Guide to the Joseph M. Kelley Papers
1867-1898

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Overview of the Collection

Creator: Kelley, Joseph M., 1844-1911
Title: Joseph M. Kelley Papers
Dates: 1879-1898 ( inclusive )
1867-1898 ( bulk )
Quantity: 7 file folders (.3 linear ft.)
Location of Collection: Oversized MsSC
Collection Number: MsSC 392
Summary: Major Joseph M. Kelley (1844-1911) spent most of his military career as Captain of the famous 10th colored cavalry, known as the "Buffalo Soldiers" during the Indian Wars in the Southwest against the Apaches, Comanches, Southern Cheyennes, Arrapahoes and Kiowas. The collection includes photographs of the famous 10th cavalry, army manuals, and an officer roster.
Repository: Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture
Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives

2316 W. First Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 363-5313
Fax: (509) 363-5303
Email: archives@northwestmuseum.org

Languages: Materials are in English 
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical Note

Major Joseph M. Kelley, 1844-1911, spent most of his military career as captain of the 10th Colored Cavalry, known as the “Buffalo Soldiers” during the Indian Wars in the Southwest against the Apaches, Comanches, Southern Cheyannes, Arrapahoes and Kiowas.

In 1869 he was assigned to Fort Skokomish, Washington Territory. Shortly thereafter he was named Indian Agent for Washington Territory, working with the Skallam and other coastal tribes until March 16, 1871, at which time he joined the 10th Calvary. He functioned with that regiment for the next 27 years.

After commanding his troops at Fort Grant, Arizona he was transferred as major of the 10th to Fort Custer, Montana in 1893. That same year he served at Fort Assiniboine, Montana. In 1893 he became Indian Agent at Forth Belknap Agency near Harlem, Montana, serving in that position for several years. In 1898 when most of the 10th Cavalry was sent to Cuba, he was named commandant at Fort Assiniboine. Shortly after that he retired but served again in the Cuban Pacification, doing court martial work.

Content Description

Materials include photographs of the 10th Cavalry, army manuals, and an officer roster.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access :  

Collection is not restricted.

Restrictions on Use :  

Collection is open for use.

Preferred Citation :  

Joseph M. Kelley Papers (MsSC 392), Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA.

Administrative Information

Custodial History :  

Donated by John F. Kelley to the Museum of Native American Cultures (MONAC), 1974.

Acquisition Information :  

Transfered from the Museum of Native American Cultures (MONAC), 1995 (Accession # L97-34).

Separated Materials :  

Joseph M. Kelley Collection of Indian-related relics (Accession #3623) located in object collection. Contact the repository for further information.

Related Materials :  

William Connoly Papers (MsSC 37)

Oppenheimer Family Papers (MsSC 145)

Mrs. Frank J. Wilmer Papers (MsSC 73)


Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Folder
1/1 Introduction and Inventory
1/2 Alphabetical List of the Officers of the Regular Army 1898 August 25
1/3 Manual of Guard Duty, United States Army. Washington: Government Printing Office 1893
1/4 Manuals
Stanhope E. Blunt. Firing Regulations for Small Arms. New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1889 .Infantry Drill Regulations. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1891 .United States Army Cavalry tactics. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1879 .
1/5 Photograph: Company E of 10th U.S. Cavalry
1/6 Photographs: Major J.M. Kelley
1/7 Uniforms of the Army of the United States. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Thomas Hunter 1882

Subjects

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat database. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search WorldCat using these headings.

  • Personal Names :
  • Kelley, Joseph M., 1844-1911--Archives
  • Kelley, Joseph M., 1844-1911--Photographs
  • Corporate Names :
  • United States. Army. Cavalry, 10th--Photographs
  • United States. Army--Government publications
  • Subject Terms :
  • United States. Army--African American troops
  • United States. Army--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
    • Form or Genre Terms :
    • Photographs
      • Other Creators :
      • Kelley, John F.  ( donor)

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