Robert H. BeCraft World War I Letters 1918-1933

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

Robert H. BeCraft World War I Letters, Accession 9096-ca, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Robert H. BeCraft World War I Letters, Accession 9096-ca, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of ca. 120 letters, 1918-1933, chiefly love letters written by Private Robert H. BeCraft(October 12, 1894--December 14, 1933) while serving in the United States Army at Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia, as a member of the 10th Company, 3rd Training Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade, and subsequently with the 39th Company, 10th Training Battalion. His letters are addressed to Maude Harmonof Wytheville, Virginia, whom he married in 1922.

BeCraft's letters discuss his army activities during World War I which consisted mainly of drills and training. He mentions the deaths of four men from the effects of excessive heat and woundings that took place on a rifle range, August, 10, 1918; and an outbreak of influenza in his camp, September 28 and October 14, 1918.

Miscellaneous items in the collection include a "Permanent Good Conduct Pass," 1918, for BeCraft; his American LegionMembership Card for McDowell County Post Number 8in Welch, West Virginia, 1930-1931; an electrostatic copy of a newspaper obituary and funeral notice regarding BeCraft's death in Wythe County, 1933; and various items pertaining to life insurance veteran's benefits.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased on November 7, 1986.
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
ca. 120 items