Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, 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 Visual Materials. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the number they were given by the donor. A short description of the digitized object follows the file number. The files in this collection are in TIF format.

Digitized papers include the 310th Engineers Christmas Greetings, Archangel Russia, the Midnight Sun, a diary of his service, which he called his Army record, two newspaper clippings and an untitled document dated June 30, 1919. Digitized photographs include: Amos by himself in uniform, Amos with three other soldiers, Firchow Mull and Drew in winter uniform, an unidentified photograph and a digital photograph of a uniform button.

Member of Medical Corps, 310th Engineers, U.S. Army who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes letter and songs relating to the Polar Bear expedition to Archangel.

The papers include a short reminiscence and several songs Bruce composed about the campaign.

Edmund Atkinson was a WWI army veteran who participated in the Polar Bear Expedition in Russia. He later moved to Arizona where he worked in real estate. This collection contains a photograph and letter from Atkinson's time in Russia, as well as two clippings of his obituary.

The Edmund Atkinson papers contain digitial copies of a photograph and letter relating to Atkinson's time in Russia during WWI, and two newspaper clippings of Atkinson's obituary.

Member of Co. H, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes field diary recounting the Polar Bear expedition and photographs of Archangel and members of the expedition.

The collection contains a copy of the field diary of Co. H, Sept. 1918-Apr. 1919, describing the company's service on the Onega front, including fighting at Chekuevo, Sept. 1918; Wazentia[?], Oct. 1918; Turchasovo, Dec. 1918; Chinova, March 1919; and Bolshie Ozerki, March and April 1919. Also included are 34 photos by the American Red Cross, containing group portraits and pictures of base areas, churches, Russian people, soldiers on patrol, and fortifications, all taken in the Onega- Chekuevo area.

Soldier from Bay City, Mich., member of Co. A, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary, correspondence and newspaper clipping relating to his military life with the Polar Bear Expedition.

The papers include a diary, July 1918-Jan. 1919, describing patrolling, foraging for food, and fighting at Shenkursk, Oct. 1918, and Nijni Gora, Jan. 1919. Also included is a letter, Feb. 26, 1920, from T. B. Kernan, expressing his anger at news that the Bolsheviks had taken Archangel, and a roster of the 2d Platoon, Co. A.

Soldier from Hart, Mich., member of Co. C, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes shorthand diary with newspaper clippings attached concerning the activities of the Polar Bear Expedition.

The diary consists of a shorthand original, July 1918-July 1919, and a typescript transcription by the author, and describes fighting at Seltso, Sept. 1918, work at battalion headquarters at Shenkursk, a YMCA Christmas program, the evacuation of Shenkursk, Jan. 1919, and fighting at Vistafka, Jan.-Feb. 1919. The scrapbook includes a clipping from a Shelby, Mich., newspaper containing a letter from Arkins describing his journey from the United States to Russia, the food, and the Russian people; poems about the campaign; a flyer defending British war aims in Russia; and three American Legion Weekly magazines, 1922, containing articles about the campaign by Daniel H. Steele.

Papers of a soldier with the 339th Infantry in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection is divided into three series, Papers, Visual Materials, and Memorabilia.

The Papers Series includes five letters Andrews wrote to family with detailed descriptions of northern Russia and of his thoughts and activities; a notebook containing dates of arrivals and departures, briefly noting place and activity; a postcard written by Andrews dated June 20, 1919 and memorabilia.

The Visual Materials series includes a portrait of Andrews in uniform and at veterans activities. Of the ten photographs in this series, the only dated photograph is the portrait of Andrews in uniform which is dated 1919-1920.

The Memorabilia series includes Andrew's military identification tag, an undated Military Patch, Speak French: A Book for the Soldiers, 1917, and a wallet which includes Andrews' American Legion membership card, 1930-1932; Boy Scouts of America adult member certification, 1933; Knights of Pythias membership dues official receipt, 1928, 1930; and La Société des Quarante Hommes at Huit Chevaux membership card, 1931.

Soldier from Ann Arbor, Mich., member of 337th Field Hospital who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes photographs taken during training at Camp Custer, Michigan and while in Russia; also photos of Michigan National Guard troops at Camp Grayling, Michigan; and photographs of the Nordman family in Ann Arbor, and of the Merchants Delivery Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The album contains ca. 80 photographs, including scenes of men at Camp Custer, on board ship, and on patrol in Russia, an ice-covered river, barracks scenes, pictures of Russian people and scenery, prisoners, warships on a river, and scenes of men in Brest, France. Also included is a large group portrait of the 337th Field Hospital taken at Camp Custer, a snapshot of a 1968 Polar Bear Association ceremony, photos of the Michigan National Guard at Camp Grayling in the 1920s, photos of the Merchants Delivery Company Ann Arbor, and family scenes in Ann Arbor.

Papers of a soldier who served as a cook in the 310th Engineer Regiment, Company B during the American intervention in North Russia, 1918-1920.

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, Postcards. 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 format.

Files include three digitized postcards sent by Cogswell while he was serving in Russia. All three postcards feature maritime scenes of Archangel. The messages on the postcard are dated October 3, October 7, and November 22, 1918.

Soldier from Petoskey, Mich. who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes a letter describing his experiences as sergeant in Co. A, 1st Battalion, 310th Engineers.

This is a photocopy of a newspaper clipping containing a letter from Billeau describing living conditions and weather in Russia.