Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Soldier from Armada, Mich., member of Headquarters Company, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes correspondence describing his experiences in the army during training at Camp Custer, Mich., and during his service in Russia; also miscellanea, photographs, and a paper based on Ramsey's correspondence, probably written by John O. Ramsey.

Correspondence describing his experiences in the army during training at Camp Custer, Mich., and during his service in Russia; also miscellanea, and a paper based on Ramsey's correspondence, probably written by John O. Ramsey. Photographs include a portrait (in uniform) and postcards of Camp Custer, Mich., and Archangel.

Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Papers. Within this series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG and BMP format.

Files include digitized letters relating to his service in Russia (1917-1919). Also, digitized photographs and postcards of Russian scenes and photos of Bartels in uniform (1917-1919); digital photographs of Bartels' uniform, medals, accoutrements and field gear (2005-2006); digitized transcripts of an oral history (2005).

Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains digital records; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into two series, Papers and Photographs. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG format.

Digitized files include Bandemer's enlistment record from 1917, his honorable discharge from 1919, and a letter citing his promotion to Sergeant dated 1919. Digitized photographs are of individuals and groups, including portraits of Bandemer, a photograph of Polar Bear Expedition medics ca. 1918-1919, also includes photographs of a Polar Bear Expedition reunion.

Member of the 339th Infantry, Supply Company who took part in the Polar Bear Expedition in Northern Russia. Photo album contains group and individual portraits of the 339th Infantry Supply Company members, street views of Archangel, Russia, photos of barracks and other structures; newspaper clippings depicting return of the recovered bodies of the fallen Polar Bears Expedition soldiers to Detroit; and several portraits of Walter Smith taken later in his life.

Photo album contains group and individual portraits of the 339th Infantry Supply Company members, street views of Archangel, Russia, photos of barracks and other structures; newspaper clippings depicting return of the recovered bodies of the fallen Polar Bears Expedition soldiers to Detroit; and several portraits of Walter Smith taken later in his life.

Papers of a soldier with the 310th Engineers in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Papers. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The file in this collection is in PDF format.

Includes a file containing the digitized diary and narrative reminiscence of Spaulding's service; file also contains a brief biographical note with photographs, written by his son.

Engineer with the Fargo Engineering Company of Jackson, Mich. Collection includes correspondence relating to his professional activities with the U.S. Nitrate Plant in Muscle Shoals, Alabama; include copy of letter, Nov.1918, from W. C. Giffels, discussing construction work in Russia as part of the Polar Bear expedition.

The papers contain a typescript of a letter, Nov. 23, 1918, from W. C. Giffels, lieutenant with Co. A, 310th Engineers, describing the Russian railroad system and building practice, railroad repairs, and construction equipment used in the Archangel campaign.

Papers of a Y.M.C.A. volunteer depicting events following the 1917 October Revolution in Russia, POW camps in Germany, and relief work among Russian refugees in 1920-1924.

Correspondence of Howard Merrill and some of his wife Edith Merrill with relatives in the United States while stationed and traveling in Russia, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, and --to a lesser extent-- Japan describing social, economic and political conditions, everyday life, and work of the Y.M.C.A. offices and volunteers in these countries. Merrill travelled and wrote about locations in Siberia, Moscow, Petrograd, Pskov, Archangel, Nizhnii Novgorod, Samara, Riga, among other locations.

Correspondence and Y.M.C.A. reports from Germany contain depiction of conditions in German prisoner-of-war camps and Russian prisoners. Russian-language handwritten publications of Russian POWs include playbills and illustrated newsletters.

Papers of Donald A. Lowrie, Y.M.C.A. secretary who served in Russian and Eastern Europe between 1916 and 1932 include his 1920 "Moscow diary" and miscellaneous writings on the subject of Russian prisoners of war.

Member of 310th Engineers, U.S. Army who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes correspondence relating to his military service, "Final consolidated report of the 310th Engineers, Archangel, Russia" (1919) which describes the construction and other activities of the unit, photographs, and miscellaneous items.

Correspondence relating to his military service, "Final consolidated report of the 310th Engineers, Archangel, Russia" (1919) which describes the construction and other activities of the unit, photographs, and miscellaneous items. The photographs chiefly depict Engineer projects but also scenery, miscellaneous buildings, informal portraits of officers, troops marching, and Russian people.

Soldier from LaCrosse, Wisc., captain of Co. M, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes miscellaneous citations, orders, and correspondence relating to his activities with the Polar Bear regiment; also photographs.

The papers contain primarily certificates and personal documents. The photographs include pictures of American and foreign soldiers, Russian people and scenes, and naval ships; also pictures of the 1929 memorial services for bodies returned from Russia, Polar Bear Association reunions, and personal photographs. Printed maps have been removed from the collection and cataloged separately.

Charles Douglas Roe (1895-1931) was a soldier in the 4th Platoon, Company I of the 339th Infantry during World War I. He served in the war from December 18, 1917 until July 23, 1919 and was stationed in Northern Russia for nine months. His company was called Detroit's own, The Polar Bear. Collection includes photocopies of group portraits of the 339th Infantry, Company I while stationed overseas during World War I, a photocopy of Roe's services card, and his obituary.

Photocopies of group portraits of the 339th Infantry, Company I while stationed overseas during World War I, a photocopy of Roe's services card, and his obituary.