Anderson West was an 18 year-old “farmer” from Jackson County, Arkansas—presumably a former slave—when he enrolled as a private in Co. B, 11th US Colored Infantry at Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a period of three years. The original enlistment papers, signed by Capt. James M. Steele of the 12the Kansas Volunteers on 21 December 1863, made it official. The enlistment could only be official after Anderson was examined by a physician to determine that he was of sufficient physical fitness to serve. That duty was performed by Asst. Surgeon Alijah D. Tenney (often spelled Tenny) of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteers who described Anderson West as a 5’4″ tall Black man with “black eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.”

Though Anderson may have been healthy when he was examined by Dr. Tenney, we learn from his muster roll records that a month later, on 26 February 1864, Anderson was taken to the General Hospital at Fort Smith and that he died there on 9 March 1864. His cause of death was described as “Febris Remittent.” His clothing withdrawal account records are consistent with his enlistment date of 21 December 1863.

The officer signing the Volunteer Enlistment papers was Captain James M. Steele (Lawrence, KS) of Co. E, 12th Kansas Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was formed in September 1862 and spent much of its early deployment guarding the Kansas-Missouri border. In 1864, the 12th Kansas transferred to Arkansas, where Co. E actively engaged Confederate forces and operated out of Fort Smith.

The following images were downloaded from Fold3 which are consistent with the above enlistment papers of Anderson West.