George H. Tobey
Written as “Major Tobey”, “Major Gen. H. Tobey”, “The Major Comd'g”
George H. Tobey served as major of the 87th U.S. Colored Infantry, the regiment first raised as the 16th Corps d’Afrique (NPS Soldiers and Sailors). The regiment was organized at New Orleans on October 8, 1863, served on the Texas coast at Brazos Island, Brownsville and Point Isabel, and was renamed the 87th on April 4, 1864 (National Park Service unit history).
In November 1863 James wrote that “four Companies of us under the command of Major Tobey were ordered to report” to Point Isabel, “myself in command of Company T” (James, November 20, 1863). Two orders from regimental headquarters at Brazos Santiago in April 1864 came from him. The first, transcribed as “By Order of Major Gen. H. Tobey”, told the company commanders to turn in their arms for Enfield rifle muskets (Special Order No. 78, April 15, 1864). The second began “The Major Comd’g requests” (Field Orders, April 22, 1864).
- Mentioned in 3
- 1863 Nov 20 & 26 1864 Apr 15 Apr 22