Lester Randolph Collection
This collection consists of letters, regiment announcements, and newspapers. The letters are written by Sergeant Lester Randolph, a member of the 23rd Regiment of Engineers, to a woman in Knoxville named Charlotte during World War I. Most of Randolph's letters were written while in France and most include the original envelopes with the censorship stamps and postmarks. There is one letter from Mexico dated 1921 to show proof of Lester’s survival of the war.
Dates
- 1917 November 15-1921 January 27
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact Special Collections.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 quarter box)
Overview
This collection consists of letters, regiment announcements, and newspapers. The letters are written by Sergeant Lester Randolph, a member of the 23rd Regiment of Engineers, to a woman in Knoxville named Charlotte during World War I. Most of Randolph's letters were written while in France and most include the original envelopes with the censorship stamps and postmarks. There is one letter from Mexico dated 1921 to show proof of Lester’s survival of the war.
Biographical / Historical
No biographical information is available on the individuals present in the collection.
The 23rd Regiment of Engineers was constituted on August 15, 1917 in the National Army by the War Department General Order 108. This group of men began training on September 5, 1917 in Camp Meade, Maryland. The 23rd Engineers began deploying to France in November 1917 and served by building and maintain highways that were destroyed by the war. This group earned the title “The Road Builders of the AEF”. They returned to the United States in June 1919.
Arrangement
This collection consists of four folders inside a single box. The material is arranged in chronological order.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated through the University of Tennessee's Center for the Study of War and Society.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository