Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911

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U.S. Army general.

From the description of Papers, 1870s-1890s (bulk 1882-1885). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70951249

American army officer.

From the description of Document signed : Fort Sill, I.T., to the Acting Asst. Inspector General, San Antonio, 1872 March 20-1. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270509590

From the description of Document signed : Fort Sill, I.T., to the Acting Asst. Inspector General, San Antonio, 1872 Mar. 22. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270509597

United States Army Officer. Born in 1826 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Worked in Jacksonville, Illinois, as a music teacher and shopkeeper from 1849-1859. Served as major general of the Illinois volunteers during the Civil War and was promoted to colonel of the 10th Cavalry in 1866. His post-Civil War service included several western forts and Indian Territory appointments including Fort Sill, Indian Territory (1868-1873); Fort Concho, Texas (1875-1881); and Fort Davis, Texas (1883-1885). Also served in Arizona Territory (1885-1890). Retired in 1890 with the rank of brigadeer general. Moved to Fort Davis, Texas, where he died in 1911.

From the description of Papers, 1827-1941. (Texas Tech University). WorldCat record id: 24342271

American general.

From the description of Document signed : Fort Gibson, I. T, to the Acting Asst. Inspector General, San Antonio, 1872 Sept. 18. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270509569

Jacksonville, Illinois musician, Civil War general, and post-war U.S. Army officer in the west.

From the description of Papers, 1890-1893. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 294861121

Commander, New Mexico District, 10th Cavalry, US Army.

From the description of Attested copy of correspondence, 1887 October 3. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122367706

From the guide to the Attested copy of correspondence, 1887, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Benjamin Henry Grierson was born on July 8, 1826 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest son of Robert and Mary (Shepard) Grierson, who were born and married in Dublin, Ireland. Robert and Mary emigrated to the United States after the birth of their second child. Other children born to Robert and Mary were Louisa, who married Mr. Semple, and John C.

Benjamin attended the Yorktown, Ohio, Academy. In Youngstown, Ohio, he married Alice Kirk on September 24, 1854. Together, they had seven children: Charles Henry, who entered the army and attended West Point; John Kirk; Robert Kirk, who attended medical school and suffered from mental illness at various times; Edith Clare; Benjamin Henry Jr.; George Theodore; and Mary Louisa. After Alice's death in 1888, Benjamin married the widow Lillian Atwood King in 1897.

From 1849-1855, he taught music in Jacksonville, Illinois, and was a partner in a Meredosia store from 1855-1859. During the Civil War, Grierson became a major general of volunteers and was appointed Colonel of the 10th Regiment of Cavalry, U. S. Army, in July of 1866. From 1866-1867, he was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Afterwards, he commanded Fort Riley, Kansas (September 1867-April 1868), Fort Gibson, Camp Wichita, Fort Sill, and Indian Territory (1868-1873) before serving as Superintendent of the General Mounted Recruiting Service in Saint Louis, Missouri from 1873-1874. Grierson also commanded Fort Concho, Texas, and the District of the Pecos from 1875-1881; Fort Concho and sub posts from 1881-1882; the Department of Texas in 1883; Fort Davis, Texas, sub posts and country west of the Pecos River from 1883-1885; and Whipple Barracks, Prescott, Arizona Territory from 1885-1890. In 1890, General Grierson retired to his ranch in Jeff Davis County, Texas, and had a home at Fort Davis. He died on September 1, 1911.

From the guide to the Benjamin Henry Grierson Papers, S 385. 1., 1827-1941 and undated, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)

United States Army officer.

Benjamin Henry Grierson was born in Pittsburgh in 1826, grew up in Ohio, and finally settled in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he taught music and started a business career. At the start of the Civil War Grierson volunteered and soon became a staff officer in command of several cavalry divisions, achieving distinction during the years of conflict. Although not a graduate of West Point, after the war Grierson decided to remain in the Regular Army. Given the rank of colonel, he accepted the appointment to organize the 10th U.S. Cavalry, one of two mounted regiments composed of black enlisted men and white officers that became known as the Buffalo Soldiers. He was brevetted brigadier general and major general in the regular army in 1867, beginning a long and vigorous career serving on the western frontier. Grierson headed the District of the Indian Territory, commanding Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, from 1867 until 1869. He selected the site for Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and commanded the post until 1872. After two years supervising recruiting efforts in St. Louis, in 1875 he was sent to Fort Concho, Texas, where he then commanded the District of the Pecos from 1878 until 1880. In the following years he was in charge of the District of New Mexico and then the Department of Arizona. For nearly a quarter of a century Grierson was actively engaged in scouting and exploring throughout the western states and territories, often in the midst of the most hostile Indians of the frontier. He was known to treat both Indians and his black troops as tolerantly as was possible and seems to have earned affection and loyalty from those men who served closely with him. Grierson married Alice Kirk in 1854, and they had seven children. Alice died in 1888, and in 1897, Grierson married the widow Lillian Atwood King. In 1890, after finally being awarded the rank of brigadier general in the regular army, Grierson retired to his ranch in Concho, Texas. He died of a stroke in 1911.

From the description of Benjamin Henry Grierson papers, 1865-1890. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 36040015

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Black, John Charles, 1839-1915. Letter : Washington, D.C., to Col[onel] B[enjamin] H[enry] Grierson, Santa Fe, N.M., 1887 Dec. 22. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
referencedIn Whitehorse, June. June Whitehorse photograph collection, 1868-1916. Museum of the Great Plains
creatorOf Foraker, Joseph Benson, 1846-1917. Letter : Cincinnati, [Ohio], to B[enjamin] H[enry] Grierson, Whipple Barracks, A.T., 1885 Nov. 4. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
referencedIn Grierson, B. H. (Harry), Jr. Photographs and manuscript items concerning B.H. Grierson, Sr. and B.H. Grierson, Jr. Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library, Sul Ross State University Library
referencedIn Benjamin Grierson Family. Papers, 1848-1895. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Papers, 1890-1893. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Papers, 1870s-1890s (bulk 1882-1885). Fort Davis National Historical Site
referencedIn ALDRICH (ROY WILKINSON) PAPERS, AR 83-10., 1858-1955 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Alvord, Henry E. (Henry Elijah), 1844-1904. Outline map of the Indian Territory : showing that portion of the territory lying between Fort Gibson, Fort Arbuckle and Fort Arbuckle, Old Fort Cobb, and Old Camp Radziminski : with the route traversed by Colonel and Brevet Major General B.H. Grierson, U.S. Army, Commanding District of the Indian Territory, June & July 1868 / surveyed and drawn under instructions from General Grierson by Henry E. Alvord, Captain 10th Reg't. Calvary, U.S. Army. Library of Congress
referencedIn Crimmins, Martin Lalor Papers 1936; 1950., 1813-1954 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Strong, John D., 1833-1902. Correspondence, 1863, 1864, 1867. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Attested copy of correspondence, 1887 October 3. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Robinson, George T., fl. 1866. Surveys of roads between Fort Gibson & Ft. Arbuckle, I.T. / made August, 1867, by Geo. T. Robinson, Capt. 10th U.S. Cavalry. Newberry Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous documents relating to Abraham Lincoln, ca. 1838-1948. Houghton Library
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Postal card from J.L. Jones, agent for General B.H. Grierson, to Humphries and Company concerning a bill, 1893. Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library, Sul Ross State University Library
referencedIn Jesse Shepard Papers, 1868-1959 San Diego History Center Document Collection
creatorOf Shepard family. Letters to Benjamin and Alice Grierson, 1858-1890. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
creatorOf Grierson, Francis, 1848-1927. Papers, 1889-1927. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
referencedIn Maxon, Mason M. Maxon papers, 1885-1904. Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division
referencedIn Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891. Letters to General William Tecumseh Sherman about drawings from Red Dog and Zotom, 1876-1884. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Benjamin Henry Grierson papers, 1865-1890. Newberry Library
referencedIn Philip Case Lockwood memorial collection of Civil War portraits and autographs, 1862-ca. 1886. Houghton Library
referencedIn Eberstadt Collection AR 76-62., 1699-1959 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Attested copy of correspondence, 1887 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Crimmins, Martin Lalor, 1876-1955. Crimmins, Martin Lalor, papers, 1813-1954 University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891. [Autograph letter signed, addressed to General B.H. Grierson] Newberry Library
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Document signed : Fort Sill, I.T., to the Acting Asst. Inspector General, San Antonio, 1872 March 20-1. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Papers, 1827-1941. Texas Tech University Libraries, Academic Library
referencedIn Milton, Horace P. Horace P. Milton letters, 1863. Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries
referencedIn Fort Concho (Tex.). Fort Concho Telegrams, 1882 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Lippincott, Thomas W. Papers, 1863-1889. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
referencedIn Orleman, L. H. [Map of the routes of Generals Grierson, Mackenzie, and Davidson, Colonels Schofield and Carpenter, and Captain Baldwin over the plains] / [compiled under the direction of Maj. General J.W. Davidson ... Fort Sill, I.T. by Col. L.H. Orleman, 10th Cavalry ...]. Newberry Library
referencedIn Dinges, Bruce J. Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson on the West Texas Frontier, by Bruce J. Dinges. Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library, Sul Ross State University Library
creatorOf Aird, William. [Road map of the central Canadian River Valley in Oklahoma]. Newberry Library
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Document signed : Fort Gibson, I. T, to the Acting Asst. Inspector General, San Antonio, 1872 Sept. 18. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Gardiner, Asa Bird, 1839-1919. Letter, 1873 Feb. 7. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Civil War collection, 1724-1933 (inclusive); 1861-1912 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part III: The Civil War: The Union, 1804-1915. Houghton Library
referencedIn Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. Letters, 1854, 1910, and 1912. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
referencedIn Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891. [Autograph letter signed, addressed to General U.S. Grant]. Newberry Library
referencedIn Fort Concho Telegrams, 1882 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Grierson, Benjamin Henry, 1826-1911. Document signed : Fort Sill, I.T., to the Acting Asst. Inspector General, San Antonio, 1872 Mar. 22. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Benjamin Henry Grierson Papers, S 385. 1., 1827-1941 and undated Southwest Collection/Special Collections Libary, Texas Tech University
creatorOf Hartmann, H. Map showing proposed reservation for the Jicarilla Apaches in New Mexico / compiled from official sources by H. Hartmann, C.E., Santa Fe, N.M., January 1887. Newberry Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aird, William. person
associatedWith Aldrich, Roy Wilkinson person
associatedWith Alvord, Henry E. (Henry Elijah), 1844-1904. person
associatedWith Auger, C. C. person
associatedWith Benjamin Grierson Family. family
associatedWith Black, John Charles, 1839-1915. person
associatedWith Brunot, Felix R. (Felix Reville), 1820-1898. person
associatedWith Crimmins, Martin Lalor person
associatedWith Crimmins, Martin Lalor, 1876-1955. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Dinges, Bruce J. person
associatedWith Eberstadt, Edward, 1883-1958 person
associatedWith Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Flipper, Henry Ossian, 1856-1940. person
associatedWith Foraker, Joseph Benson, 1846-1917. person
associatedWith Fort Concho (Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith Fort Concho (Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith Gardiner, Asa Bird, 1839-1919. person
associatedWith Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885. person
associatedWith Greer family family
associatedWith Greer family. family
associatedWith Grierson, Alice Kirk. person
associatedWith Grierson, Alice Kirk, 1828-1888. person
associatedWith Grierson, B. H. (Harry), Jr. person
associatedWith Grierson, Charles H. person
associatedWith Grierson, Charles H., 1855-1928. person
associatedWith Grierson family. family
associatedWith Grierson, Francis, 1848-1927. person
associatedWith Grierson, Robert Kirk, 1860-1922. person
associatedWith Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841. person
associatedWith Hartmann, H. person
associatedWith Hazen, William Babcock, 1830-1887. person
associatedWith Hellman, Herman W., 1843-1906. person
associatedWith Ladd, Horatio O., 1839-1932. person
associatedWith Lippincott, Thomas W. person
correspondedWith Lockwood, Philip Case, 1844-1897 person
associatedWith Mackenzie, Ranald Slidell, 1840-1889. person
associatedWith Maxon, Mason M. person
associatedWith Merrell, J. C., fl. 1892. person
associatedWith Miles, Nelson Appleton, 1839-1925. person
associatedWith Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, collector. corporateBody
associatedWith Milton, Horace P. person
associatedWith Newberry Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Orleman, L. H. person
associatedWith Pope, John. person
associatedWith Robinson, George T., fl. 1866. person
associatedWith Schofield, John McAllister, 1831-1906. person
associatedWith Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. person
associatedWith Shepard family. family
associatedWith Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888. person
associatedWith Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891. person
associatedWith Smither, Robert G. person
associatedWith Smither, Robert G., 1846-1923. person
associatedWith Smithers, Henry C. person
associatedWith Smithers, Robert G. person
associatedWith Society of the Army of the Cumberland. corporateBody
associatedWith Stewart, William. person
associatedWith Strong, John D., 1833-1902. person
associatedWith United States. Army corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry, 10th corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry Regiment, 10th (1866-1950) corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Board of Indian Commissioners. corporateBody
associatedWith Whitehorse, June. person
associatedWith Woodward, Samuel L. person
associatedWith Yeats, Richard. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New Mexico
Fort Sill (Okla.)
Fort Davis (Tex.)
New Mexico
Texas
Fort Concho (Tex.)
Fort Sill (Okla.)
Fort Concho (Tex.)
Fort Davis (Tex.: Fort)
San Juan River (N.M.)
United States
Fort Davis (Tex. : Fort)
United States
Fort Sill (Okla.)
Fort Concho (Tex.)
Fort Davis (Tex. : Fort)
Texas
San Juan River (N.M.)
Texas
United States
Fort Davis (Tex.)
Subject
Army life
Correspondence
Fortification
Frontier and pioneer life
Frontier and pioneer life
Frontier and pioneer life
Frontier and pioneer life
Generals
Generals
Government, Law and Politics
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Manuscripts, American
Material Types
Military
Military bases
Navajo Indians
Navajo Indians
Soldiers
Spanish
Women
Women
Wounded Knee Massacre, S.D., 1890
Yellow fever
Yellow fever
Occupation
Generals
Activity

Person

Birth 1826-07-08

Death 1911-08-31

Information

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