. 

 

Returning camp deck & tables. 

 

5. Abstract of Materials, &c. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by Augustus F. Kliese. N.p., 2nd quarter 1864. 
2,000 elongated ball cartridges, calibre 69.

 

6. Invoice of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by W.R. Shafter and Klise. Nashville, Tennessee, 7 October 1864. 1 page, 4to. 

 

7. Autograph note signed by George A. Bailey. Nashville, Tennessee, 1 December 1864. 

 

Noting reception of 100 sheets of paper on September 15th. 

 

8. Invoice of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Signed by Shafter. Nashville, Tennessee, 2 February 1865. 1 page, 4to. 

 

9. Statement of Charges on Muster and Pay Rolls. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. 1st Quarter, 1865. 

 

A statement of ordnance and ordnance stores for 32 privates and non-commissioned officers, including .69 calibre muskets, bayonets with scabbards, and all the accoutrement of a full belt rig. 

 

10. Parts of Arms for Repairs. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, Tennessee, 31 March 1865. 

 

A list of springs & screws used for repairs. 

 

11. Requisition for Fuel for D Company, 176th Regiment of USCI. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, Tennessee, 1 July 1865.

 

12. List of Quartermaster’s Stores. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, Tennessee, 3 July 1865.

 

13. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, 14 July 1865. 
List of equipment with condition and quantity listed for Company E, including forage caps, bugles, knapsacks, and other accoutrements. 

 

14. List of Quartermaster’s Stores. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, Tennessee, 15 July 1865. 

 

1000 feet of lumber.

 

15. Requisition for Stationery for Co. E. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, TN, 30 September 1865. 

 

Requesting various sizes of paper, envelopes, pens and ink. 

 

16. Abstract of Stationary [sic] Expended in Qr Mr Dept. 17” U.S.C.I. Manuscript document. N.p., September 1865. 

 

17. List of Quartermaster’s Stores, expended in the Public Service. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Gallatin, Tennessee, 31 January 1866. 1 page, folio. 

 

18. Requisition for Fuel. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Nashville, Tennessee, 1 July 1865. 1 page, 4to. 

 

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