MsSC 206

 

HARDING, Elisha J., papers. 11 items.

 

Abstract: Elisha J. Harding was a captain in the Oregon Volunteers stationed at Fort Walla Walla during the Civil War.

 

Biography: Elisha Jenkins “Jenk” Harding (1828-1897) came West to the California gold rush in 1849 and then to Oregon in 1851, settling near Salem. During the Indian Wars, he recruited a company of volunteers in 1856, which became Company A of a battalion of Oregon mounted volunteers, in which he was awarded the rank of captain. After the outbreak of the Civil War, Harding recruited a company of volunteers at Salem, which became Company B, First Cavalry Oregon Volunteers. He also held the rank of captain.

 

In 1862, Harding was sent to Fort Walla Walla, W.T., to restore order to what were considered to be slovenly and disorderly conditions at the post. His troops were to also assist the Indian Agent on the Umatilla Reservation in the suppression of Indian troubles there.

 

Harding served in several Marion County government positions. He also invested widely in real estate and died a wealthy man.

 

Scope and content: The papers, while fragmentary, provide some insight into operations at Fort Walla Walla during the Civil War, particularly ordnance inventory, and are an excellent reflection of what it took to keep a frontier fort operating.

 

Included are three letters Harding to his wife; request for references from Charles B. Montague; and a letter from R.F. Maury regarding accounts at Fort Walla Walla.

 

Inclusive dates: 1862-1863

Restrictions: None

Volume: 11 items

Accession number: 2007.93.73

 

Box 1 

 

Folder             Contents

 

1                    List of Quartermaster’s stores, etc., transferred by 1st St. D.W. Portland, 1st Cav. O. Vols. July 25, 1862

 

Return of ordnance and ordnance stores received, issued, and remaining on hand, Fort Walla Walla, W.T., Sept. 30, 1862

 

Invoice of clothing, camp and garrison equipage, Fort Walla Walla, W.T., Nov. 1, 1862

 

Received, Fort Walla Walla, W.T., Nov. 4th 1862, of Capt. E.J. Harding, 1st Cavly. O.V., the following clothing, camp and garrison equipage…

 

Correspondence. E.J. Harding to his wife, from Fort Walla Walla, November 14, 1862. Comments about children and inquiries about health, expectation for leaving Ft. Walla Walla, apple crop, closes with advice to “take good care of dogey [doggy].”

 

Received of Captain E. J. Harding, First Oregon Cavalry the following ordnance and ordnances stores, Fort Walla Walla, W.T., December 10, 1862

 

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores this day transferred by Captain E. J. Harding, Fort Walla Walla, W.T., December 10, 1862

 

Quarterly return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage received, issued, and remaining on hand, Fort. Walla Walla, W.T. December 10, 1862

 

Received of Captain E.J. Harding, 1st Cavalry, Oregon Vols, the following clothing, camp & garrison equipage, Fort Walla Walla, W.T. December 10, 1862

 

Correspondence. Charles B. Montague to EJH, from Fort Walla Walla, W.T., March 10, 1863. Pleads with EJH to put a good word in for him with the governor for a promotion. Knows that an appointment “Under a certain office…is simply the greatest penance one of my temperament ever endured.” Assures EJH that he will not forget any favors shown him.

 

Correspondence. R.F. Maury to EJH, from Fort Walla Walla, April 15, 1863, apologizing for delay in settle post accounts.