Finding Aid for the William Bleyer First World War correspondence collection 2018.151.w.r

Andrew Harman
Center for American War Letters Archives
10/31/2018
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu


Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: William Bleyer First World War correspondence collection
source: Monroe, Keith
source: Bleyer, William
Identifier/Call Number: 2018.151.w.r
Physical Description: 0.05 Linear feet (1 folder)
Date: 1919
Abstract: This collection contains two correspondence from an unknown soldier in the Metropolitan Hotel in Washington, D.C. after the First World War. The correspondence describes photographs that pertained to the soldier's time overseas.
Physical Description: Note that there are page numbers missing in the sequence. Page '2' of the "Death Valley" letter is not missing but misnumbered.
Language of Material: English .
Container: WWI 3
Container: 17
Container: 1

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Keith Monroe and William Bleyer.

Biographical / Historical

The author of these letters, presumably written at the same time as part of one correspondence, served in France with the 55th Brigade, 28th Infantry Division during the First World War. It is unclear if he worked with a medical detachment, but there are many references to ambulances and life-saving, even mentioning being in charge of life-saving while en route to France aboard the "Carmania." The 28th Division fought through France in many battles and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Specific details in this correspondence mentions fighting the "Bosche," a slang for Germans, with detailed locations such as Chateau Thierry, the Church of Lucy-le-Bocage, Exermont, Varennes, Boureuilles, L'Aire River, Mont Sec, Woevre Plain, Neuville in the Argonne (Neuvilly-en-Argonne), Metz, Verdun, and the most important action described by the soldier near the Vesle River at Fismes and Fismette.
The latter locations were part of the Oise-Aisne Offensive in eastern France and are discussed in the second letter, referring to a photograph entitled "Death Valley" or "Artillery Valley."
Of interest in the descriptions are "baby tanks," "rifle grenades," armistice, artillery fire, a mention of General John J. Pershing presenting him with the Silver Star, and the railroads.

Custodial History

This collection was bought at auction by William Bleyer and given to Keith Monroe to donate to the CAWL Archives.

Preferred Citation

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], William Bleyer First World War correspondence collection (2018.151.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, 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.

Content Description

This collection contains two letters, undated, from an unknown soldier during the First World War. They are written on stationery from the Metropolitan Hotel in Washington, D.C. and describe photographs from the war and the author's experiences with the 28th Division in those locations. Also included are one photocopied map of the Oise-Aisne Offensive provided by the WWI Museum.
Though the photographs are not included in this collection, some are described with detail and specific locations are given in many cases, as well as specific experiences that earned the author the right to wear a Silver Star Citation and a recommendation for the Distinguished Service Cross.

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

War letters -- Art
Arts, American
Art and war
Art
World War (1914-1918)
Armistice Day
Monroe, Keith
Bleyer, William