Finding Aid for the Charles Eggeling First World War correspondence 2013.079.w.rd
Maria Yanez
Center for American War Letters Archives
8/19/2014
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Charles Eggeling First World War correspondence
Identifier/Call Number: 2013.079.w.rd
Identifier/Call Number: 169
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
(6 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1918 October 27 - 1919 April 19
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence to and from Pvt. Charles Eggeling, USA during the First World War. Also included are
one diary, military documents, photographs, and ephemera from his time in France.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWI 1
Container: 1-7
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Irene F. Eggeling.
This collection is arranged chronologically by material type:
- Series 1, Diary, 1918-1919
- Series 2, Correspondence from Charles Eggeling to Irene Donnelly, 1918-1919
- Series 3, Correspondence to Charles Eggling, 1918-1919
- Series 4, Documents
- Series 5, Photographs
- Series 6, Postcards, 1918-1919
- Series 7, Ephemera, 1919-1942
Private Charles Eggeling USA
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Charles Eggeling First World War correspondence (2013.079.w.r), Center for
American War Letters, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection is available online in Chapman University's Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/ceggeling_collection/.
This collection contains personal correspondence to and from Private Charles Eggeling, American Expeditionary Force during
the First World War. Eggeling served in France with the 111th Machine Gun Battallion. Also included are a diary, documents,
photographs and other ephemera belonging to Eggeling at the time of his service.
Letters come from different individuals, including friends and family. The bulk of the collection of letters originate from
Charles Eggeling to Irene Donnelly.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1914-1918)
Correspondence -- World War, 1914-1918
World War (1914-1918) -- France
Eggeling, Irene
Eggeling, Charles
Donnelly, Irene
box WWI 1, folder 1
Series 1, Diary 3136 1918-1919
Physical Description: 0.04 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains one diary kept by Pvt. Charles Eggeling, AEF during the First World War. The first five pages of the
diary contain small notes, names, and address. The next pages document Eggeling's travels by sea, and he would often note
if the seas were "calm". Eggeling noted his date of discharge on May 28, 1919. There is a dried flower resting in the center
of the book. The book itself is bound in brown leather and the pages are line-ruled. The diary is 2 3/4" x 4 3/4".
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1914-1918) -- Personal Narratives.
box WWI 1, folder 2
Series 2, Correspondence from Charles Eggeling to Irene Donnelly 3137 1918-1919
Physical Description: 0.01 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence from Pvt. Charles Eggeling, AEF to Miss Irene M. Donnelly during the First World War.
The folder contains five cards and four letters. Subjects of conversation include the daily events of Eggeling's life, his
hospital visits due to an ankle injury, and places he visited. In most letters, Eggeling referred to Donnelly as "my darling
sweetheart".
Of interest are souvenir cards from France that have embroidered designs on them.
box WWI 1, folder 3
Series 3, Correspondence to Charles Eggeling 3147 1918-1919
Physical Description: 0.01 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence from Irene Donnelly and Eggeling family members to Pvt. Charles Eggeling, AEF during the
First World War. The folder contains an assortment of material including one birthday card, holiday cards, other postcards,
and eight letters. Subjects of conversation include the daily lives of Donnelly and Eggeling's family members as well as holiday
gatherings.
box WWI 1, folder 4
Series 4, Documents 3138
Physical Description: 0.045 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains the six military documents pertaining to the service of Pvt. Charles Eggeling, AEF during the First World
War. Of note is a facsimile of honorable discharge notice from the United States Army. Eggeling was discharged from the 111th
Machine Gun Battalion on August 6, 1919. Other documents include an order of induction, identification, and veterans membership
cards.
box WWI 1, folder 5
Series 5, Photographs 3139
Physical Description: 0.025 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains eleven black and white photographs collected by Pvt. Charles Eggeling, AEF during the First World War.
Most of the photographs are dated on the back. Of interest is a photo of a soldier wearing a gas mask. One photo has been
kept in a yellow and orange plastic frame.
box WWI 1, folder 6
Series 6, Postcards 3346 1918-1919
Physical Description: 0.025 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
The series contains fifteen unused post cards collected by Pvt. Charles Eggeling, AEF while in France during the First World
War. The postcards depict various locations and landmarks throughout France.
box WWI 1, folder 7
Series 7, Ephemera 3140 1919-1942
Physical Description: 0.045 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This folder contains military ephemera collected by Pvt. Charles Eggeling, AEF and the Eggeling family during the First and
Second World Wars. Of particular interest are war ration books. Two of these books still have war ration stamps attached.
The names on these books are Charles Eggeling, Irene Frances Eggeling, and Irene Marie Eggeling. All are dated May 5, 1942.
This series also includes one tickets to the Mayor's Committee of Welcome to the Home-Coming Troops. This ticket is dated
April 21, 1919.