World War I Battlefield Memory Archive Postcards and Letters from U.S. Engineer in France Showing Argonne and Verdun War Damage

American Expeditionary Forces in France

Photograph

Moreland, James H. correspondence and postcard archive documenting service of a United States Army engineer with the American Expeditionary Forces in France during the closing phase of World War I and the immediate postwar occupation period in 1919. Private James H. Moreland served with Company F, 114th Engineers, a unit responsible for maintaining roads, rail lines, bridges, and other infrastructure essential to Allied military operations in northeastern France. The postcards and written messages describe the widespread destruction visible across the Meuse region following the Meuse Argonne Offensive, the largest military operation undertaken by the United States during World War I. Through brief but vivid correspondence sent to family members in Louisiana, Moreland recorded firsthand observations of ruined towns, damaged buildings, and the daily routines of American troops stationed in devastated landscapes that had recently been major battle zones.

Archive of approximately thirty photographic and illustrated postcards accompanied by two cards bearing handwritten correspondence from Moreland to his mother and sister in Elizabeth, Louisiana, both postmarked by the U.S. Army in 1919. Several photographic postcards depict heavily damaged towns in northeastern France including views of the Argonne region and Verdun, areas that had experienced sustained bombardment during major campaigns of the war. In a postcard to his mother dated January 29, 1919, Moreland writes: “I will send you a card for a change. This is a scene of a town that was destroyed... We been through this one and through this street. There are lots of towns in just the same shape.” Another postcard addressed to his sister Minnie Moreland on February 2, 1919 shows a damaged building used by American forces and includes the remark: “This is a scene of one of the buildings where we are quartered, but this one is occupied by the officers. We are having a fairly good time now.” Additional postcards portray devastated locations such as Clermont-en-Argonne and scenes from Verdun, where buildings including the Hôtel du Coq Hardi appear reduced to rubble. Several images also show damaged bridges and rail lines, infrastructure frequently repaired or rebuilt by engineer units like the 114th Engineers. One card titled “Clamecy – Arrivée d’un Train de Blessés” depicts a train transporting wounded soldiers arriving for medical treatment.

A newspaper clipping dated June 1, 1918 accompanies the postcards and reproduces a letter written by Corporal W. J. Payne describing combat conditions experienced by American troops earlier in the war. Writing from “Somewhere in France,” Payne states: “Well, I am still here but can’t tell why. It is a mystery to me. No doubt, you have read of the American drive and you may want to know what part I played. I was in it, and a mighty thick part of it, too. My company went ‘over the top’ and was there with the goods.” He continues, describing heavy fighting and repeated counterattacks: “We put up a good fight and blocked five counterattacks within the next two days after the drive... The boche have done enough to get the boys mad, and they sure had better watch out when we get another rap at them.” Together the postcards, correspondence, and newspaper clipping document both active combat and the postwar presence of American troops in France following the 1918 armistice, providing direct testimony from a soldier responsible for rebuilding transportation networks across the devastated battlefields of northeastern France. Light handling wear visible across the postcards with minor edge wear consistent with circulation; newspaper clipping shows typical age toning. Overall condition very good.

Item #21585

Price: $1,850.00