Eli Metcalfe Bruce

Background

Eli Bruce was born on February 22, 1828, in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of George Stubblefield and Sabina Pickett Metcalfe Bruce.

Education

Bruce attended local schools, moved to Maysville, Kentucky, in 1846.

Career

Eli Bruce became a clerk in a dry goods store. He entered the commission merchant business and became a Democrat, but was too busy in business to enter politics. Bruce manufactured pig iron in Terre Haute, Indiana, from 1854 to 1859, and then entered the pork-packing business in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1861, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and became a source of supplies for the Confederacy. After First Manassas, he donated $1,000 to the Kentucky soldiers’ relief fund. The Confederate government of Kentucky elected him to the first Confederate Congress.

His plan was to dispose of his cotton in France, but he was admonished by Congress for his actions. Reelected to the second Congress in 1864, he served ably on the Ways and Means Committee.

When the war ended, Bruce went to Washington and received a pardon from President Johnson.

In late 1865, he moved to New York City and entered the hotel business.

Achievements

• Eli Metcalfe Bruce was a wealthy Kentucky businessman who applied his fortunes to supplying the Confederacy with much-needed military goods by running the Northern blockade during the War Between the States. He also served in the Confederate Congress and used his fortunes to help destitute Confederate soldiers, civilians, and veterans. He is also known for opening the Southern Hotel in New York City.

Politics

An opponent of the Davis administration, Bruce supported the Confederate privateers and invested in the Erlanger Loan. When he was re-elected to the Second Congress in 1864, he served ably on the Ways and Means Committee, and he became a supporter of the administration.

Views

Eli Bruce hoped to stop inflation by reducing the currency in circulation, but his fellow congressmen refused to support his plan. He also spoke often on the safety and care of prisoners of war.

Connections

Eli was married to Sarah Elizabeth Withers Morris. The couple had three children.

Father:

George Stubblefield Bruce

1800-1883

Mother:

Sabina Pickett Metcalfe Bruce

1804-1883

Sister:

Sallie Pickett Metcalfe Bruce Thomas

1829-1890

Brother:

Henry C. Bruce

1831-1916

Sister:

Nancy Bruce

1838-1841

Sister:

Elizabeth Metcalf Bruce McIntyre

1840-1928

Wife:

Sarah Elizabeth Withers Morris

1835-1915

Son:

Mattie Withers Bruce Reynolds

1854-1916

Son:

George Stubblefield Bruce

1859-1948

Son:

Charles Albert Withers Bruce

1864-1870

References

• Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
  1977