Finding Aid to the Samuel P. Heintzelman Biographical Collection MS.541
Holly Rose Larson
Library and Archives at the Autry
2012 October 1
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
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
.
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).
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.
Purchase from Joseph Amasa Munk as part of the Munk Library of Arizoniana, 1910 May 10.
Samuel P. Heintzelman Biographical Collection, 1864-1880, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.541.
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.
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.
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