Bell (James Alvin) Papers Addenda, 1854-1863

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Summary

Title:
James Alvin Bell papers addenda
Dates:
1854-1863
Creators:
Bell, James Alvin, 1834-1863
Abstract:
Correspondence between American Civil War Union soldier James Alvin Bell and his fiancé Augusta Ann Hallock Elliott.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James Alvin Bell papers addenda, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This small collection contains 14 letters between James Alvin Bell and Augusta Anna Hallock Elliott and two notes by Bell. Most of the correspondence is personal in nature and Augusta Elliott talks about her teaching job and personal activities. The correspondence does have brief mentions of the Civil War, and in one letter by James Bell, dated 1862 November 28, written from Belle Plains, Virginia, he goes into more detail about his life as a soldier and talks about General George B. McClellan, General Ambrose Burnside, and President Abraham Lincoln. Many of Augusta Elliott's letters have poems and watercolors in them. Also included are tintypes of James Alvin Bell and Augusta Anna Hallock Elliott, a letter by Elliott to "Mr. Cooper," a comb, and empty addressed envelopes.

Biographical / historical:

James Alvin Bell was a farmer in Kaneville, Illinois, until the outbreak of the American Civil War, when he enlisted in the 8th Illinois Cavalry in May 1861. He was engaged to Augusta Anna Hallock Elliott, a schoolteacher from rural New York. Bell died at the Stanton Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., in October 1863.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Earl Woodley, August 2015.
Processing information:

Processed by Brooke M. Black in November 2015. In October 2025, she created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Brooke M. Black
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-01-23 13:10:25 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

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 Alvin Bell papers addenda, 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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