1853 Requisition For Ordinance & Stores Re: Fort Constitution

1853 Requisition For Ordinance & Stores Re: Fort Constitution signed by Williams Austine. Commander of Fort Constitution. This is a great document on Inventory re: mentions gun powder, cannon balls, rifle powder, etc. I have another 1853 Fort Constitution document that is quite interesting. This by Brevet Major William Austine, who was a very respected officer in the U.S. 3rd Artillery, commander of Fort Constitution See all pics. Ask any questions! See below for the amazing military career of Brevet Col. William Austine. At his death, his Will bequeathed funds to the City of Brattleboro, Vt. and ultimately, the funds were used to establish a school for the deaf which now bears his name. The Austine School for the Deaf, as of 2012, is now celebrating the 100th anniversary of Austine School's opening in 1912, eight years after his passing. COLONEL WILLIAM AUSTINE who died at Brattleboro, Vt., September 4, 1904, was up to the time of his death the oldest living retired officer in the United States Army. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, January, 1815, his real name being William A. Brown. On account of some litigation, however, his name was changed to William Austine soon after he entered the Army. He was appointed a cadet from Connecticut to West Point, September I, 1833, and was graduated July 1, 1838. Immediately after his graduation, he was appointed Second Lieutenant of the Second Dragoons and twelve days later was transferred to duty as Second Lieutenant of the Third Dragoons, in which regiment he remained until November, 1839. At that time, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and assigned to the Third Artillery, a regiment distinguished for the number of its officers who became famous during the Civil War. Colonel Austine served in the Florida War against the Seminole Indians from 1838 to 1842 as an adjutant in the Third Artillery. He was in garrison at Fort Pickens from I84I to 1842 and at Fort Moultrie, S. C., from 1842 to 1846. During the War with Mexico, Colonel Austine took part in the siege of Vera Cruz and in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Cherubusco, as well as in the skirmish of Amazoque and the capture of San Antonio. For signal ability and gallantry in this campaign, he was promoted to Captain of the Third Artillery, August 13, 1847, and a short time after was given the rank of brevet Major for gallant and meritorious conduct. After the Mexican War, he was in garrison at Fort Adams, R. I., for several years, with the exception of a short time spent in Florida, during the Indian hostilities of 1849 and 1850. Later, he was stationed at Fort Constitution, N. H., and Fort Wood, N. Y. On account of poor health, he was granted a leave of absence from 1854 to 1861, spending a part of the time in travel abroad. In the latter year he assumed active duty in garrison at San Francisco Harbor and was at that time appointed Major of the Third Artillery. Colonel Austine was retired from active service February 20, 1862, for disability resulting from exposure in line duty, but he continued to serve as Superintendent of the Mustering and Volunteer Recruiting Service of Vermont at Burlington for three months after his discharge and was in Brattleboro in the same line of duty until November, I866. His services were performed with great ability and were warmly commended by the department at Washington. In September 1865, he was given the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet Colonel for long and faithful service. During his service in the Mexican War, Colonel Austine kept a detailed journal, which gave a wonderfully clear description of the different actions in which he was engaged. During one of the battles, a shell from the enemy's guns buried itself in the sand within a few yards of the Colonel, who unconcernedly marked the spot and a few months later unearthed the missile. The shell is now in the Brooks Free Library, Brattleboro, Vt. Pick up in James Island near folly beach. Shipping is turned on. Comes in a protector sleeve and backing board.

Condition

Used (normal wear)

Type

Military antiques document