Strong, James W. and Eliza Jane (Civil War correspondence), April 28, 1860 - May 10, 1863

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Summary

Title:

James W. and Eliza Jane Strong Civil War correspondence

Dates:

April 28, 1860 - May 10, 1863

Creators:

Ferguson, Janet Katherine Shipman, Strong, James W. , Colonel, 1834-1886, and Strong, Eliza Jane, 1837-1880

Abstract:

This collection contains correspondence between Col. James W. Strong, USA and his wife Eliza Jane Strong née Heddenberg prior to and during the Civil War.

Containers:

document-box: Civil War 6
folder: 3-7
folder: 1-5

Extent:

.25 Linear Feet (5 folders)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], James W. and Eliza Jane Strong Civil War correspondence (2019.157.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of 36 letters from Col. James W. Strong, USA to his wife Eliza Jane during the Civil War, as well as 16 letters from Eliza Jane to James. One letter from Eliza Jane appears to be dated 1860, but was probably written in 1861 as she indirectly refers to the Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12-13, 1861) and discourages her husband from joining a volunteer company. Col. Strong's correspondence describes camp life and his quick advancement from Lieutenant to Colonel. Eliza Jane Strong's correspondence describes life at home, especially the health and antics of the couple's two young children.

Biographical / historical:

Colonel James W. Strong, United States Army (1834 - 1886) was born in Danville, Kentucky. He moved to Illinois where he met and married Eliza Jane Heddenberg on June 24, 1856 in Jacksonsville. Eliza Jane Strong née Heddenberg (1837 - 1880) was born in Illinois to parents Peter Cadmus Hedenberg (1790 - 1858) and Susan M. Spencer (1803 - 1889), originally from New York. Eliza Jane Strong gave birth to John Palmer Strong (1857 - 1940) and Catherine J. Strong (1859 - 1919) before James W. Strong joined the 24th Iowa Infantry Company E as a Lieutenant.

James was promoted to Colonel and moved to the 33rd Iowa Infantry Company I. Both Regiments fought in Helena, Arkansas, whence many of Col. Strong's letters were sent to his wife. After the war, the family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri where Strong worked as a lawyer and editor for the St. Joseph Herald. The couple had three more children who lived into adulthood: Theron Orrick Strong (1869 - 1944), Walter Percy Strong (1874 - 1935), and Lillian Janette (or Janet) Strong Eastin (1877 - 1957). Eliza Jane Strong died of consumption on July 29, 1880. Six years later, James W. Strong was fatally shot while at work. James W. and Eliza Jane Strong were buried at Mount Mora Cemetery in St. Joseph, MO.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Janet Katherine Shipman Ferguson

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged chronologically and by author.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Correspondence -- American Civil War
Names:: Ferguson, Janet Katherine Shipman

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Wendy Gonaver
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-05-12 17:43:04 -0400 .

Access and use

Restrictions:: This collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.