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James Smith U.S. Army discharge papers

 Collection
Identifier: W-0145
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The collection contains two forms discharging James Smith, an African American born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, from the United States Army Tenth Cavalry Regiment, in 1872. One form, dated April 4, 1872, is the "final statement" showing how much money is due to him for his term of service, while the second form is his signed receipt, dated May 6, 1872, showing that he received his pay.

Dates

  • Creation: 1872-04 - 1872-05

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None

Biographical / Historical

James Smith was an African American, born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, about 1851. He enlisted in the United States Army's Tenth Cavalry Regiment.

The Tenth Cavalry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army. Formed as a segregated African American unit, the Tenth Cavalry was one of the original "Buffalo Soldier" regiments. It served in combat during the American Indian Wars in the western United States, the Spanish-American War, and in the Philippine-American War. The regiment was trained as a combat unit but later relegated to non-combat duty and served in that capacity in World War II until its deactivation in 1944.

The Tenth Cavalry was reactivated as an integrated combat unit in 1958.

Extent

0.05 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Military discharge forms for James Smith, a member of the United States Army's Tenth Cavalry Regiment, also known as "Buffalo Soldiers."

Physical Location

A. S. Williams III Americana Collection, Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, The University of Alabama

Provenance

Gift of A. S. Williams III, 2010

General

Title on box: A. S. Williams III Americana Collection - Small Collections

Processed by

Martha Bace, 2014

Title
Guide to the James Smith U.S. Army discharge papers
Status
Completed
Date
January 2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513