Bogardus Eldridge – Captain, United States Army

Bogardus Eldridge of Alabama
Appointed From Massachusetts, Second Lieutenant, 10th United States Infantry, 31 August 1876
First Lieutenant, 21 May 1883
Captain, 14th United States Infantry, 7 September 1897
Killed In Action 2 October 1899 near Bacoor, Philippine Islands

The Captain was subsequently buried with full military honors in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth Hodges White Eldridge (1852-1947) lived without him for 48 years and was laid to rest with her Captain on 9 October 1947.

One night in February 1899, the Filipino insurrection started and lasted nearly three years. The 14th, with a strength of 16 officers and 707 men took its part in the opening skirmishes. It assisted in the capture of blockhouse No. 14 on February 5, 1899. Most of the fighting that followed was similar to that which the personnel had engaged in during the Indian wars in the 1880’s and 90’s. Tropic heat, torrential rain, deep mud and jungle fever were the allies of the insurrectionist with his bob. Actual battles were rare and except for the major engagements at Manila, Laguna de Bay, Zapote, and Cavite, minor skirmishes, ambushes, long marches and reconnaissance’s occupied the Fourteenth Infantry of 1899.

During this time, Captain Bogardus Eldridge was killed, at Bacoor, P.I. (Philippines), October 2, 1899. Late in October 1899 the field service of the 14th Infantry was brought to a close. The regiment took up its residence in Manila and did provost and supply duty. Companies “B” and “H” joined the other organizations on December 30th, 1899. In April 1900, the 1st Battalion was ordered to stations at Forts Brady and Wayne, Michigan.

HONORS FOR DEAD SOLDIERS
Military Funeral For Captain Eldridge and Lieutenant Krayenbuhl

WASHINGTON, November 9, 1899 – Arrangements have been made for the interment at Arlington Cemetery with military honors of the remains of Captain Bogardus Eldridge, Fourteenth Infantry, and First Lieutenant M. G. Krayenbuhl., Third Artillery, two officers who lost their lives on the fighting line in the Philippines.

The remains of Lieutenant Krayenbuhl arrived here this afternoon from San Francisco, and were escorted from the station to the Arlington Cemetery by a battery of the Seventh Artillery.  They were placed in a vault and private funeral services will take place tomorrow.  The remains of Captain Eldridge are expected to arrive here from San Francisco tomorrow.

ELDRIDGE, BOGARDUS
CAPT 14TH US INF SAW
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
DATE OF DEATH: 10/02/1899
DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
BURIED AT:   SITE LOT 388
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

ELDRIDGE, ELIZABETH HODGES WHITE W/O BOGARDUS
DATE OF BIRTH: 02/06/1852
DATE OF DEATH: 10/06/1947
DATE OF INTERMENT: 10/09/1947
BURIED AT: SECTION 1  SITE 358
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
WIFE OF BOGARDUS ELDRIDGE – CAPT INF, USA

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard