Help with a name, please?

[MajGenl.Meade]

This is from a letter sent to Montgomery Meigs by the Assistant Quartermaster in Boston, Mass. He is a Captain W. W. something!

It looks like McK . . . I've tried many variations and maybe that isn't a K anyway. His name is also written out by a clerk in Meig's office.

Thanks for help and insight - I MUST have this name!

 

[John Hartwell]

"Captain McKim, United States Quartermaster in Boston" is mentioned in passing a few times in Mass. Adjt-General Wm Schouler's A History of Massachusetts in the Civil War. He gives no information about him, however.

ADDED: I find several mentions in original docs. of Capt . William W. McKim, QMr in Boston. But also of John W. McKim, Qmr in Boston (see: this sketch). Google both names, both come up in the same position.

 

[MajGenl.Meade]

Record time! Thanks so much - confirmation:

The vessel was chartered to the U.S. Army in Boston by a contract signed on September 3, 1862, by Charles Spear, who represented the owners, and Captain W.W. McKim, an assistant quartermaster. This signing marked the beginning of a turbulent commercial relationship that extended over a period of 22 years.

Thanks John!

 

[GELongstreet]

EDIT: So, now again:

McKim, William W.
" Captain and Assistant Quartermaster U.S. Volunteers, August, 1861. In Boston, Mass., to September, 1864. Captain and Assistant Quartermaster U.S. Army, July, 1864. Colonel U.S. Volunteers and Depot Quartermaster, Cincinnati, O., to February, 1865. In Philadelphia,, Penn., to March, 1865. Brevet Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel U.S. Army. Resigned, March, 1865. "

 

[John Hartwell]

In the History of the Military Company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, 1637-1888 (Volume 3), I find:

"William W. McKim (1850), merchant, of Boston, son of John and Augusta E. (Porter) McKim, was born in Charlestown, Jan. 2, 1828. He married, Sept. 22, 1853, M. Antoinette Wheelock. He received his education in a private academy at Schenectady, N. Y. At first he entered the wholesale book and stationery business, but in 1857 became superintendent of transportation of an organization formed by the Boston Board of Trade. He was a deputy collector of customs during the last six months of Judge Russell's administration as collector.

"Mr. McKim (1850) joined the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in 1847, and was lieutenant of Company D, First Regiment, from 1849 to 185 1; captain of the same from March 29, 1853, to March 4, 1854. He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1852. He was commissioned by President Lincoln, assistant quartermaster, United States Volunteers, with rank of captain, Aug. 3, 1861, and was transferred to the regular army, same rank and corps, July 6, 1864. He was on duty at Boston as chief quartermaster, U. S A., for the New England States, except Vermont and Connecticut, from August, 1861, to August, 1864, equipping United States troops, providing quarters and all supplies pertaining to the quartermaster's department, transporting troops and supplies, constructing barracks and hospitals, and in charge of all details not especially assigned to any other corps of the army. Aug. 3, 1864, he was ordered to Cincinnati, Ohio, as colonel and chief quartermaster of that depot, in charge of supplying and moving the troops on duty in the Southwest, until the rebel forces under Gen. Hood were routed by Gen. Thomas at Nashville, Tenn. He was then ordered to Philadelphia, Penn., with the same rank and emoluments, and became chief quartermaster of that depot, from which supplies, etc., for the troops under Gen. Grant were forwarded to the front. He was brevetted major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel, U. S. A., March 13, 1865, "for faithful and meritorious services during the war," having been constantly employed, without a leave of absence, charged with important and arduous duties, including financial disbursements of many millions of dollars. He resigned March 8, 1866.

"Col. McKim (1850) was a Freemason, belonging to St. Bernard's Commandery, Knights Templars, of Boston, and was a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, Department of Massachusetts. He died April 2, 1895."