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Heintzelman (Samuel P.) Biographical Collection
MS.541  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Processing History
  • Scope and Contents
  • Acquisition
  • Preferred Citation
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Biographical Note

  • Contributing Institution: Library and Archives at the Autry
    Title: Samuel P. Heintzelman Biographical Collection
    Identifier/Call Number: MS.541
    Physical Description: 0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
    Date (inclusive): 1864-1880
    Abstract: Major General Samuel Peter Heintzelman (1805-1880) was a Major General in the United States Army and served in the military from 1825-1869. This collection of biographical material spans from 1864-1880 and includes two book excerpts and typed copies of a newspaper obituary and follow-up letter.
    Language of Material: English .

    Processing History

    Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 October 1, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

    Scope and Contents

    This collection of biographical material on Major General Samuel Peter Heintzelman spans from 1864-1880 and includes two book excerpts and typed copies of a newspaper obituary and follow-up letter.

    Acquisition

    Purchase from Joseph Amasa Munk as part of the Munk Library of Arizoniana, 1910 May 10.

    Preferred Citation

    Samuel P. Heintzelman Biographical Collection, 1864-1880, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.541.

    Conditions Governing Use

    Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

    Biographical Note

    Samuel Peter Heintzelman (1805 September 30 – 1880 May 1) was a United States Army General. He served in the Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, the Yuma War, and the Cortina Troubles.
    In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, Heintzelman joined General Winfield Scott's army in Mexico, taking part in several engagements. In 1848-49, he accompanied his regiment around Cape Horn to California, and for several years served in California and the Arizona Territory. Major Heintzelman led the Yuma Expedition in December 1851 from the post of San Diego to put down the Yuma uprising, called the Yuma War. His expedition established Fort Yuma and peace was made in October 1852.
    Heintzelman became the first president of the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company which established the Cerro Colorado, Arizona mining town in southern Arizona. The town became famous during the American Civil War for the massacre of mine employees by Mexican outlaws and for buried treasure.
    At the outbreak of the Civil War, Heintzelman became the colonel of the 17th Pennsylvania Infantry, and was soon promoted to command of a division in the Army of Northeastern Virginia. in late 1862, he was assigned to the defense of Washington, D.C. in command of the Department of Washington. For the remainder of the war, he commanded the Northern Department. Heintzelman retired in 1869 as a major general in the regulars. He died in Washington, D.C., on May 1, 1880.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Mines and mineral resources
    United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
    San Diego (Calif.)
    Yuma (Ariz.)
    Soldiers -- United States
    Obituaries
    Heintzelman, Samuel Peter