1917-1919 WORLD WAR 1. Three Expansive Diaries of a Minnesota Marine Serving in France.

An unusually complete and thorough record of a young Minnesotan enlisting in the Marines, his training in California, his departure through the Panama Canal, time in Cuba, Texas, and ultimately in France. Extensively illustrated with his own original photographs and official war photos and postcards. An unusually complete record.

Nearly every page full. 

The diaries as follows:

Book I. Incidents and Facts Concerning Carl B. Anderson. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Company F. Section 5. August 3 1917 to September 17, 1918. United States Marine Corps. 180pp. 

Enlistment photo of Carl notated cheekily, "His Royal Highness Himself as he Appeared when he took the oath of allegiance, May 17, 1917." 

Extensive diary begins with his train ride from St. Paul . . . he comments, "I am really going to be a soldier It's like a dream which I think will have a pleasant ending." 

"Reached Vallejo, California . . . many japs in town. When we got to Island, got a cot, mattress and blanket and went to bed. I am almost a soldier now."

A fine photograph of a an aeroplane [airplane] in flight over a Destroyer at Valejo with his account of seeing it. Looks to be a 1917 Standard J-I.

[Baseball] Our section played the fourth and we won 11 to 3

Rather detailed accounts of times spent in Valejo,, drills, Chinatown, wrestling, etc. "I am beginning to believe that all Swedes are pests because the man that invented Swedish is certainly a . . . . sight. Am so sore I can hardly move, and besides had my third shot in the arm at 2:30 and I felt the needle way up in my head. Suppose I won't be able to walk tomorrow." "More drill with guns today, so my shoulders are all in and hands all bunged up." "Almost a cripple tonight. My shoulder and hands are terribly sore."

Excellent photograph taken of a bull fight with expansive crowd and account of the show brought in by the Red Cross in the Navy Yard. Excellent photo of matadors, etc., 

"On a hike around one end of Island this morning with 6 Section. Had regular battle formation and skirmished over some big hills. Jack Scofield was supposed to be wounded, so I carried him back to hospital base. Great stuff, but that's as near the real stuff that I want to get, but you can't tell . . . and I am ready."

"Learned today that we are going to Philippines, so may soon be on the briny deep."

Excellent photograph of a Destroyer at sea, probably approaching the Island [with various other similar photos]. 

A magazine exploded today at 10 minutes to 8 and was knocked off cot and raised tent. Several killed and a score wounded. It was an awful sight.

Quarantined for two weeks with a rash. Account of a riot of soldiers in Valejo, 

I have a feeling that the days of this ware are numbered adn that we may all be united again. If by chance I must go to France, I want to fight beside my little brother Ray, and we will make something more out our name than just the name. 

Seal of Minnesota cigar band with an account of his having smoked it in honor of his home. Also a period Wrigley's Spearmint gum laid in. 

We are headed for Cuba. I have got everything packed in my sea bag now.

On board the U.S.S. Buffalo . . . with five companies of 100 men each, 103, 104, 105, 108, 109,. The band led us down to the gate, and we made quite an imposing column. At the gate I was one of the fortunate ones, Mrs. Rosemary giving me a big bar of chocolate. . . at 8 o'clock, there was some scramble for bunks. Corporal Laws leg was broke by a hose breaking and he was taken back to the island. 

We are off, weighing anchor at 5 o'clock and passed out thru the Golden Gate just as the sun was setting, showing clearly Berkeley and Oakland across the Bay. Frisco was misty.

My first day at sea and what an unnecessary feeling diary, but not once did I step up to the rail and cut loose; but there were those who did and it was some sight. One after the other vomiting. It was very smooth all morning, but in the afternoon, we struck some rough sea and it was then that the fun commenced. I was shaving when it started and took a bath before I went on deck. I didn't laught at the rest of them because I had a funny feeling myself and expected to step up to the rail any moment, but as yet have not and am feeling fine now in my hammock. They gave us our weekly shot last night, so paid hurried visit at 4 this morning and four times since. I was not along though. Had quarters at 11 o'clock instead of 9. I stood at the rail call morning and watched the waves and they were quite fascinating; saw some fish alongside the boat and they sure were big. 

No lights on visible part of the ship tonight because they may attract a submarine if there are any around. We are now somewhere outside the Mexican coast. In about twelve days we will reach Panama where I can send some letters home. Adios. 

Sailors had fire drill this morning and we all had "abandon ship" drill that 10.30 and everything worked alright. I am assigned to boat #44 on Port side in case anything happens. For the first time, I had a life preserver on at the drill. . . . While standing at the sail this afternoon I saw some of the flying fish and also some very big fellows, larger than a man & wouldn't at all care to have an argument with any in the water. Will be in Panama in 8 days. We are now making 13 knots an hour. 

At 7 o'clock we started to go thru the canal and at the first lock we had to go below, but afterwards were allowed to stay up on top deck. 

At 3.30 we docked at the coaling dock and at 4 o'clock were ready to go on liberty, and talk about hot! in about two minbutes we were in the main street of Colon. What struck us funny the first thing was teh small horses that were pulling carriages around . . . they were smaller than ponies. We say Bailey with a whole stack of bananas, devouring the same. We immediately joined him and soon bananas were rolling in with great rapidity. When I had eaten six without getting my second wind I stopped and we went down to the story, run by U.S. where I ate a pint of ice cream. At this point I was beginning to feel as though I had eaten something. We started in search of a restaurant. All the streets were quite narrow and the buildings were built out over the sidewalks, most of them not more than two stories high, made of cement. The policemen were both native and white and there were many soldiers there. Every minute you heard the clang of these black drivers with their small horse rigs, so you would almost think business was good. We passed shops of every description and color, both outside and inside, and many old black women who sold bananas and peanuts. After walking about three blocks, we entered what seemed to be a clean place and sat down. A black water came over and asked us what we wanted and we asked for a menu. After a half hour search a much used card was discovered nd we all ordered steaks. Also had potatoes & ice cream. Not bad for the place. We then walked around town, and in the black town the streets were very narrow and dirty and full of children. We retraced our steps back to an American Drug store . . . Passed a cafe where a Marine had a whole bottle of urine, so we all had to have a drink.  We then purchased two coconuts and engaged one of those carriages for half an hour ride around town. Our driver was a  little black man who informed us he was from England and he certainly showed it in his speech, etc. etc. 

Volume II. Cuba, Texas, Quantico, France.

Volume III. France. Purchased to celebrate the signing of the Peace Treaty. 

Includes perhaps 80 original photographs, original photographic postcards, and lithographed postcards [nearly all related to the Marines]. Also includes a lithographed pamphlet, "Beating the U-Boat," special orders from 1st Lieutenant W. P. Kelly, dated to July 22, 1919, a transfer request by our writer, Carl B. Anderson, requesting he be transferred from the Machine Gun Platoon, Provisional Battalion, etc.