Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Ord, Edward Otho Cresap, 1818-1883
- Extent:
- .75 linear ft. (269 items)
- Language:
- English.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The General Edward O. C. Ord Letters total approximately 260 letters, the first written in Oct. 5, 1854 (two days before he married) and extending through January 30, 1885. The early letters from Oct. 5, 1854 -April 2, 1855 were written from Los Angeles, from on board the schooner Golden Gate, in San Pedro, and other such places. Some of those following are addressed from the Rogue River, Oregon Territory, Fort Vancouver, Washington, San Francisco, Ft. Miller and camps in Yakima country.
While many letters contain purely personal matters, others contain much of historical interest. On Jan. 24, 1855, he speaks of camping at San Pedro and in the next few letters he talks of various surveys he participated in. When he gets to the Oregon Territory, he talks of Indians being taken to reservations and again of Indian troubles (there was much Indian fighting going on at the time.)
Several letters are incomplete and many are frayed or have minor breaks at the folds.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Date Event 1818 Born Maryland 1835-39 Cadet, Military Academy 1839, July 1 2nd Lt., 3rd Artillery 1839-42 Florida War against Seminole Indians 1841, July 1 1st Lt., 3rd Artillery 1842-44 Ft. Macon, North Carolina 1845-46 Coast Survey 1846 Recruiting Service 1846-47 Voyage to California 1847-48 Mexican War--serving in California 1847-50 Monterey, California 1850, Sept. 7 Capt., 3rd Artillery 1851-52 Ft. Independence, Massachusetts 1852-55 Coast Survey 1855 Benicia, California 1855 Yakima Expedition 1856 Benicia, California 1856 Rogue River Expedition; action of Mackanootney Villages and Chefeco Creek 1856-58 Benicia, California 1858 Ft. Miller, California; frontier duty 1858 Spokane Expedition; combat of Four Lakes and Spokane Plain, skirmish of Spokane River 1859 Ft. Monroe, Virginia (Artillery School for Practice) 1859 On Harper's Ferry Expedition to suppress John Brown's Raid 1859-60 Ft. Monroe, Virginia 1861 Ft. Vancouver Washington; frontier duty 186l Benicia, California and San Francisco 1851-62 In command of a brigade of the Army of the Potomac 1861, Sept. 14 Brig. General, U.S. Volunteers 1861, Nov. 21 Major, 4th Artillery 1861, Dec. 20 In command of engaged troops at Drainsville, Virginia 1861, Dec. Bvt. Lieut. Col. for gallant and meritorious service at Battle of Drainsville. 1862, May-June In command of division in the Department of the Rappahannock 1862, May 2 Major General, U.S. Volunteers 1862, June-Aug. In command of Corinth, Mississippi 1862, Aug.-Sept. In Major General Grant's operations in Mississippi, commanding left wing of army 1862, Sept. 19 Battle of Iuka; Bvt. Colonel for gallant and meritorious services 1862, Sept.-Oct. In command of the District of Jackson, Tennessee 1862, Oct. 5 Battle of the Hatchie, severely wounded while commanding 1862-63 Military Commission investigating Gen. Buell's Campaign in Kentucky and Tennessee 1863, June-Oct. In command of 13th Army Corps--engaged in Siege of Vicksburg, capture of Jackson 1864, Jan.-Feb. Commanded 13th Army Corps in the Department of the Gulf 1864, April-July Commanded troops in West Virginia 1864, July Commanded 8th Army Corps and all troops in Middle Department 1864, July-Sept. Commanded 18th Army Corps; in operations against Richmond; wounded in assault and capture of Ft. Harrison (Sept. 29) 1865, Jan.-Feb. Commanded Department of Virginia and North Carolina 1865, Feb.-June Commanded Department of Virginia; engaged Siege of Petersburg, pursuit of Rebel Army to capitulation of Lee at Appomattox 1865, March 13 Bvt. Brig. General for service at Battle of the Hatchie 1865, March 13 Bvt. Major General U.S.A. for services in assault on Ft. Harrison 1865-66 Commanded Department of the Ohio 1866-67 Commanded Department of the Arkansas 1866, Sept. 1 Mustered out of Volunteer Service 1867-68 Commanded: Fourth Military District (Arkansas and Mississippi) 1868-71 Commanded: Department of California 1871-75 Commanded: Department of the Platte 1875-80 Commanded: Department of Texas 1880, Dec. 6 Retired from active service 1881, Jan. 28 Major General 1883, July 22 Died at Havana Cuba
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
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Department of Special Collections, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6004, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022