Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

The collection is without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Cecil E. Cather World War I Letters to Ella May Erdman, Accession # 11510, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was purchased by the Library on April 19, 1999 from Tom Hurlbut of Whitney Point, New York. There are no restrictions.

Scope and Content Information

There are ca. thirty-five letters, July 1918 through September 1919, from Cecil E. Cather of the 314th Engineering, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, to Ella May Erdman. Letters written during July 1918 to April 1919 were chiefly from places in Germany following the Armistice. Prior to the Armistice, a letter of July 11th discusses France and the French people; and, a letter of October 15th mentions Germany getting trounced, Bulgaria requesting an Armistice for peace, John Sousa and violin music, and Billie Burke. Following the Armistice, Cather writes from Rhineland and other places in Germany. On December 8th, Cather comments on the reception of the Americans by the Germans; the Allies rules and regulations; the French, Belgian, and German peoples; conditions in Germany, including the scarcity of essentials and high prices. A letter of January 24th concerns the bad conditions in Germany and assistance provided by the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Knights of Columbus. Cather also gives his opinion on suffragists. A letter of January 26th describes an old castle in Kyllburg and discusses activities such as seeing moving pictures and vaudeville. Letters of March 10th and 18th discuss the beauty of the Rheine and the Rhine River and some of the local legends; the respect for the hard work of the women of the Red Cross; trading certain items with German prisoners; and, A. E. F. activities and entertainment. On April 29th, Cather writes that General [John Joseph] Pershing reviewed the division and conferred honors.

In June 1919, Cather writes several letters from War Camp Community Service, Camp Devens, Massachusetts, concerning discharging troops, the deserted camp, R. O. T. C. Infantry Camp being there for the summer, canoeing, community activities, and discusses a local scandal about an interracial couple and the intolerance of people. Letters of July 1919, from the War Department Committee on Education and Special Training, Boston, mention the old "Blue Laws," taking Spanish, the enthusiastic greeting for a group of "casual soldiers," and carnival oddities. A letter of August 26th, from Camp Humphreys, Virginia, mentions the war workers from the different government buildings and hopes of being discharged since the ratification of the peace treaty. Letters of September 7th and 15th, from War Camp Community Service in Washington, D.C., discuss the city being a residential town with plenty of amusement, the parade of the 1st Division next Wednesday, and the great welcome received by General Pershing.