Military History Commons^™

Barr, Edward Wallace, 1887-1962 (Mss 576), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 576. Papers, lecture notes and appointment book relating to Dr. E. Wallace Barr’s training and service as a dentist with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I; includes a few items of family correspondence.

Parsons, James T., 1835-1875 (Sc 2990), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text of letters (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2990. Letters of James T. Parsons to his parents, written during his service with the 17th Ohio Infantry. He details his regiment’s arduous marches through Kentucky, especially Boyle and Pulaski counties, and remarks on bad roads, picket duty, and high prices charged by the sutler. He criticizes Kentucky soldiers as both braggarts and cowards. In December 1861, he speculates on the “great Battle to come” at Bowling Green but, in hospital at Nashville in August 1862, doubts the prospects for victory over the South. He …

Moore, Mary (Taylor) Leiper, 1885-1973 - Collector (Sc 2992), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2992. Newspaper clippings, model press releases and other materials collected by Mary Leiper Moore, chairman of the publicity committee for a drive to recruit Warren County, Kentucky women for the Women’s Army Corps (WACs). Includes Moore’s letter to the commander of Louisville’s Bowman Field complaining of the Army’s poor planning of a publicity event held at Western Kentucky University on 12 November 1943.

Luthene G. Kimball (Sc 2976), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archive Project 2976. Letters sent from U.S. Army Sergeant Luthene G. Kimball to his soon to be fiancé and nurse, Jane Robertson, while he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during World War II. He discusses their relationship, military life, and current events.

See also: SC 3111 "Robertson, Jane, 1925-2015"

Manning, Will Paul, Jr., 1928-2018 (Sc 2980), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2980. Sketch by Will Paul Manning of stone chimneys constructed by Confederate forces during the Civil War, as he remembered seeing them on his family farm near Bowling Green, Kentucky. Includes explanatory notes, which also mention a “pest house” in the vicinity of the farm.

Bacorn, Almira Louise (Winans), 1838-1920 (Sc 2973), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2973. Letters from Almira L. Bacorn, Gardiner, Montana, to Mrs. E.G. Anderson, Oak Park, Illinois, in which she discusses family matters, mutual friends, and the aging process. In one letter she mentions the wounding of a young man, the son of mutual friends.

Mccallum, Elizabeth Elliott (Cherry), 1890-1985 (Sc 2970), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2970. Three postcards sent by Elizabeth Elliott Cherry while she was serving with the Red Cross during World War I. The cards are sent to her sister David Ellen “Spooks” Tichenor and her nephew Thomas Cherry Tichenor. They discuss sites she is visiting in France and asks that some candy be sent to her as she could “nearly die for sweets.”

Morse, Alexander Porter, 1842-1921 (Sc 2967), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text transcription (Click on "Additional Files" below) of Manuscripts Small Collection 2967. Letter, 9 December 1861, of A. P. Morse, serving with the First Louisiana Cavalry. Writing to his father from camp near Bowling Green, Kentucky, he describes troop numbers, movements and fortifications in the area. He also refers to an outbreak of measles and to dining with an officer involved in the Battle of Belmont near Columbus, Kentucky.

Kerr, David Warren, 1922-1982 (Sc 2954), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2954. Letter of David Kerr, 14-16 November 1944, to Frances Ann Wade, Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Writing from an undisclosed overseas location while serving in the armed forces, he describes his surroundings in general and his work on a painting detail. He also encloses a marksman’s medal (not included in this collection) and praises the athletic achievements of his hometown Ohio high school.

Williams, J. J. (Sc 2947), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full text transcript (click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2947. Letter, 13 January 1862, of Confederate soldier J. J. Williams to his wife Emeline. Writing from Bowling Green, Kentucky, he describes troop strengths and movements in the area, the destruction of railroads and blockading of roads by the Confederates, and an anticipated encounter with Union troops at Green River.

Nourse, Charles Ewing, 1826-1866 (Sc 3000), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and typescripts of three Mexican War letters (click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 3000. Correspondence of Charles Ewing Nourse, Bardstown, Kentucky, and his wife Mary “Mollie” (Brown) Nourse. Three letters of Charles, serving in the 4^th Kentucky Infantry during the Mexican War, describe military life, illness, Mexican cities, and encounters with the enemy. Mary’s father writes from Cadiz, Kentucky, of his work as a circuit judge, and an 1850 letter wishes Charles and Mary well on their marriage. Includes Mary’s letter to Charles with family news, and two verses, both probably by Charles; one …

Lambert, James Knox Polk, 1864-1960 (Mss 545), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 545. Diaries, speeches, notes and postcards of Simpson County, Kentucky native James Knox Polk Lambert relating to his YMCA work with the American Expeditionary Force at the end of World War I, his tours of Europe thereafter, and his involvement in Freemasonry.

Civil War, 1861-1865 - Paducah, Kentucky (Sc 2940), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and typescript (click on "Additional Files" below) of a letter from Manuscripts Small Collection 2940. Letter, 1 August 1864, of “Charlie” to Ellen “Nellie” Sherman. Serving with Company E, 132nd Illinois Volunteers at Paducah, Kentucky, he describes an encounter with Confederate guerrillas during a strenuous scouting mission, the strictness of General Paine, his new commander, toward both citizenry and soldiers, and the execution of “Captain Hess,” a guerrilla leader, for whom “no coffin” was provided. He expresses apprehension over retaliation against men taken prisoner, but also refers to a flag of truce in effect that morning.

Grieco, Joseph J. (Sc 2939), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2939. Letters, June-July 1951, of Corporal Joseph J. Grieco to his wife in Milldale, Connecticut. Attending the Armored Force School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Grieco writes his wife, then pregnant with their second child, of his love for her and their son Joey, and of his longing to be reunited with her. He briefly mentions his pay, radio training, and the availability of entertainment in camp.

Carpenter, Sidney Crider, 1914-2014 (Sc 2884), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2884. Digital images of photographs, passports, Kentucky Senate resolution related to 100th birthday, certificate from the Cumberland Trace Chapter of the Military Officers Association, four pieces of currency—Japanese (3) and Russian (1); military identification, from Sidney Crider Carpenter of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Most of the material relates to Carpenter's military career and his role as a coach for several national and international marksmanship teams. Also digital copies of a Korean War photograph album and a 1929 Boy Scout diary kept by Carpenter.

Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945 - Letter To (Sc 2926), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2926. “A Letter to Hitler” from “America,” handwritten on letterhead of The Armored Force, Fort Knox, Kentucky. The mocking letter describes in explicit verse what awaits Hitler when U.S. forces arrive in Berlin.

Mason, Mildred A. (Wild), 1899-1997 (Sc 2922), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2922. Receipts, certificates and four pins relating to World War I war bonds and civilian service organizations, issued to supporter Mildred Wild of Latonia, Kentucky.

Anderson, Catherine (Simmons), D. 2008 - Collector (Mss 517), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 517. Chiefly letters written to James Preston Cherry while he was sick and in a Louisville hospital (1913), in school at the University of Kentucky (1915-1917), and while in military service during World War I (1917-1918). Also includes family information related to the Cherry, Phelps, Simmons and Anderson families.

Phelps, Edwin Dolphus, 1948-2015 (Mss 557), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 557. Letters written by Edwin D. Phelps to his parents, Edwin Foch Phelps and Effie (Miller) Phelps, Bowling Green, Kentucky, while he is serving in the Vietnam War. Phelps discusses his training, his daily life and the activities of his unit.

Givens, Wayne, 1905-1971 (Sc 2918), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2918. U.S. Army discharge papers and certificate of Wayne Givens, Monroe County, Kentucky, 1945; photostat of death certificate of Wayne Givens, 1971. Also includes Statement of Personal history form of Givens’ wife, Mildred (Hagan) Givens, with data on education, employment, etc.

Jarvis, George Perry, 1842-1920 (Sc 2913), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2913. Letters of George P. Jarvis, serving with the 3rd Ohio Infantry. From Camp Jefferson, Ohio, he thanks his family for supplies but adamantly dispels rumors that his regiment and others lack food. He notes recruiting efforts and speculates on the length of the war, which he defies England (“John Bull”) to enter on the Confederate side. From Bowling Green, Kentucky, he expresses doubt that peace is near and refers to meeting family friends in the town.

Tuttle, Augustus Sherman, 1824-1888 (Sc 2915), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2915. Letter, 6 September 1863, of Augustus S. Tuttle, serving with the 36th Massachusetts Infantry near Nicholasville, Kentucky, to his wife. He describes his work with an ambulance corps and the location of some of his wounded and sick comrades, and expresses pessimism about his chances of visiting home. He also complains about his treatment in the corps, which included an accusation of smuggling. Referring to general antipathy toward recently deceased division commander General Thomas Welsh, he quotes another officer’s wish to stone the hearse carrying his …

Smith, Selby E., 1895-1986 - Collector (Sc 2898), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2898. Payroll of Captain Samuel Kirkham’s Company of Lincoln County, Kentucky militia. Lieutenant Henry Grider, later of Warren County, Kentucky, is among the names listed. This photocopy from Illinois Papers, Doc. 79, p. 1 was obtained from the Virginia State Library, Richmond, Virginia.

Smith, Elvin, Jr. - Collector (Mss 534), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection MSS 534. Collected research of Elvin Smith, Jr. relating to the Civil War in Kentucky and consisting mostly of typescripted soldiers’ diaries and letters. Also includes compiled data on regiments stationed in Bowling Green, Kentucky and at Lost River Cave near Bowling Green, and lists of soldiers’ deaths at Bowling Green.

Denhardt, Henry Herman, 1876-1937 (Mss 533), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 533. Correspondence, military orders, and instructional materials relating to Henry Herman Denhardt’s World War I service as a field artillery officer and postwar training as an officer in the Kentucky National Guard. Includes a few personal and political items relating to Denhardt’s campaign for Governor of Kentucky.

Potter, Thomas Corwin, 1841-1863 (Sc 2892), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and typescript (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2892. Letter, 7 January 1862, of Private Thomas C. Corwin, Battery B, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, to his sister in Michigan. Writing from camp at Somerset, Kentucky, he reflects on the war’s duration and describes camp life, troop positions around Somerset, and local citizens’ fear of a coming battle. He also describes skirmishes with Confederate pickets and his hopes for an advance though Kentucky.

Elmore, Donald Ray, B. 1938 (Sc 2891), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full text of memoir (click on "Additional Files" below) for Mansucripts Small Collection 2891. Biographical memoir, well illustrated, of Donald R. Elmore, a Bowling Green, Kentucky native, describing his family, childhood, career in the U.S. Army, which included tours in Germany and Vietnam, and post-military life in California. A DVD contains images of Elmore’s drawings, craft work, military photographs, and miscellaneous biographical data on his jobs, travels, etc.

Payne, Selden H., 1841-1926 (Sc 2890), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan of typescript (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2890. Letter of Selden H. Payne, 18 January 1863, written from Camp Nelson, Kentucky to his sister Mary Hills in Eagleville, Ohio. He describes the troops, Confederate prisoners and wounded of the camp and recounts his travels, including nights spent at the Louisville depot, a “Negro prison” in Lexington, and the court house in Nicholasville, Kentucky. He also describes the injury and death of a comrade at the Louisville depot after he fell under the troop rail car, originally used to transport hogs.

Fort Williams - Glasgow, Kentucky (Mss 531), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 531. Correspondence, research, historical and archaeological reports, contracts, budgets and other documents relating to the 1970s excavation and restoration of Fort Williams, a Civil War fortification at Glasgow, Kentucky.

Kirby, Carlisle Wilkins, 1890-1968 (Mss 530), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 530. Note cards, memoranda, and grave registration forms compiled by Carlisle W. Kirby and others for the Veterans’ Graves Registration Project in Warren County, Kentucky, a project created by the Works Progress Administration to identify the graves of war veterans from the American Revolution through World War I. Included are names, service data, and the name of the cemetery, where known. Also includes clippings from the (Bowling Green, Kentucky) Park City Daily News about local soldiers serving in the Korean War.