Final Statement For A Corporal In the 2nd U.S. Infantry – 1869

Final Statement For A Corporal In the 2nd U.S. Infantry – 1869 The final statement or discharge with transportation voucher was made out to Michael Murphy, a Corporal in Co. C, 2nd U.S. Infantry, who had completed his term of service of three years on this date, 10 July, 1869. He was stationed at Montgomery, Alabama during the Reconstruction Period, and mileage paid was to his home in Cleveland, Ohio. Voucher signed by William Findlay Drum, commanding Company “C.”Murphy was originally a laborer from Ireland who enlisted in the army in in 1866, as so many other Irish emigrants that made their way to America in the mid 19th Century. Murphy signed the transportation document.William Findlay Drum, then a captain, had attended West Point beginning in 1850, but left prior to graduation. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Co. F. 3rd Ohio Infantry on 17 April, 1861, but transferred out soon after, accepting a commission as 2nd lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Infantry. He rose to the grade of captain by May of 1863, and accepted another promotion as a Lt. Colonel of Volunteers, mustering out in August of 1865. He had received brevet commissions for major and ltcol. for actions near Richmond, and for the battle of Five Forks. After the war, he remained in the regular army as a captain. He was promoted to major in the 14th Infantry in June of 1882, and lieutenant colonel of the 12th Infantry in December of 1886. Col. Drum died on active service while commanding Fort Yates, North Dakota.The two documents are in fine + condition.