Collections

This collection is made up of letters that Private First Class Earl Seitzinger wrote to his mother while serving with the United States Army's 8th Infantry Regiment in El Paso, Texas, from July 1916-January 1917. He wrote about border tensions between the United States and Mexico, military activities at Camp Stewart, and leisure activities.

This collection is primarily made up of 28 letters that Private First Class Earl Seitzinger wrote to his mother while serving with the United States Army's 8th Infantry Regiment in El Paso, Texas, from July 21, 1916-January 6, 1917. The remaining items are a photographic portrait of an unidentified soldier, housed in a folded paper frame, and a real photo postcard showing bodies being burned on a Veracruz street.

Seitzinger wrote most frequently about his daily experiences in Texas, including military and leisure activities. The soldiers drilled, built roads, and went on hikes, such as a 4-day trek that Seitzinger described in his letter of September 29, 1916. He occasionally commented on political tensions between the United States and Mexico, reporting on exchanges of fire and his belief that the United States soldiers could easily overpower Mexican troops. Seitzinger enjoyed the warm weather and considered the possibility of moving west permanently to work on a railroad, though he intended to return to Pennsylvania to be near his mother. He and other soldiers frequently encountered rattlesnakes and other Texas wildlife. Seitzinger's letter of January 1, 1917, regards New Year's celebrations at Fort Bliss, which included firing the fort's guns. Some of the letters were written on stationery from the Young Men's Christian Association; one was written on the back of a printed advertisement for El Paso.

This collection consists of the contents of a scrapbook kept by Effie M. Conroy of the Bronx, New York, who documented the army service of her son, Edwin F. Conroy, a member of the 114th Infantry Regiment during World War I. The scrapbook contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, and ephemera related to Conroy, to the 114th Infantry Regiment, and to the 29th "Blue and Gray" Division.

This collection consists of a 54-page scrapbook and 24 related items kept by Effie M. Conroy of the Bronx, New York, who documented the army service of her son Edwin, a member of the 114th Infantry Regiment during World War I. The first pages of the scrapbook mainly hold newspaper clippings, including a collection of humorous anecdotes from Conroy's time working as an attaché at the West Farms Court and later articles documenting the 114th Infantry Regiment and the 29th Division. These clippings, though undated, concern the infantry's service throughout and just after the war, and one item from the Bronx Home News relates Effie's thoughts upon hearing that Edwin had been wounded (p. 13). Several other clippings contain poetry, including a sheet of contributions by soldiers (p. 16), and one is a comic strip about service at the front lines (p. 19).

Correspondence includes a printed letter from Corporal Jos. H. Shea describing his journey to France onboard the SS Princess Matoika (p. 3), a printed letter from General John J. Pershing thanking soldiers for their service (p. 5), and many letters that Conroy wrote to his mother while in training at Camp McClellan, Alabama. Between May and June 1918, Conroy described his railroad journeys to the base, his life at the camp, and his journey to his unit's embarkation point at Newport News, Virginia. While in training, he discussed his daily activities and his anticipated voyage overseas. He wrote one letter on YMCA stationery with a letterhead composed of photographs (p. 29), and two of his postcards depict scenes from Camp McClellan. Though most of his letters date to his time in training, Conroy wrote later letters to Anna Gernand, with whom he shared his impressions of destruction near the front (p. 53), and to his aunt and mother.

Most ephemera items are printed programs, though the collection also holds a pamphlet of songs sung by the American Expeditionary Forces (p. 53) and a medal citation for service in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (loose ephemera). One program relates to event honoring General Ferdinand Foch in 1921 (loose ephemera).

This collection is comprised of 51 letters that 2nd Lieutenant Erwin A. Thomas wrote to his family in Pontiac and Brown City, Michigan, while serving in Europe during World War I. Thomas, a member of a machine gun company in the 125th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division, discussed his experiences in the trenches, offered advice to his younger brother, and described his travels in France, Luxembourg, and Germany during and after the war.

This collection contains 51 letters (plus additional enclosed letters) that 2nd Lieutenant Erwin A. Thomas wrote to his family in Pontiac and Brown City, Michigan, while he served in Europe during World War I. Thomas, a member of a machine gun company in the 125th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division, discussed his experiences in the trenches, offered advice to his younger brother, and described his travels through France, Luxembourg, and Germany during and after the war. Also included are 2 letters that Erwin's cousin, Gideon E. Foster, wrote to the Thomas family, and a reprinted newspaper article.

Erwin wrote one letter to his parents, John C. and Lucy Ann Foster Thomas, from Fort Custer, Michigan, in September 1917, and sent his remaining letters from Europe between March 6, 1918, and May 1, 1919. In mid- to late 1918, Thomas shared his impressions of France and of military life. He spent significant time in active combat in the trenches along the Western Front, and described the effects of constant artillery fire. On September 2, 1918, he mentioned his participation in the Oise-Aisne offensive, and in his postwar letters, he occasionally commented on his trench experiences in further detail. Thomas also reassured his parents that he frequently read his copy of the New Testament, from which he sought comfort during his breaks from the frontline fighting. While in France, he visited Quentin Roosevelt's grave (August 11, 1918). Thomas often signed his letters as "a true soldier boy," and took pride in his military accomplishments, which included awards of merit.

After the war, he wrote about the armistice, peace negotiations, and his experiences in Germany. He provided his impressions of some of the freed parts of France and of the area around the Rhine River, where he was stationed throughout early 1919. In his letters to his brother Walter, he encouraged him to continue his violin lessons.

The collection also contains two letters from Private Gideon E. Foster to John and Lucy Thomas, his aunt and uncle, about his service with Battery A of the 330th Field Artillery, which did not see active combat on the front (November 14, 1918). Erwin Thomas also sent his parents a typed copy of a New York Herald article entitled "Three Cities Wait to Welcome Thirty-Second Division" (February 3, 1919).

This collection is made up of 65 letters that Esther A. Bates of Omro, Wisconsin, received during World War I. Fred W. Moldenhauer, her future husband, wrote the vast majority of the letters while serving with the 331st Field Artillery Regiment at army camps from September 1917-September 1918, and after his return to the United States in February 1919.

This collection is made up of 65 letters that Esther A. Bates of Omro, Wisconsin, received during World War I. Fred W. Moldenhauer, her future husband, wrote the majority of the letters while serving with the 331st Field Artillery Regiment at army camps from September 1917-September 1918, and after his return to the United States in February 1919.

Private Fred W. Moldenhauer wrote over 50 letters to Esther A. Bates between September 1917 and September 1918. He was primarily stationed at Camp Grant, Illinois, and Camp Robinson, Wisconsin, where he reported on many aspects of camp life and on mutual acquaintances, including those who were transferred to other camps. Moldenhauer often expressed his love for Bates, and he occasionally wrote loving messages in Morse code in his later letters. In one letter, he recounted his visit to a group of African Americans who lived near Camp Grant (November 13, 1917). Moldenhauer wrote 4 letters from Camp Merritt, New Jersey, and 2 letters from Camp Grant, Illinois, in February 1919, following his return from France. Among other subjects, he discussed his return voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Many of Moldenhauer's letters are directed to Bates, care of West Hall at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Three other soldiers wrote letters to Esther A. Bates during the war. Ervin W. Steinert, a member of the 341st Infantry Regiment, Company K, and the 311th Field Signal Battalion, wrote about life at Camp Grant, Illinois. Among his correspondence is a printed Christmas card with the logo of the 311th Field Signal Battalion ([December 22, 1917]). Other writers were L. W. Lurd of the 128th Machine Gun Company, who described the country around Camp MacArthur, Texas, and a man named "Ernest," who anticipated his transfer from Camp Grant, Illinois.

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.

The Griffin family papers contain the letters of a family from Sempronius, New York, and are comprised primarily of correspondence from Lavalette and Reynolds Griffin while serving with the 75th New York Volunteers during the Civil War.

The Griffin family papers contain the letters of the Griffin Family of Sempronius, New York, and are comprised primarily of correspondence from Lavalette and Reynolds Griffin while serving with the 75th New York Volunteers during the Civil War. The collection is composed of 20 letters, 4 miscellaneous compositions, 2 newspaper clippings, and 16 photographs and negatives.

The Correspondence series contains 20 letters, four of which date before the war. The earliest letter is from a group of men, including Daniel Griffin, to their landlord requesting that their credit be extended, because of a bad harvest (1799). The next two are between Adnah H. Griffin and Ephraim, Louisa and Jane Griffin, and concern family issues (1835). Gideon Wales (resident of Pike Pond, [New Hampshire]) wrote a letter to Jennie L. McConnell, in which he discussed many of his relative's struggles with mental illness.

The Civil War letters are from brothers Lavalette and Reynolds Griffin and are primarily addressed to their parents, Adnah H. Griffin and Jane Reynolds Griffin, and their sisters Loretta and Jennie Griffith. The letters were written from several camps in Virginia and Louisiana, and from on board the ship Daniel Webster. The bulk of the letters are in a 103-page letterbook dated October 1861-March 1863. These letters were likely copied by a relative around 1900. Both brothers were competent writers and discussed typical soldier gripes regarding food, pay, bad officers, and the boredom of the army. In a letter from December 30, 1862, Lavalette wrote: "If you want to fix a man so that he does not know anything in this world, nor care a d__m for the next, just put him to soldiering, and keep him shut up in camp for one year."

Seven separate Civil War letters are from Lavalette Griffin, dated April 1862-February 1865, and addressed to his father and sister Loretta ("Rett"). In these, he wrote favorably of the New York Soldiers' Depot, which he found well managed with many amenities for the troops. In an April 1864 letter, he recounted a trip to the capital while stationed at Camp Distribution, Virginia. In the next letter, he spoke highly of General Grant: "One thing is in our favor Since General Grant has assumed command there is not so many shoulder straps lying round Washington and there papers are examined as closely as the meanest private -- There is scarcely a day that there is not some dismissals and there aught to be more[.]" Even after the loss of his brother and his own illnesses, Lavalette found a way to keep his good humor through the war.

The lone post-war letter (1868) is an interesting item from Jennie Griffin to her brother-in-law Silas McConnell, in which she complained about the difference between salaries for male and female teachers in New York.

The Miscellaneous series has 13 items, which include two newspaper clippings; 4 pages of family birth records (1780-1878) from the family Bible; two journals by Mary Jane Wilson, which are entitled Compositions Written by Mary Jane Wilson During the Summer of 1861, A present to her Teacher Jennie Griffin (14 pages), and The Scholar's Casket, A Journal of Councils and Companion for the Young, January 1862, containing amateur essays such as Being Honest, Fault Finding, and Courage; two essays entitled On the Death of Lois Jane Griffin and On the Death of Polly Griffin, Written for her Mother (3 pages); and a receipt for groceries from Syracuse, New York, 1915.

This collection contains 11 photographs and modern prints of 5 negatives of the Griffin family. The original photographs are located in the Clements Library Graphics Division.

This collection consists primarily of letters that Rohloff and Philip Hacker wrote to their parents and siblings while serving in the 2nd and 5th Michigan Infantry Regiments during the Civil War. Also included are two of Rohloff Hacker's diaries, letters by additional Michigan soldiers and a female aid worker, and letters that William Hacker received from his brother Karl in Neustrelitz, Germany, from 1877-1880.

This collection consists of letters that Rohloff and Philip Hacker wrote while serving in the 2nd and 5th Michigan Infantry Regiments during the Civil War. The collection also includes two of Rohloff Hacker's diaries, letters by additional Michigan soldiers and a female aid worker, and letters that William Hacker received from his brother Karl in Neustrelitz, Germany, from 1877-1880.

Among the most valuable letters in the collection are Rohloff's written during the summer of 1861. These provide an excellent sense of life in the camps defending Washington, going beyond descriptions of the routine of camp life to discussions of morale, officers, and the preparedness of soldiers on both sides. Rohloff describes the equipment and uniforms issued to his Regiment -- late and in poor condition -- in great detail, and their involvement in skirmishes and in the 1st Battle of Bull Run. He displayed an unusual zeal in soldiering, remarking that he did not hesitate in firing at Confederate soldiers, even the first time, and making a number of caustic remarks about Confederate soldiers. The amusing rivalry he and Philip carried on through their correspondence with home over their regiments and relations with friends and women decreased after the First Battle of Bull Run, and seems to have ended altogether after the Peninsular Campaign, when both their moods turned darker and more serious. The brothers both wrote informative letters during the Peninsular Campaign, particularly during the siege of Yorktown, the Battle of Williamsburg, and the Seven Days' Battles. The letters describing the Battle of Fredericksburg are also absorbing, particularly Philip's account of his own wounding. Somehow, through their experiences, which included a number of disastrous defeats at the hand of the enemy, both brothers unwaveringly maintained their faith in their country and their religion.

Rohloff and Philip wrote clearly and succinctly, and both were sensitive to the larger issues of the conflict and to the effect of war on the participants and civilians. Both commented occasionally on strategy and the leadership of the Union Army. Philip's letters are somewhat more polished than Rohloff's. The majority of the brothers' letters were written to family members, with most addressed to their father and mother, William and Barbara Woll Hacker, their younger siblings, Serena and Theodore, or their sister and brother-in-law Augusta and Alpheus Macomber in various combinations. Rohloff also wrote more than 30 letters to his former employers, E.F. Albright and C. Thomson, or Mrs. Albright.

The collection contains letters of several other Michigan soldiers, most of who served with the Hackers, or were friends of the Hacker family from Brighton. Among these are four letters from Peter Smith (Co. G, 2nd Michigan), reminiscing about his friendship with Rohloff and describing visits to his grave; five from Newton J. Kirk (Co. E, 26th Michigan Infantry); four from Capt. John C. Boughton (Co. G, 2nd Michigan), two letters of Edward R. Bliss (4th Michigan Infantry), and six letters written in February and March, 1863, by W. H. Pratt, a Sergeant in the hospital in which Philip Hacker was dying (probably William H. Pratt, Co. E, 26th Michigan Infantry). Another group of additional correspondence consists of 16 letters that Julia Susan Wheelock wrote about her work for the Michigan Soldiers' Relief Association in Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia between 1863 and 1866. Wheelock is also mentioned in several of the soldier's letters. In 1870, Wheelock published a memoir of her war-time experiences, The Boys in White; the Experience of a Hospital Agent in and around Washington.

The collection also contains a group of 5 letters that Karl Hacker wrote to William Hacker, his brother, from Neustrelitz, Germany, between September 16, 1877, and February 12, 1880. The letters are written in German schrift. Hacker's correspondence concerns local news and events, including several festivals; changes in Neustrelitz and Germany since William left for the United States; and his work as a construction supervisor. He provided updates about his health, and also discussed news of family members and friends in the United States and Germany.

The collection also contains The Congregational Psalmist: A Collection of Psalm Tunes, three soldier's bibles, two belonging Rohloff C. Hacker and one from Alexander Reuben that also has Philip W. Hacker's name in it, a leather wallet with Philip Hacker and William A. Ferguson's name on it, and a sewn cloth case. Miscellaneous items such as newspaper clippings, stamps, hunting licenses, currency, 4 photographs, and photographic negatives are also included. A small selection of 20th century family correspondence about the Hacker brothers supplement the collection.

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.