Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

This collection is comprised of 3 letters that Private Herbert C. Linton wrote to his mother, Katherine B. Linton, while serving in the United States Army during World War I.

This collection is comprised of 3 letters (11 pages) that Private Herbert C. Linton wrote to his mother, Katherine B. Linton, while serving in the United States Army during World War I. Linton commented primarily on military life, the possibility of returning home, and his movements within France. He also wrote about his brother Keith, who was a member of the United States Armed Forces during the war. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information.

This collection is made up of six letters written by Private Kirwin to his mother while serving in France between August 1918 and December 1919 with the American Expeditionary Forces. He mentioned Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Armistice of November 11, 1918, and he utilized colored, printed "Y.M.C.A," "Salvation Army," or "American Red Cross" stationery.

This diary of Corporal John H. Harris concerns his service with the United States Army's 145th Infantry Regiment in France and Belgium during World War I. The volume also contains lists of soldiers' equipment, battles in which Harris participated, and members in his first squad.

The 37-page diary of Corporal John H. Harris concerns his service with the United States Army's 145th Infantry Regiment in France and Belgium during World War I. The volume also contains lists of soldiers' equipment, the battles in which Harris participated, and members of his first squad.

Harris began his diary with a history of his service from his enlistment in the American Expeditionary Forces through his transfer to the 145th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Division. Between June 6 and June 15, 1918, he briefly commented on his travels in the United States, and he mentioned an extended training exercise for trench warfare on June 8, 1918 (p. 2). After sailing to France onboard the Leviathan in mid-June 1918, he described his experiences in active service in France and Belgium. As he traveled, Harris consistently recorded the names of towns and villages and noted that his unit continued to train throughout their time abroad.

Harris often fought in the trenches, and wrote about his experiences during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (September 25-31, 1918, pp. 9-12). The 145th Infantry traveled through France and Belgium after the armistice, and Harris occasionally commented on his accommodations and meals. In early March 1919, he recorded his distaste for camp life near Brest, France (March 5 and March 16, 1919, pp. 27-28). Harris embarked for the United States on the Great Northern on March 26, 1919, and recalled some incidents during the journey, which included a small fire and a strong storm. After his arrival, Harris was stationed near New York City and in Ohio. He wrote his final entry on April 23, 1919, after his discharge and arrival in Akron, Ohio.

• List of battles in with Corporal John H. Harris participated during World War I (1 page)
• Inventory of United States Army soldiers' clothing (1 page)
• List of items that John H. Harris carried in his pack during World War I (3 pages)
• Illustration showing the layout of soldier's pack during an inspection near Le Mans, France, ca. 1919 (1 page)
• List of men in Corporal John H. Harris's first squad (1 page)

This collection primarily consists of letters written by Captain Joseph Carson during his service with the United States Army's Ordnance Department in France from 1918 to 1919. Additional material includes letters written to Carson by his father, Hampton L. Carson, and by several of his friends. Carson wrote about army life in France during the last stages of the war and in the months immediately following the Armistice.

This collection primarily consists of letters written by Captain Joseph Carson during his service with the United States Army's Ordnance Department in France from 1918 to 1919. The first item in the collection is "Excerpts from Dr. Willard's Letter" (three typed pages) dated June 3, 1917, in which the doctor described a visit to London that included tours of several military hospitals. Carson's letters, written between his arrival in France in September 1918 and his departure for the United States in February 1919, are addressed to his mother, father, wife, and daughter, Sarah Whelen Carson (a single letter, dated November 6, 1918). He described the scenery and wrote of his work in the army, far behind the front lines. On November 6, 1918, he drew a small map of his location at a military post, and in a separate letter of the same date enclosed a photograph. In mid-November, he reflected on the armistice and on local celebrations, and looked forward to returning home early the following year. His post-armistice letters are dated from Tours, France, and include discussions of courts martial held in mid-January 1919. In addition to his outgoing correspondence, the collection holds a handful of incoming letters Carson received from his father, Hampton Lawrence Carson, and from other acquaintances, as well as a typed poem entitled "Richard C. Nevil" (November 30, 1918). Also included is a postcard to Carson's wife from Edward P. Hamilton of the 306th Field Artillery Regiment, which depicts the Palace of Fontainebleau (January 3, 1918).

The Julius Bromet papers are made up of letters, postcards, and a diary that Bromet wrote while serving with the 305th Field Hospital (later the 305th Ambulance Company) during World War I. In his letters to his parents and brother, Bromet described his experiences at Camp Upton, New York, and in France; his diary pertains to his time in France during and after the war. The collection has four photographs.

The Julius Bromet papers are contains 145 letters and postcards and a diary that Bromet wrote while serving with the 305th Field Hospital (later the 305th Ambulance Company) at Camp Upton, New York, and in France during and after World War I. The collection also has 4 photographs: 2 photographs attached to the letter of December 7, 1917, and 2 in a separate series.

The Correspondence series consists of 145 letters and from Julius Bromet to his parents, Solomon and Annie Bromet; his brother, Louis Bromet; and "Minnie and Baby;" all letters were sent to his father's home in Brooklyn, New York. From March 7, 1917, to March 14, 1917, and again from December 9, 1917, to April 2, 1918, he wrote from Camp Upton on Long Island, New York, about his training and equipment. He also related rumors of his unit's upcoming transfer to Europe. After a brief period with the 152nd Depot Brigade in December 1917, Bromet returned to the 305th Field Hospital, which traveled to France via England in April 1918. In one 10-page letter from April 1918, he described his transatlantic voyage.

After his arrival in France around April 21, 1918, Bromet wrote about aspects of life near the front, including his account of witnessing a German and French "aeroplane fight" (July 26, 1918), and reported rumors that an armistice was imminent. After the war, he was stationed near Chaumont and Solesmes, France, where he described the scenery and conveyed the pleasures of sleep unhindered by the sounds of airplane raids and machine guns (November 12, 1918), though he admitted having an eerie feeling about the silence (November 14, 1918). He left France in May 1919. Two photographs of a soldier are enclosed in his letter of December 5, 1918. Illustrated postcards of various French scenes; new recruits at Camp Upton, New York (4 items, December 4, 1917); and several uniformed soldiers (3 items, undated). Bromet's co-workers sent him a postcard wishing him a safe return from the war (December 7, 1917).

Julius S. Bromet kept a Diary (53 pages) between April 6, 1918, and May 7, 1919, during his service in France. In daily entries, he noted the weather and interesting occurrences, such as a burial at sea during the voyage to France (April 18, 1918) and a close encounter with falling shrapnel (May 9, 1918). He also witnessed occasional air raids and unfavorably compared U.S. Army quarters to British quarters. He wrote his final entry just after arriving in Hoboken, New Jersey, on May 7, 1919, and expected to be mustered out within the next two days; he wrote down "Thurs May 8" but did not complete the entry. The diary also contains addresses and a list of letters that Bromet mailed home.

The Photographs series includes a portrait of a soldier, which is housed in a frame with the word "Welcome," illustrations of American flags, and the date (May 10, 1919), and a picture of a man and three women in a domestic environment. Two additional photographs are attached to the letter of December 5, 1918.

This collection is made up of eight letters written by Private/Corporal Lauren Bray while in France with the American Expeditionary Forces, to friends and family in Kansas City, Missouri, April 1918-October 1919. The letters regard family business, daily life as a clerk in the office of the Assistant Provost Marshal, and cities in France. The letters bear color, printed "American Y.M.C.A," "American Expeditionary Forces," and "American Red Cross" letterheads.

This collection is made up of eight letters written by Private/Corporal Lauren Bray while in France with the American Expeditionary Forces, to friends and family in Kansas City, Missouri, April 1918-October 1919. The letters regard family business, daily life as a clerk in the office of the Assistant Provost Marshal, and cities in France. Private Bray often emphasized that receiving mail from loved ones was a great morale boost in the daily life of soldiers. The letters bear color, printed "American Y.M.C.A," "American Expeditionary Forces," and "American Red Cross" letterheads.

This collection is a series of four letters written by Louis Bevens during his time at Camp MacArthur in Waco, Texas, in November 1918. He addressed them to family members in Kansas City, Missouri, including his mother, brother, and sister-in-law. Bevens wrote about rheumatic pain in his leg, making it home for Christmas dinner, and need for employment. The letters have colored, printed "Knights of Columbus War Activities" letterheads.

The Louis E. Bevens letters are a series of four letters written by Bevens during his time at Camp MacArthur in Waco, Texas, in November 1918. He addressed them to family members in Kansas City, Missouri, including his mother, brother, and sister-in-law. Bevens wrote about rheumatic pain in his leg, making it home for Christmas dinner, and need for employment. The letters have colored, printed "Knights of Columbus War Activities" letterheads.

This collection is comprised of 15 letters Noah F. Perry sent to Mary Jane Wade of Buntyn, Tennessee (now part of Memphis), while he served with a United States Army band unit at Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson), South Carolina, between February and June 1918. Perry discussed several aspects of military life, such as his relationships with other soldiers, the possibility of being sent to France, and his experiences while in training.

This collection is comprised of 15 letters Noah F. Perry sent to Mary Jane Wade of Buntyn, Tennessee, while he served with a United States Army band unit at Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson), South Carolina, between February and June 1918. Perry discussed his relationships with other soldiers, the possibility of being sent to France, and his experiences while in training, among other topics.

Perry wrote 6 letters in February 1918 and 8 between May and June 1918, as well as 1 undated letter. All are addressed to Mary Jane Wade, whom Perry regarded as a close friend. Perry wrote about Camp Jackson and about several facets of military life, such as fluctuations in the camp's population as men transferred between regiments and between military installations. Several letters provide Perry's opinions on fellow soldiers and officers, as well as his views on an African American regiment that entered the camp in late February. He often mentioned his frequent visits to nearby Columbia, South Carolina, where he often attended the theater and occasionally performed with his band unit. Other letters discuss training exercises, such as Perry's experiences with gas and machine guns. Though Perry did not provide the number of his regiment, he mentioned the 316th, 317th, and 318th Infantry Regiments, and in one letter provided his negative opinion of National Guard units (February 10, 1918).

This collection is made up of 2nd Lieut. Oliver H. Beymer's letters to Miss Myrtle Springer of Scotia, New York, while he served in the 12th Aero Squadron on the Western Front during World War I. Subjects of his letters include training, daily army life, and expenses. Beymer freely expressed his affection to Miss Myrtle Springer, addressing her as "darling," "dearest," and "sweetheart." Some letters have two-color, printed "American Y.M.C.A." and "American Expeditionary Forces" letterheads.

This collection is made up of six letters from 2nd Lieut. Oliver H. Beymer's to Miss Myrtle Springer of Scotia, New York, August 23, 1918-October 18, 1918, and April 25, 1919. During this time, Beymer served in the 12th Aero Squadron on the Western Front. Subjects of his letters include training, daily army life, and expenses. Beymer freely expressed his affection to Miss Myrtle Springer, addressing her as "darling," "dearest," and "sweetheart." Some letters have two-color, printed "American Y.M.C.A." and "American Expeditionary Forces" letterheads.

This collection consists of letters that Lieutenant Randal H. Crouse wrote to his mother, Lillie M. Crouse, while serving with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Crouse described his experiences at Camp Hancock, Georgia, and in France, where he often commented on life near the front. The collection also has postcards, documents, photographs, and newspaper clippings.

This collection contains 85 letters that Lieutenant Randal H. Crouse wrote to his mother, Lillie M. Crouse, while serving with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The collection also has 4 letters by other writers, 9 postcards, 4 documents, 15 photographs, and 29 newspaper clippings (including 7 duplicates) related to Crouse's time in the military.

The Correspondence series (89 items) comprises the bulk of the collection and consists mostly of the letters that Randal Crouse sent to his divorced mother, Lillie M. Crouse, from Camp Hancock, Georgia, and France between September 1917 and April 1919. At Camp Hancock, he discussed the reorganization of his Pennsylvania National Guard unit into the 112th Infantry Regiment and mentioned several specific training exercises, including some involving gas masks (January 27, 1918). He described other aspects of camp and military life and, upon his arrival in France around May 1918, provided his impressions of the scenery and people, as well as descriptions of his experiences at the front. Soon after his arrival, he reported hearing nearby artillery fire and shared his awe at the multicultural makeup of the allied forces, which included soldiers from a number of foreign countries (May 27, 1918). Though he remained optimistic about the war's imminent end, Crouse mentioned his participation in some difficult fighting, credited the Germans with putting up a strong resistance, and described airplane crashes he had witnessed (August 17, 1918). By October 30, 1918, he expressed his relief at being transferred to a safer area following weeks of hard fighting, and on November 3, 1918, he described a one-day visit to Paris.

Following the signing of the Armistice, Crouse revealed more details about military actions he had participated in, including movements near Metz, and expressed his surprise upon hearing of the large scale of the influenza epidemic, from which the war had distracted him. In his letter of December 4, 1918, he copied several pages from a captured German diary that described the advance on Paris in September 1914; the letter also encloses a printed map of a portion of the Western Front near the end of the war. Throughout the spring of 1919, Crouse continued to discuss his travels through France and his anticipation of a return to the United States.

The series has 4 letters by other correspondents, including 3 by Lillie M. Crouse, who wrote a letter to her son while he attended a summer camp (July 13, 1908), prematurely reported Germany's surrender (November 7, 1918), and expressed her wish for military volunteers to displace active service veterans (March 31, 1919). Jordy L. Stafer, a soldier, also wrote a letter to Lillie M. Crouse, whom he knew from York (October 9, 1918).

The Postcards and Greeting Card series (7 items) contains mail that Randal Crouse sent to his mother during the war. The postcards show scenery in Germany and in Glasgow, Scotland, and one is a photographic postcard of Crouse in uniform. The Christmas card has a drawing of an American soldier reading with a young girl.

Documents (4 items) include a memorandum by W. H. Hay commending the service of the 28th Division of the United States Army, as well as 2 items related to the allotment of Randal Crouse's pay to his mother. Also present is a photographic card identifying Crouse as a member of the American Expeditionary Forces.

The Photographs series (15 items) has 6 snapshots of soldiers, including 2 taken in front of a cannon; 2 larger formal portraits of Randal H. Crouse; and 7 small snapshots of a soldier smoking a cigar and an old European building.

Newspaper clippings (29 items) primarily concern the actions of the 28th Division of the United States Army, including several reprinted letters that Randal Crouse sent to his mother while serving overseas, taken from the Gazette and Daily (York, Pa.) and other papers. Seven of the items are duplicates.