Request Material
Frederick W. Benteen collection addendum
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Frederick W. Benteen collection addendum | |
| Creator: Unknown | |
| Creator: Benteen family. | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1833-1978 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 1.4 Linear Feet (1 document box, 1 oversized box, 1 card file box, 1 oversize folder C) | |
| Collection Number: ms770a | |
| Repository: Hargrett Library | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
Frederick William Benteen was born in 1834 and died in 1898. He served in the American Civil War and the Black Hills War. Against his father's wishes, he fought on the Union side as a a soldier with the 10th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He later married Catherine L. Norman (1838-1906) in 1862 in St. Louis, Missouri. During the Civil War, Frederick was awarded the ranks of major and then lieutenant colonel and commander of the 10th Missouri Cavalry.
After the Civil War, Frederick led an all-black "Buffalo soldier" regiment - the 138th U.S. Colored Volunteers from 1865 to 1866 - as a colonel. Later in 1866, Frederick was made a captain in the 7th U.S. Cavalry. From 1867 to 1883, he served under George Armstrong Custer. He commanded Troop H. Benteen supposedly had a known dislike of Custer, disagreeing with him on several occasions. During the Battle of Little Bighorn (or Custer's Last Stand), after Custer's battalion was destroyed, Benteen took control of the remaining troops. After many years of service, Benteen acquired the rank of major, 9th U.S. cavalry, in 1882. He finally retired in 1887 after a suspension due to drunk and disorderly conduct. He died in 1898, leaving his wife and son.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of photographs of family members and military friends of Frederick W. Benteen. His commission paper is included as well. It is dated 1864 November 23 and commissions him to brigadier general. Also includes is a bound, gilt-edged album of religious pictures; the folded American flag that draped the coffin of Mrs. Anita Benteen Mitchell), Benteen's graddaughter, in 1978; and a tattered American flag that appears to be a 10th Missouri Cavalry flag, flown during the Civil War and was donated after the initial gift in 1973.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Frederick W. Benteen collection addendum. MS 770a. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
Related Materials and Subjects
Subject Terms
Related Collections in this Repository
Related materials available in the following collections of this repository: Frederick William Benteen papers, MS 770.
Other Finding Aids
A very detailed inventory from the donors, who were descendents of Benteen, can be found within the library and is available upon request.