[Annotated Vernacular Photographic Scrapbook, Nine Annotated Real Photo Postcards, and a Panoramic Photograph Documenting the Early Military Experiences of George E. Westman of the 13th U.S Cavalry]

[Various locations in Kansas, Texas, and Mexico, 1918. Good.. [15] leaves, illustrated with ten photographs, programs, menus, manuscript notes, and assorted ephemera, plus envelope of twelve real photo postcards, nine with manuscript messages of varying length on verso. Contemporary full leather planner. Manuscript annotation on front cover, reading: "Troop 'C' -- 13th Cav." Lacking rear cover. Some chipping, rubbing, and soiling to front cover and spine. [with:] Troop C 13th Cav Fort Riley Kansas [caption title]. Junction City, Ka.: Zellner Photo, [ca. 1917]. Panoramic photograph, 8 x 36.5 inches. Moderate soiling and staining, mostly minor edge wear, (truncated) small section at left detached but re-attached with clear tape on verso. A small but impactful collection of photographs, manuscript letters on postcards, and ephemera documenting the military service of George E. Westman of Company C, 13th U.S. Cavalry out of Fort Riley, Kansas during the Texas Border War and during his later training in preparation for the First World War. From a number of contextual clues here, Westman was apparently from Saint Paul, Minnesota. According to a note he wrote on the back of a photograph of himself, he enlisted in the 13th U.S. Cavalry on August 15, 1914, then "went thru the Mexican campaign. Was sent to Central Officer's Machine Gun Training Camp at Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga. Was made Sergeant then went back to private."

The present scrapbook includes photographs, menus, printed documents, and other ephemeral items from Westman's service, mainly in Kansas, Texas, and Mexico. A photograph of the guard house and a panoramic photograph of "Troop C" at Fort Riley, Kansas are the main relics from Westman's time there. Other photographs from his service further south show Westman's unit getting ready to go back to the U.S. "after 11 mos. & 20 days in Mexico;" Troop C firing rifles in McAllen, Texas; and various members of Westman's unit in Texas and Mexico. A handful of other photographs show friends and family back in Saint Paul. A small collection of nine annotated real photo postcards provides further information on Westman's service. He sends one from "About 60 miles from Marfa," in Texas, showing a pack train which he describes as "hitting the dusty trail" with "no stops for dinner. The mules follow close behind with beds blankets and grub for the horses and men." He also sent pictures home from Columbus, New Mexico; "C Troop hiking in Mexico;" a portrait of fellow soldier in Colonia Dublan, Mexico; an outpost at Juarez; and a portrait of himself and another soldier from Angostura, Mexico. Three of the postcards could qualify as short letters; in one example, Westman describes the lights and running water in the unit's tents. In another, longer letter on the verso of a portrait of himself and a younger soldier, Westman describes the differences in clothes "between an old soldier (me) and a 'rookie,'" then provides a detailed description of the other soldier, named James Roland. The album also includes a few letters sent to Westman from other soldiers. The ephemeral items include a printed menu from Thanksgiving Day at Fort Riley, a printed menu from camp in McAllen during Christmas of the same year, a printing of "The American Creed," an official printing of Woodrow Wilson's General Orders No. 90, "Call Into Federal Service and Draft of the National Guard" for World War I, and a printed list of required clothing for Westman's Troop C. There are also occasional newspaper and periodical clippings. (Inventory #: 4407)