10th U.S. Cavalry Indian War-Era Announcements of Mourning ca. 1893-98

A group of orders from the Headquarters of the 10th Regiment of U.S. Cavalry announcing the deaths of three soldiers detailing instructions for mourning. 3p, each measuring 5.5" x 8", ca. 1893-98, Fort Custer & Assinniboine, MT. Orders of mourning adorned with black border printed by the Office of the Regimental Commander and/or Adjutant honoring the deaths of 1st Lieuts. Powhatan H. Clarke and Leighton Findley, as well as Capt. Charles E. Nordstrom, two of which have been signed by Adjutants of the commanding officer: "Wm H. Smith" and "M. H. Barnum" respectively, and conclude with an order stating "The officers of the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for the period of thirty days". Varying degrees of creasing, darkened toning, and scattered foxing throughout. Overall good condition with interesting contents and ties to the Indian Wars!

The 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment was originally formed in 1866 as a segregated, all-African American division consisting of black enlisted men (nicknamed "Buffalo Soldiers") and white officers, an arrangement typical of the period. In 1877, the regiment saw its first officer of color, however when Henry Ossian Flipper (1856-1940) graduated from West Point and attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Nevertheless, as all of the officers mentioned in these examples of mourning were white, it is unclear if their African American counterparts would receive similar treatment upon death. Before its disbandment in 1944, the 10th U.S. Cavalry actively served in the Indian Wars of the American West, the Spanish–American War in Cuba, as well as the Philippine–American War.

Powhatan Henry Clarke (1962-1893) first enlisted in the army in 1884 upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, joining the 10th Cavalry as a 2nd Lieutenant. He would later gain recognition after being awarded a Medal of Honor in 1886 for rescuing a wounded soldier during the Geronimo Campaign in Sonora, Mexico. Before his death, Clarke would act as a subject for Western artist Frederic Remington in two pieces entitled "Lieutenant Powhatan H Clarke Tenth Cavalry" and "Soldiering in the Southwest–The Rescue of Corporal Scott".

Leighton Finley (1856-1894) was transferred to the 10th Cavalry in 1879 where, according to the announcement of mourning, "he distinguished himself in action against hostile indians at Tenajo de los Palmas, Texas…".

Charles E. Nordstrom (d. 1898) first entered the 10th Cavalry in 1867 where he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1869, and later, Captain in 1889. Both of his daughters, Frances and Marie Nordstrom, would become notable stage actresses.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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