Fort Laramie in Goshen County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Noncommissioned Officers’ Quarters
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Before you stand the remains of a six-unit apartment building constructed in 1884. Built for the fort’s senior noncommissioned officers and their families, this new structure provided the best housing available for married enlisted men on post. The staff entitled to live here were the post ordnance, quartermaster, and commissary sergeants; chief musician; and regimental sergeant major. Often in their fortes and fifties with many years of service in the military, these senior NCOs were usually thoroughly professional and of high moral character.
America’s Longest-Serving Enlisted Soldier
Schnyder, a Swiss immigrant and bookbinder, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1837 at the age of 23. He arrived here for duty as a first sergeant with the 6th Infantry Regiment in 1849. In 1852, post commander Richard Garnett enthusiastically endorsed Schnyder’s application to become post ordnance sergeant, writing, “He has served a long time in the army and has always sustained . . . the highest character for honesty, fidelity, and intelligence, in the discharge of his duties. His great neatness, legibility and correctness as a clerk . . . would eminently fit him for the office . . . ” Schnyder received the promotion.
Schnyder’s main duties entailed the care of the artillery, small arms, and ammunition on post. Yet he took on other tasks, such as assistant post librarian and spent 17 years as postmaster. While at Fort Laramie, Schnyder married twice and raised five children.
After 37 years at Fort Laramie, Sergeant Schnyder transferred to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1886. The 7th Infantry Regimental Band serenaded the Schnyder family as they left the post. He retired from the army in November 1890, his career outlasting Fort Laramie by nine months. After 53 years of active service, he moved to Tobias, Nebraska, where he died in 1896. Post Ordnance Sergeant Leodegar Schnyder remains the longest-serving noncommissioned officer in the history of the United States Army.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1890.
Location. 42° 12.379′ N, 104° 33.385′ W. Marker is in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in Goshen County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 160, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Laramie WY 82212, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Cavalry Stables (here, next to this marker); ‘Where’s the Wall?’ (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rustic Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Post Hospital (about 400 feet away); Cavalry Barracks (about 700 feet away); The Rustic Hotel “ . . . No Second-Rate Affair” (about 700 feet away); The Sutler’s House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Laramie National Historic Site (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Laramie.
More about this marker. The bottom of the marker features an 1884 photo of the Noncommissioned Officer’s Quarters at Fort Laramie. Also on the marker is a portrait of Ordnance Sergeant Leodegar Schnyder in 1888. Note the eleven service stripes on his dress uniform.
Also see . . . Fort Laramie National Historic Site. (Submitted on August 12, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 12, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.