University of Wyoming
General Nelson Cole was a volunteer soldier, distinguished for his service in the Missouri Artillery during the US Civil War. He was also a part of the Powder River Expedition in 1865, sent to quell the Native American aggressions on the Great Plains. After the Civil War ended, he went back to his manufacturing business in St. Louis, Missouri. During the Spanish American War, Cole was promoted to Brigadier General and applied for active duty in Cuba. He mustered out and died before making it to Cuba.
General Cole was born on November 18, 1833 and died of complications due to a cold on July 31, 1899 at the age of 65.
This collection contains pieces of military correspondence from Gen. Nelson Cole’s service as part of the Powder River Expedition in 1865, in which the United States Army sent troops to the Great Plains to protect settlers and to attack Indian camps in an effort to subdue the gathering nations of the Arapahos, Cheyenne, Hunkpapas and Teton Sioux. These documents include a report of the Headquarters of the Eastern Portion of the Powder River Expedition. Official orders, supply reports, telegraphs, a copy of his memorial booklet and a magazine article are also a part of the collection.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
For additional information about the Powder River Expedition or Nelson Cole, see the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C. See also:
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The collection was processed by Suzannah Taylor in September 2005.
Item Description, Folder Number, Nelson Cole Powder River Expedition papers, 1861-1899, Collection Number 11456, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.