Domestic Mails During Training in the United States

Transcription

1 52nd Infantry Brigade 104th Infantry Regiment Company B Domestic Mails During Training in the United States The various state regiments were gathered at camps throughout the New England region in late This example is from Camp Bartlett in Westfield, Massachusetts from September 3, The 2 cent Washington stamp from the 1916 series on this cover fulfills the pre-war domestic postal rate. The stationary on this cover is printed on the rear as With the Colors from the National War Work Council, YMCA. The 13 star patriotic flag cancel is from the civilian post office in Westfield, Massachusetts. 13 Star Patriotic Flag Cancel None Patriotic Stationary, With the Colors YMCA

2 Double struck patriotic flag cancel on Soldier s mail sent from Camp Devans in Framingham, MA where many of the infantry units were gathered for training. Patriotic stationary from the national war work council common on items from this training period. 13 Star Patriotic Flag Cancel, double struck, Framingham, MA (Camp Devens) None Patriotic Stationary, With the Colors YMCA

3 51st Artillery Brigade 101st Field Artillery Regiment Battery B Domestic Mails During Training in the United States This cover was posted from Camp Curtis Guild in Boxford, MA. This encampment was the gathering point for artillery units from Massachusetts. It bears a 2 cent Washington stamp paying the rate from Boxford to Boston. This example bear an East Boxford postmark, however covers from this camp are also known postmarked as only from Boxford. The First Massachusetts Field Artillery regiment would be federalized into the 101st Field Artillery of the 26th Division while encamped at Boxford. This cover is written on Chaplains Department stationary of the First Massachusetts Field Artillery, which bears the unit logo and the and the In the Field heading. Single Ring domestic postmark from East Oxford, MA None Patriotic Stationary, First Massachusetts Field Artillery In the Field

4 Domestic Mails During Training in the United States This cover was posted from Camp Lee in Petersburg, West Virginia by a soldier in the West Virginia state guard. These troops would be federalized much like the New England guard units, however at this time no orders were established as to what National Army Division these soldiers would be assigned to. In the end, this soldier would become a member of the Yankee Division as a replacement. Domestic cancel, Ft. Lee, West Virginia None YMCA National War Work Council Patriotic Stationary

5 51 Artillery Regiment 1st Maine Heavy Artillery (101st Trench Mortar Battery) Domestic Mails During Training in the United States This example is from the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery regiment. This group of soldiers moved Maine to Camp Bartlett in Westfield, MA for training. This regiment would federalized on 9/2/1917 and re-designated the 101st Trench Mortar Battery, part of the 51st Field Artillery regiment. This example is franked with 3 cents postage using a green 1c and red 2c Washington stamp from the series. This letter was posted one day after the new War Time Emergency Postal Rate was implemented, changing the domestic rate from 2 cents to 3 cents. The stationary on this example is from the Regimental Union before the unit designation was changed. 13 Star Patriotic Flag Cancel None Patriotic Stationary, 1st Maine Heavy Field Artillery, Milliken Regiment

6 51 Artillery Regiment 1st Maine Heavy Artillery (101st Trench Mortar Battery) This example is again from the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery on their Regimental Union stationary from Camp Bartlett in Westfield, MA. It bears a 3c Washington stamp of the issue and a 10 cent Special Delivery stamp. The 3 cent stamp meets the new War Emergency Rate instituted on 11/2/17. The additional 10 cent Special Delivery stamp pays for the special delivery rate to Portland, ME. The envelope also bears the Fee Claimed by Office of First Address hand stamp. At this time in the war, the Allies were pushing for America to deliver only infantry soldiers. While the 26th Division infantry left the U.S. in September of 1917, the artillery, engineering, and supply troops shipped out in later months. Domestic Mails During Training in the United States Domestic steel die duplex cancellation None Patriotic Stationary, 1st Maine Heavy Field Artillery, Milliken Regiment

7 52st Infantry Brigade 103th Infantry Regiment Transport Overseas This cover was sent from a member of the 103st Infantry Regiment from Southampton, England on October 18, This regiment was transported from New York to Liverpool, England then marched to the military staging camp in Southampton. Here they waited several days before crossing over to France on smaller channel steamers at night when the weather allowed. This cover is franked Soldier s Mail Collect. On Oct. 3 Congress approved free franking from troops overseas. On Oct.20, 1917 Congressional Order #48 went into effect granting free franking to soldiers on active service. Domestic censoring was in place in Britain at the time, and this item was inspected and resealed by Civil Censor #3234 using censor s tape. British cancel, Southampton, 9pm, 10/18/1917 Civil Censor #3234 n/a

8 51st Artillery Brigade 101st Artillery Regiment Battery B Training and Preparations in France These two small covers bear postmarks from post offices in small French towns where the members of the 103rd Artillery, Battery B were quartered. In the early days of the division s training in France there were no convenient local Army Post Offices (APO s). Soldiers made use of the local postal system in order to get their letters home. Covers such as these are scarce because they are known only from early arriving troops to new areas. Later in the war the APO system would be more available and use of the French postal system more fully restricted by the American Army. These towns are in the Coetquitan region of France, near the artillery training centers. B121 French Town Marks from Guer and Beignon Type 3.1, Censor A82, 2nd Lt. Searborough Embossed C.S. Hills & Co., Hartford, Conn.

9 51st Infantry Brigade 102 Infantry Regiment Company B Training and Preparations in France This cover is from October 6, It bears a unique provisional postmark from APO 709. Provisional postmarks were used as the first troops arrived in France and were improvised rubber stamps. This cancel is one of the most unique because of it s light red/pink color. This cancel would only be used for a short time before it was replaced by more long lived steel cancels. This light red/pink postmark is considered rare. A8003 from APO 709 in light pink Type 3.1, Censor A82, 2nd Lt. Searborough Embossed C.S. Hills & Co., Hartford, Conn.

10 51st Infantry Brigade 101 Infantry Regiment Training and Preparations in France This cover is from October 8, It bears a unique provisional postmark from APO 709 in light ping/red. This example is on a bluish American YMCA envelope. The Young Men s Christian Association was very active in France during WW1, supplying the troops with cigarettes, candy, stationary, and facilities to gather and relax while in rear areas. This cover bears the bi-color American YMCA logo. A8003 from APO 709 in light pink Type 3.2, Censor A133, 2nd Lt. Edmunds YC-3 American YMCA Stationary

11 52st Infantry Brigade 104 Infantry Regiment Training and Preparations in France Soldier s Mail On Active Service franking on a patriotic envelope from the 104th Infantry. This cover bears a very early steel die duplex cancel from APO No.9 from November 8, The first APO s in France were numbered starting at the number 1. The increasing number of troops drove up the number of APO s needed. On Sept. 16 the Army decreed that APO numbers be changed to be 700 series numbers, and the low numbers were replaced. For the 26th Division, APO No.9 would become APO 709. This example is a patriotic envelope produced by the Army and Navy Department of the International Committee of the YMCA (in the field). This type of patriotic stationary from the YMCA is common. A Steel Die cancel with no numbers in killer Type 3.3, Censor A239, Lt. Forsberg, 104th Inf. YMCA Stationary

12 51st Infantry Brigade 102 Machine Gun Battalion Company B Training and Preparations in France This cover bears an early steel die duplex cancel from APO No.1 located in St. Nazaire, France. Most of the 51st Infantry Brigade would sail directly to the port of St. Nazaire. The 52nd Infantry Brigade would need to stop at Liverpool, England and encamp at Southampton while awaiting transport. From England they would be moved to either St. Nazaire or Le Harve, depending on the unit. St. Nazaire would become the major port of debarkation for most of the newly American troops in A Steel Die cancel with no numbers in killer Type 3.2, Censor A121, Hurlasy YMCA Stationary, unlisted variety of YC-6 in all red

13 51st Infantry Brigade 102 Infantry Regiment Company K Training and Preparations in France This Soldier s Letter cover bears a clear strike of the steel die cancel of APO709 from December 30, At this time the infantry regiments were billeted around the town of Neufchateau in France in the region of the Vosges mountains. The winter at this time was particularly cold, and the enlisted troops were billeted in barns and attics while barracks were being built. Officers were quartered with French civilians, usually older women who had sons and grandsons in the war. During this period the infantry would drill and participate in instruction with experienced French infantry troops who were taken out of the trenches for a rest period. This cover shows domestic forwarding from Simsbury to North Grandby, Connecticut. A Steel Die cancel, not previously known from APO709 Type 3.2, Censor, Lt. R.L. Bishop n/a

14 51st Infantry Brigade 102 Machine Gun Battalion Company B Training and Preparations in France This cover bears a patriotic flag cancellation from APO 2. This cancel is known as an American Postal Machine Type N 13 Star Flag cancel. This type was used only at large, stationary APOs. The numeral 2 in the flag indicates that this was from APO #2 in Paris. This private was part of a machine gun battalion that would have been sent to special training sites at the end of 1917 for instruction in use of the French Chauchat machine gun and other automatic weapons. This particular envelope is improperly censored. Although it is stamped with a round Type 3.2 censor stamp it does not bear the signature of a designated officer on either the cover or the contents of the envelope. A6001 American Postal Machine type N 13 star flag Type 3.2, Censor, Lt. R.L. Bishop n/a

15 51 Artillery Regiment 101st Trench Mortar Battery (formerly 1st Maine Heavy Artillery) n/a Training and Preparations in France This cover bears an early steel die duplex cancel from APO No.11. This APO was located in Coetquidan, France. This area, near the village of Guer, in Brittany, developed into a large artillery training camp. This camp would be used by many of the American regiments. Here the regiments learned to operate the French 77 mm artillery weapon and the 104mm howitzers. One soldier from the 26th noted that at this time there were lots of fresh undamaged houses and walls for use as targets since the 26th was one of the early users of this facility. This cover is censored by the chaplain of the 103rd Field Artillery, W.J. Farrell. A Steel Die cancel with no numbers in killer Type not clear, Censored by Chaplain Farrell, 103rd F.A.

16 51 Artillery Regiment 102 Field Artillery Battery B Training and Preparations in France This example is a French picture postcard from a American soldier in training at the Coetquidan artillery training facility. It bears the steel die duplex cancel from APO No.11 dated 11/23/1917. This soldier writes that..am going to the city to buy turkeys for Thanksgiving and X-mas for the officer s mess. Lt. Henry Bliss, an officer who traveled through this camp would write home in an separate letter and state that the food was excellent, but the living conditions were terrible. The dirt floors of the barracks they stayed in would turn to sticky mud when not frozen A Steel Die cancel with no numbers in killer Type 3.2, Censor # A239, Lt. Guff Picture postcard

17 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Infantry Regiment Company E Training and Preparations in France Company E of the 101st infantry. This bears the early APO No. 9 cancel for the 26th Division (alter to become APO 709). This APO was located in Neufchateau, France. In December of 1917, when this cover was posted, conditions were difficult for the 26th. Rather than training for war, most of the time the soldiers were working to support themselves. Each day details had to be sent into the forests in order to fell live trees to be used for firewood in the barracks. The mud and cold weather combined to bring the soldier s strength down and make the susceptible to the influenza epidemic. This letter is censored by the unit s military chaplain. This cancellation shows an outline of the size of the entire duplex device. A Steel Die cancel with no numbers in killer Type 3.3, Censor, Lt. R.E. Triste, Military Chaplain Blue paper

18 51st Artillery Brigade 102 Field Artillery Battery D Training and Preparations in France This Soldier s Letter envelope was canceled in Paris on December 29, It is struck with the American Postal Machine Type N 13 Star Flag cancel typical of this large fixed APO. This strike has the year in the round part of the cancel. This particular example has the more typical square base censor type of cancel that was used at these fixed locations. These differ from the round censor markings issued to officers of units to allow then to censor their own command s mail. Base censors were issued these square censor marking. Blue paper A6001 American Postal Machines Type N 13 star flag Type 4.1, Censor number 9

19 51st Infantry Brigade 101 Infantry Regiment Company M Training and Preparations in France This Soldier s Letter envelope was canceled in Paris on January 6,1917 at APO number 2. It is struck with the American Postal Machine Type N 13 Star Flag cancel typical of this large fixed APO. This particular marking is missing the year portion of the date inside the circular portion of the cancel. This device was only used without the date for only 2 weeks in early 1918, making these examples unique. This cover bears a local censor marking from an officer in the regiment rather than the more typical square base censor hand stamp. n/a A6002 American Postal Machines Type N 13 star flag, with missing year Type 3.1, Censor number A135

20 51st Artillery Brigade 101st Field Artillery Battery B Training and Preparations in France This second example of the American Postal Machines Type N 13 star flag cancel also has the year missing from the cancel. This cover was postmarked on January 14, On this example the censor stamp bears the more typical square base censor hand stamp from censor number 5. This is probably due to it s originating from an artillery unit rather than an infantry unit. At this stage of the war the artillery units were stationed closer to the city of Paris while at the training school at Coetequitan. n/a A6002 American Postal Machines Type N 13 star flag, with missing year Type 4.1 Base Censor #5

21 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Infantry Regiment Headquarters Company Training and Preparations in France This post card illustrates from the 101st infantry illustrates the use of YMCA post cards by the 26th Division. This card is an On Active Service with the American Expeditionary Force YMCA postcard. The reverse of the card is canceled with what is probably an APO709 duplex cancel from December 27, The reverse has portions for the return address for the soldier, but it also bears an interesting printed note: THIS POST-CARD FOR U.S. MAILS ONLY NOT TO BE MAILED IN FRENCH POST OFFICE Soldiers were strongly cautioned not to use the French Postal System for their correspondence, although some examples are known from other units. A steel die duplex cancel, probably from APO709 Type 3.3, Censor A281, Lt. Williams YMCA Post Card

22 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Infantry Regiment Company F Training and Preparations in France This unusual postcard was probably mailed in a package to a soldier in France or may have been carried over to France by a soldier. It was printed in the U.S. before the 3 cent Emergency War Rate was issued, and is most likely part of a booklet of postcards. It bears a clear APO709 cancel from January 3 of 1918 while the division was in training at Neufchateau. In the text of this message the soldier thanks his friends for kindly sending him a sweater at Framingham. This is a reference to Camp Devens in Framingham, where the unit was first gathered in the USA. A steel die duplex cancel from APO 709 Type 3.3, Censor Friendship Check Book Post Card

23 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Engineers Company E Training and Preparations in France When the 26th arrived in France, the 101st Engineers were detached from the division and sent to Rolampont, France. Here they were assigned to build barracks and facilities for the 42nd Rainbow Division. This division was still being gathered in the USA and shipped to France.This letter was sent from APO 706, which was then located in Chaumont, Haute-Marne at the General Headquarters of the AEF. Shortly after this letter was posted the unit would be reassigned back to the 26th and returned to Neufchateau before the division would be ordered into the trenches in an active sector. Although the censor mark falls off the envelope, it bears wonderful detail of the eight star eagle device and is of an unusual blue color. A steel die duplex cancel from APO 706 Censored by Capt. E. Bush n/a

24 52nd Infantry Brigade 104th Infantry Regiment Company E Training and Preparations in France This Sergeant's letter bears an indistinct or missing APO number in the cancel. In the text of this letter the author, a sergeant talks of getting leave to Paris after completing a 5 week course at an Army School. He talks of how much he enjoyed Paris. He also discusses how one of the boys got a package of corn to pop from home and went into a peasant s house to pop it. The old man and women watched him as he held it over the open fire place and when it started popping they backed off and started jabbering away in great style - never seen anything like it before. He had a hard job getting them to eat any of it! This cover also bears an interesting light blue type 3.3censor cancel from Lt. Blair of the 104th Infantry. A steel die duplex Type 3.3 Censor Cancel n/a

25 51nd Infantry Brigade 101st Engineers Company E This cover from the 101st Engineers on February 2, It bears a single ring postmark from APO709. This little used canceling device was made in France before the steel die duplex canceling devices were issued. Steel die duplex devices were in place by this date, however this unit had been traveling which may account for this devices continued use. On January 22, 1918 the 101st Engineers were marched to Freville from Doulaincort in order to rejoin the 26th Division. The content of this letter talks of Freville being the dirtiest part of France. Manure was piled outside the front doors of the houses. This was considered a sign of wealth. This wealth was quickly moved to the fields by the soldiers where it did the most good. A3001 Single Ring Postmark from APO 709 Type 3.2 Censor Cancel A213 n/a Training and Preparations in France

26 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Ammunition Train 6th Company In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector This item is from a soldier from the 101st Ammunition Train. Early in the Great War the ammunition train consisted almost entirely of horse drawn wagons found locally in France. The lack of trucks heavy equipment made it difficult for any of the 26th to receive supplies. In early 1918 more and more Ford trucks began arriving from America at the French ports of Le Harve and Brest. These were hard to come by as every American unit in France was in desperate need of supplies. The Paris postmark and base censor cancel is typical of units that would be moving ammunition to the field artillery units in training at Coetaqutain. A6001 American Postal Machines Type N 13 star flag Type 4.1 Base Censor #2, Capt. McKinsy n/a

27 51st Field Artillery Brigade 101st Field Artillery Regiment Battery B In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector This unusual cover bears a round single ring cancel from what is thought to be from a French APO or YMCA installation. The stationary the content was written on reveals that it is from Le Foyer Du Soldat or the Franco Americaine Union. This type of cover from an American unit is has not been documented in the literature as yet, but is probably a rare item. The content dates the cover at February 16, 1918 which was the period just after the 26th Division took up places in the trenches for the first time. During this period they were receiving instruction from the French Army and were developing a close friendship which would last throughout the war. Le Foyer Du Soldat Postmark from #173 none Le Foyer Du Soldat Union Franco Americaine YMCA stationary

28 51st Infantry Brigade 102nd Infantry Regiment Company D In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector This cover is postmarked from the large APO#2 in Paris and bears the typical square base censor cancel. At this time the 26th Infantry would be preparing to move from training to it s first active combat area in the Chamine De Dames area. This envelope bears an indistinct and as yet unidentified marking to the right of the APO cancel. Further research is needed to identify this marking. n/a A6001 American Postal Machines Type N 13 star flag Type 4.1 Base Censor #2, Capt. McKinsy

29 While the 26th division was completing it s training and moving into the active trenches, the draft in the United States was in full swing. The first draftees were selected on July 20, 1917 and after a short period of training in the USA, they were sent overseas. Eligible males in Rhode Island would have received notifications such as these to report for physical examinations. These are dated near war s end.

30 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Infantry Regiment Company E In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector This unusual fully typed envelope from the AEF bears and early rubber stamp cancel from APO 731. These early rubber stamp cancels are known as the improvised type and were replaced by the steel die devices. APO 731 was a new post office for the 26th in that it was only opened up on February 11, 1918 in Neufchateau, probably to replace APO 709 which would be moving forward with the 26th Division. A1111 rubber stamp cancel, APO 731 Type 3.2, Censor A425 1st Lt. Tedd Friendship Check Book Post Card

31 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Ammunition Train 2nd Motor Company In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector This is an example of a French Armies of the Republic post card. These printed for use by the French soldiers but were available to the Allies. These cards would have been purchased locally and used by Americans. The 26th division has moved into the Chamine Des Dames sector by this date of March 10, This was considered a quiet sector by the French and the Germans at this time. Before the arrival of the Americans, both armies would move their most tired regiments to this area to allow them to rest. The Americans, anxious to get into the fight, would find this arrangement strange and would stir things up in this area by constantly harassing the Germans on the other side of no man s land. A2011 steel die duplex cancel, APO 709 Type 3.2, Censor A425 1st Lt. Regan Friendship Check Book Post Card

32 51st Infantry Brigade 102 Infantry Regiment Machine Gun Company In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector Somewhere in France franked letter from a machine gunner in the trenches. This example is interesting in that there is no country listed in the mailing address. It apparently arrived safely with no address corrections in the U.S. A2011 steel die duplex cancel, APO 709 Type 3.2, Censor A286 1st Lt. Bruce Friendship Check Book Post Card

33 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Infantry Regiment 101st Machine Gun Battalion In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector Solider s Mail O.A.S. franked letter from a machine gunner in the 101st Machine Gun Battalion. The O.A.S. in the franking stands for On Active Service. Franking of this type was a less common way of marking envelopes at this time in the war. n/a A2011 steel die duplex cancel, APO 709 Type 3.2, Censor A481 1st Lt. Mills

34 52nd Infantry Brigade 103rd Infantry Regiment 103rd Infantry Band In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector This French propoganda postcard from the 26th depicts victory in 1918 (something not expected by the Allies at the time). The French maid is reassuring the French soldier (poulis) that the allies are marching forward. This may have been a propaganda image for the French army, who were very disheartened at the start of 1918 after years of war and a period of military dissertions. The Stars and Stripes are shown in front of the column, followed by the British Union Jack and then the French flag. The column is lead by a mounted cavalry soldier, which was just about obsolete by A2011 steel die duplex cancel, APO 709 Type 3.2, Censor A481 1st Lt. Mills n/a

35 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Engineering Regiment Company F In the Trenches: Chamine De Dames Sector This French propaganda postcard from the 101st Engineers depicts a US soldier bearing a flag and leading a British officer and a French soldier. In this setting again the US soldier is leading the other Allies. At this time many French looked to the US as a source of renewed faith in victory. There was a great deal of frustration however with the slow pace of American involvement in the war. Both the British and French pushed heavily for the use of American soldiers as replacements for their own armies, while General Pershing fought on stubbornly for an independent American Army. In March the 101st Engineers were working around Pont Couleuve digging deep dugouts, artillery emplacements,and trenches. A2011 steel die duplex cancel, APO 709 Type 3.2, Censor, Lt. E. Wilage n/a

36 51st Artillery Brigade 101st Field Artillery Regiment In the Trenches: Toul Sector This is an example of the American Expeditionary Forces Field Service Post Card sent in April, In late March and early April the 26th was moved to the Toul area. These Field Service cards were available from the Quartermasters at various locations. These were quite strict as to what information was to be put on these cards. This card was mailed by a member of the 101st Field Artillery. It has an interesting inverted year steel in the APO 709 cancel. This inverted date was previously unknown in the A2011 style cancel from APO 709. This card was also censored by the unit physician, a captain of the artillery unit. A2011 steel die duplex cancel, APO 709, inverted year in cancel Type 3.2, Censor, Capt. Salesbee, MD AEF Field Service Postcard

37 52st Artillery Brigade 103rd Field Artillery Regiment Battery B In the Trenches: Toul Sector American Soldier s Mail OAS franked letter from Battery B of the 103rd Field Artillery. This example is from APO 701 at St. Nazaire. At first glance this is a mystery since the 103rd F.A. was in combat in a different sector. The content of the letter reveals that he was recovering from wounds:...last night the doctor said that my recovery has been marvolously rapid due to my extra strong constitution, and that instead of being S.C.D d (Surgeon s Certificate of Disability ), he thinks I can rejoin my battery pretty soon. Isnt that good! Not that I don t want to come home, I do, but not until the party is over and settled satisfactorily. So now, I guess, I can go up and do my bit and comeback with the bunch when we all come. A6011 American Postal Machines Type N from APO 701 Type 3.2, Censor American YMCA stationary in all red design.

38 52st Infantry Brigade 103rd Infantry Regiment Company G In the Trenches: Toul Sector This cover from a corporal in the 103rd Infantry bears a wonderfully clear cancel from APO 709. Clear strikes such as these are rare on mail from the AEF. The 103rd Infantry left New York in September of 1917 and traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia before joining up with a convoy bound for Europe. It arrived in Liverpool, where the troops then marched to Southampton. They finally arrived in Le Harve, France on October 17, 1917 and were quickly shifted to Neufchateau. From there they traveled to the Chamine Des Dames area and then to the Toul sector. A2011 cancel from APO 709 Type 3, Censor by Lt. R.E. Fuss, U.S. Infantry American YMCA stationary in all red design.

39 104th Ambulance Company In the Trenches: Toul Sector This is a unique cover from a captain of the 104th Ambulance Company of the 26th Yankee Division. It is franked Officer s Mail and is also self censored by the author. It bears an incomplete APO 709 postmark from April 12, The 26th was raised with it s own medical and sanitary personnel before leaving for France. These men usually enlisted from specific parent institutions such as Harvard University and had specialized training. Ambulance drivers often faced the most difficult conditions driving back and forth to the front over roads that were being shelled by the enemy. n/a A2011 cancel from APO 709 Type 3.1 censor A237, Captain F. Blair

40 51st Artillery Brigade 101st Artillery Regiment Headquarters Company In the Trenches: Toul Sector This cover from APO 709 from May 17, 1918 is an example of soldiers from the 26th Division using yet another type of stationary. This is the black printed Salvation Army type noted from the American E.F., France. The Salvation Army served diligently by offering the soldiers coffee and fresh donuts. They were renowned for working close to the front. The contents of the letter is written on stationary bearing the heading: THE SALVATION ARMY AMERICAN SECTION ON DUTY WITH THE AMERICAN TROOPS, FRANCE A2011 cancel from APO 709 Type 3.3 censor A144, Captain F. Dewit Black Printed Salvation Army

41 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Field Artillery Regiment Battery E In the Trenches: Toul Sector This cover is a second variation of the On Active Service with the American Expeditionary Force post card from the YMCA. This type of card has fewer information on the back for the soldier s return address and has a different YMCA logo, classified as YC-3. By this time in the war the 101st Field Artillery would have been in the thick of the action for most of 1918, constantly supporting infantry patrols and exchanging artillery fire with the German batteries. This postcard bears a manuscript censor mark rather than a hand stamp. n/a A2011 cancel from APO 709 Manuscript Censor Mark

42 51st Infantry Brigade 102nd Infantry Regiment Company L In the Trenches: Toul Sector This envelope from the 102nd Infantry bears a Paris APO cancel from late June of The month of June in 1918 was a terrible time for the Allies, as the Germans had launched a huge offensive known as the second Battle of the Marne. The 26th itself had also recently participated in several key battles and raids, both by the US and by the Germans. This base censor marking in bright red from censor #6. It also bears an additional censor marking in the top right corner as Examined by No. 50. The literature indicates that this cover was postmark in Paris but censored in Britain. n/a A6001 American Postal Machines type N 13 star flag Type 4.1 Base Censor #6 and Type 4.2 Examined by #50 hand stamp

43 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Infantry Regiment Company K In the Trenches: Toul Sector This envelope was canceled from APO 709 in June, 1918 from a member of Company K of the 101st Infantry. The content of the envelope reveals that the letter was written at Base Hospital #5 and is written to My Dear Little School Boy. Corporal Vettes writes Some time ago our nurse Miss McGee received a blanket which was through your kindness, and I assure you that the boys thank you for same. Attached to it was your letter, which I am taking the pleasure of answering, dated December 3, In this example, a schoolboy from Minneapolis, Minnesota has donated a blanket that would be used by a hospitalized solder from Massachusetts. A2011 Steel Die Duplex Cancel from APO 709 Type 3.2 n/a

44 51st Infantry Brigade 102nd Infantry Regiment Company D In the Trenches: Toul Sector This Letter from Home is to a soldier that was found to be missing in battle. It left Bridgeport, Ct., on 7/7/18 and was probably first marked with missing in pencil by H.R. Saltel, Commanding Officer. Two missing hand stamps were later applied, probably by the Statistical Division which applied their square hand stamp. It was returned by the AEF and received at the Chelsea Terminal on May 23, Finally it was sent to Camp Devens to determine a final forwarding address, since this is where the soldier would have been discharged. In the end it was forwarded back to the Central Division in North River, New York after almost a year and several thousand miles of traveling. Domestic postmark from Bridgeport, Conn. n/a n/a

45 52nd Infantry Brigade 103rd Infantry Regiment 103rd Machine Gun Company In the Trenches: Chateau Thierry Battle As the Allies battled the Germans during the second battle of the Marne, the 26th Division was being rushed from the Toul Sector to the area north of Paris to help defend the city. As they took up positions Chateau-Thierry they had no idea that there efforts to stop the German advance would earn them the nickname The Saviors of Paris. This British made postcard was sent from a soldier from the 103rd Machine Gun company. The front of the card depicts a clean cut doughboy comforting an elderly French woman. The message on the card is a short message back to New Hampshire posted from APO 709. A2001 postmark from APO709 Type 3.2 censor, Lt. Moson British made picture postcard

46 51st Artillery Brigade 102nd Artillery Regiment Battery B In the Trenches: Ainse - Marne Offensive On July 14th 1918 the Allies counter-attacked the Germans north of Paris and began a drive that would eventually end the war. It would become known as the Ainse-Marne offensive and would involve all of the 26th division and the bulk of the newly formed First American Army. This cover is written on the red version of the American YMCA stationary was posted in Paris at APO 2. In all likely-hood it was placed in the mail earlier, since the 102nd Artillery would be constantly moving forward for most of the last part of July. The cover has been censored at the base censor in Britain and is marked with the square base censor hand stamp and an additional censor mark from censor # 64. A6001 American Postal Machines N type 13 star flag Type 4.1 and type 4.2 n/a

47 52nd Infantry Brigade 103rd Infantry Regiment Company E This weary cover fought hard to follow it s soldier back home. The soldier apparently survived and the letter was returned to it s sender. The cover itself left Derby, Vt on August 29, 1918 and would be sent back to Derby, Vermont sometime after May 21, Base Hospital #9 No Record at APO 762 Base Hospital #30 APO #9 (manuscript) APO 723 APO 738 2nd Division, Le Mans n/a In the Trenches: Ainse - Marne Offensive Multiple APO s and Base Hospital cancels n/a

48 51st Infantry Brigade 101st Infantry Regiment Company K In the Trenches: St. Mihiel Battle Thousands of men from the 26th Division died in WW1. This cover bears testimony to a private who was probably a replacement soldier for the 101st Infantry Regiment. The letter was posted from California in September. The letter was then forwarded via a blue manuscript to the Statistical Division where it was marked with the Deceased Verified with a hand stamp. A Regulating Dept manuscript note indicates that the death was verified personally. A 1st Lt. E.J. Price then initialed the cover. Finally the rear of the cover has an APO709 postmark of the double ring variety from the Military Postal Express Service which took over the mails for the AEF. This was probably as a receiving marking, dated November 6, Domestic San Francisco, CA duplex cancel n/a n/a

49 In the Trenches: Second Battle of the Marne As casualties mounted more men were needed for the 26th. This cover sent from Camp Shelby, MI back to Clay County, West Virginia. This soldier was in training at this camp as a member of the 150th State Infantry. These soldiers would be federalized into a replacement battalion. This particular soldier ended up with the Yankee Division near the end of the war. n/a Domestic San Francisco, CA duplex cancel n/a

50 Unit Unknown Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home This cover illustrates the use of the double ring series of postmarks from APO 709 on covers from the 26th division. The Military Postal Express Service took over the movement of mails in May With the large number of US troops in France at this time, this is one of the more common type of markings from the AEF. n/a A4001 Double Ring US Military Postal Express Type 3.2, 1st Lt. Carpenter

51 Unit Unknown (prob. 103rd Infantry) Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home This cover is was postmark one week after the armistice was signed. It illustrates a military postal express cancel from APO702 as well as a common type of censor marking. The square base censor stamp is used in combination with a round numbered hand stamp. These small round hand stamps were assigned to specific censors at a base censoring installation (in this case probably Liverpool, England). Both hand stamps were applied in combination to identify the censoring base and the individual censor. The 26th Division would not move into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. At the Armistice the division was so thoroughly depleted that it was sent to a rest area and then moved to seaports to await transport home. A7003 Universal Stamping Machine Square Base Censor # 16, Round Base cancel #149 American YMCA Soldier s Mail stationary

52 104th Sanitary Train 104th Ambulance Company Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home This is officers mail cover that was self censored by a Captain in the ambulance service during the war. It bears a clear strike of the Military Postal Express Service from APO 709 from a date after the armistice was signed and a round censor cancel. This cover also shows forwarding in manuscript to a local address in Providence, Rhode Island. The content of this item reveals that this soldier had just visited Domremy in the area of the birthplace of Joan of Arc. He states she had a vision which gave her an inspiration and destined her to be the savior of France in the historic days while in their memories the stars and stripes stand today for ever to remain symbolic of the second savior of France A4001 Double Ring steel die cancel from APO709 Type 3.2 unit censor #248, Captain Blair n/a

53 Following the armistice postcards flooded back to the US from the 26th. One of these postmarks bears the common APO 702 Paris postmark while the other bears the less common Army Post Office MEPS cancel from APO 709. A7101 Universal Stamping Machine Square Base Censor # 16, Round Base cancel #149 American YMCA Soldier s Mail stationary

54 101st Infantry Regiment (prob.) Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home Wounded soldiers often spent the the joyful period after the armistice confined to hospitals. This YMCA postcard was mailed by a private from British APO #3 at Base Hospital #5 at Boulonge. Base hospital #5 was created from Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, and this unit is often referred to as the Harvard unit due to it s large number of Harvard members. This private from W. Somerville probably felt at right at home. The cover bears the British APO #3 roller cancel from December, It also bears a British censor marking. The card itself is the On Active Service variety from the YMCA. British APO #3 posted from Base Hospital #5 British square base censor handstamp YMCA On Active Service post card

55 In the Trenches: St. Mihiel Battle YMCA Christmas card created for the soldiers to send back home. Since the war ended in November, this card was a bit premature, however the battle scene depicted illustrates the last stages of the war. By this time, the Yankee Division was fighting with French Reneau tanks, although they were very few in number. These tanks were lightly armored and unreliable but they contributed to the Allied victory. No US manufactured tanks were used in WW1. n/a Domestic San Francisco, CA duplex cancel n/a

56 52nd Field Artillery Brigade 103rd Field Artillery Battery A Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home French picture post card (Carte Postale) from The Chapel of the Hospital for Disabled Soldiers at Napoleon s Tomb. This card bears an interesting use of a private hand stamp censor marking from Chaplain Wm.J. Farrell of the 103rd Field Artillery. These private markings went against the order that the mails must be censored and signed by an officer. During this time after the armistice this was probably a great time saver for the chaplain. The card itself bears an APO 709 postmark from March 18, This would be near the closing date of APO 709 in France. n/a A4101 Double Ring cancel from APO709 Type 3 censor stamp with private censor postmark from Chaplain 103rd F.A.

57 51st Artillery Brigade 101st Field Artillery Regiment Headquarters Company Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home Another late usage from the 709 Army Post Office before it s closing. This cover bears the double ring cancel used near the end of this APO s life. This cover is on the Knights of Columbus Overseas Service stationary. The Knights of Columbus was very active with the troops along the lines of the YMCA. Unique on this cover is the symbols used on the return address. Under the unit designation this soldier added not only stripes indicating his rank at the time but also the symbol of the 26th Yankee Division, commonly called the YD. This symbol was first used in WW1 and would stay with the division forever. A4101 Double Ring cancel from APO709 Type 3.2 unit censor #248, Captain Blair Knights of Columbus Overseas Service stationary

58 Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home A real puzzler! This cover is was written on Soldier s Club stationary which bears the Directed by Chaplains U.S. Army logo. It s return address states that it was posted from APO 703. The content of the letter states that this soldier was recently assigned to the 28th Division of the US Army. What is puzzling is the fairly distinct APO 709 cancel on this soldier s mail. The literature indicates that APO 709 was closed in March of 1919, yet this cover bears an April 30th date. This may be the last known cancel from APO 709, and the APO 709 canceling device may have been used at APO 703 after the 709 facility closed! A2011 postmark from APO 709 from April 30, 1919 (oldest known cover?) Type 3 unit censor Solider s Club stationary with black printed flag

59 51st Field Artillery Brigade 101st Ammunition Train Company B Allied Victory: Rest and Movement Home Well Done, Boys America Greets You Ocean Transport Service YMCA post card used by a member of the 101st Field Artillery on his arrival at the port of Boston. These card were unique in that they allowed the soldiers to note the vessel they sailed on and their unit. Note the printed card is by default a Soldier s Mail card if mailed on the ship other wise it required 2 cents postage. The 2 cent postage shows that the Emergency War Rate increase to 3 cents had been repealed by this time. none none Ocean Transport Service safe arrival postcard.

60 These final covers bear testimony to the devotion and camaraderie of the men of the 26th. Members of the 103rd Machine Gun Battalion would create a Last Man s Club on their voyage home in Each member in tern would care for special bottle of wine given to the unit by the French Military government. Postal History The final Society living Designations member would drink a toast to his departed friends and the club would close. These members have all gone west (a term used to indicate a WW1 soldier s death), leaving only these covers as reminders of their service to duty and to liberty.