Harriet Pierson scrapbook, vol. 1
Permanent ID:
11764Date:
1917 – 1928Image Description:
Harriet Pierson, the war widow of Major Ward Wright Pierson, maintained a scrapbook collection of newspaper clippings, letters, photographs, maps, condolences, and memorabilia relating to her late husband’s military career and death. Materials contained in the scrapbook span 1917-1928.Image 001 depicts Major Pierson upon completion of officer training school at Ft. Niagara, 1917; Image 002 contains an elegiac inscription by Harriet Pierson; Images 003-004 are letters signed by the president and a provost of the University of Pennsylvania recommending Pierson for officer training school, extolling Pierson’s intelligence and integrity; Images 005-007 are depictions of training exercises at Ft. Niagara, NY, including entrenchment, bayonet drills, parade march, and inspection; Image 008 contains Pierson posed with the inaugural group of lieutenants under his tutelage at Camp Meade, MD; Image 009 is Harriet Pierson, the only photograph of the scrapbook’s creator contained wherein ; Image 010 depicts Company L, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, within which Pierson held a captainship; Images 011-012 shows the regiment marching as part of the War Chest parade. The 315th regiment was popularly called “Philadelphia’s Own” as most of its officers and enlisted men shared Philadelphia as their native city; Image 013 is a telegram from Ward to his wife Harriet upon his arrival in France, after more than two weeks at sea. The message contains the single word: “Well”; Image 016 details the efforts of the Red Cross to provide photographs of the grave markers of servicemen killed overseas; Image 017 contains the letter received by the next of kin following a serviceman’s death. Addressed to Harriet, the letter provides a brief explanation of the circumstances immediately surrounding Pierson’s final moments.
Format:
Scrapbooks; Printed Matter; ClippingsCollection:
Pierson family papersRelated People or Organizations:
Pierson, Ward Wright, 1879-1918 (relates to)Pierson, Harriet (creator)
Library of Congress Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918 [info:lc/authorities/subjects/sh85148236]