James H. Bradley papers
Scope and Contents
Papers. 1872-1895. 1.5 linear feet. The major portion of this collection consists of the historical writings of James H. Bradley. Included in these writings are his journal of the Sioux campaign on the Yellowstone in 1876 and eleven volumes of writings on the history of Fort Benton, the fur trade, several Indian tribes, and many other related topics.
Dates
- Creation: 1872-1877
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Collection open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Biographical / Historical
James H. Bradley was born in Ohio in 1844. At the outbreak of the Civil War he joined a volunteer Ohio regiment and served primarily in the Western Theater. After his discharge at the end of the war, Bradley joined the Eighteenth U.S. Infantry Regiment as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant in July 1866, and was stationed in what is now Wyoming. He took part in several actions along the Bozeman Trail during the Red Cloud War of 1866-1868. After a period of service in Georgia, Bradley returned to the West with the U.S. Seventh Infantry Regiment. While stationed at Fort Benton, Montana Territory, Bradley, inspired by his association with men who had participated in the early fur trade, began the study of Montana and Northwestern history. In addition to his avocation as a historian, Bradley served as a chronicler of military activities and of the history of the Indian tribes his regiment encountered. In 1876 Bradley was assigned to Colonel John Gibbon's "Montana Column," and participated in the events leading to the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The following year Bradley again served under Gibbon in his pursuit of the Nez Perce Tribe. James H. Bradley was killed at the Battle of the Big Hole, on August 9, 1877.
Extent
1.4 linear feet
Abstract
James H. Bradley was a first lieutenant in the 7th Infantry Regiment, stationed at Fort Shaw and Fort Benton, Montana Territory. Bradley was an amateur historian who wrote about the history of Montana and the Northwest, and his own military career. He was killed at the Battle of the Big Hole, August 9, 1877. This collection consists of Bradley's writings, some correspondence, and miscellany. [Most of the writings were published in Volumes. II, III, VIII, and IX of Contributions to the Montana Historical Society.
Arrangement
Arranged by series
Physical Location
2:5-7
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request
Geographic
- Dakota Territory
- Fort Benton (Mont.)
- Fort Campbell (Mont.)
- Fort Pease (Mont.)
- Fort Piegan (Mont.)
- Fort Shaw (Mont.)
- Fort Union (N.D.)
- Marias River Valley (Mont.)
- Missouri River -- Commerce
- Montana
- Mullan Road
- St. Ignatius (Mont.)
- Sun River Valley (Mont.)
- Upper Missouri River
- Yellowstone River Valley -- Description and travel
Occupation
Temporal
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the James H. Bradley papers 1872-1877
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
- Date
- 2004
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard 2nd Edition)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives Repository
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)
mhslibrary@mt.gov