New York State Adjutant General's Office Examining Board Proceedings

Chronological by date of meeting of board.

Pursuant to Section 101 of the State Military Code, the governor was empowered to appoint, as often as he saw fit for the good of the State's military service, a board to examine into the physical ability, moral character, capacity, attainments, general fitness for the service, and efficiency of such commissioned officers as he may so order to be examined. The board was to consist of at least three, but not more than five officers of the National Guard.

General Order No. 1 of 1874 dissolved the previously existing examining board and established a new board consisting of Major-General John B. Woodward, Brigadier-General William G. Ward, Brigadier-General Jeremiah V. Meserole, Brigadier-General N. Gano Dunn, and Colonel William D. Dickey. The order directed the new board to assemble at the State Arsenal in New York City on January 20, 1874 to begin examining those officers ordered to appear before it.

This series consists of an annotated, manuscript copy of the minutes of meetings of the State Military Examining Board held between January 20 and February 28, 1874. The minutes include a printed copy of General Order No. 1, by which this examining board was appointed and directed to commence examination of National Guard officers ordered to appear before it. Also included is a signed oath in which Major-General John B. Woodward swears to honestly and impartially perform all duties coming before him as a member of the examining board. Entries in the minutes provide name and rank of officer being examined, accusations against or other reasons for his appearance before board, any evidence or testimony taken, and the board's decision regarding the officer's commission.

Collation date 1874.

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