Chaplain Francis Weaver, 10th Us Cavalry, Buffalo - Nov 21, 2014 | Cowan's Auctions In Oh
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Chaplain Francis Weaver, 10th US Cavalry, Buffalo

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Chaplain Francis Weaver, 10th US Cavalry, Buffalo
Chaplain Francis Weaver, 10th US Cavalry, Buffalo
Item Details
Description
Chaplain Francis Weaver, 10th US Cavalry, Buffalo Soldiers, Manuscript Archive 

An archive of approx. 40 letters, official documents, and cards connected with Chaplain Francis (Frank) Weaver, including a biographical sketch written by him. November 1864-early 20th Century. With many official US Government documents that appear to have been part of Weaver’s government service/ employment records. Accompanied by 7 family documents that are not connected directly to Weaver.

Francis Weaver’s story is one of perseverance and strength. He was born into a substantial family on May 20, 1844, at Newry, Blair County, PA, and joined Company C of the 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at the age of 17 on October 10, 1861. Weaver participated in some of the most significant battles of the War including the siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Gaines Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He was wounded more than twenty times - almost mortally at Gettysburg. 

After the war, Weaver took a position in Washington with the Treasury Department but left to return to complete his education. Weaver graduated from Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and then graduated from Gettysburg Theological Seminary. In 1880, he became Chaplain to the 10th Cavalry -the famed Buffalo Soldiers - at Fort Concho, TX. He served with that unit in many locations across the Great Plains and southwestern US (including Fort Apache). He retired August 18, 1897, due to the disabilities sustained in his years of service. Returning to Pennsylvania, Weaver lived out his life as a landowner/ farmer. He died at the age of 83 on April 10, 1928, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Pennsylvania 53rd regiment was organized at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, PA, in the summer of 1861. By late September, the first companies had been organized and were mustered into the service of the United States on September 28 at Camp Curtin. Company C was composed of men from Blair and Huntington Counties. In November they moved to Washington, DC, and then onward to serve in most of the major battles in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War.

The 10th Cavalry was relocated to Fort Concho, TX, in 1875. Their mission was to map and develop the territory and to protect the US Mail, against Indian and Mexican revolutionary raiding. The units were composed of African American soldiers with a white officer corp. Their rugged perseverance in a fight earned them the grudging honor amongst the Native American tribes as being “tough as buffalos.” During their 20 years of work, the Buffalo Soldiers served throughout the Western US from Texas and New Mexico to Montana and the Dakotas.

Because this collection contains many official documents regarding Weaver’s service, several include signatures of notable Adjutants and Assistants, such as: 

A letter of recommendation signed by Samuel Steel Blair, US Representative from PA. 

Authorization to enter government employment signed by Charles A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War. 

Draft of letter signed by Robert T. Lincoln, (first son of President Abraham Lincoln). 

Two ALsS from Adjutant General Samuel Breck. <br
Leave of Absence authorization signed by J. C. Kelton (later Adjutant General). 

Leave of Absence authorization signed by Samuel D. Sturgis (Sturgis, SD, is his Namesake). 

Letter of Recommendation signed by Stevens T. Norvell (Commander of the Buffalo Soldiers units).
Condition
Overall, the documents, letters and related paper items are in very good to near excellent condition.
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Chaplain Francis Weaver, 10th US Cavalry, Buffalo

Estimate $1,000 - $1,500
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Starting Price $500
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