MORE BACKGROUND
THE FOLLOWING
IS A SHORT MILITARY BIOGRAPHY
OF SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS
MENTIONED IN THIS LETTER
THE WRITER OF THIS LETTER:
Henry Richard Graham
Born in Virginia, appointed from Kentucky
– Appointed a Second Lieutenant of the 3d Infantry Feb. 16th, 1801,
– Transferred to the 2d Infantry Apr. 1st, 1802;
– Became a First Lieutenant of the 2d Infantry Dec. 20th, 1803,
– Resigned Jan. 31st, 1808;
– Was made a Captain of the 1st U.S. Rifle Regiment Mar. 8th, 1809,
– Appointed Major Aug. 12th, 1814, but appointment negatived by Senate Dec. 10th, 1814;
– Honorably discharged June 15th, 1815,
– Died in 1819.
Besides the interesting details listed above of Henry Richard Graham’s military career, he apparently played some role in compiling the Journals for Zebulon Pike’s 1805 expedition of Exploration.
In THE IOWAY INDIANS University of Oklahoma Press, 1979, Martha Royce Blaine writes:
“Lt. Zebulon M. Pike, chosen to lead the expedition, left St Louis in August, 1805. His Journal, portions of which were written by Lt. Henry R. Graham, described buffalo, hills, streams, praries, and other features along the river.”
Lt. Graham was probably not himself ON Pike’s expedition however, as Pike wrote:
“Sailed from my encampment, near St. Louis, at 4 p. m., on Friday, the 9th of August, 1805, with one sergeant, two corporals, and 17 privates, in a keel-boat 70 feet long, provisioned for four months.”
THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO:
Thomas Blackburn, Jr.
Born in Virginia, appointed from Virginia
– Appointed a Second Lieutenant of the 4th Infantry March 3, 1799,
– Became a First Lieutenant November 1, 1799,
– Honorable discharge June 1, 1802.
In 1808, Thomas Blackburn, Jr. was apparently raising several children orphaned after the death of Blackburn’s father and his father’s wife, who was apparently Henry R. Graham’s older sister.
THE ANTAGONIST:
William Rowland Boote
– Appointed from New Hampshire
– Appointed Ensign and Second Lieutenant of the 3d Infantry 10 July 1797
– Became a Captain 15 Nov 1800
– Transferred to the 2d Infantry 1 Apr 1802
– Became a Major 6 July 1812
– Became a Lt Colonel 7th Regiment 13 Dec 1813
– Became a Colonel (Staff) 6 Apr 1813
– Honorably discharged 15 June, 1815
– William Rowland Boote (1774 – ) Was born in London, England, the son of Rev. Daniel Boote and and his wife Ann Brown. William emigrated to the US in 1796 and joined the army. He married Sarah Stewart Russell (1782 – ). He apparently died in Louisiana.
– By 1802, Captain Boote commanded the 2d Infantry stationed at Fort Wilkinson (near present-day Milledgeville, GA).
– Boote was involved in signing treaties with the Chickasaw and Creek Indian tribes.
– During 1805-1807, the 2d Infantry constructed and then moved into Fort Hawkins above the Ocmulgee River (on Creek Indian land).
– 1st Lt. Henry Richard Graham was serving under Capt. Boote in the 2d Infantry during this time probably as Executive Officer of the regiment.
– In March 1807, Captain Boote was responsible for taking custody of AARON BURR, who was incarcerated overnight before he was taken on to Virginia to stand trial for treason.
THIS LETTER ALSO INCLUDES MENTION OF:
Jonathan Halsted
– US Agent of Indian Affairs and Factor
in charge of the Indian Factory at “Ocmulgee Old Fields”
Charles Magnan
Born in Georgia, appointed from Georgia
– Appointed an Ensign of the 2nd Infantry June 17, 1805,
– Became a 2nd Lieutenant July 29, 1806,
– Resigned September 30, 1808.
Anthony V. Forster
Born in North Carolina, appointed from North Carolina
– Appointed an Ensign of the 2nd Infantry 26 March, 1804,
– Became a 2nd Lieutenant November 30, 1805,
– Resigned November 30, 1806.
William F. Ware
Born in Georgia, appointed from Georgia
– Appointed an Ensign of the 2nd Infantry 14 November, 1806,
– Became a 2nd Lieutenant January 20, 1808,
– Became a First Lieutenant April 1, 1809,
– Became a Capt. May 5,1813,
– Honorable discharge June 15, 1815.