General Orders No.1. Headquarters District Of The Pecos, Fort Concho, Texas, February 7, 1881.

COL B. H. GRIERSON

Publication: 1881, Fort Concho

Single sheet, folded to create 2 leaves. 2pp.+2 pp. blank. Signed in type by B. H. Grierson, Colonel 10th Cavalry, Brevet Major General U.S. Army. Signed in ink by Robert G. Smither, 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant 10th Cavalry, Acting Assistant Adjutant General. General Orders No. 1. reads in part: In pursuance of orders this day received, abolishing all Military Districts in the Department of Texas, the undersigned relinquishes command of the District of the Pecos. In so doing so it is proper to refer to the services rendered by the officers and soldiers of the 10th Cavalry, and those of the 24th and 25th Infantry, who participated in the arduous work and active field operations of the past three years." Grierson commends them for their work in guarding the mails, constructing over 100 miles of wagon roads and over 300 miles of telegraph lines. "Much credit is due the troops that took part in the hard work, explorations, active scouting, expeditions against the Mescalero Apaches, and especially to those engaged in the campaign against Victoria and his band of hostile Indians who were outmatched, outmaneuvered, repeatedly headed-off, disconcerted, met face to face, squarely fought, severely punished, driven into Mexico...". Benjamin Grierson (1826-1911), a Civil War veteran, served on the western frontier after the war. In his position as a Colonel in the regular army, he organized the 10th Cavalry, composed of Black enlisted men and white officers in 1866. The unit saw service in Kansas and Oklahoma before moving to Fort Concho in Texas in 1875. There he and his men are credited with opening West Texas to both the railroads and the settlers and ending the threats of Indian incursions in the area. Robert Smither, who signed this order, was also a Civil War veteran. He served with Grierson and the 10th Cavalry on the western frontier from 1867, was promoted to Captain in 1881, and retired from service in 1888. A fine copy

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