ELDRIDGE, Hamilton N., soldier, born in South Williamstown, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, 23 August 1831; died in Chicago, Illinois, 27 November 1882. He was graduated at Williams in 1856, in the same class with James A. Garfield, and at the Albany law institute in 1857, and began practice in Chicago. In July 1862, with his partner, Colonel F. W. Tourtellotte, he raised the 127th Illinois regiment, and was made its lieutenant colonel. He commanded the regiment in the operations of General Sherman from Memphis to Grenada and Chickasaw bayou, distinguished himself at Arkansas Post, was promoted colonel, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg, where he bore the colors with his own hand, after several color bearers had been shot, and led his regiment, in advance, to the fortifications of the enemy. After the surrender, he was compelled by sickness to resign, but was brevetted brigadier general for gallantry. After a slow recovery he resumed the practice of law in Chicago.