Black History
1874 Black "Buffalo Soldier" Partly-Printed Pay Voucher Made to the Illustrious Lt. John M. Thompson
December 31, 1874-Dated, Partly-Printed Document, Buffalo Soldier's Pay Voucher, made to the illustrious "Lt. John M. Thompson," Previously of the 1st Colored Regiment Ever Mustered in the United States Union Military Service, Choice Very Fine.
This Partly-Printed Document measures about 8.5" x 11", 1 page being nicely printed and signed on clean wove period paper. Being a Pay Voucher for 1st Lt. John M. Thompson, an officer of the 24th Infantry, known as "Buffalo Soldiers". Standard folds with trivial top edge chip, overall boldly printed in black and signed for "Cash". He signs for one month's pay from December 1, 1874 to December 31, 1874, in the amount of $150 (19 years of service), which was a large sum in that time period. Col. John M. Thompson (1843-1922) was born in Lebanon in 1843, and spent most of his life in the Army, beginning with the Civil War. In 1861, John enlisted in Lebanon, as pvt. in Co. E 7th NH Vol. Reg't. On November 18, 1862 he was appointed 2nd Lieut. of the 1st S.C. Volunteers. This was the 1st Colored Regiment Ever Mustered in the United States Union Military Service!
It's first Col. Was T.W. Higginson of Mass. On June 22, 1863 he was promoted to 1st Lieut. On November 8, 1863 he was promoted to Captain. On February 8, 1864 the designation of the Regiment was changed to the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops
Col. John M. Thompson (1843-1922) was born in Lebanon in 1843, and spent most of his life in the Army, beginning with the Civil War.
In 1861, John enlisted in Lebanon, as pvt. In Co. E 7th NH Vol. Reg't. He served with his regiment at Dry Tortugas, Florida and at Beaufort, S.C. On November 18, 1862 he was appointed 2nd Lieut. of the 1st S.C. Volunteers. This was the 1st Colored Regiment ever mustered in the U.S. Service. It's first Col. Was T.W. Higginson of Mass. On June 22, 1863 he was promoted to 1st Lieut. On November 8, 1863 he was promoted to Captain. On February 8, 1864 the designation of the Regiment was changed to the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops.
He was present at the siege of Charlestown and minor operations from June 1862 until the capture of the city, in the command known as the Department of the South, 10th Army. He commanded a Company at an engagement on James Island, S.C. on July 1st and 2nd, 1864; and in the assault at Ft. Lamar on the same date. He was subsequently brevetted for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle at James Island.
August 18,1869, Thompson was transferred to the 24th U.S. Infantry to consolidate regiments. He served at Forts Richardson, Griffin, Clark and McKarrett, TX. Thompson was in charge of scouting after hostile Indians at these posts until November 1871. (For 3 months during this time, he was granted a leave to visit his home and family in Lebanon.) He accompanied Generals McKensie and Shafter on an expedition to the Staked Plains against hostile Indians from June through October 1872.
In December, 1872 he was stationed at Fort Brown, TX. On December 23, 1878 he received his promotion to Captain; and he was transferred to Ft. McIntosh.
On October 27, 1880 Thompson was sent to Fort Sill, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). He was on detached service at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas as executive officer in connection with the division and department rifle contest in September and October, 1883. He wore the first medal ever issued a sharpshooter in the army.
In July and August 1889, Thompson was chief range officer and in command of competitions in the Department of California Rifle Contest at Fort Wingate, New Mexico. From October 1, 1889 to October 1, 1891 Captain Thompson was again detailed on recruiting service; stationed at Providence, RI and David's Island in New York Harbor. From Oct. 1891 until January 1, 1892, Thompson was in Lebanon again. He then rejoined his regiment at the San Carlos Indian Agency in Arizona. In May, 1892, he marched a battalion of the Regiment to Fort Huachuce, Arizona where he remained until the great railroad or Pullman strike of 1894.
From July 10, 1894 until September, 1894, Thompson left the post as commander of a battalion to assist in opening to traffic, the Santa Fe System of Railroads. While on this duty, Capt. Thompson seized a railroad train at Benson, AZ and forced the engineer and train crew to transport his command to Raton Tunnel, New Mexico, even though they were on strike. For services performed here and at Trinidad, Colorado, he received the thanks of the commanding officer.
In the Indian Wars, he was associated with General Custer and William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and won praise for bravery from his superior officers. Congress, by special act, issued 3 bronze medals in recognition of General Thompson's bravery. One for the Civil War, one for the Indian Wars; and one for the Philippine War (where he was sent twice); and where he took part in the capture of the famous Philippine General Agquinaldo.