James William Eldridge collection, 1797-1902, bulk 1861-1865

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Summary

Creators:
Eldridge, James W. (James William), 1841-1909
Abstract:
James William Eldridge served in 127th New York Infantry, Company A and 23rd United States Colored Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. This collection consists of Eldridge letters, manuscripts, documents, printed military forms, autographs, ephemera, and photographs from 1797-1902.
Extent:
104.16 Linear Feet (82 boxes, 2 envelopes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James William Eldridge collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The James William Eldridge collection consists of letters, manuscripts, documents, printed military forms, autographs, ephemera, and approximately 4000 portraits and contemporary photographs from 1797-1902. The collection documents military history of the Civil War, from both the Union and Confederate sides, concentrating on commanding officers, military and naval operations and administration, the armed forces of South Carolina and Virginia, and the everyday life of the common soldiers (including prisons and medical care). Also included are materials on civilian administration and politics during the war years, concentrating on governors, mayors, and congressmen.

The bulk of the collection deals with the American Civil War, although there is some material on the antebellum and post-war politics and military history, including the raid on Harpers Ferry and the post-war Navy.

The collection contains materials from US presidents James A. Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, and Rutherford B. Hayes; see container list for item details.

Biographical / historical:

James William Eldridge served in 127th New York Infantry Regiment, Company A during the American Civil War from 1862-1864. In September 1864 he joined the 23rd United States Colored Troops with the rank of Second Lieutenant and was promoted to First Lieutenant in March 1865. After the war he began an extensive collection of letters, manuscripts, books, photographs, and other materials relating to the major military and civilian figures of the war years.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from William H. Murray, 1916.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff, circa mid-20th century. In 2020, Gina C Giang created a finding aid derived from a legacy summary report and Maggie Hughes added the box list. In 2022, Melissa Haley enhanced description of the presidential material present in the collection as part of the American Presidential Papers Project.

Arrangement:

Organized in two series:

  • Correspondence and documents
  • Miscelleaneous materials

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James William Eldridge collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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