Temporary record

Born in Connecticut, Rufus Baker served in the U.S. Army as first lieutenant assistant deputy commissary of ordnance in 1813, captain of ordnance in 1832, and lieutenant colonel in 1851. He resigned in 1854, and spent the remaining 14 years of his life devoted to the state Democratic Party, running unsuccessfully for Congress.

Scope and contents:

Correspondence and other papers of Colonel Rufus Baker, U.S. Army ordnance officer, and his father-in-law, Charles Taintor, revenue collector and postmaster of Windham, Conn.

The Baker-Taintor Papers consists largely of correspondence, half of which relates to Charles Taintor. Baker's papers concern army matters, including changes in command at various posts, supplies, exploratory expeditions in Florida and along the Mississippi, the war with Mexico, and problems with recruiting. Several ordnance lists are included. A letter from General Pratt, dated November 16, 1864, which discusses the Lincoln administration and the handling of the North-South dispute, has been transferred to the Schoff Civil War Collection.

Provenance:

Purchased, 1981

M-1940

Subjects

Mexican War, 1846-1848
Scientific expeditions--Florida
Scientific expeditions--Mississippi River
United States. Army--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.
United States. Army--Ordnance and ordnance stores
United States. Army--Commissariat

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