Victor Fender papers, 1918-1920.

ArchivalResource

Fender, Victor, 1895-1985. Victor Fender papers, 1918-1920.

Victor Fender papers, 1918-1920.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/154206827

Consisting chiefly of six World War I letters addressed by Victor Fender from Camp Jackson (Columbia, S.C.), to Miss Iva Kaser (Baltic, Ohio), with information on training and troop activities, arrival and departure of trainees, adjustment to the Southern climate, outbreak of Spanish influenza, and speculation over his discharge or transfer elsewhere. Letter, 30 Aug. [19]18, mentioning African-American women doing laundry from troops, noting the presence of German submarine prisoners and U.S. Army airplanes, "There are plenty of airships flying around here.... If the[y] fly right overhead they look exactly like a bird and make a buzzing noise like a clover huller," and reporting that Amish soldiers at the Depot Brigade were shaved and had their hair cut and were working in the kitchen and stables. Two letters, 20 Sept. and 9 Oct. 1918, refer to the outbreak of Spanish influenza, which Fender described as something like cold and sore throat. A number of barracks at Camp Jackson had been turned into hospitals, one barrack in his regiment housed convalescing soldiers returning from the hospital to the battery, and Fender was detailed to take them for health walks twice a day. Also includes letter, 4 Nov. 1918, notes that troops had received news the previous night of the surrender of Austria-Hungary and reaction in camp, "There was lots of hollering all over camp last night"; letter, 15 Dec. 1918, complaining that South Carolinians and those living within 350 miles from camp had already been sent home and mentioning the receipt of letters from his brother Irvin, who was serving abroad; and incomplete letter, 23 Dec. 1918, referring to attempts to make Camp Jackson a permanent camp, noting that the military installation had boosted the economy of Columbia, S.C., but complaining of being overcharged. A single undated letter penned on "YMCA 'With the Colors'" letterhead by Irvin Fender and addressed to Mrs. Lucinda Fender (Baltic, Ohio), was written aboard ship to let his family know that he was doing well and asking whether Victor had gone to camp yet.

8 items.

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries