Finding Aid for the Charles C. Adams First World War correspondence 2017.141.w.r

Andrew Harman
Center for American War Letters Archives
1/28/2019
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu


Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Charles C. Adams First World War correspondence
Creator: Adams, Charles C., LT, b. 1892
source: Davidson, Laura Smith
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.141.w.r
Physical Description: .01 Linear feet (1 folder)
Date: 1918 September 17
Abstract: This collection contains one correspondence from Lieutenant Charles C. Adams, American Expeditionary Force to friends during the First World War.
Language of Material: English .
Container: WWI 6
Container: 14

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Laura Smith Davidson.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Charles C. Adams, American Expeditionary Forces (b. 1892) lived in Longview, Texas and worked as a doctor before and after the First World War. After the war, he lived with his wife Madge Campbell Adams and her parents in Longview and continued to work as a doctor (living with her parents as late as 1930, per the census). He was the family doctor for William Garrett "Uncle Billy" Ingram and his family to whom the letter is addressed.

Preferred Citation

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Charles C. Adams First World War correspondence (2017.141.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 one correspondence from Lt. Charles C. Adams, AEF to William Garrett "Uncle Billy" Ingram, and correspondence from Mattie Lee Ingram Wood (Uncle Billy's daughter and the grandmother of the donor) to a teacher describing the existence of the letter.
The correspondence written from France by Lt. Adams mentions a new draft law that might see "Aubrey" forced to register, but assures Uncle Billy that it will be an educational experience as long as he "gets back not permanently disabled." He also assures him that not as many get killed as one might think.
Lt. Adams also discusses surgery and his work at the front, with some work similar to civilian life (i.e. appendicitis), though he could "cut off an arm or leg blindfolded and in the dark now." He also mentions that he prefers to work at the front because it feels "more like you're at war up here" and he wants to help the men who "face the music." He describes the American soldiers as determined and feeling a sense of duty, and also being humane to the surrendering Germans "as a general rule." "It bewilders the Germans, French and all to see the grit and determination of an American soldier. They can't understand how green untrained, unseasoned soldiers can face the music till he falls and never give an inch..."

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

Correspondence -- World War, 1914-1918
War -- Medical aspects
World War (1914-1918) -- Casualties
World War (1914-1918) -- Prisoners and prisons.
Prisoners of war
Davidson, Laura Smith