Guide to the Foster Family Collection of Ambrose Bierce Materials M2146
Miles Kurosky & Franz Kunst
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2017
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Foster family collection of Ambrose Bierce materials
source:
Elkhart County Historical Society
Identifier/Call Number: M2146
Physical Description:
3.0 Linear Feet
: 2 boxes, 1 half-box, 1 flat box
Date (inclusive): 1858-1986
Content Description
The collection consists of correspondence (including one letter from Ambrose Bierce to a family member), photographs, maps,
field notes, receipts, dispatches, telegrams, and printed material, chiefly relating to the Civil War career of Bierce as
a surveyor as well as his extended family in Indiana, especially sister Almeda Sophia Bierce Pittenger (the original source
of this collection), father Marcus Aurelius and brothers Albert and Addison Bierce.
Of particular note to Civil War historians are the series of maps produced by the Union army's Army of the Cumberland on the
Chattanooga Campaign, reflecting the borders between Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Of the paper and linen printed maps,
some have annotations, and most credit Captain William Emery Merrill. A few note that they were created from information from
"captured rebel engineers." There are also maps drawn by Bierce himself. Note that Stanford's Ambrose Bierce Papers also contain
material concerning the Civil War, including the sketchbook Bierce kept while serving as a Union topographer with the staff
of General Hazen.
D.W. "Jim" Strauss originally loaned this collection to the Elkhart County Historical Society in Bristol, Indiana on behalf
of his late wife Betty Ann, who had inherited it from her mother Grace Juanita Bussing Foster, Almeda's daughter. After Strauss's
death, their daughters Cindra Heston and Debra Van Dyke decided to donate the Bierce collection to Stanford.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
[identification of item], Foster family collection of Ambrose Bierce materials (M2146). Dept. of Special Collections and University
Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Cindra Heston and Debra Van Dyke, 2016. Accession MSS 2016-175.
Biographical / Historical
Ambrose Gwinett Bierce was born in Meigs County, Ohio on June 24, 1842, the tenth child of Marcus Aurelius and Laura Sherwood
Bierce. Little is known of his childhood; he became a printer's apprentice in Kosciusko County, Indiana, before entering the
Kentucky Military Institute in 1859. Shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War, Bierce was a laborer and waiter in Elkhart,
Indiana. Bierce enlisted in the 9th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers following Lincoln's call for volunteers and served for
nearly the duration. Bierce was one of the few war veteran writers to have such front-lines experience, surviving some the
war's most bloody battles, including Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, and Chickamauga. Bierce progressed in rank from private to
lieutenant and became the acting topographical engineer on Gen. W. B. Hazen's staff. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Bierce
sustained a near-fatal head wound from which it took months to recover. It is clear that his war experiences did much to inform
his "Bitter Bierce" persona.
Following the war, Bierce became an aid to Treasury Department agents collecting abandoned Southern property. He joined Hazen's
surveying expedition to the Far West in 1866 and stayed on in San Francisco working for the U.S. Mint. In San Francisco Bierce
began to pursue his literary interests. In 1868, he succeeded his friend James T. Watkins as the editor of News-Letter. Bierce
married Mary Ellen Day on Christmas Day, 1871, and eventually had three children, Day, Leigh, and Helen.
From 1872 to 1874, Bierce was in England writing for Tom Hood's Fun and James Mortimer's Figaro. He returned to San Francisco
in September of 1875. He edited several magazines for the next years, including Argonaut and the Wasp; he also wrote his Prattle
and The Dance of Death. Bierce became a columnist for the San Francisco Examiner in 1887 and continued to produce his own
books and stories. He was sent in 1896 by the Examiner to Washington, D.C. to cover the Railroad Funding Bill controversy.
He stayed on in Washington as a political reporter for many years, all the while publishing his own literary work.
In late 1913, Bierce took a trip through the Southwest into Mexico where he mysteriously disappeared. It is likely that he
became involved with the Mexican Revolution, traveling south with Pancho Villa and his troops, and met his fate at the hands
of Federal soldiers near Chihuahua City.
Related Materials
Stanford Special Collections also holds the Ambrose Bierce Papers (M0080)
https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/4082973
Letters to or from Bierce are also contained in the papers of David Starr Jordan, George Sterling, Eugene T. Sawyer, and Stephen
Mallory White.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Authors, American.
Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914?
Elkhart County Historical Society
Bierce family
box 1, folder 1
Photographs AB1 - AB4
Scope and Contents
“Mrs. Ambrose Bierce, Aunt Molly” – San Francisco, CA; E. H. Bierce, age 84; unknown family; “Uncle Will and Aunt Ann Good”
– Mercer, photographer, Middleport, Ohio.
box 1, folder 2
Photographs AB5 - AB8
Scope and Contents
From brown envelope marked “Bierce”: Unknown woman; unknown man; unknown woman; “M. A. Bierce.”
box 1, folder 3
Photographs AB9 - AB14
Scope and Contents
One from white envelope: “To my Mother Addison” – J. Humphrey, Kimarnock, photographer; “Harrie Bierce Jr.” – J. H. Clark,
photographer, Indianapolis; “Grandpa Bierce” - H. C. Millice, photographer, Warsaw, IN; unknown woman (poss. Mrs. Ambrose
Bierce) – Elite, photographer, San Francisco; unknown children (boy & girl) – G. D. Morse, photographer, San Francisco; “Grace
Pittinger Davis Bussing” – Parrot, photographer, Warsaw, IN.
box 1, folder 4
Photographs AB15 - AB17
1913
Scope and Contents
In envelope to Miss Hettie Pittinger, R. R. West, Warsaw, Indiana: “Grandpa Bierce” – H. C. Milice & Bro, photographer, Warsaw,
IN; “Yours Truly, Lulu Tinsworth” (Bierce added in pencil), Uncle Al’s daughter – Elite, photographer, San Francisco; “Andrew
Bierce” – Goff, photographer, Elkhart, IN.
box 1, folder 5
Photographs AB18 - AB21
1912-1914
Scope and Contents
Next four photos appear to be of the same gentleman: Unknown gentleman in chair – postcard to Miss Hettie Pittinger, Nove.
23, 3pm, 1914; unknown gentleman in chair – postcard not addressed or mailed; unknown gentleman with hat – postcard addressed
to Miss Hettie Pittinger, Nov. 22, 1912; unknown gentleman in chair with hat – postcard not addressed.
box 1, folder 6
Photographs AB22 - AB25
Scope and Contents
“Yours Truly, A. S. Bierce” – Haussler, photographer, San Francisco; A S. Bierce in military uniform; “Carlton A. Bierce”
– Oakland, CA; Dag type of unknown older woman (Grandmother Bierce?); “Grandmother Bierce” – H. C. Milice & Bro., photographic
artists, Warsaw, IN.
box 1, folder 7
Photographs AB26 - AB29
Scope and Contents
“Mrs. Laran, Springfield, Ohio, A dear friend gone”; “Ida E. Reber” – T. H. Bulla, photographer, Elkhart, IN; unknown woman
– DeVos, photographer, Elkhart, IN; unknown older woman – Young & Carl, photographers, Cincinnati, Ohio.
box 1, folder 8
Photographs AB30
1858
Scope and Contents
Ink (?) drawing of unknown gentleman dated 1858.
box 1, folder 9
Photographs AB31
Scope and Contents
“Harrie Bierce, 70 years”
box 1, folder 10
Photographs AB32
Scope and Contents
“Laura Bierce, My Grandmother” – penciled to accentuate details.
box 1, folder 11
Photographs AB33
Scope and Contents
Unknown older gentleman – penciled to accentuate details, newspaper glued to back.
box 1, folder 12
Photographs AB34
Scope and Contents
“Ambrose Bierce” – Netterville Briggs, photographers, London (one duplicate) – Nahl Bros. & Dickman, San Francisco.
box 1, folder 13
Photographs AB35
Scope and Contents
“Harrie Bierce, 70 years” (possibly unknown gentleman in postcard previously recorded)
box 1, folder 14
Photographs AB36
Scope and Contents
“Harrie Bierce Jr.” – Nicholson, IN with envelope.
box 1, folder 15
Etching of California Authors
Scope and Contents
From photograph folder, etching includes Ambrose Bierce.
Series 2. Books and notebooks
box 1, folder 16
A. J. Bierce's billfold (empty)
box 1, folder 17
Army Officer's Pocket Companion and Manual for Staff Officers in the Field
1862
Scope and Contents
Written by William P. Craighill, published in 1862 by D. Van Nostrand, New York. Some water damage and worn spine.
box 4, folder 1
Ambrose Bierce's Field Book for Map Notes
Scope and Contents
Ambrose Bierce's filed book for map notes - signed "Lieut. A. G. Bierce A. Topl. Engr. Staff of Gen. Hazen." Includes drawings
for Demi-Lune Post Pulaski, TN planned and constructed by A. G. Bierce; Cleveland, Tenn.; and Dallas, GA - good condition
box 4, folder 2
Ambrose Bierce's signed copy of Gillespie's Land Surveying
Scope and Contents
Gillespie's Land Surveying - Treatise on Land Surveying by W. M. Gillespie, LL. D., Civ. Eng. published by D. Appleton & Co.
of New York - signed "A. G. Bierce Top Eng"
Series 3. Ambrose Bierce army records
box 1, folder 18
Discharge papers, medical report, and equipment issuance
1864-1869
Scope and Contents
Ambrose Bierce Army discharge papers and envelope. Lt. A. G. Bierce medical report for discharge (head wound). Equipment
issuance letter from Army.
box 3, folder 2
Sketch of the Environs of Murfreesboro, Tenn.by Capt. N. Michler (linen with pencil notations)
September 1862
box 3, folder 3
Topographical Sketch of the Battle Field of Stone River - Surveyed by Maj. J.F. Weyss, under direcrtion of Capt. N. Michler
(small linen)
box 3, folder 4
Map of Chattanooga [Tennessee] & Vicinity, by Capt. Wm. E. Merrill, U.S. Engineers
08/12/1863
box 3, folder 5
Map of Cleveland [Tennessee], by Capt. Wm. E. Merrill, U.S. Engineers (torn/damaged)
08/14/1863
box 3, folder 6
Map of McLamore's Cove [i.e. McLemore Cove, Georgia], by Capt. Wm. E. Merrill, U.S. Engineers
08/26/1863
box 3, folder 7
Map of Bridgeport and Trenton [Georgia-Alabama border], compiled under the direction of Capt. W. E. Merrill, U.S. Engineers
08/28/1863
box 3, folder 8
Map of Stevenson, Alabama, compiled from Information, under the direction of Capt. W. E. Merrill, U.S. Engineers
08/29/1863
box 3, folder 9
Map of Chattanooga [Tennessee] & Vicinity, compiled from the Latest Informations, under direction of Capt. W. E. Merrill
09/08/1863
box 3, folder 10
Map of Bridgeport [Alabama] & Vicinity, surveyed under the direction of Capt. W.E. Merrill, U.S. Engineers
03/26/1864
box 3, folder 11
Map of A Part of Murray County, Georgia, compiled under the direction of Capt. W. E. Merrill, U.S. Engineers
04/23/1864
box 3, folder 12
Map of 1st District, Campbell County, Georgia, Compiled under direction of Capt. W.E. Merrill (linen)
05/23/1864
box 3, folder 13
Maps of Part of Cobb County, Georgia ; [one by] by H.C. Wharton (negative maps]
06/08/1896 ; 06/26/1864
box 3, folder 14
Land Map of DeKalb County, Georgia
07/11/1864
box 3, folder 15
Map of Atlanta [Georgia]
07/15/1864
box 3, folder 16
Map of Chicamauga River [aka Chickamauga River, Tennessee] (small hand-drawn map)
box 3, folder 17
Map of Dalton [Georgia] & vicinity, Compiled under direction of Capt. W.E. Merrill
box 3, folder 18
Map of parts of Fulton, Fayette & Campbell Counties [Georgia], From Surveys, State Maps, and Information
box 3, folder 19
Five maps/battle plans by Ambrose Bierce
Scope and Contents
Includes Reynolds, Hazen, TRain Depot, W. & A. RR, "Encampment" ; Includes Manchester, Lynchburg Road, Shelbyville Road, Duck
River ; Bearings in Tennessee Valley ; Manchester to Normandy 08/06/1863 (signed) ; Lynchburg Road from Manchester S.W. 08/11/1863
(signed)
Series 5. Newspaper articles
Scope and Contents
newspapers and clippings in the collection date from 1881 to 1986 and are chiefly about Bierce or his family, including reports
detailing his death which came to light c1919-1920 and a few of his own SF Examiner articles, mostly fragmented.
box 1, folder 20
Small Newspaper Clippings
box 3, folder 1
Large Newspaper Clippings
box 2, folder 34
Poem scrapbook
Scope and Contents
small notebook with poems cut from newspapers.
Series 6. Letters, correspondence, and receipts
box 2, folder 1
Engineer Orders and Circulars
1863 - 1864
Scope and Contents
“Head Quarters 2d Brig. 3d Div. 4th Corps Official Business”; letter to A. G. Bierce from Wm. E. Merrill, Capt. U. S. Engineers,
Chief Topl. Engr. “Head Quarter Topl. Engr. Office; Army of the Cumberland Official Business”; General Orders No. 124 Head-Quarters
Dept. of the Cumberland, Murfreesboro, TN, May 31, 1863 – instructions to corps, division, and brigade topographers from newly
appointed Capt. W. E. Merrill, engineer in charge of topographical dept. – includes scale from C. Goddard; Addition to General
Orders No. 124 Topographical Engineer Office, Murfreesboro, TN, June 23, 1863, Capt. Wm. Merrill – circular to corps, division,
and brigade topographers including instructions for recording features, signed and dated; Engineering Circular No. 3, Topographical
Engineering Office, August 12th, 1863, Capt. Wm. Merrill – information maps, technique, and colorization; Engineering Circular
No. 4, Top. Eng. Office, Sept. 9th, 1863 – regarding engineering property, Capt. Merrill; Engineering Circular No. 5, Top.
Eng. Office, Sept. 9th, 1863 – instructions for mapping Cherokee Purchase, northern portion of Georgia – Capt. Merrill. Circular
of General-Headquarters Topl. Engr. Office, Army of the Cumberland letterhead Chattanooga, March 3rd, 1864 – list of maps
available from Wm. A. Margestantz, Capt. Supt. Topl. Engl. Office – Brig. Gen. Hayes – 2nts Brig. 3 Div. 4th C.; Circular
No. 6, Headquarters Topl. Engr. Office, Army of the Cumberland letterhead, Chattanooga, March 3rd, 1864 – instructions for
replacement of Topl. Engr. And care of equipment, notes, etc. Wm. A. Margestantz, Capt. Supt. Topl. Eng Office.
box 2, folder 2
Pamphlet of Circulars and Orders
01/10/1864
Scope and Contents
Issued from Top. Engr. Office - Army of the Cumberland, Chattanooga, TN.
box 2, folder 3
Dispatches and Express Receipts
1863-1866
Scope and Contents
In envelope “Dispatches & Express Receipts”; American Telegraph Company to S. B. Eaton; Southwestern Telegraph Company; Adams
Express Company from A. G. Bierce to S. B. Eaton; Southern Express Company from C. C. Marsh to Mrs. J. L. Watson; United States
Express Company; U. S. Military Telegraph Office from Eaton to Bierce; American Telegraph Company to A. G. Bierce; Western
Union Telegraph Company from Wazen to A. G. Bierce; American Telegraph Company from Luther Martin to S. B. Eaton.
box 2, folder 4
Engineering Orders
1863 - 1866
Scope and Contents
Army issue invoice; letter from Jack at Montgomery Jan. 10th, 1866 to Bierce on cotton receipt; Topl. Engr. Office Chattanooga
engineering orders; Top. Egr. Office, Engineer order; Death announcement of Capt. John Earhart Aug. 10, 1863; letter to the
Treasury Dept (copy) received Feb. 18, 1865; sketch “monument.”
box 2, folder 6
List of Railroad, Bridges, and Tunnels
08/24/1863
box 2, folder 7
Germania Fire Insurance Co. Ad Blotter
07/01/1863
Scope and Contents
A. L. Selig, agent, Lawrence, KS
box 2, folder 8
Money Order Application
Scope and Contents
U. S. Postmaster, No. 6001-domestic form.
box 2, folder 9
Chicago Scale Co. Booklet
Scope and Contents
Illustrated descriptions and prices of useful articles of prominent firms.
box 2, folder 10
Letter from Ambrose Bierce to Almeda Pittenger
12/07/1911
Scope and Contents
Letter from Ambrose Bierce to his sister. Sent from the Army-Navy Club, Washington, D.C. to Pittinger in Warsaw, Indiana.
box 2, folder 11
Ambrose Bierce London Address
box 2, folder 12
Genealogical Notes and Letters
Scope and Contents
Bierce Genealogical Society form letter May 9th, 1921 to Mr. A. J. Bierce; letter to Mrs. Almeda Pittenger on same day; Birth
dates – death dates of Augustus Bierce and Albert Sherwood Bierce; Deaths – Arthur Middleton Bierce, Adelia, Wayne Bierce,
Aurelius Bierce; Deaths – Arthur Middleton Bierce, Adelia Wayne Bierce, Aurelia Jane Bierce, Aurelius Bierce, Marcus A. Bierce,
Laura Sherwood Bierce; Marriages – Marcus Aurelius Bierce and Laura Sherwood; Dwight Warren Chappell and Abigail Bell Bierce,
William Good and Ann Maria Bierce, Benjamin Franklin Guthrie and Amelia Bierce; Deaths – Addison Bierce, Amelia Bierce, Ann
Maria Good, Augustus Bierce, Abigail Bell B. Chappell; Vitals on Marcus Aurelius Bierce, Laura Sherwood, Abigail Bell Bierce,
Amelia Bierce, Ann Marie Bierce, Addison Bierce, Doretta Ferdinand.
box 2, folder 13
Curtis Fenn Genealogical Research
1899
Scope and Contents
Letters to Almeda Pittenger re: descendants of Hezekiah Bierce; Curtis Fenn's mother was Harriet Almeda Bierce.
box 2, folder 14
Marcus Aurelius Letter
03/16/1869
Scope and Contents
Includes word of Ambrose.
box 2, folder 15
Marcus Aurelius Letter
12/05/1869
Scope and Contents
Regarding new home.
box 2, folder 16
Abigail Bierce Letter
04/20/1894
Scope and Contents
Sent to Mrs. A. S. Pittenger re: general family activities.
box 2, folder 17
Abigail Bierce Letter
03/24/1911
Scope and Contents
Sent to Mrs. A. S. Pittenger re: details of LIbbie's funeral.
box 2, folder 18
Addison Bierce Letters
1858 - 1913
Scope and Contents
Attempts to re-establish connection with estranged family; Son Harry's loss of wife and son; Divorce from Doretta; Working
in circus known as Add Bryron; More details of divorce Travels and illness; experiences and reflection in travels; Ambrose
is mentioned in regards to visiting battlefields.
box 2, folder 19
Albert Bierce Letters
1876 - 1922
Scope and Contents
Re: photo of Ambrose; envelope to Mrs. William Bussing; letter to Mrs. Almeda Pittenger re: Carl and Lora, Ambrose in Washington;
to Mrs. Almeda Pittenger re: Leigh's death, Carlton's marriage in Alaska, Ambrose Bierce's address; memories of youth, Ambrose's
asthma; Ambrose in Washington, interested in publishing house in NY and Washington; re: Ab's death; Ab's illness; father's
death and Ambrose in San Francisco; death of Gus; trip to Glacier Pt. and memories of mother.
box 2, folder 20
Ida Letters
1910 - 1912
Scope and Contents
From Hotel Chapman, Los Angeles to mother - re: hotel, trip, illness; general info; from Redlands - includes price of groceries,
letter to Nina Bussing, letter to mother and Grace re: trip to California; envelope postmarked March 21, 1912; letter to mother,
Nela, and cousins from Portland, OR re: travels and family.
box 2, folder 21
Old Cousins, Van Guilder, CCF
1895 - 1940
Scope and Contents
To Grace Bussing from Cora A. Van Gilder; to Almeda Pittenger from Columbus Fuller; to Grace Bussing from Cora A. Van Gilder;
to Almeda Pittenger from C. C. Fuller; to Almeda Pittenger from C. Van Gilder; to A. S. Pittenger.
box 2, folder 22
Letters to Almeda Pittenger
1895 - 1911
Scope and Contents
Group photo from Annie Mauck; two men in suits (man in wrinkled suit is Howard, the other is Will); Aunt Gracie; Aunt Meda;
from Samuel and Hattie Cary.
box 2, folder 23
E. Bierce Letters
1912 - 1918
Scope and Contents
Two letters on different dates addressed to Almeda Pittenger.
box 2, folder 24
Ambrose Bierce and Charles Warren Stoddard
Scope and Contents
"Ambrose Bierce and Charles Warren Stoddard: Some Unpublished Correspondence", reprint from The Huntington Library Quarterly,
May Issue 1960, Vol. XXIII, No. #, pg. 261-292.
box 2, folder 25
Mrs. Earl Foster Research
Scope and Contents
Mrs. Earl Foster family records (poss. from Bierce family Bible), and assortedpages dealing with marriages, deaths, births
- Ambrose's immediate family info.
box 2, folder 26
Family Correspondence and Newspaper Clippings
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous family correspondence and newspaper clippings belonging to Almeda Pittenger.
box 2, folder 27
Letters of Inquiry
Scope and Contents
Letters of inquiry for collection from various scholars.
box 2, folder 28
Columbia University Correspondence
03/14/1961
Scope and Contents
Also includes Quarterly News Letter Spring 1961.
box 2, folder 29
Betty Strauss, Time Life Correspondence
1986
box 2, folder 30
Requiem to Jane Elliot Boyd Davis
box 2, folder 31
Pittenger Rent Receipt
01/03/1909
box 2, folder 32
Sir William Mulock's Philosophy of Life
box 2, folder 33
Assorted Correspondence and Papers
Scope and Contents
Letter with envelope to Grace Bussing from John Merrill Davis from Rio Grande, Ohio; Christmas postcard to Almeda Pittenger
from cousin Jane Chinworth; photograph of Carlton Bierce; postcard photograph of unknown older woman and man; photograph of
Ambrose Bierce (?); letter with envelope to Grace Bussing from John Merrill Davis; photograph of "Uncle Ambrose Bierce" -
Nahl Bros. & Dickman: Artists and Photographers, San Francisco; photograph of Albert Bierce - Morse's Gallery of the Cumberland,
Nashville, TN; photograph of Addison Bierce - Edward J. Cobb photographer, San Francisco; blank papers and envelope; jacket
of accounts book; Indiana State "Chautauqua" Assembly program 1893; Year Book of the Ladies' Society of the First Presbyterian
Church signed by Juanita Bussing Foster.
box 1, folder 21
Original collection inventory, museum exhibition card, article photocopies
Scope and Contents
The collection inventory and plaque provided by Elkhart County Historical Museum. Newspaper articles regarding the museum's
exhibit.
box 1, folder 19
Card/announcement, Mollie E. Day and Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Bierce
Scope and Contents
Possibly from the wedding of Mollie Day and Ambrose Bierce. Also icluded, two train tickets from the Lake Shore & Mich. Southern
- Toledo to Chicago, South Bend to Goshen.
Series 8. Drafting tools and desk
Physical Location: These three-dimensional objects are currently housed at the David Rumsey Map Center (http://library.stanford.edu/rumsey).
Wood field desk for drafting—green felt lining, compartment for drafting implements and other supplies
Field glass in black case
Theodolite telescope in brown leather case
Survey/drafting instruments in velvet-lined case: 5 assorted drawing compasses; 1 six inch wooden ruler
Compass for drafting (metal)
Protractor: 180 degrees (metal)
