The papers include correspondence, a military pay record book, miscellaneous material related to the Twenty-Seventh Division, N.Y., diaries, a sketchbook of poetry and drawings, photographs, postcards, artifacts, and three yearbooks. The correspondence in this collection covers a nine-year period between 1916 and 1925. The letters are separated into three categories: letters received and sent home by David Stuart, letters from specific gentlemen to Lillian, and miscellaneous letters sent to Lillian. The letters sent and received from David Stuart began in 1916 where he was stationed along the Texas and Mexico border with the New York State National Guard, commanded by General John J. Pershing. Several thousand American troops had been sent to the border by President Woodrow Wilson in the wake of revolutionary turmoil that had broken out in Mexico. By 1917, David Stuart's correspondence follows him from "B" Company Headquarters in N.Y. to Camp Wadsworth in Spartanburg, S.C. He reflects on general camp life and training in preparation for combat. Starting in 1918, the return addresses move from Camp Wadsworth, S.C, to Camp Stuart, Va., and finally on to Europe with the American Expeditionary Forces. David Stuart reflects on his frontline experiences concerning trench warfare and the horrors associated with the battlefield as well as his refusal to "sugarcoat" what he witnessed. From 1919-1920, David Stuart's correspondence reflect his time in the south of France. Some of his letters in 1920 are about his time back in New York. In addition, there are several sets of correspondence that are addressed to Lillian Scott. Among these letters in 1918 are several from Horace E. Betts, who served in the American Expeditionary Force in France; letters from John T. Caverner, from 1918-1922, who was aboard the U.S.S. Arizona; and many miscellaneous letters sent to Lillian from gentlemen in several theaters of war from 1917-1918. David Stuart's military pay record book indicates a typical World War I soldier's pay during the years 1918-1919. The Twenty-Seventh Infantry Division miscellaneous materials include a commemorative booklet, "Review and Parade of the Twenty-Seventh Division," dated March 25, 1919; several "Infantry Review" pamphlets covering the years 1927-1937; and an original copy of a publication entitled, "The Gas Attack: Home Again," 1919 edition. The material left by Leo J. Nelback includes three diaries, a military courtesy card, and a small booklet entitled "Our Army and How to Know It." His diaries reflect the life of a soldier during the aftermath of the war; the Armistice was signed before he saw any combat. One diary begins with Nelback aboard the U.S.S. Minnekahda as it heads through the stormy North Atlantic towards Europe. Shortly after arriving in England the troops learn of the Armistice on November 11. Nelback describes his journey to South Hampton, across the English Channel, arriving in La Havre, France on November 13. From then on his diaries reflect routine camp life in several different locations around France. In the meantime, he traveled around the great cities of France, spending much time in Le Mans, Paris, and Marseilles. In April of 1919 however, Nelback is made witness to the horrors of warfare when he visits the area where the Battle of Verdun occurred. Devastation is everywhere; human remains still litter the site where the great battle was fought. In addition, there is a sixteen point military courtesy card that dictates how military personnel should behave at certain events, and how to properly address one another. The small booklet, "Our Army and How to Know It," dated 1918 depicts proper U.S. military dress, medals badges, aircraft, visual signaling as well as the flags of the nations in conflict. The relationship between Nelback and Scott is not known. Likewise, the nature of how the Scott family acquired these items is also not known. There is a booklet of original poetry and sketches in this collection entitled "In the Service." The author of this material is Jack Swetland of the Twenty-Seventh Division, N.Y. A letter accompanying the material is addressed and dedicated to "Charlie Scott." Charlie Scott was a captain in the Twenty-Seventh Infantry Division, N.Y. His relationship to David Stuart and Jack Swetland is not known, other than they all served in the Twenty-Seventh. Although the letter addressed to Charlie is dated 1929, the booklet is dated 1918. It is unclear where this copy was made. Its good condition suggests this copy may not have been made on the front lines. Some sketches include scenes of the Hindenburg Line, no man's land at Ronssoy Somme in France, and Flanders Field in Belgium. Some of the poetry includes "Our Comrades Sleep," "My Croix de Guerre," "Let's Go," "Seeing France in a Box Car," and "In No Man's Land." There are 47 photographs in this collection. There is one 3 x 5 black and white photograph of the deck of the U.S.S. Arizona dated January 17, 1918. The photo was taken by John T. Caverner and given to Lillian Scott in a letter. There is one 8 x 10 black and white photograph depicting David Stuart Scott along with a commentary on his military awards and achievements. There are actually two men featured, and the two photographs as they are presented on the page make it difficult to discern of which whom is David Stuart since no other photograph is available. There are 45 small photographs depicting both Camp Upton, N.Y. and the royal palace at Versailles, France. There are 147 postcards in this collection, the vast majority of which depict various scenes of France such as Le Mans, Marseilles, Chalon Sur Marne, and Chateau Thierry. Among the 10 artifacts in this collection are commemorative medals and badges.
