Guide to the Captain William H. Fowler Papers M2098
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2016
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Captain William H. Fowler papers
creator:
Fowler, William H., Captain
Identifier/Call Number: M2098
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
(3 boxes, 1 flat box)
Date (inclusive): circa 1917-1931
Abstract: Collection of correspondence and photographs from William H. Fowler, who worked with the railroad in Russia and Northern China
around the time of the Bolshevik Revolution.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased by Stanford University, Special Collections in 2015.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Captain William H. Fowler Papers (M2098). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives,
Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Content Description
The materials consist of 185 handwritten letters and approximately 150-180 photographs taken by Fowler, as well as a few items
of ephemera, including postcards, telegrams, War Department letters, and material related to the railway. The letters are
largely sent from Harbin, China and Siberia, as well as a few from the United States. They are mostly to Fowler's wife, with
whom he corresponded from 1917 to 1920, detailing for her his life in China and Russia. He describes the local populations,
the conditions of the towns, cultural traits, politics, and the American forces in the areas. The Bolshevik revolution is
mentioned, as well as a railroad strike in 1919. Most of the photographs are annotated with comments, and subjects include
the conditions in Manchuria and Siberia, trains in Manchuria, Russian refugees, Chinese railroad workers, prisoners of war,
breadlines, Russian solders marching shortly after the revolution, and American soldiers.
Biographical / Historical
William H. Fowler was a civilian recruited to serve with the American Engineering Corps division of The Russian Railroad Service
Corps (RRSC) American Expeditionary Force Siberia (in this case Manchuria). The American Expeditionary Forces were involved
in the Russian Civil War in Vladivostok during World War I, and after the October Revolution from 1918 to 1920. The RRSC consisted
of former U.S. civilian railway workers who were organized into a military-style unit with appropriate rank to operate railroads
in support of Allied forces. This force supported the Russian Provisional Government In northwestern Russia. American Transportation
Corps troops maintained the railways, but in Siberia, the RRSC carried out railway operations as well as maintenance. [Information
from dealer description.]
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Harbin (China) -- Description and travel
Siberia (Russia) -- Description and travel
Fowler, William H., Captain
box 1, folder 2
Correspondence February - May 1918
box 1, folder 5
Correspondence August 1918
box 1, folder 6
Correspondence September 1918
box 1, folder 7
Correspondence October 1918
box 1, folder 8
Correspondence November 1918
box 1, folder 9
Correspondence December 1918
box 1, folder 10
Correspondence January 1919
box 1, folder 11
Correspondence February 1919
box 1, folder 12
Correspondence March 1919
box 2, folder 1
Correspondence April 1919
box 2, folder 5
Correspondence August 1919
box 2, folder 6
Correspondence September 1919
box 2, folder 7
Correspondence October 1919
box 2, folder 8
Correspondence November 1919
box 2, folder 9
Correspondence December 1919
box 3, folder 8
Railway Mechanical Engineer November, 1924
Box 4
Photo album
Physical Description: Please note this album is extremely fragile and many of the prints are almost loose. Also, due to prior water exposure many
of the prints are faded or otherwise damaged.
