Civil War-dated official United States Army booklet for “Monthly Return of Clothing, Camp and Garrison Equipage,” presented to the Quartermaster Department on January 31, 1865, by 1st Lieutenant Carlton Seymour, commander of Company B of 2nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment. The booklet, seven pages, 7.75 x 10, issued as No. 51, was filled out and signed by Seymour while stationed at the U.S. Barracks in Key West, Florida, in January 1865, and meticulously itemizes the number of clothing, equipment, and books distributed to Company B by Assistant Quarter Master Captain M. Martin, which includes: forage caps (42), cords and tassels (1), trousers (30), flannel sack coats (12), flannel shirts (23), drawers (35), infantry bootees (34), waterproof blankets (4), canteens and straps (149), haversacks (114), knapsacks (136), mess pans (9), fifes (1), pickaxe (5), morning report book (1), and more. In fine condition.
The 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry was organized in Arlington, Virginia, between June 20th through November 11, 1863, and mustered in for three-year service. The regiment of around 900 men arrived in Key West on February 22, 1864, as replacements for the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers, where they encountered hostility from many of the locals. The unit established a regimental headquarters and was encamped at Fort Taylor, under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Gulf. The 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry mustered out of service on January 5, 1866.
