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The Lost Generation: World War I Poetry: World War I Artifacts

U.S. Army Garrison Cap

World War I, U.S. Army garrison cap. From the Historical Collection, donated by Ponder Lee Brown (74. 1. 48).

Brown army cap, on it a bronze button with the letters US and the number 67.
Side of a brown army cap, seen from the top.

U.S. Army Brodie Helmet

World War I, U.S. Army Brodie helmet. From the Historical Collection, donated by Mrs. Olive M. Johnson (G. 301).

Circular bronze army helmet, old and rusted.
Side view of the top of a circular bronze army helmet, old and rusted.
View of the inside of a circular bronze army helmet, old and rusted. It is lined with black, a brown strap seen on it.

U.S. Army Officer’s Visor Hat

World War I, U.S. Army officer’s visor hat. From the Historical Collection (46. 40).

A circular green army cap, a brown visor attached to it.
Front view of a circular green army cap, a brown visor attached to it.

U.S. Officer’s Campaign Hat

World War I, U.S. officer’s campaign hat. From the Historical Collections (2200).

Light brown cowboy hat, a black rope around the rim of it.

Gas Mask

World War I, Small box gas mask. From the Alvin Mansfield Owsley Collection (HM. 15).

World War I, Gas mask time card. From the Alvin Mansfield Owsley Collection (HM. 15).

This World War I era gas mask is a type of “small box respirator” which utilized activated charcoal (made from peach pits or the pits of other stone fruits) to cleanse the air. There is a small valve, inside the mask behind the tube, which the wearer would use to breathe through their mouth, and a clip inside the mask which would squeeze their nose closed. The card that accompanies the mask is meant to be used to keep track of the amount of time the mask is worn, so that the wearer will know when to replace the charcoal for optimal air purification.

These items were issued to Alvin Mansfield Owsley, who served during World War I in the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard.

Find out more about the Owsley Collection in the Finding Aid.

Gas mask attached to a white mannequin head. Attached to the tube is a yellow rusted can.
Old and worn bown envelope with holes in it. Beside it, propped up, is a pink card with a table on it.

U.S. Army Jacket

World War I, U.S. Army wool jacket. From the Historical Collection, donated by Watt L. Black (74. 7. 4).

Green wool jacket, several buttons down the middle of it. It has a breast pocket on each side with a button. It also has a button on the collar, and two pockets on each side on the bottom front.
Back of a green wool jacket.

36th National Guard Private’s Jacket

World War I, 36th National Guard, Texas, Private’s wool jacket. From the Historical Collection, donated by Mary Helen Rucker (46. 40).

This jacket was worn by George N. Rucker who was stationed at Camp Travis in San Antonio, Texas, during World War I. The arrowhead patch with the “T” in the center represents the 36th infantry division of the Texas Army National Guard, which was made up of Texans and Oklahomans. The silver chevron patch lower on the sleeve represents stateside service of at least six months. A second silver chevron patch would have been added for an additional six months served, so we can tell that Rucker only served between six and eleven months. The red chevron near the shoulder represents honorable discharge.

Green wool jacket, several buttons down the middle of it. It has a breast pocket on each side with a button. It also has a button on the collar, and two pockets on each side on the bottom front. On the left sleeve is a yellow arrow on the bottom of it, another yellow design is partially seen on the left shoulder.
Side view of a green wool jacket. It is seen from the left side, on it a yellow arrow patch, and a cross patch on the shoulder.

Ammunition Belt

World War I, U.S. Army ammunition belt. From the Historical Collection (112).

Thick army belt with five pockets, each with a button on it.
Extended thick army belt with five pockets, each with a button on it.

Mess Kit

World War I, U.S. Army mess kit. From the J.W. Bates Collection (B. 9. 356a-e).

A silver pan, with a pan top. Next to it are a silver spoon, fork and knife.
Silver pan lid, with a handle across the middle of it.
Silver spoon, fork and knife beside each other.

U.S.S. Madawaska, Instructions for Troops Card

World War I, U.S.S. Madawaska “Instructions for Troops” card. From the Victor Lauderdale Collection (AR0229).

This card was issued to soldiers making the transatlantic journey to or from Europe on the U.S.S. Madawaska, during World War I. The card lists the rules for non-Naval soldiers onboard the ship, including safety precautions, such as no smoking on deck after sunset or before sunrise so that the glowing cigarette won’t reveal their position to enemy ships, as well as information about meals, and the expected behavior of the soldiers. The final instruction on the card states that spitting on the deck will not be tolerated as it is “a filthy, unsanitary habit.” The lower half of this card has a table indicating three meals for each day of the week, and the meals would have holes punched in them as the soldier acquired his food.

Find out more about the Lauderdale Collection in the Finding Aid.

Brown card, the top right corner torn off. It is titled Instructions for Troop, with twelve numbered points, and hole punches at the bottom of it.
Brown card, the top left corner torn off. It is filled with text, points of text numbered 16 to 22. The bottom of it shows several hole punches.

German Sword and Scabbard

World War I, German sword and scabbard. From the Historical Collection, donated by Fred Minor (31. 10a, b).

Silver sword inside its scabbard. It has a small handle.
Handle of a black sword inside of a scabbard. The handle has ridges, the handle on it.

Artillery Shell Casings

World War I, Artillery shell casings. From the Historical Collection (No# (111), No# (112)).

Long artillery shell, silver and orange at the top. To the right of it part of another shell is seen, black in color.
The top of two artillery shells are seen, the one on the left open to see it is empty inside.

Photograph of Four Soldiers

World War I, Photograph of four soldiers. From the World War I Collection (AR0819).

This photograph of four soldiers, during World War I, was taken at Camp Bullis, Leon Springs, Texas in 1918 while on maneuvers with the 359th Infantry, 90th Division, as is indicated by the hand written information on the photograph. The men are numbered 1 through 4 from left to right, and each of their fates are listed below.

  1. Captain Vanderkooi- wounded, captured and maimed for life in front of [Pagny] Sept. 16, 1918. Found in German Hospital in Metz at the armistice.

  2. Lieutenant Rex Cunningham- killed in action Sept. 12, 1918 in St. Mihiel Offensive.

  3. Lieutenant Sam Williams- wounded Sept. 12, 1918 at St. Mihiel and Nov. 10, 1918 in Meuse-Argonne.

  4. Lieutenant Dan Leiper- D.S.C.- killed during [our] attack in Meuse-Argonne on 11-2-18.

Find out more about the World War I Collection in the Finding Aid.

For further information about the 90th Division and the 359th Infantry, look at A History of the 90th Division by George Wythe. This text was uploaded to the Internet Archive by the University of Michigan.

Old photo of 4 soldiers side by side each other, a tent behind them and a tent beside it. Under the photo is writing written by hand.

Red Cross Poster

World War I, Red Cross poster, 1919. From the World War I Collection (AR0819).

Find out more about the World War I Collection in the Finding Aid.

A poster framed a dark blue on it. In the middle of it is a big red cross, another small red cross in the top right corner.
The back of a poster. The front of it can be seen from the back, showing the outline of a red cross. The bottom of the page has a section titled Only Red Cross Members, with instructions on it.

Red Cross Knitting Needles

World War I, Red Cross knitting needles and packaging. From the World War I Materials Collection, donated by Susan Farrar Martin (TT820 .R43 1914).

An instruction card, two silver needles in front of it.
Along brown package front. Most of it is covered by an illustration of soldiers, an advertisement on it. Bellow it is information on the packaging.
The back of a brown packaging. On it is a small poem.
An open brown packaging, showing three panels. The middle is one containing a soldier illustration, with advertisement on it. The bottom of it has two sections of condensed text, the first titled Mitt the second titled Wristlet.
The back of a brown paper packaging, showing two sections of text. The first is titled Donts For The Knitters Of Sock, the bottom New Red Cross Directions For Sock.

Federal Food Administrator Pledge Card

World War I, Federal Food Administrator pledge card. From the World War I Collection (AR0819).

Find out more about the World War I Collection in the Finding Aid.

A pledge card, the title of it at the bottom half in bold black letters. The word Texas is in the bottom right corner.
A pledge card with black text at the top. The bottom of it shows blank lines, the words Name Street and City on the left of those lines.

United War-Work Campaign Poster

World War I, United War-Work Campaign poster. From the World War I Collection (AR0819).

Find out more about the World War I Collection in the Finding Aid.

A poster, the rim of it framed by red white and blue lines. At the top, both corners have the letters YMCA on it. The bottom middle has the Salvation Army symbol on it. The top of the poster has an illustration of the faces of three soldiers. The bottom of it has blue letters for the advertisement.

4th Liberty Loan Honor Roll Poster

World War I, 4th Liberty Loan “Honor Roll” poster. From the World War I Materials Collection (T 1.25/7:4/12 B).

White poster, the top of it says Help Our Town Win This Flag in dark blue. The bottom half of it has four numbered columns. It also has a flag on it.

Third Liberty Loan Pin

World War I, Third Liberty Loan pin. From the World War I Materials Collection (HG4936. T55 P56 1918).

A blue circular pin, red around the rim of it. It has an illustration of a bell on it, the words Third Liberty Loan on it.
The back of a pin, red around the rim. There are some words printed on the inside of it.

Victory Liberty Loan Honor Roll Poster

World War I, Victory Liberty Loan “Honor Roll” poster. From the World War I Materials Collection (T 1.27/25:5/13-C)

Yellowed paper with an illustration at top of the top of a flag pole with a waving flag, white field with red border. A large v is in the center. At top text reads Honor Roll, with text below the flag saying the names below represent those who invested. Below that text in large red lettering are the words Victory Liberty Loan, with five columns of numbered lines.

Victory Liberty Loan Medallion

World War I, Victory Liberty Loan medallion. From the World War I Materials Collection (HG4936. V53 M43 1919).

The front of this medallion shows the U.S. Treasury building and a bald eagle below it.

The back reads: “Made from captured German cannon

Awarded by the U.S. Treasury Department for patriotic service in [sic] behalf of the Liberty Loans”

A silver medallion with a hole at the top of it.
A silver medallion with a hole at the bottom of it.

Bradley Letters

Transcribed letters to Mr. Ed Bradley, #11 & #18. From the World War I Collection (AR0819).

The letter to Mr. Ed Bradley on Dec 22, 1918, by Sgt. B.F. Loveless describes, rather frankly and graphically, the fighting that Sgt. Loveless experienced during World War I. Much of the gruesome fighting that he shares involves the innovative weaponry of the time such as machine guns, artillery shells, land mines, and poison gases.

The letter to Mr. Ed Bradley on April 16, 1919 is from an unknown sender. The letters in the Bradley collection are from multiple individuals, and with the name cut off after the salutation, we cannot tell who sent the letter. In this letter, the writer describes the loss of his best friend and others from his company, during a battle on Hill 60, a battlefield in Belgium, which was fought over throughout the war as it offered a valuable vantage point.

Find out more about the World War I Collection in the Finding Aid.

A page, manila in color, with a letter printed on it in faded black text. Title and date are at the top of the page.
A page, manila in color, with a letter printed on it in faded black text. Title is at the top of the page.
A page, manila in color, with a letter printed on it in faded black text. The text ends halfway down the page.
A page, manila in color, with a letter printed on it in faded black text. The bottom of the page has a sign off, but the name is cut off.

Postcards

Postcards with nothing written on the back, only have the front image displayed.

Black and white postcard showing a crowd of people sitting in chairs, watching a group of the military. A flag is on the right side of the photo.
A white postcard, with blue text. The right side of it has a caricature of a man with stuff on his back.
Postcard showing an illustration of a shop with two flags on it. Smoke is coming from it.
The back of a postcard, an eagle on the top left and a stamp on the top right. The bottom right side contains the address.
Postcard containing an illustration of several men in military uniform standing on a sidewalk, a two story building behind them with trees on each side of it.
The back of a postcard, a stamp on the top right. The rest of it has writing on it in black ink.
Postcard with a black and white illustration on it of a ship port. It is framed by the Aemrican flag on each side. The top of it has a red banner that says For The Sake Of Old Glory.
The back of a post card with a red stamp in the top right corner. There is faded handwriting all over it.
Postcard illustration showing several men riding horses, some hold a yellow flag. They are riding on a large field.
The back of a postcard, a green stamp in the top right. There is handwriting in pencil on it. The top of it has some green text.
A manila postcard with some print in the middle of it. The bottom and top of it has red and blue designs along it.
The back of a postcard with black handwriting all over it.
A postcard with a paragraph of text at the top of it, and a printed letter on the rest of it. There is a signature in faded ink at the bottom.
The back of a postcard, handwriting on the botton right. There is a faded stamp in the top corner.
A picture postcard with an illustration of the back of the statue of liberty with a cloudy sky and light reflecting on the water. It is in black and white.
The back of a postcard. The card contains lines with blanks, purple handwriting on it.
Black and white postcard of soldiers in a trench, the words Trench After Battle in the bottom left corner.
Black and white postcard with a photo of two soldiers in uniform standing side by side each other.
Back of a blank postcard with some handwriting on it in pen.
Postcard of a black and white illustration of a battlefield. It is faded at the top of it.
Black and white postcard of a single soldier with his face down.
Faded black and white postcard of a faded hill.
Black and white photo of a man in a soldier uniform and a coat, no hat on. He also has on black boots and his hands on his waist.
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