World War One News Articles

GEORGE ROSE TO RETURN FROM SERVICE
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 25, 1915
From Moro – George Rose, who has been in the Navy for several years, and who has seen considerable service in Mexican waters, lately has completed his term and will be home soon

 

ALTON BOY IN U.S. MARINE CORPS
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 23, 1915
With the United States Marine Corps detachment landed from the U.S.S. Connecticut at Port Au Prince, Hayti, for the protection of American and foreign interests in that war-torn little isle, is Bernard Lamm of Alton. Barnard, who is the son of Elvis E. Lamm, 2120 Washington Street, is not a regular sailor member of the Connecticut’s crew, but is a fighting unit of that highly efficient military arm of the government service – the United States Marine Corps. Marines wear a distinctively military uniform, unlike the sailor, and they perform a sailor’s duties while roving the seas, aboard ship. They are always first landed when trouble threatens, and they bear the brunt of the initial fighting. Usually, these soldiers of the sea are able to cope with any situation that may arise without having to call the army in to assist them.

Young Lamm enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at its St. Louis recruiting station, 122 North Seventh Street, on May 25 last, and has since been in training at the recruit depot, Norfolk, Virginia. With 124 other recruits in the midst of training, he was suddenly ordered to embark on the battleship Connecticut, of the Haitian expedition – his first tour of active duty, and since it came so early in his enlistment, it is likely that Lamm’s entire four years will be crowded with excitement and adventure.

 

ROBERT MOSBY
Company 1, 366th Infantry
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 16, 1918
Robert Mosby of Company 1, 366th Infantry, writes the Evening Telegraph from “somewhere in France,” that all the colored boys from Alton that have been sent overseas are well. Mosby says:

“I saw a clipping out of your paper where Anse Martin wrote you a letter. It was a very good one in my opinion, so I thought I would write one also. All the boys from Alton who were sent overseas when I was are in the best of good health. They send their regards to all. They hope to return soon, and find dear old Alton the same as when we left. All of us do not belong to the same company, but we get to see each other often. I have been made a First Private and a runner, and I am proud of my post. I am glad to know that Anse was lucky enough to be made a sergeant. I have not been lucky enough to see any of the white boys from home.

You must tell everybody to eat plenty of fowl for Christmas. I and the rest of the boys can eat our chow and think of the next Thanksgiving to come, and of all the cranberries and pumpkin pie and other good eats. I would like to write a much longer letter, but I don’t know what to say just now, only this French talk still gets my goat. I am learning some of it, but I just can’t turn my tongue so many ways.”

 

LETTER FROM ROBERT MOSBY
Company 1, 366th Infantry
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 29, 1919
Mrs. Clara Campbell of 1802 Market Street has received a letter from her son, Robert Mosby, of Company I, 366th Infantry, written Christmas Day. In it, Mosby pays a tribute to Rev. Brewer and the North Side A.M.E. Church when he writes: “May God bless you, Rev. Brewer, and the church, for I know you have prayed for us Alton boys, for it was Him who stood in the midst of us. I was in the trenches when the good Lord said peace be to all. Please continue to pray for all of us, white and colored, soldier boys.”

 

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