Manuscript Collections

This collection spans the duration of William Bandemer's participation in World War I. The papers are divided into two series, one comprising his letters home, and the other consisting of photographs taken during the war. Within each series, the material is arranged chronologically. The correspondence begins with Bandemer's letter informing his family of his enlistment in the Army. The first folder in the collection describes life in the forts in the United States, most of which depicts Fort Devens in Massachusetts. He illustrates everyday life at the Fort, including food, lodging, training exercises, and chores. Of particular interest are two letters telling of a measles outbreak and a fire in the camp. The second folder begins with Bandemer's first letter from France. He describes the trip over from the U.S. In his correspondence, he tells of daily life, including the living conditions and the weather. He also shares his impressions of shelling and the amount of action he saw in the war, including shelling and gassing attacks. The letters also describe his frustration with receiving few letters from his family because of mail delays and include his general reactions to family news. Near the end of the war, Bandemer details the surrender of Turkey (2 Nov 1918), liberated Italian prisoners (17 Nov 1918) and his reaction to German propaganda (10 Nov 1918). Bandemer stayed in France until February 1919 and the letters provide descriptions of post-World War I France, including descriptions of towns reduced to rubble. Of particular interest are two Christmas cards designed specifically by his regiment (1 Dec and 8 Dec 1918). He details his travels through France to reach a port for departure and the ensuing trip home. Bandemer did not write two letters in the collection. One informs him of his father's death (7 Aug 1918). The other is from a family friend serving in WWI telling Bandemer's mother of his visit with William (25 Jun 1918). The final folder in the collection is a loan request made by Bandemer after the war. The photographs span all of Bandemer's involvement in the war (1917-1919). Included are two portrait photographs of him, dated 1913 and 1920. Many of the photographs are difficult to date and identify, but estimates have been made. Most of the pictures are from Camp Devens and France. One folder includes pictures of Bandemer's family in Saginaw, Michigan, taken after the war.

The Dolores Hoagland Collection contains papers from four generations of Hoagland individuals. The bulk of the materials document the Hoagland family's extensive military background, their businesses - Richland Furs and Richland Arms - in Blissfield, Michigan, and their lives and activities at home and abroad. Subjects include Hoagland family history, Blissfield local history, business proceedings, military experiences, and activities encompassing work, vacation, and family. Material types include correspondence, photographs, business records, military service records and scrapbooks. The papers of Clement Sr. and Clement Jr. compromise the bulk of the collection. Clement Sr. served in the First World War in the 353rd Aero Service Squadron from 1918-1919. Clement Jr. served in the Second World War from 1943-1945. After the war, Clement Jr. came back to Blissfield to join the family business and eventually took over operations of the Richland Furs and Richland Arms. Dolores (Hatcher) Hoagland married Thomas C. Hoagland (Clement Jr.) in 1950 in Blissfield, Michigan. They couple had three children, Thomas, William Neal and Harriet Ann.

The George L. Dart papers contain records illustrating the military service of George Leonard Dart in the United States Navy during the Second World War from 1944-1945. The material primarily focuses on George's military training prior to his deployment to the Pacific Theater on the USS Aaron Ward. However, the collection also highlights his experience at sea and the news following his death in May 1945. The collection is primarily correspondence from George to his wife, Lena Dart, and their two daughters. From the start of his naval training in April 1944 to his death in May 1945, George writes almost daily to his family in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Subjects include military experiences, news from home, military training, life in the navy and camp activities. Other material types include postcards, photographs, financial records, death records, military honors and condolences and publications.

This collection consists of documents of, or relating to James D. Elderkin. The collection includes his enlistment papers as principal musician of the 4th Regiment of Infantry Band dated 1849; his re-enlistment certificate as leader of the 5th Michigan Infantry Regimental Band dated 1862; his discharge certificate as Fife Major, First (3 months) from the Michigan Infantry Volunteers, dated 1861; a receipt from the Library of Congress for Biographical sketches and anecdotes of a soldier of three wars, written by himself / by James D. Elderkin, dated May 1, 1899; a notice of issue and fees of the Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Pensions for 1863; a letter to Elderkin from Thomas R. McConnell, Dec. 27, 1853, commending him for his service; and the muster out roll of the 5th Regiment Infantry band, dated Aug. 9, 1862.

This collection consists of one diary arranged as one series: 1. Civil War diary, 1861-64. Kept by John L. Rolison as he participated in the war. Entries concern descriptions of the weather, the living conditions, and activities of the unit.

This small accession consists of 9 letters - 8 from John S. Potter to family members from November 1862-September 1863 and one from the Quartermaster General dated January 1869. Potter's letters are very descriptive - he writes of the landscape of the south, how the railroad is built, his opinions of the war, deserters, wealthy citizens of Kentucky, a soldier's funeral, and the betrayal of officers. He also describes how the "black troops are used as sappers and miners" and the sentiments towards African Americans in the south, both by southerners and by commanding officers.

This collection consists of Civil War records, dating 1865-1899, of Joseph H. Savage. The collection includes his discharge papers from Company A, 10th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery (Feb. 27, 1865); a letter from the Pension Office (Apr. 18, 1881); a card from the Bureau of Pensions acknowledging his request for pension increase and a letter from the Bureau (June 6, 1899) informing him of the increase; a form notice from the Detroit pension agent instructing veterans on applying for new pension certificate; and a letter from the Bureau (June 20, 1899) rejecting his claim for a disability pension.

This collection contains a pamphlet of "The Boys in Blue" published in Clare, Michigan. The collection also contains a Ribbon from the Eighth Annual Michigan Encampment.

This collection consists of correspondence between Rebecca Button and her husband, Lorenzo, and son, Frank. Both men served in the Civil War. The majority of the letters were written by Frank. Also includes letters from Button to Mrs. T.F. Giblin and Mrs. Frank Button, concerning family history (1907). Other documents found in this collection: two unsigned and undated poems, an undated newspaper article concerning the 14th Michigan Infantry, a land deed (1897) owned by Thomas Giblin and an account book (1871) kept by Frank Button.

This collection consists of the Civil War discharge papers of Walter Carr, 14th Michigan Infantry and a one volume record of the 14th Michigan Infantry Volunteers.

This collection contains the Army discharge papers of Reuben Stevens, dated Apr. 24, 1814; an affidavit for commissioned officer, for Amos D. Avery, dated May 23, 1863; the Army discharge papers of Amos D. Avery from Company I, 6th Michigan Heavy Artillery, dated Feb. 8, 1865; and explanatory information concerning Reuben Stevens.

This collection consists of the Civil War diary of Sgt. Lorenzo A. Barker of Company D, 66th Illinois Veteran Volunteers, Western Sharpshooters, 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps.

Discharge papers for Richard Wende dated 1864 and 1866.

This collection contains an album of officers in Company C, 12th Michigan Infantry, as well as a poster of Company C and Company D of the 12th Michigan Infantry.

This collection contains papers of the Baker family of Lansing, Michigan. Materials include correspondence, memoirs, scrapbooks, photographs, and published and unpublished biographies and family histories. Family members most prominently represented in the collection are Luther Byron Baker (1830-1896), his son Luther Henry Baker (1872-1944), his grandson Maurice Jacobs Baker (1903-1971) and his great grandson Luther Henry Bud Baker (1931-2008). Luther Byron Baker, familiarly known as Byron, served in the First District of Columbia Cavalry during the Civil War. In April 1865, he participated in the manhunt for Abraham Lincolns assassin, John Wilkes Booth. He was present at Garretts barn when Booth was shot and Booths accomplice, David Herold, surrendered. Afterward, he was present at the interment of Booths body. The collection contains letters and other materials documenting Byrons Civil War service, his pre-Civil War time at Oberlin College (1851-1853), his post-Civil War years in Lansing, Michigan and his 1889-1894 traveling lectures on the John Wilkes Booth manhunt. Later materials document the lives of Byrons descendants and other family members. Letters and scrapbooks document Luther Henry Bakers time as a student at Michigan Agricultural College, his career as a school principal, his courtship of his future wife and his time as East Lansing City Councilman (1912-1916) and Mayor (1925-1928). Maurice Jacobs Baker explains his political views and reflects on current events in two essays from the 1930s, while other materials pertain to his job as a trade publications editor. Materials of Luther Henry Bud Baker document his time as a grade school student, his time as a Michigan State College student, his United States Army service and his career publishing trade magazines (He inherited this business from his father.). Letters from spouses, siblings and cousins round out the collection, and family histories and biographies provide information on Baker ancestors and connected families.

Music Director Robert Pratt's oral history recounts his experiences with the choir from 1964 to 1973. The interview , which was done on June 26, 2008, is 90 minutes long.

This collections consists of some material originally donated to the Michigan State Association of Colored Women's Clubs. The collection includes discharge certificate of Frister from Company G, 25th Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry Volunteers, dated Dec. 8, 1865; pension certificates for Frister and wife and son; letters from William G. Cole, Company B, 5th U.S. Colored Troops, to Susan Cole, and dating from Feb. 1864 through 1865

This collection includes a diary of William H. Horton (1864) which includes a record of daily events through Aug. 28, 1864; infrequent entries through Oct., detailing mainly weather, picket duties, transfers, drills and inspections; a mention of the Battle of Mortonsford, Feb. 6, 1864, Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864; list of letters received and answered; expenditures at commissary; list of members of Company E, 26th Michigan Volunteers, including officers, privates, accounts of deaths, missing, promotions, and transfers; and a clothing account.

This collection consists of various letters from Darwin Babbitt to his parents, dating from Jan. 21, 1864 to Mar. 20, 1864. The collection also includes letters to S.A. Babbitt concerning his son's capture and as a prisoner, ca. July 1864; discharge papers of Darwin Babbitt of the 5th Michigan Cavalry, June 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and copied pages from Soldier's and sailor's almanac for 1865 with marginal notes relating to Babbitt being taken prisoner.