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Bierce (Ambrose) Foster family collection of materials
M2146  
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Table of contents What's This?

 

Series 1. Photographs

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.
 

Series 4. Civil War maps

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 5

Poem - The Awakening

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.
 

Series 7. Miscellaneous

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)