P0995 CHRISTOPHER B. HEFFELFINGER: An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by John M. Wickre Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul MN.

Manuscripts Collection

 Finding aid encoded by Dennis Meissner July 25, 2002Finding aid written inEnglish August 2008Converted from EAD Version 1.0 to Version 2002 by Monica Manny Ralston, Daniel Sher, and Joyce Chapman. OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Minnesota Historical Society Heffelfinger, Christopher B., 1834-1915. Christopher B. Heffelfinger papers. 1861-1929. Correspondence, newspaper clippings, and military papers of this Minneapolis (Minn.) resident, documenting his Civil War service with the First Minnesota Infantry, Co. D (1861-1864) and the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery (1865). They include information on his experiences at the First Battle of Bull Run and at the Battle of Gettysburg, and a sutler's memorandum book kept by him in 1863. 3 folders, including 1 volume. See Detailed Description for shelf locations. BIOGRAPHY OF CHRISTOPHER B. HEFFELFINGER

Christopher B. Heffelfinger was born in Pennsylvania in 1834 and came to Minneapolis in 1857. From 1861 through 1864 he served in Company D of the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment, rising in rank from sergeant to captain. After serving the full term of his three-year enlistment, Heffelfinger was mustered out at Fort Snelling in May 1864. After a brief appointment as a relief agent in the United States Sanitary Commission in 1864, he re-enlisted in April 1865 and was appointed a major in the First Minnesota Regiment of Heavy Artillery.

 CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861. Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863. Persons: Adams, Charles Powell, 1831-1893. Colvill, William, 1830-1905. Organizations: United States. Army. Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment, 1st (1864-1865). United States. Army. Minnesota Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861-1864). Company D. Places: United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Christopher B. Heffelfinger Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples

 Accession Information:

Accession number: 3136; 5949; 5956; 9952; 11,296

 Processing Information:

Processed by: John M. Wickre, November 1972.

Catalog ID number: 09-00041036

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION P995 1 Correspondence and Related Papers: Letter, 24 July 1861. 12 pp.

Heffelfinger describes his experiences at the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run).

 Heffelfinger letter, 22 January 1863.

Letter of recommendation for Lieutenant James D. Gray.

 Heffelfinger to Captain Wood, 14 January 1864.

Report critiquing the current placement of picket lines around the camp.

 Stephen Miller to Alexander Ramsey, 7 May 1864.

Minnesota governor Stephen Miller introduces Heffelfinger to senator Ramsey.

William Colvill to Heffelfinger, post-1865. 2 items.

Both pertain to a military medal for Heffelfinger.

 Ed. S. Past letters, [189?]. 4 items.

Mimeographed letters soliciting information on members of Company D.

 Newspaper clippings and letters, 1891-1907. 6 items.

The items concern the First Minnesota at Gettsburg, 1863; the activities of Colonel William Colvill and Lieutenant-Colonel Charles P. Adams during the battle; and monuments later erected to commemorate the regiment's service there.

Bureau of Pensions to Heffelfinger, 3 June 1909.

Form letter announcing increase in Heffelfinger's veteran's pension.

 Letters and newspaper clipping, 27 August 1898, 19-20 November 1914. 3 items.

Concerns the First Minnesota at the battle of Bristow Station, 1863, and the role played by E. Z. Needham.

 Heffelfinger letter, 14 December 1914.

Explains history of the First Regiment Fund.

 P995 2 Sutler's memorandum book, 1863, 1929. 1 volume.

A leather covered pocket memorandum book (9 cm x 17 cm) containing notes relating to Heffelfinger's service as sutler to Company D. The volume is accompanied by a letter (30 December 1929) from its donor relating that a musket ball had supposedly glanced off the volume while it was in Heffelfinger's breast pocket, thereby sparing him injury.

 +50 Oversize Materials: Commissions and appointment certificates, 1861-1909. 10 items.

Civil War commissions (5 items, 1861-1865); certificates appointing him a relief agent of the U.S. Sanitary Commission (1864) and the Gettysburg Monument Commission (1891); military discharge certificates (1864, 1865); and the certificate authorizing his pension (1909).

 Muster rolls, April 1861. 3 items.

Muster-in rolls (2 items) and muster-out roll, all documenting Heffelfinger's promotions and attendant transfers.