Collections

This collection is made up of four letters written by Sergeant Mitchell to his mother and sister, dating between October 1918 and March 1919. Mitchell, serving in the Military Railway Service and Motor Transport Corps, Repair Unit 309, discussed his experiences in postwar Dijon, France, and briefly mentioned women mechanics. He wrote of loneliness and emotional isolation. His letter of March 27, 1919, encloses two snapshot photographs of his sister Alta Mae Mitchell in Salt Lake City. The letters have color, printed "American Y.M.C.A" and "American Expeditionary Forces" letterheads.

This collection is made up of four letters written by Sergeant Mitchell to his mother and sister, dating between October 1918 and March 1919. Mitchell, serving in the Military Railway Service and Motor Transport Corps, Repair Unit 309, Company B, discussed his experiences in postwar Dijon, France, and briefly mentioned women mechanics. He wrote of loneliness and emotional isolation. His letter of March 27, 1919, encloses two snapshot photographs of his sister Alta Mae Mitchell in Salt Lake City. The letters have color, printed "American Y.M.C.A" and "American Expeditionary Forces" letterheads.

This collection is made up of 77 postcards that Bernard Eckloff wrote to his family in Washington, D.C., while stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia, between September 1918 and March 1919, as well as 1 postcard addressed to George F. Harbin of Washington, D.C. Eckloff discussed his experiences in camp and his visits to nearby Petersburg.

This collection is made up of 77 postcards that Bernard Eckloff wrote to his family in Washington, D.C., while stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia, between September 3, 1918, and March 17, 1919, as well as 1 postcard addressed to George F. Harbin of Washington, D.C. Eckloff wrote to his mother Catherine and his siblings Genevieve, Thomas and Mary about his trip to Virginia and aspects of his life at Camp Lee. He discussed his participation in drill exercises, his work in the camp kitchen, and the influenza epidemic; he also mentioned his correspondence and listed the contents of the care packages he received. His postcard of September 13, 1918, contains a description of a new uniform, and his postcard of November 22, 1918, includes a satirical poem entitled "In Line." After the Armistice, Eckloff often wrote about his trips to Petersburg, Virginia, and his attempts to apply for a discharge. One item is a postcard to George F. Harbin of Washington, D.C., from Martin & Allardyce in Asbury Park, New Jersey, regarding a family engraving the firm recently acquired and wished to sell (January 25, 1919).

An anonymous United States Army sergeant wrote these 3 letters (18 pages) to his mother while serving at Camp Hancock, Georgia, between August and December 1917. "Herb," a member of Company D, 103rd Engineer Regiment, reported on his regiment's work laying pipes and about several aspects of military life.

An anonymous United States Army sergeant wrote these 3 letters (18 pages) to his mother while serving at Camp Hancock, Georgia, between August and December 1917. "Herb," a member of Company D, 103rd Engineer Regiment, reported on his regiment's work laying pipes and on several aspects of military life.

In each of his letters, "Herb" encouraged his mother not to worry about him, and he took pride in his work with the military and in his continuing advancement through the ranks; he was expecting a commission as lieutenant. He also mentioned some of his regiment's duties, which included laying pipes for newly constructed buildings at Camp Hancock and building temporary bridges for other units on bivouac assignments. Herb described other aspects of camp life, such as the comings and goings of other soldiers and his leisure activities, which included trips to nearby Augusta and football games. In two of his letters, he discussed the reorganization of the army's cavalry and artillery units, and in one letter, he mentioned English and French guest officers' instruction in trench warfare (November 11, 1917).

The Cecil E. Hill Letters contain seven letters written between November 1918 and March 1919. The majority of the letters are addressed to his wife Emilie Alice during his time as a National Guard infantryman on the Western front. He wrote about his furloughs and the great food, comforts, and views in contrast to trench life. Other topics mentioned include the Y.M.C.A and the company's marches through France, Germany, and Luxembourg, where he described various encounters and city ruins. A nurse from the camp hospital in Brest, France, wrote two letters on Cecil Hill's behalf following his hospitalization with spinal meningitis. The letters have one- and two-color, printed "American Y.M.C.A," "American Expeditionary Forces," and "American Red Cross" letterheads.

The Cecil E. Hill letters contain seven letters written between November 1918 and March 1919. The majority of the letters are addressed to his wife Emilie Alice during his time as a infantryman on the Western front. He wrote about his furloughs and the great food, comforts, and views in contrast to trench life. Other topics mentioned include the Y.M.C.A and the company's marches through France, Germany, and Luxembourg, where he described various encounters and city ruins. A nurse from the camp hospital in Brest, France, wrote two letters on Cecil Hill's behalf following his hospitalization with spinal meningitis. The letters have one- and two-color, printed "American Y.M.C.A," "American Expeditionary Forces," and "American Red Cross" letterheads.

This collection consists primarily of outgoing correspondence written by David C. Cottrell of the American Expeditionary Forces while he served in France during the First World War. He wrote most letters to his sweetheart, Ethel M. Jury of Stockton, California, and discussed the weather and local scenery, life in the army, and other aspects of his experiences overseas.

This collection consists primarily of correspondence written by David C. ("Dave") Cottrell of the American Expeditionary Forces in France during the First World War. The majority of the letters are addressed to his sweetheart, Ethel M. Jury of Stockton, California, with a handful addressed to her mother, Annis. Most of the letters are numbered, and Cottrell wrote almost weekly between October 11, 1917, and April 13, 1918, the week of his death. He noted his intention to write every Sunday, as that was the only day on which the soldiers regularly had leisure time. His letters focus on his daily life in France and include descriptions of the rainy weather, scenery, and townspeople. He also frequently commented on the mail service between soldiers and their correspondents in United States and on the slow speed of transatlantic mail steamers, which occasionally caused letters to arrive out of order. Though he was aware of censorship, he nevertheless described life in the army and commented about soldiers' attitudes on a range of topics, including a generally negative opinion of the YMCA (November 9, 1917). He also frequently wrote about dogs and news received from Ethel, who mentioned her siblings and mutual friends; the later letters reflect a temporary rift in the couple's relationship, apparently mended by early April. Cottrell's letters to Ethel's mother have similar content, with an increased focus on some of her English acquaintances, who also corresponded with Cottrell during the war. Ed B. Hall of Company D, "319th Engineers," wrote the final letter (September 1, 1918) to Annis Jury; he mentioned his recent quarantine and desire to visit Stockton on a furlough.

The non-correspondence items are three newspaper clippings related to potential German propaganda in Stockton's libraries, to conditions at Camp Kearney, and to the death of David C. Cottrell, as well as several pressed flowers, all but two of which are attached to letters.

This collection contains 27 letters and 1 postcard that Private Earl H. Hobson wrote to his wife Maybell while serving at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, and in France during World War I, as well as 1 letter that he wrote to his mother-in-law, Harriet A. Kingsley. In addition to describing his experiences while working behind the front with the 301st Ammunition Train, he reacted to news of his wife's pregnancy and shared his excitement about fatherhood.

This collection contains 27 letters and 1 postcard that Private Earl H. Hobson wrote to his wife Maybell while serving at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, and in France during World War I, as well as 1 letter that he wrote to his mother-in-law, Harriet A. Kingsley. In addition to describing his experiences while working behind the front with the 301st Ammunition Train, he reacted to news of his wife's pregnancy and shared his excitement about fatherhood.

Hobson wrote his first letter on illustrated stationery from Camp Devens, Massachusetts, shortly before embarking for France in July 1918, and sent Maybell a printed form postcard announcing his safe arrival in mid-August. He composed his remaining letters while serving with the 301st Ammunition Train near Montrichard, France, between August and December 1918, and while working for a classification camp in Saint-Aignan-des-Noyers between December 1918 and February 1919. He commented on aspects of military life in France, including his visits to the Y.M.C.A. He also described the scenery, weather, and some of the differences between life in France and in the United States. After the armistice, he shared his disappointment that he had not been sent to the front before the end of the war.

In September 1918, Hobson received news that Maybell was pregnant, and many of his later letters reflect his thoughts about fatherhood. He expressed his joy about the prospect of becoming a father and the ways the news affected him. After receiving a letter from his mother-in-law that Maybell had lost the baby in early 1919, he attempted to provide consolation and support (February 27, 1919). Hobson transferred to a classification camp by 1919, one of the last stops for American soldiers leaving France for the United States. He discussed aspects of the discharge process and expressed hopes that he would be returning home soon.

This collection consists of letters that brothers Frank and Glenn Pollock wrote to their parents in Detroit and Atlantic Mine, Michigan, while serving in the United States Army during World War I. Both discussed their training at Camp Custer, Michigan. Glenn described some of his experiences in France as part of the 20th Engineer Regiment.

This collection consists of letters that brothers Frank Pollock (3 items, September 25, 1917-November 6, 1917) and Glenn Pollock (12 items, September 14, 1917-January 16, 1919) wrote to their parents in Detroit and Atlantic Mine, Michigan, while serving in the United States Army during World War I. Most of the letters are 2-6 pages long.

Frank and Glenn Pollock wrote about their experiences while training at Camp Custer, Michigan, in the fall of 1917. Each mentioned their failed attempts to be placed in the same company; Frank joined the 339th Infantry Regiment and Glenn joined the 329th Field Artillery. Frank complained about camp meals and entertainment, and reported that his late arrival after a visit home might have cost him the rank of corporal. Glenn noted his displeasure with kitchen duty and remarked on arrivals of new recruits and visitors. On October 20, 1917, Glenn wrote from American University in Washington, D.C., about his expected departure for France.

Glenn Pollock wrote 9 letters to his family while serving in France from February 4, 1918-January 16, 1919. He commented on his travels and the age of the buildings, noting that French infrastructure was outdated. He complained to his brother that the days and weeks seemed to drag on (February 4, 1918). Glenn's company included members from each of the 48 states, and proudly described their camaraderie and brotherly feelings. He mentioned his correspondence with his brother's future wife (Claudine), a "girl friend," and others.

This collection contains 52 letters that George Van Buskirk received while working as county clerk for Bergen County, New Jersey, between 1917 and 1919. Multiple soldiers from Hackensack, New Jersey, wrote to him about military life at Camp Dix and other bases in the United States, and service in Europe during and after World War I.

This collection contains 52 letters that George Van Buskirk received while serving as county clerk for Bergen County, New Jersey, between 1917 and 1919. Multiple soldiers from Hackensack, New Jersey, wrote to him about military life at bases in the United States, and service in Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during and after World War I. They occasionally requested assistance with administrative military matters.

George Van Buskirk's correspondents commented on their experiences at American military bases, including Fort Dix, New Jersey; Camp McClellan, Alabama; Camp Crane, Pennsylvania; Camp Greene, North Carolina; and Camp Humphreys, Virginia. The writers served in different infantry, artillery, and medical regiments. At least one writer served with a British regiment, though he referred to Hackensack as his home. Many of the soldiers traveled to France, though few participated in combat. The men often referred to other soldiers from Hackensack, including Van Buskirk's other correspondents. After the war, the writers provided details about their overseas experiences; one recalled his travel and combat experiences (November 28, 1918). Others expressed regret or gratitude that they had not seen action. One letter respects life in postwar Coblenz, Germany.

The correspondence often includes requests for Van Buskirk's assistance with transfers, discharges, or other administrative issues. One woman wrote, protesting that a man had falsely claimed her as a dependent in order to obtain a quicker discharge (February 4, 1919). Other items of interest are letters from William Ruland about steam boilers; a postcard depicting a well in Beaune, France; and a letter chastising Van Buskirk and an unidentified committee for failing to recognize the Knights of Columbus volunteers when honoring war veterans. Drafts of Van Buskirk's typed responses are attached to a few of the letters.

This collection is made up of correspondence by Private Harold Cullinane between July 1918 to August 1918 during his time in the 307th Infantry, Company G, in France. Written to his mother and sister, the letters regard his experiences in a French arsenal, people and places during his travel through France, and trench life on Independence Day. The letters have color, printed "American Y.M.C.A," "American Expeditionary Forces," and "Knights of Columbus" letterheads.

This collection contains letters that Sergeant Major Harry L. Latto wrote to his family while serving with the United States Army during World War I. Latto was stationed at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, from around November 1917 to July 1918, and served in France from August 1918 to around May 1919.

This collection (58 items) contains letters that Sergeant Major Harry L. Latto wrote to his family while serving with the United States Army during World War I. Latto was stationed at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, from around November 1917 to July 1918, and served in France from August 1918 to around May 1919.

Harry L. Latto composed 53 letters and postcards to his aunt and to his parents, Henry I. and Sarah S. Latto of Hopewell, New Jersey, between November 14, 1917, and May 9, 1919. He wrote from Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, between November 1917 and July 1918; from Camp Upton, New York, in July 1918; and from France between August 1918 and May 1919. While at Camp Wadsworth, Latto commented on aspects of camp life and thanked his parents for the packages he received. In his letter of November 24, 1917, Latto drew ink maps of the camp and of a mock trench setup used for training exercises. He also discussed his finances, including a life insurance policy, and mentioned his friends. In France, he commented on the progress of the war, questioned whether he would participate in front-line combat, described the French scenery and the local people, and related his experiences in officers' training school. On December 13, 1918, he wrote to his parents about his recent encounter with President Woodrow Wilson. Many of Latto's letters contain enclosures, including military records and orders, bulletins from Brooklyn's Kenilworth Baptist Church, photographs of himself and another soldier in uniform, and newspaper clippings. He enclosed 2 postcards in his letter of July 28, 1918, depicting paintings of Wofford College and soldiers working at Camp Wadsworth.

Harry L. Latto received 5 letters from his parents, 2 of which are enclosed in his letters. Undated items are a letter Henry I. Latto received from Private Samuel S. Carver of Battery D, 5th Field Artillery, concerning the army of occupation in Germany, and a list of unusual place names that Latto encountered while facilitating American soldiers' return to the United States.