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Conteúdo fornecido por From Camp Lee to the Great War, From Camp Lee to the Great War podcast Archiving Wheeling in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library, and The Wheeling Academy of Law. Todo o conteúdo do podcast, incluindo episódios, gráficos e descrições de podcast, é carregado e fornecido diretamente por From Camp Lee to the Great War, From Camp Lee to the Great War podcast Archiving Wheeling in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library, and The Wheeling Academy of Law ou por seu parceiro de plataforma de podcast. Se você acredita que alguém está usando seu trabalho protegido por direitos autorais sem sua permissão, siga o processo descrito aqui https://pt.player.fm/legal.
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This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil
1 The Good Mother Myth with Nancy Reddy | 274 30:48
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30:48Parenting comes with a lot of expectations, but have you ever stopped to ask where they come from? On this episode of This Is Woman’s Work , we unpack the myth of “the good mother” with Nancy Reddy , author of The Good Mother Myth . Nancy shares her personal experience of confronting the unrealistic ideal of motherhood: endlessly patient, always available, and completely selfless. She hilariously and heartbreakingly debunks these outdated ideals, rooted in flawed mid-20th-century research by figures like Harry Harlow and Dr. Spock. Nancy explains how bad science from the past continues to haunt modern parenting, creating pressure, guilt, and shame for today’s mothers. But this conversation is about more than debunking myths—it’s about empowerment. Because when you prioritize what matters and let go of perfectionism, you’re not just doing woman’s work—you’re modeling it. Connect with Nancy: Newsletter: https://nancyreddy.substack.com/ Book: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-good-mother-myth-9781250336644/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/nancy.o.reddy/ Essay: I Was Promised That The “Golden Hour” Would Make Me A Mom: https://slate.com/human-interest/2022/04/golden-hour-c-section-bonding-attachment-baby-friendly-hospitals.html Related Podcast Episodes: 126 / The Parenting Map with Dr. Shefali 090 / Unmasking Modern Motherhood with Katherine Wintsch 155 / Executive Motherhood with Ashley Quinto Powell Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 47 [May 6, 1918]
Manage episode 205192336 series 1652658
Conteúdo fornecido por From Camp Lee to the Great War, From Camp Lee to the Great War podcast Archiving Wheeling in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library, and The Wheeling Academy of Law. Todo o conteúdo do podcast, incluindo episódios, gráficos e descrições de podcast, é carregado e fornecido diretamente por From Camp Lee to the Great War, From Camp Lee to the Great War podcast Archiving Wheeling in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library, and The Wheeling Academy of Law ou por seu parceiro de plataforma de podcast. Se você acredita que alguém está usando seu trabalho protegido por direitos autorais sem sua permissão, siga o processo descrito aqui https://pt.player.fm/legal.
"P.S. Boss don't you worry while me and Less is gone, for we will be back in about a year from now. Ha Ha!" In his fourteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated May 6, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's as well as ever and having a good time eight miles from Camp Lee on military police duty. They are guarding an electrical power plant, a waterworks, and a bridge across the Appomattox River. It's a dandy place to fish. The plant supplies electricity and water for Camp Lee. It's "90 degrees in the shade," but they have a swing to jump in the river. He says Les [Lester Scott] is "driving mules every day." If Charles Gettings is sent to Camp Lee, Dutch wants him to look him up. He's still with Tub Meriner, a "dandy good fellow." Dutch supposes Walter Toland is showing his courage now in France. He thinks we've got a good Army of a million men in France and even though they are not fighting much now, the Germans will get licked soon. Just a few days prior on May 2, 1918, British and French military leaders argued at a meeting in Abbeville over the entry of U.S. troops into the conflict. American soldiers were arriving at the rate of 120,000 per month, but as Charles Riggle noted in his letter, very few were yet involved in fighting despite the ongoing German Spring Offensive. General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), resisted giving the Allies power to command his troops. Pershing reached a compromise, allowing one third of U.S. troops to join the effort by July. The remainder would benefit from more training. These decisions would have important repercussions for Wheeling PFCs Charles Riggle and Lester Scott and their comrades in arms. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his fourteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, May 6, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's May 6, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-may-6-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Junk Man Rag," Roberts, [Luckyeth] (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1913, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.
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66 episódios
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 47 [May 6, 1918]
From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
Manage episode 205192336 series 1652658
Conteúdo fornecido por From Camp Lee to the Great War, From Camp Lee to the Great War podcast Archiving Wheeling in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library, and The Wheeling Academy of Law. Todo o conteúdo do podcast, incluindo episódios, gráficos e descrições de podcast, é carregado e fornecido diretamente por From Camp Lee to the Great War, From Camp Lee to the Great War podcast Archiving Wheeling in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library, and The Wheeling Academy of Law ou por seu parceiro de plataforma de podcast. Se você acredita que alguém está usando seu trabalho protegido por direitos autorais sem sua permissão, siga o processo descrito aqui https://pt.player.fm/legal.
"P.S. Boss don't you worry while me and Less is gone, for we will be back in about a year from now. Ha Ha!" In his fourteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated May 6, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's as well as ever and having a good time eight miles from Camp Lee on military police duty. They are guarding an electrical power plant, a waterworks, and a bridge across the Appomattox River. It's a dandy place to fish. The plant supplies electricity and water for Camp Lee. It's "90 degrees in the shade," but they have a swing to jump in the river. He says Les [Lester Scott] is "driving mules every day." If Charles Gettings is sent to Camp Lee, Dutch wants him to look him up. He's still with Tub Meriner, a "dandy good fellow." Dutch supposes Walter Toland is showing his courage now in France. He thinks we've got a good Army of a million men in France and even though they are not fighting much now, the Germans will get licked soon. Just a few days prior on May 2, 1918, British and French military leaders argued at a meeting in Abbeville over the entry of U.S. troops into the conflict. American soldiers were arriving at the rate of 120,000 per month, but as Charles Riggle noted in his letter, very few were yet involved in fighting despite the ongoing German Spring Offensive. General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), resisted giving the Allies power to command his troops. Pershing reached a compromise, allowing one third of U.S. troops to join the effort by July. The remainder would benefit from more training. These decisions would have important repercussions for Wheeling PFCs Charles Riggle and Lester Scott and their comrades in arms. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his fourteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, May 6, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's May 6, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-may-6-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Junk Man Rag," Roberts, [Luckyeth] (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1913, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 Wheeling Memory Project: The Pythian Building 57:51
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57:51On January 4, 2023, staff of the Ohio County Public Library sat down with Daryl Clausell, Tressie Fitzhugh, Karla Wood, Ron Johnson, Kathy Fuller, Betty Gordon, and Delores Long to record this oral history for the Wheeling Memory Project.
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War - Full Version 3:14:50
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3:14:50Charles "Dutch" Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle's brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. These are their letters home. Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (www.walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music courtesy the Library of Congress. Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 64 [May 31, 1919] 3:41
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3:41"I think we will start for Camp Lee the 2nd to be mustered out of the Army. I think I will get home some day next week. Gee but I would like to see all of you. It been nearly a year and a half since I saw you..." In his twenty-second and final letter home dated May 31, 1919, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, is writing from Camp Stuart in Newpoert News Virginia, having just returned from France. He tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he didn't get sick on the long journey overseas. He thinks he'll soon be sent back to Camp Lee to be mustered out of the Army. He tells his brother to watch the Wheeling newspapers for word about the troops coming home. Elsewhere on the same day, Howdy Wilcox won the Indianapolis 500 in five hours and forty minutes. By comparison, the 2019 winner took just two hours and fifty minutes. With the war over, the effort to cross the Atlantic ocean by airplane was resumed. On May 31, 1919, the Curtiss seaplane NC-4, a US Navy plane commanded by Albert C. Read, made the crossing with six stops before finally landing in England in 23 days. The first nonstop trans-Atlantic flight would be made by Charles Lindbergh eight years later in 1927. He made it from New York to Paris in just 33.5 hours. A modern jet plane can make the same flight in about 9 hours. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his twenty-second and final letter home, dated 100 years ago today, May 31, 1919.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 63 [February 25, 1919] 3:15
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3:15In his twenty-first letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his sixth letter home from France, dated February 25, 1919, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that they are having a good bit of rain in France. He’s read that his division will finally sail for home in May. He’s glad because he hopes the sea will be less rough in a few months. The trip will be smoother with less chance of seasickness. It took 14 days to get to France. Dutch thinks the return trip will be faster. Dutch has finally been informed about the telegram announcing the death of Lester Scott, but he still hasn’t been able to find out anything from the Army. Elsewhere on the same day, future professional baseball hall of famer Monte Irvin, one of the best players to make the switch from the Negro Leagues to the Major Leagues after Jackie Robinson, was born. Charles "Dutch" Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle's brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home, September 29, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's February 25, 1919 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-february-25-1919-charles-riggle Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: Castle's half and half | James Reese(composer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 62 [January 26, 1919] 5:19
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5:19In his twentieth letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his fifth letter home from France, dated January 26, 1919, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that, despite being homesick, he is well and hearty and feeling fine. They are stuck in France taking care of 107 horses and mules. Dutch wants to get back to farming by spring. He is getting all the cheap wine he wants but the French whiskey is no good. He still hasn’t heard anything about Les [the family back home received a death notice by telegram dated January 8]. He’s heard a rumor that Les died, and another rumor from Tib Meriner that Les was back at Camp Lee. He’s not sure when he’ll get to leave for home. Charles "Dutch" Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle's brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home, September 29, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's January 26, 1919 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-26-1919-charles-riggle Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: Castle's half and half | James Reese(composer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 61 [December 16, 1918] 4:06
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4:06“I think the war is over for good don’t you? For I think them Germans won’t want another war very soon the way they got beat in this one….” In his nineteenth letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his fourth letter home from France, dated December 16, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he’s been worried about his family back home about because of that “disease raging” [a reference to the 1918 influenza or “Spanish Flu” pandemic, fueled in part by troop movements during the war, that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide]. He wants to know if they've heard anything about his brother-in-law Les Scott [who had actually died on October 29, but neither Dutch nor his family would learn of this until January]. He knows Les was taken to the hospital and heard once that he might have died, but Dutch hopes his friend is somehow still alive. He’d seen Les about a week before he was injured but couldn’t talk because the German shelling was too intense. He’s not sure when they’ll get to come home, but hopes maybe sometime in the winter. He can’t talk about his experiences on the front until he gets home, except to say he was in the fight for 50 straight days and nights. Elsewhere on the same day, German forces continued to withdraw from places like Finland, Kiev, and Estonia, and a “spectacular procession” and “stunning” woman suffrage protest was held in Washinton, D.C. on the anniversary of the 1773 Boston Tea Party. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This is his nineteenth letter home, dated 100 years ago today, December 16, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's December 16, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-december-16-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Old Pal (Why don't you answer me?)," Soman, Herbert. (performer), Lieberield, Daniel. (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694035/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 60 [November 25, 1918] 4:14
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4:14“I can’t tell you about Less. He got badly hurt and they took him to the hospital. I heard once he died, but I don’t know if that was correct or not. I hope it wasn’t correct for I would like to went back to the states with him…” In his eighteenth letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his third letter home from France, dated November 25, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle he’s sorry he hasn’t written. He didn’t have much time to write while he was on the front, but now that the war is over, he has all kinds of time. He can’t wait to see the “good old states” again. Dutch had some narrow escapes on the front but came out without a scratch. A good many men from the 314th got hurt, but only four were killed. He has no news about Les. He was badly hurt and taken to the hospital. Dutch heard Les might have died. He hopes that isn’t true. He would like to go back to the states together. Les drove the rolling kitchen for Battery A. Dutch would like to be home for Thanksgiving and hunt rabbit. He and Tib Meriner had been hunting hogs. He like to get some good apples for winter. he doesn’t think there will be another war any time soon. They drove the “Dutch” 48 miles in 50 days. Charles Riggle sent this letter a full two weeks after the armistice ending the Great War was signed in Paris. Elsewhere on that same day, Major General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck of Germany, known affectionately as “The Lion of Africa,” finally surrendered his forces in German East Africa. He had employed a guerrilla, bush-fighting style with his African Askari troops (he spoke fluent Swahili) to harass and confuse British forces, allowing him to exit from the war as the only undefeated military commander on either side. He later led a conservative opposition to Hitler and would have died in poverty but for a small pension organized by his former British and South African enemies. Charles "Dutch" Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle's brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home, November 25, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's November 25, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-november-25-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hail Columbia; Star Spangled Banner," 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010368/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 59 [October 29, 1918] 11:49
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11:49“Just as we were walking down that long line it suddenly crept over me and I realized that I would never again be in the United States…” The “Great War” had raged in Europe for three years before the United States joined the conflict on the side of the Allies in April 1917. Like most young American men of the era, those from Wheeling harbored romantic notions of war, it having been more than 50 years since the American Civil War ended. Thousands of Wheeling men eagerly registered for the draft in 1917. Most of Wheeling’s WWI soldiers served in the U.S. Army’s 80th Division, known as the Blue Ridge in honor of the mountains. Most of these were trained at Camp Lee Virginia near Petersburg under the command of Colonel Robert S. Welsh. A large number from the Wheeling area, like Lester Scott and Charles Riggle, served in the 314th Field Artillery. They started shipping in large numbers to the trenches of France by summer 1918. A few months after that, local casualties were listed in the Wheeling newspapers almost daily. 4.7 million Americans served in the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI, and more than 116,000 died. 58,000 of those Americans came from West Virginia, and 5,000 of those West Virginians were killed or wounded (1120 killed in combat). More than 3000 from Ohio County served. Reports differ, but somewhere between 70 and 100 were killed. The first soldier from Wheeling to be killed on the battlefield was 20-year-old PFC Edward Franklin Bowman of Company D, 28th Infantry, 1st. Division, whose death notice was received on August 5, 1918. Less than three months later, and just two weeks before the Great War would finally end with an armistice signed in Paris, Lester Scott of Dallas, West Virginia, a farm boy who was drafted in Wheeling in April 1917 and shipped overseas a year later to serve as a Wagoner (mule team driver) in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, was killed in action in France. Les was killed 100 years ago today on October 29, 1918, during the final push to end the war, the massive 47-day Meuse-Argonne Offensive, during which more than 26,000 American soldiers died. It remains the most lethal military operation in the history of the United States. Digital scans and transcripts of the Lester Scott letters can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-october-29-1918-regarding-lester-scott Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "America," [Smith, Samuel Francis] (composer) [Unidentified band] (performer), 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010370/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 58 [September 8, 1918] 3:34
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3:34"Minnie I often think to myself that it certainly must be a lonesome old place around their now since all of the boys have left. But I feel that there is a day coming and not far away when we will all be together again..." In his fortieth letter home to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says it's a rainy day but all are in good spirits and happy. He talks with Charles [Riggle] and Tib [Meriner] every day. Tib has been promoted to sergeant. Les would like to hear from their father and is planning to write to him. He's surprised that Tom [Riggle] didn't pass the [draft] exam. he thinks Wheeling must be a lonesome place since all the boys are in France. But he feels they will all be together again soon. Elsewhere on the same day, fighting along the front increased in violence and intensity as the German army made a stand. The New York Times declared, on a full page of photographs: "Win-the-War Spirit Runs High in Labor's Greatest New York Parade." And Derek Barton, a British chemist who would win the Nobel Prize in 1969, was born. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his fortieth letter home, dated 100 years ago today, September 8, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 8, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-september-8-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Over There," Cohan, George M. (composer), Murray, Billy (performer), 1917, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010567/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 57 [September 6, 1918] 3:39
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3:39"Somewhere in France..." In his thirty-ninth letter home to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he sees Charles [Riggle] every day. He received a card from Walter Toland, who is in England. They've had some frost in France. Lester has rubber boots and warm clothes for winter. He hopes Minnie has received his Liberty Bonds. He's sending Minnie and Jim half his allotment [$20] and he hopes they will use it. Elsewhere on the same day, the German army remained in full retreat from the Somme, American troops reached the south bank of the Aisne river, and "The Stars and Stripes" (an American Expeditionary Forces soldiers' newspaper published in Paris) announced that an "All Star Nine in Olive Drab" would tour to play club teams and hospital staff teams to entertain the A.E.F. troops. The all-stars would feature Major League baseball players including pitchers "Dots" Miller of the Pittsburgh Pirates and future Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander, who played for the Chicago Cubs at the time. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-ninth letter home, dated 100 years ago today, September 6, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 6, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-september-6-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hot Time in the Old Town," Metz, Theo (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1917, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010764/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 56 [August 6, 1918] 3:01
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3:01"When you answer write a big long letter and tell me all the news...." In his thirty-eight letter home (and his first from France), to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, doesn't have much of substance to say, probably in part because of security restrictions on what he can write. He's in good health. He saw Will Riggle. It's raining in France. And, like Charles Riggle [see our August 1 episode], he wishes he could attend the Jacktown Fair. Mostly he just wants all the news from home. Elsewhere on the same day, the Second Battle of the Marne ended, the British Government issued a Declaration to the people of Russia, promising that they will not interfere in Russian politics, and Ferdinand Foch was named Marshal of France. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-eighth letter home, dated 100 years ago today, August 6, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's August 6, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-august-6-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Love Will Find A Way," The Seven Black Dots (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010774/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 55 [August 1, 1918] 4:33
4:33
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4:33"I think the Germans is nearly licked now. I want to see it over in time to go to the Jacktown fair next year..." In his seventeenth letter home (his second from France after fifteen from Camp Lee) dated August 1, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle he supposes Abe will be getting "the call" [for the draft] soon, since all the other young fellows from the ridge are already in France (even though Tom didn't pass the exam). Dutch thinks it must be lonely on the ridge. Dutch is on the firing range a lot practicing on the powerful 3-inch French guns that "don't hurt the ears like the American 3 inch does." Les is doing fine. Dutch sees him nearly every day. Walter Toland is in England (probably having a good time). Dutch has heard the soldiers might get to vote in the upcoming election but thinks it will be to much bother. The regiment is "quite a ways from the front yet." The allies are closing on Berlin and Dutch hopes the war is over in time for him to attend the Jacktown Fair. Elsewhere on the same day, the Allies attacked and captured Archangel defenses (part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War), British troops entered Vladivostok, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves played a record 20 scoreless innings before the Pirates won, 2-0 in the 21st inning. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his seventeenth letter home, dated 100 years ago today, August 1, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's August 1, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-august-1-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Porcupine Rag," Johnson, Chas. J. (composer), New York Military Band, 1915, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035782/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 54 [June 22, 1918] 3:52
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3:52"Somewhere in France...It's is a nice country alright. It's no wonder the French is fighting so hard for it." In his sixteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated June 22, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle, in a letter addressed "Somewhere in France," that the weather is dandy and that he likes France just fine, but he's not sure how he will like it when he gets "into the scrap." He says the "trip across the pond" was a long one. Les got a little seasick. The Germans are getting about all they want now. He hopes to finish the war in time to make the rabbit hunt in fall. Elsewhere on the same day, a horrific train wreck occurred near Hammond, Indiana when an engineer fell asleep, allowing his locomotive to crash into another. The Hammond Circus Train Wreck killed 86 people, many of them circus performers, in one of the worst such disasters in American history. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his sixteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, June 22, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's June 22, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-june-22-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle Valse Classique," [Europe, James Reese] (composer), [Dabney, Ford] (composer), Metropolitan Military Band (performer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010721/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 53 [June 18, 1918] 2:24
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2:24"I have arrived safely overseas..." In what is essentially his thirty-seventh letter home, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes, this time courtesy a signed, Red Cross form postcard announcing his safe arrival in France addressed to his brother-in-law (his sister Minnie's husband Jame Riggle), "I have arrived safely overseas." The postcard was sent from Newport News, Virginia, but refers to Lester's arrival in France as a part of the American Expeditionary Force. On the same day that Lester Scott arrived on French soil, the French army repulsed a German attack on the Reims front and the Russian battleship Svobodnaya Rossiya was scuttled in the Black Sea to avoid being captured by the Germans. Meanwhile, the German submarine U-151 fired torpedoes at the British flagged merchant ship, SS Dwinsk near Bermuda, badly damaging her. The U-151 then fired two torpedoes at the USS Von Steuben, which was attempting a rescue. The Von Steuben was able to outmaneuver the torpedoes and avoid being hit. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-seventh letter home, dated 100 years ago today, June 18, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's June 18, 1918 postcard can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-june-18-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Over There," Cohan, George M. (composer), Murray, Billy (performer), 1917, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010567/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 52 [The Cleo Episode] 9:32
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9:32"My own darling Less, How can you doubt my love for you?" Who the heck is Cleo?! That was a question from a listener who said he's heard every episode of "From Camp Lee to the Great War," but still can't figure it out. If you've also been listening but not necessarily reading all of the accompanying blog posts on Archiving Wheeling dot org, you might have the same question: Who the heck is Cleo? Well, the short answer is that Cleo Hewitt is Wagoner Lester Scott's girlfriend back in Wheeling. We don't know a great deal about her, but to remove some of the mystery, we've created this special edition of "From Camp Lee to the Great War." Let's just call it, "The Cleo Episode." As you know, we publish the letters of US Army privates, Lester Scott and his brother-in-law Charles "Dutch" Riggle, 100 years to the day after each was penned by our soldiers and mailed from Camp Lee, Virginia, back to family in Wheeling. We've chosen to publish the Cleo Episode today because it was 100 years ago last week, on May 23, 1918, that Lester Scott wrote to his sister Minnie Riggle, "please write and tell Cleo Good Bye for me." The reason is, Les knew he was leaving for France. And for reasons that will become apparent, Les wasn't sure Cleo wanted to hear from him. But since his sister was Cleo's good friend, he asked her to convey his goodbye message. After listening today's podcast, you will know as much as we do about the mysterious Cleo. Digital scans and a transcript of Cleo Hewitt's letters can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-the-cleo-episode Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. Liz Richter is the voice of Cleo Hewitt. Sean Duffy is the voice of Christopher Columbus Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music for May 23, 1918 episode: “Poor butterfly,” Jaudas, Eugene. (performer)Jaudas’ Band (performer), 1917, courtesy the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694036/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 51 [May 23, 1918] 3:43
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3:43"Please write and tell Cleo Good Bye for me...Well Boss, all I can say is, Good Bye and Good Luck..." In his thirty-sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he weighs 172 pounds. Dutch is in good spirits and nearly as heavy as Les. The boys are in good spirits. He sends best regards to every one of his friends, to Minnie and Jim, to Dad, and to Cleo [link to Cleo Episode]. It's clear that Les knows he's going to France soon. He tells Minnie she should not worry about him. He'll be alright. She will hear from him before too long. Elsewhere on the same day, Arabs successfully attack the Ottoman Turks near Abu Naam, and the British armed mercantile cruiser "Moldavia", carrying American troops, was torpedoed and sunk, killing 56. Costa Rica declared war on Germany in an effort to gain favor from Woodrow Wilson for its new leader who had taken power after a coup. The gesture was ineffective. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-sixth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, May 23, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's May 23, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-may-23-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hail Columbia ; Star Spangled Banner," 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010368/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 50 [May 19, 1918] 2:33
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2:33"We han't allowed to write any military information anymore, and you see a fellow hasn't got much to write" In his fifteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated May 19, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's still in Battery F but doesn't know for how much longer. He's drilling a great deal but he can't talk about the military anymore. He had his picture taken and he'll send one home. That's about it! Elsewhere on the same day, German planes raided London and bombed British hospitals outside the war zone, killing or wounding hundreds. Airman Gervais Raoul Victor Lufbery, who served in both the French Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Service, was killed in aerial combat. Meanwhile on the home front, the Washington Senators Walter Johnson pitched a grueling 18 innings to beat the Cleveland Indians (whose pitcher also went the distance) 1-0. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his fifteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, May 19, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's May 19, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-may-19-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: Castle's half and half | James Reese(composer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 49 [May 18, 1918] 5:14
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5:14"What has become of Cleo?" In his thirty-fifth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he's done some excellent firing at rifle practice, hitting four bulls eyes from 100 yards left-handed. Then he got seven out of ten hits right-handed. They have to shoot different distances from different positions. He shoulder was sore the next day. He got 18 out of 60 total shots in the bullseye. Les is unsure if he'll get that furlough. Les now has a helper who has to do whatever Les tells him. He talks too much. Les says Jim is welcome to wear any clothes he left behind. Les wants to know what has become of his girlfriend Cleo. Two days earlier on May 16, 1918, the U.S. Congress passed the Sedition Act, which prohibited "any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States ... or the flag of the United States, or the uniform of the Army or Navy." A serious challenge to the First Amendment, the Sedition Act was repealed in 1921. Elsewhere on May 18, 1918, British planes made air raids against German towns and a TNT explosion at the Aetna Chemical Co. in Oakdale, Pennsylvania killed 200 people. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-fifth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, May 18, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's May 18, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-may-18-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hungarian Rag," New York Military Band (performer), 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694028/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 48 [May 12, 1918] 4:42
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4:42"I am going to send some money home before long. Maybe you can use it now to buy cows with. I only have two more months to pay my liberty bonds out in..." In his thirty-fourth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he's been busy packing mule harnesses and drilling. He's qualified on gas mask school. He refers to Minnie's "new separator" [probably a cream separator, a common tool on dairy farms]. He says he'll be sending money how so Minnie can buy cows. He's paying on his liberty bonds and took out $5000.00 in insurance. He's ready to go over seas anytime. In this letter, Les asks Minnie if she knows what their father, Christopher Columbus Scott, meant in his May 10 letter, when he wrote, "I was talking to Cleo Hewett and she says she is afraid she is left on you now." In response, Les wrote to Minnie, "if you know what he meant about Cleo, he has me guessing." This happens to be the only instance in which we actually have a letter from home to pair with a soldier's letter. You can see a photograph of Christopher and an image of his letter as well as the transcription below. His words are also included in the podcast. And he finally reveals the mysterious Cleo's surname. Look for a future podcast dedicated to Cleo and Les, coming May 23. The "Liberty Bonds" Les refers to were sold to raise money for the war effort. Marketed as a patriotic duty, the bonds were essentially loans to the government that were to be repaid with interest added after a specified time had passed. Despite these efforts, U.S. debt grew to more than $25 billion by war's end. Elsewhere on the same day, Julius Rosenberg, who would be executed along with his wife Ethel 35 years later as Soviet spies, was born in New York City. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-fourth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, May 12, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Christopher Columbus Scott May 10, 1918 letter and Lester Scott's May 12, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-may-12-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Sean Duffy is the voice of Christopher Columbus Scott. Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Love Will Find A Way," The Seven Black Dots (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010774/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 47 [May 6, 1918] 4:51
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4:51"P.S. Boss don't you worry while me and Less is gone, for we will be back in about a year from now. Ha Ha!" In his fourteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated May 6, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's as well as ever and having a good time eight miles from Camp Lee on military police duty. They are guarding an electrical power plant, a waterworks, and a bridge across the Appomattox River. It's a dandy place to fish. The plant supplies electricity and water for Camp Lee. It's "90 degrees in the shade," but they have a swing to jump in the river. He says Les [Lester Scott] is "driving mules every day." If Charles Gettings is sent to Camp Lee, Dutch wants him to look him up. He's still with Tub Meriner, a "dandy good fellow." Dutch supposes Walter Toland is showing his courage now in France. He thinks we've got a good Army of a million men in France and even though they are not fighting much now, the Germans will get licked soon. Just a few days prior on May 2, 1918, British and French military leaders argued at a meeting in Abbeville over the entry of U.S. troops into the conflict. American soldiers were arriving at the rate of 120,000 per month, but as Charles Riggle noted in his letter, very few were yet involved in fighting despite the ongoing German Spring Offensive. General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), resisted giving the Allies power to command his troops. Pershing reached a compromise, allowing one third of U.S. troops to join the effort by July. The remainder would benefit from more training. These decisions would have important repercussions for Wheeling PFCs Charles Riggle and Lester Scott and their comrades in arms. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his fourteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, May 6, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's May 6, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-may-6-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Junk Man Rag," Roberts, [Luckyeth] (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1913, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 46 [April 26, 1918] 4:12
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4:12"I was at the remount station yesterday and helped bring back 26 more mules. There were quite a few hit their meat house against mother earth before we got back..." In his thirty-third letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he's always glad to get mail from home. It's been seven months since he left West Virginia. Les is sorry to hear that Jim [Riggle] got hurt riding his horse. The army would teach him to ride. He brought 26 more mules to camp. A few died on the way. More rookies arrived and were assigned as helpers to the "old wagoners" like Les. Ed Fisher wrote Les that Oliver Moss has a "Ford machine" [car] now. Les wants to know what has become of Charles Gettings. He once again promises to come home on a pass. Minnie does not need to record that will. Les might be going back to Dutch Gap. He asks Minnie to excuse his mistakes because he can't see very well. A few days before Les sent his letter, on April 21, 1918, Germany's flying ace Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen) was shot down and killed in a dogfight over France by the British, who bury him with honors. Elsewhere on April 26, the German Spring 1918 Offensive continued and the Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge was underway as the first Italian troops were close to arriving on the French front. Dutch hurdler Fanny Blankers-Koen, was born, and would win an Olympic gold medal 30 years hence. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-third letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, April 26, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's April 26, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-april-26-1918-pocast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "True to the Flag March," United States Marine Band, 1922, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694039/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 45 [April 22, 1918] 5:13
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5:13"This surely is going to be the longest war we ever had. It surely has been some bloody fighting but I think the Germans is getting licked every day..." In his thirteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated April 22, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's been at Camp Lee for seven months yesterday, and it feels like he might never leave. He thought sure he'd be in France by now. He was at the supply company with Tib Meriner to see Les [Lester Scott] and hear some music. Les had a borrowed fiddle that Tib could play some. He saw Bill Wallace, who is in the infantry. Dutch wants to know if Chas Gellings has been called yet. He saw where Chas Milliken was. The camp is full of rookies. They walk the fifteen miles to Dutch Gap, rain or shine. It rained so hard last time the fellows' shoes were full of water. Yes, Dutch knew Jesse Bond Hewitt [a Marshall County boy who died of pneumonia at sea on March 19, 1918 after training at Camp Lee]. He was "a pretty good fellow" and Dutch's good old friend. The people of Marshall County sent down a powerful bunch of tobacco. Dutch got twenty packs. There are about 100 Marshall County boys in the regiment. Dutch wants to know if James has broken the colts and started farming this spring. Dutch sent home a shell so James could see how those guns jar a fellow. Dutch thinks this will be the longest war we ever had, even though the Germans are getting licked. Elsewhere on the same day Baron Goto was appointed Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic (ethnic Armenians, Georgians and Azerbaijanis) declared independence and went to war with the Ottoman Empire. Future Major League Baseball star Mickey Vernon was born. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in Battery F of the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his thirteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, April 22, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's April 22, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-april-22-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hail Columbia ; Star Spangled Banner," 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010368/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 44 [April 16, 1918] 4:55
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4:55"You don't need to be afraid of Jim being drafted. He will never haft to come. You will see that. There will not be many farm boys taken until winter..." In his thirty-second letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says they had some short-lived April snow in Virginia. He ran into Bill Wallace. Jess Hewitt is dead, killed in France or on his way home. Les never hears from Cleo anymore [his girlfriend back home]. He wonders where she is. Les says the infantry boys do the cooking. He never has to cook for himself these days. He drove his four-line team of mules to Dutch Gap [roughly 13 miles] in three hours with a full load of ammunition. Les is proud of his speed with the mule team. He sent Minnie a shell -- the kind they will shoot at practice. He got two more teeth fixed in Petersburg. He says Minnie should keep Bill [his horse] and was surprised he tried to kick Jim [Riggle]. Les doesn't think Jim will ever be drafted. Minnie needn't worry. The farm boys might get a furlough anyway. Elsewhere on the previous day, April 15, the Battle of Hazebrouck (part of the Battle of Lys and the German Spring Offensive) ended, and on April 16, Passchendaele (a rural village in Flanders, a Dutch-speaking region of northern Belgium overlapping France) was reoccupied by German forces. In the British House of Commons, a "Military Services Act" was passed, allowing men up to 55 years of age to be drafted, and extending this law to Ireland, causing outrage and organized resistance, a "Conscription Crisis" led by Irish nationalists and Catholic clergy. This was one of the key factors leading up to the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921). Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-second letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, April 16, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's April 16, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-april-16-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Old Pal (Why don't you answer me?)," Soman, Herbert. (performer), Lieberield, Daniel. (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694035/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 43 [April 7, 1918] 4:12
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4:12"I think the Germans is getting about all the fighting they want now. They surely have lost a lot of men since the big battle began..." In his twelfth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated April 7, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he is at Dutch Gap near the Appomattox Court House Civil War battlefield [see Lester Scott's description in episode 42: https://bit.ly/2GLK5Qa], training at the firing range. This would have been about 53 years to the day since the Civil War battle of April 8-9, 1865. He is having a "dandy time" living in a tent. They've brought about 300 horses and mules with them. He says Les is there with him and "looking good." They are being kept away from newly arriving soldiers to prevent yet another round of contagious diseases [like the mumps and measles that afflicted Les]. Dutch thinks it will be at least six months before he's sent to France. He describes the trenches left from the Civil War still extant at Dutch Gap, as well as tombstones for Civil War officers. Dutch refers to the "big battle" during which the Germans have lost a lot of men. This is probably a reference to the 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht (Kaiser's Battle), also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, which began on 21 March 21, 1918. The offensive was launched as a last ditch attempt to break the Allies before the arrival of fresh troops from the United States. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his twelfth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, April 7, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's April 7, 1917 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-april-7-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. "The U.S. Field Artillery March," Sousa, John Philip (arranger), New York Military Band (performer), 1921, http://www.loc.gov/item/00694042/] Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 42 [April 4, 1918] 4:35
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4:35"I guess you remember the Battle of the Appomattox Court House. There are still old forts and trenches there yet that were built when the North and South fought. We found some spurs yesterday that were lost during the Civil War and found a bone of a man's arm and a canteen too..." In his thirty-first letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, again refers to the Dutch Gap, a canal dug during the Civil War by freed African American workers pressed into service by Union troops [see episode 36 from March 6, 1918 - https://bit.ly/2GynS81]. Les says four mule teams rode to the firing range there and will be making the twelve-mile trek again tomorrow. He notes that it's close to the Appomattox Court House Civil War battlefield. Remarkably, the wagoners have found Civil War relics, including a human arm bone. He says Silvess Merriner wants to buy Bill [Les's horse] back. Les says it's up to Minnie and Jim. Les says, "Silvess says he had the most sense of any horse they ever had." Elsewhere on the same day, food riots began in Amsterdam, German forces attacked near the Somme River, a British destroyer was sunk in a collision, a German U-boat attacked a convoy of US transports and was sunk, and British Prime Minister David Lloyd George returned home from a visit to the front. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his thirty-first letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, April 4, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's April 4, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-april-4-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Medley of Southern airs," Fred J. Bacon, banjo, 1920, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694032/…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 41 [March 26, 1918] 3:58
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3:58Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's March 26, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-march-26-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle Walk," Meacham, F. W. (composer); Dabney, [Ford] (composer); Prince's Band, 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010714/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 40 [March 20, 1918] 4:09
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4:09"There was 2000 Negro [troops] went past this regiment this morning bound for France..." In his eleventh letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated March 20, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that it's so hot, he's switching to his "summer underwear." Dutch has a new job washing dishes at the officer's mess for $10.50 per week (plus a $3.50 tip from the officers and some "dandy eats"). Three men and a cook work to feed 13 officers. The battalion now has 33 horses and at least 75 more are expected. "It surely take lots of horses for horse artillery," he notes. Dutch would like to get to Wheeling, but has no money for railroad fares. He saw 2000 Negro troops bound for France. Dutch thinks he and Les will be sent in the summer. For African Americans like those seen by Charles Riggle, the First World War was a transformative experience. Blacks were dealing with the horrors of full-blown “Jim Crow” segregation in the American South (including Wheeling, West Virginia), and the “Great Migration” was taking place, as thousands of African Americans moved to northern cities seeking opportunity. President Wilson’s pledge to “make the world safe for democracy” gave many African Americans hope that the war would also increase freedom and equality for them at home. Others decried the hypocrisy of asking people who were not treated as equals in their own country to fight for democracy overseas. In reality, the men Riggle saw at Camp Lee were likely part of segregated service battalions (probably the 510th and 511th Engineer Service Battalions) who were expected to do manual labor, such as ditch digging and burial of war dead, or, as Riggle noted in an earlier letter, to provide entertainment as musicians or singers. More than 200,000 African American soldiers were eventually sent to France. Those who did see combat were often assigned to French command and were treated with greater respect by the French. Many served with distinction, especially members of the 92nd Division and the 93rd Division’s 369th Infantry Regiment from New York, nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters.” Unfortunately, the hoped-for improvement in race relations at home, out of respect for honorable service, did not happen. The achievements of African American soldiers were largely ignored or diminished for decades. But the WWI experiences of African Americans, both military and civilian, had also proved empowering and eyeopening, and many were inspired and emboldened to fight for racial justice. Elsewhere on March 20, 1918, German attacks were repulsed near Verdun and in Lorraine and Mr. A. Henderson declared that Labour would not accept the peace of Brest-Litovsk. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. This is his eleventh letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, March 20, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's March 20, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-march-20-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "The Smiler," Van Eps, Fred (instrumentalist), Burckhardt, John F. (instrumentalist), Wenrich, Percy (composer) 1925, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035784/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 39 [March 17, 1918] 3:01
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3:01"You were speaking of the 314 Co....coming to wheeling for the third Liberty Loan. There will be one from each county, Ohio and Brooke... They just go to talk the people into buying them..." In his twenty-ninth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes about a teacher at No. 2 school named Roy Strickland. He then explains the process by which men of the 314th were elected to go to Wheeling to push Liberty Loans — war bonds sold by the US government to finance the war effort. Buying Liberty Loans came to be viewed as one's patriotic duty. Elsewhere on the same day, the German army raided northeast of Verdun, and the British launched a daylight air-raid on Kaiserslautern in southwest Germany near the Palatinate Forest. Unexploded ordinance from both World Wars is still occasionally found in the area. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-ninth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, March 17, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's February 5, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-september-24-1917 Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. [Music for March 17, 1918 episode: "Poor butterfly," Jaudas, Eugene. (performer)Jaudas' Band (performer), 1917, courtesy the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/00694036/]…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 38 [March 10, 1918] 4:33
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4:33"I want to come home either well, or if I get killed, I would just as soon be planted in France..." In his tenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated March 10, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that they are losing their captain, probably because he is being sent overseas. Just as Les Scott reported the day before (see podcast 37), Dutch believes they will keep the mules and not be motorized (with trucks). They'll be heading to the artillery range on the James River. Dutch is looking forward to it. His battery beat the rest in firing practice, shooting 5,000 yards. He has a little chat with Les almost every day. The weather is warm and "dandy," and more concrete roads are being built. Dutch thinks if the war isn't over by July, "we will go over and try the Germans a crack." He's going to send a shell home for "old Boss" [possibly his sister, Minnie Riggle] to keep as an ornament. Elsewhere on the same day, Günther Rall, who would become a prolific fighter ace for Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe in WWII (credited with 275 wins), was born, and the British hospital ship "Guildford Castle" with 450 wounded soldiers on board, was torpedoed by a German submarine in Bristol Channel, but made it to port. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his tenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, March 10, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's March 10, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-march-10-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Medley of Southern airs," Fred J. Bacon, banjo, 1920, courtesy Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/item/00694032/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 37 [March 9, 1918] 3:01
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3:01"Boss I am a little mad this evening. Just had a quarrel on politics. A fellow said he had no use for a darn Democrat. It made my blood boil..." In his twenty-eighth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he thinks the troops will be "going over before long." They'll be keeping their mules and adding more mules and more men. Les is upset because he's had a quarrel on politics. Elsewhere on the same day, the British launched a daylight bombardment of the German manufacturing city of Mainz and mystery writer Mickey Spillane was born in Brooklyn, New York Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-eighth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, March 9, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's March 9, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-march-9-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Bugle Call Rag," Metropolitan Military Band, 1915, courtesy Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035785/…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 36 [March 6, 1918] 3:22
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3:22"I would like for you to hear the firing we have here. Some are three inch and some machine guns. They make some noise, believe me. The shells weigh 16 lbs, so you can imagine what they are like..." In his twenty-seventh letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes during a thunderstorm. He's finally gotten a letter from Cleo (his girlfriend). She wanted her "sovallier" [Cleo may have been asking for the return of a lavaliere, a piece of jewelry, as part of the couple's ongoing relationship issues]. He sent it back. He's still on the firing line. They'll be going to Dutch Gap [a canal dug during the Civil War by freed African American workers pressed into service by Union troops] for target practice, and he's looking forward to camping out. The three-inch guns fire 16-pound shells and are noisy. He's spoken to Dutch (our second letter writer, PFC Charles Riggle), who is "happy as can be." Elsewhere on the same day, the USS Cyclops, a US Navy Proteus-class collier carrying 11,000 tons of manganese ore (used in munitions production) mysteriously disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. No trace of the vessel, nor any of the 306 crew and passengers, was ever found. No distress signal was sent, and Germany later denied any knowledge of the ship. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-seventh letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, March 6, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's March 6, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-march-6-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Porcupine Rag," Johnson, Chas. J. (composer), New York Military Band, 1915, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035782/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 35 [March 1, 1918] 4:34
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4:34"You were wanting to know if I ever play the violin. I sure do. Some of boys come up from the infirmary with a violin and banjo and guitar. We have regular old stag dances..." In his twenty-sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he's surprised to learn of the death of Bill Riggle. Les has been firing guns at the target range all week. He hasn't heard from Cleo (his girlfriend), but says he doesn't care if she doesn't write anymore. A soldier named Harry Crow has deserted. Les thinks he'll be caught, court-martialed, and executed or imprisoned for life. Les wishes he'd enlisted in the cavalry or the Marines. He plays stag dances with his violin. Another soldier plays the banjo and another the guitar. He'll visit home when he finds out when he'll be sent to France. Those who say it's unconstitutional to send the boys overseas are badly mistaken, Les believes. Dutch [Charles Riggle] is doing fine. Les is off to a "big entertainment" at the YWCA. Elsewhere on the same day, a Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed between the Finnish Social Republic of Workmen and the Russian Federal Soviet Republic. This was part of the Finnish quest for independence launched the previous December and the Finnish Civil War between the "Whites" (conservatives) and "Reds" (socialists, inspired by Russian Bolsheviks). The Whites would prevail. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-sixth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, March 1, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's March 1, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-march-1-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle Valse Classique," [Europe, James Reese] (composer), [Dabney, Ford] (composer), Metropolitan Military Band (performer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010721/…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 34 [February 24, 1918] 4:52
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4:52"I got a gold inlay put in my front tooth. Cost me $5.00. I am going to get the rest fixed in town. The dentists [at Camp Lee] don’t suit me..." In his twenty-fifth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that it's "warm as summer." He took a trip in the country with four other soldiers on some mules. Two "got throwed off" but were uninjured. He paid $5.00 for a gold inlay in his front tooth. He'll get the rest fixed in town, away from the army dentists. He says he can't figure out why his teeth keep decaying. He takes good care of them. He's also going bald and getting fat eating veal and pork. He hasn't heard from his girlfriend Cleo lately. The men shaved off half of a new man's mustache, forcing him to shave the rest. The fellows in the other squads call Les and his boys "hard boiled mule skinners." They have a new Victrola, a football, and boxing gloves. Les doesn't want to leave the army now. Elsewhere on the same day, Russia accepted Germany's peace terms (they would sign on March 3), and the German cruiser "Wolf" returned to port after having sunk 11 ships. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-fifth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, February 24, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's February 23, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-february-24-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "At the Ball," Hill, J. Leubrie (composer), Prince's Band (performer), 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010713/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 33 [February 23, 1918] 4:23
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4:23"I would like to be in one battle before [the war] is over any way. For all i know, I might be in several of them before it is over...." In his ninth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated February 23, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's just starting to feel like he did before he left [apparently to go home for a visit]. The weather is like spring and he hasn't drilled a bit since returning. Les [our second letter writer] is out of the hospital and doing well. The two are planning to go to the show in Lakemont. Les thinks going home isn't worth the trouble for a short visit. He heard the Captain say they wouldn't go to France before October, and Dutch thinks the war will be over before then. Dutch likes the army but prefers farm work. His first sergeant was paid $62.00 a month -- good money. He can't wait to husk corn. It only took 19 hours to get back to Petersburg [the trip would take about 7 hours by car today]. Elsewhere on the same day the socialist parties of the allied nations concluded one of several wartime Inter-Allied Socialist Conferences in London. The parties adopted a war aims resolution that included territorial goals; planned actions to prevent famine and refugees and punish war crimes; endorsement of a League of Nations; an International Legislature; and the abolition of secret treaties, diplomacy, and compulsory military service Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his ninth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, February 23, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's February 23, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-february-23-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "True to the Flag March," United States Marine Band, 1922, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694039/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 32 [February 11, 1918] 4:39
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4:39"Cleo is trying to apologize now but that don't go with me. I would like for you to see the letters she wrote. They remind me of the notes the Kaiser used to [send] to the president..." In his twenty-third letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he's out of the hospital, feels fine, weighs the same, has lots of friends in camp, and probably won't be coming home. A five-day furlough just isn't enough time. He hears they might be moving the troops to Pennsylvania. They won't be going overseas at least until summer. Les got two letters from Cleo, who is trying to apologize. But Les isn't buying it. Minnie will see him when she's not expecting him. Elsewhere on the same day, President Woodrow Wilson addressed a Joint Session of Congress, assessing the Central Powers's reaction to his Fourteen Points, and adding what are now known as the "Four Principles," which included "adjustments as are most likely to bring a peace that will be permanent;" "that peoples and provinces are not to be bartered about from sovereignty to sovereignty as if they were mere chattels and pawns in a game;" that "every territorial settlement involved in this war must be made in the interest and for the benefit of the populations concerned;" and "that all well-defined national aspirations shall be accorded the utmost satisfaction that can be accorded them without introducing new or perpetuating old elements of discord and antagonism that would be likely in time to break the peace of Europe and consequently of the world." Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-fourth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, February 11, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's February 11, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-february-11-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle's half and half," James Reese(composer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010715 Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 31 [February 5, 1918] 7:02
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7:02"I wish now I had enlisted in the Calvary. I would like it better. I like to be with horses. I am tired of seeing mules..." In his twenty-third letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he might not visit after all as he hates the idea of such a long trip for only two days at home. Despite being hospitalized for many days, Les claims he's never really been sick. Yet the little field hospital now houses 75 victims of the mumps. He's seen in the paper that the rest of the West Virginia boys are being sent to Camp Meade, and he'd rather be there than Camp Lee. Les wishes he'd joined the Knights of Pythias, a popular fraternal organization. He also wishes he'd joined the cavalry. He prefers the company of horses to that of mules. He reckons his horse, Bill, is as good as any he sees the officers riding. Les attempts to instruct Minnie in the importance of saluting superiors (and never striking an officer no matter how insulting they might be). He warns Minnie not to put any of his letters in the newspaper, at least until he's gone overseas. He closes by telling Minnie to "Watch for good news from me..." Elsewhere on the same day, the transport steamship SS Tuscania, with 2397 US troops on board, was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German submarine. The Tuscania was part of a British convoy of vessels headed for France. The ship sank quickly, and 210 of the US troops were lost. On the whole, despite this attack, the convoy system employed as a defensive measure against German U-Boat attacks, was highly successful. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-third letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, February 5, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's February 5, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-february-5-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Love Will Find A Way," The Seven Black Dots (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010774/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 30 [February 1, 1918] 6:36
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6:36"I have been saying all the time that this summer will end it for the working class over their and the socialists are raising the devil now. Anyone would know they are nearly starving to death..." In his twenty-second letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that his mumps are gone and he's feeling fine. He's gotten a letter from his girlfriend, Cleo, and it seems they've had a falling out of sorts. Cleo is apparently also upset with her friend Minnie. Les wants Minnie to see Cleo's letter. He thinks the war is almost over, but fears he will have to go over seas anyway. As Charles Riggle wrote a couple of days earlier, Les talks about how the German people are starving and says the "socialists are raising the devil." He says the war will be four years old in August, making it as long as any war. He says when he is sent over, he won't have time to write. Minnie will receive a cablegram. He closes with, "Watch Cleo don't pull your hair..." Elsewhere on the same day, the Central Powers recognized the Ukraine Republic as an independent state and the labor strikes in Germany began to collapse. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-second letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, February 1, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's February 1, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-february-1-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hungarian Rag," New York Military Band (performer), 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694028/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 29 [January 30, 1918] 4:42
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4:42"Well Abe it look like they will haft to do something pretty soon over in Germany. The way the people is doing there, I think the war will close in 2 or 3 month..." In his eighth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated January 30, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that Les (PFC Lester Scott) is in the hospital with the mumps, like a lot of other boys in camp. He says they are practicing on the "big guns," which "do roar when they go off." Though it's raining "like the devil," Charles has never seen a nicer winter. He's impressed that camp is "fixed up dandy," complete with a cement road to hike on, electric lights everywhere, and hot and cold water in the bathhouse. He inquires about the corn husking back home. He thinks the German people are suffering, so the war will have to end soon. Charles is writing on his birthday. He is 24 years old. In this letter, when Charles Riggle writes about the "way the people [are] doing" in Germany, he is undoubtedly referring to the food shortages suffered by the German people in the months preceding January 2018, during which a quarter of a million people had starved to death. Also as of the end of January, more than four million workers were striking in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Kiel, Cologne, and Hamburg. The German government's reaction was swift and harsh, even as the German military dropped 14 tons of bombs on Paris. Despite its tenacity, the Germany Charles Riggle read about in the newspapers was in bleak disarray and must have appeared on the verge of inevitable collapse. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his eighth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 30, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's January 30, 1918 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-30-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle Walk," Meacham, F. W. (composer); Dabney, [Ford] (composer); Prince's Band, 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010714/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 28 [January 24, 1918] 5:01
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5:01"I never saw as many mumps and measles...I will venture to say that there is one fourth of the boys in camp with mumps and measles..." In his twenty-first letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he feels fine "with the exception of a big jaw." He's in the convalescent field hospital with the dreaded but predicted mumps now, and signs the letter "from Fat Face." He notes that the mumps are doing what the measles did before: preventing his visit home. He has nothing to do for the next 18 days but listen to the Victrola. Luckily, they have plenty of records. There are six inches of snow on the ground. Les is meeting people from all over the country. Les says it's OK to sell his horse Bill. Elsewhere on the same day aerial battles continued over Flanders, the Brits were conducting air raids into Germany, and British Prime Minister Lloyd George met with Italian leader Vittorio Emanuele Orlando. The two men would have significant roles at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. American evangelist Oral Roberts was born. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twenty-first letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 24, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-24-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Old Pal (Why don't you answer me?)," Soman, Herbert. (performer), Lieberield, Daniel. (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694035/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 27 [January 23, 1918] 3:12
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3:12"I have been having some pretty hard luck..." In his twentieth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he is "taking the mumps" and his "jaw is swelled some." He fears a long hospital stay (18 days for mumps) will ruin yet another attempt to visit home. Even the ever-optimistic Les has to admit he's been the victim of some "hard luck," but he still sees the silver lining in that if he has mumps now, he won't have them "sometime again." He says the mule drivers will be getting their trucks soon [American manufacturers had produced more than 225,000 trucks by 1918]. Elsewhere on the same day the Germans captured trenches on the Belgian coast, Brits and Germans fought a submarine battle near the Canary Islands, rioting occurred in Moscow even as the Congress of Soviets met in Petrograd, and future Nobel Laureate, American biochemist Gertrude B. Elion was born. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twentieth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 23, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's January 23, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-23-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "The Smiler," Van Eps, Fred (instrumentalist), Burckhardt, John F. (instrumentalist), Wenrich, Percy (composer) 1925, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035784/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 26 [January 19, 1918] 3:54
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3:54"There are big bets up here now that we will never go over. Some think [the war] is over now. Some think it will over in two months. Others think will last two years. Judge for yourself is the way I do..." In his nineteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he's pretty much given up on getting to come home until maybe the spring when the farm boys get leave to help with the crops. He thinks his girlfriend Cleo's hair might be too short and he's planning to write her soon. He thinks they may never go over to France. Many think the war will be over soon. He's spending his time in classes on military courtesy, first aid, and signaling. Elsewhere on the same day, the Bolsheviks (under Vladimir Lenin), forcibly dissolved the democratically elected Russian Constituent Assembly that was meeting to draft a constitution in the wake of the October 1917 Revolution. This action ensured Bolshevik control of the new Soviet Union. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his nineteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 19, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's January 19, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-19-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Medley of Southern airs," Fred J. Bacon, banjo, 1920, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694032/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 25 [January 9, 1918] 3:50
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3:50"Don't look for me until you see me coming. I will get a car to bring me out. I may be out at any time..." In his eighteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he's sorry he asked Minnie to meet him as his planned furlough to Wheeling has once again been canceled. He's going to try to come home with Dutch [our second letter writer, Charles Riggle]. He's afraid he might be getting the mumps now, a mandatory 19-day hospital stay. He's sending a photo home and trying to get one of the mule team. Elsewhere on the previous day, US President Woodrow Wilson had announced his Fourteen Points programme, an idealistic blueprint for peace meant to bring an end to the war. Wilson wanted to address the causes of the war, including an end to the "secret understandings" among nations (the alliance system) and to make the postwar world "fit and safe to live in...for every peace-loving nation." Among other things, the Fourteen Points called for "open covenants of peace, openly arrived at," "absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas" (inspired by German submarine attacks), "equality of trade conditions among all the nations," a reduction of armaments, an adjustment of colonial claims, numerous territorial adjustments including an independent Polish state, and "a general association of nations" (which would become the ineffective League of Nations). Importantly, Wilson called upon the Allied Powers to be fair with Germany, a caveat that would be ignored, and the harsh terms imposed on a defeated Germany would help ensure that the Great War would not be the hoped-for "War to End All Wars." Though Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his efforts, the Fourteen Points were largely ignored at the Paris Peace Conference. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his eighteenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 9, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's January 9, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-9-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "The U.S. Field Artillery March," Sousa, John Philip (arranger), New York Military Band (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694042/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 24 [January 6, 1918] 3:21
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3:21"I don't know what time I will get to Wheeling. The trains have been so late..." In his seventeenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he's just gotten out of the hospital after his bout with measles. He's feeling better and is eager to get to Wheeling for a two day visit. The weather has been "fierce" in Virginia, so he assumes it's worse in Wheeling, and he's not sure a "machine" [automobile] will be able to make it the train station to pick him up. Elsewhere on the same day, France and Germany recognized Finland’s independence (the latter after Bolshevik Russia, with whom the German Empire was negotiating peace, had done so) and the Italian army had some success in Albania. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his seventeenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 6, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-6-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Junk Man Rag," Roberts, [Luckyeth] (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1913, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 23 [January 2, 1918] 5:52
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5:52"I say [Germany] ought to get a good whipping before it is over. If they would make peace with her now she would prepare up again. Go back in the war stronger than ever..." In his sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated January 2, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he is recovering from a mild case of the measles. He notes that Less [our second letter writer, Wagoner Lester Scott] is now in the hospital with the same ailment. Dutch regrets missing Christmas at home, but says they had a splendid good time and a "number one good dinner" at camp. The weather has been "powerful cold" and it's "snowing like the devil" as he writes. There are 22 prisoners in the guard house who tried to "run off" for home. Dutch again mentions the U.S. Coastal Artillery (founded in 1901 to defend America's coastline and harbors). He says the army has made him tough. He has no fear of battle. He'd like to get to France soon but doesn't think he ever actually will because the Germans are "tired of war" and talking peace [probably a reference to the peace talks at Brest-Litovsk between the Germans and the Bolsheviks (Soviet Russia) that were occurring at the time]. He thinks Germany fears American power entering the war and that "she ought to get a good whipping" lest she arm up again and continue the war. In his own way, Charles seems to anticipate the rise of the Third Reich and the Second World War. He thinks the submarine was Germany's last chance to win. He closes by noting that James is taking care of Lester's horse. Elsewhere on the same day, the British Air Ministry was established to oversee the Royal Air Force and deal with the increasing number of German Luftstreitkräfte bombing air raids (featuring Zeppelins, Gotha bombers, and other aircraft) against Great Britain. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his sixth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 2, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's January 2, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-2-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Love Will Find A Way," The Seven Black Dots (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010774/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 22 [January 1, 1918] 4:19
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4:19"Believe me we got some fine looking nurses here. One looks just like Cleo. I wouldn’t mind staying here for awhile." In his sixteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes, on base hospital stationary, that he's in the hospital with the German measles, but is doing fine. He plans to come home as soon as he's out. He wants to make sure his girlfriend Cleo is there when he arrives. Like Dutch [Scott's brother-in-law and our second letter writer Charles Riggle] had noted in a previous letter, Lester has read that the farm boys would get to come home for the spring to get the crops planted. Lester would just as soon stay in the army. There's a soldier next to him from White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, West Virginia. He's a hunter with deer hounds and promised to send Jim [Minnie's husband James Riggle] a pup. Lester thinks the nurses are good looking at the base camp hospital. One looks just like Cleo. He wouldn't mind staying for awhile. Elsewhere on the same day, German raids near Mericourt on the Western Front failed, the French held back a raid at Verdun, the Austrians bombed Venice Italy, and the Mare Island US Marine Corp football team defeated the Camp Lewis US Army team 19-7 in the 4th Rose Bowl, which featured squads from military bases in 1918 and 1919. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twelfth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, January 1, 1918. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's January 1, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-january-1-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "True to the Flag March," United States Marine Band, 1922, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694039/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 21 [December 25, 1917] 3:16
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3:16Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-december-25-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle Valse Classique," [Europe, James Reese] (composer), [Dabney, Ford] (composer), Metropolitan Military Band (performer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010721/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 20 [December 23, 1917] 5:17
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5:17"The Coast Artillery will never go across the pond. They may never see a battle unless the Germans come across an they hant much danger of them doing that..." In his sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated December 23, 1917, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that his name was drawn 104th for furlough, so it will be a good while before he gets to come home -- probably February. He'd like to come home with Less [our second letter writer, Wagoner Lester Scott] but thinks that won't be possible. He says he saw in the newspaper that Bill Riggle was sent to the U.S. Coast Artillery in Georgia [established in 1901 to defend the U.S. coastline and harbors in case of attack]. He thinks that's good because he doesn't think they will be sent to France. A few cooks have been sent over. He also read that all the farmers would be sent home in the spring. Charles isn't sure he wants to go. He feels army life has done him good. He's heartier than ever. He says the expect a big dinner for Christmas in camp and a lot of stuff from the Red Cross. He says they had nine inches of snow. He asks Abe to save him some apples as they are too expensive at a nickel a piece at Camp Lee. Elsewhere, peace talks between Soviet (Bolshevik) Russia and the Central Powers had been initiated the previous day at Brest-Litovsk, a city near the Polish border in what is now Belarus. The negotiations would continue for two months and would lead to, among other things, the ceding of the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) to Germany as well as the release of Russian claims in Poland, Ukraine, and Finland. The Bolsheviks were involved in a civil war for control of Russia and were willing to agree to harsh peace terms to free up resources. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his fourth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, December 23, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's December 23, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-december-23-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: Hungarian Rag | New York Military Band (performer), 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694028/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 19 [December 20, 1917] 3:57
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3:57"The doctor asked me what I was before I came to the army a preacher or a prize fighter... I told him I was nothing but a common farmer. I weigh 188 now so you know I would look like a preacher..." In his Fourteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he will not be home for Christmas but expects to visit for five days after New Year's. Christmas furloughs are being determined by a random drawing, but after New Year's they will be granted alphabetically. When Les and the other troops were examined for tuberculosis, the doctor asked if he was a preacher or a prizefighter. He thinks he'll be driving a truck instead of driving mules. He says Dutch [our second letter writer, PFC Charles "Dutch" Riggle] was also driving mules that day. Les had luck hunting opossum, until some were stolen. Elsewhere on the same day, the Battle of Jaffa (Palestine) would begin, with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and a few Scottish brigades of the British Empire on one side and the Yildirim Army Group of the Ottoman Empire and German Empire on the other. A daring nighttime river crossing by the Scottish brigades during a heavy downpour secured victory for the British. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twelfth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, December 20, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-december-20-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle Walk," Meacham, F. W. (composer); Dabney, [Ford] (composer); Prince's Band, 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010714/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 18 [December 15, 1917] 4:24
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4:24"If one deserts in time of war the punishment is death, so I guess I will not try it..." In his thirteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he won't be coming home for Christmas because the Secretary of War won't allow it. Secretary Newton D. Baker issued a directive December 11 instructing divisional commanders at national army and national guard camps to restrict Christmas furloughs due to the harmful effect a general leave would have on camp discipline and the heavy burden it would throw on the railroads as reasons for the department’s action. "Most of the men in camps are far away from home," Secretary Baker reported. "It would be a great expense to those able to afford a trip home, and a discrimination against the men who could not afford the trip. Moreover, it would seriously interfere with the training of the men if any large number were permitted to go home for the Christmas holidays." [1] Lester, however, seems to think President Wilson disagrees, offering slim hope of a last-second reprieve. The weather in Virginia is cold and there are six inches of snow on the ground, which is hard for the mules. Meanwhile, Lester has been promoted to Private First Class, which surely beats being a "buck private." He's done well taking orders in the army and thinks Minnie could use some army discipline herself. If he does get to come home, he won't abuse the privilege, lest he be considered a deserter. Elsewhere on the same day, the big news was that Bolshevik controlled Russia signed an armistice with Germany (and the Central Powers) which would lead to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918. This critical development effectively freed Germany to shift 44 divisions to the Western Front in preparation for a massive offensive in the spring of 1918. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twelfth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, December 15, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's December 15, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-december-15-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Love Will Find A Way," The Seven Black Dots (performer), 1921. Courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010774/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 17 [December 7, 1917] 5:50
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5:50"There are about 6000 Negro troops here and you never saw a lively bunch of fellows as they are. There are some dandy singers among them..." In his fifth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated December 7, 1917, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that Charles and his brother-in-law "Less" (our second letter writer, Wagoner Lester Scott), have applied for Christmas furloughs. Charles talks about hunting rabbits, fox, and raccoon and asks about the corn, potato, and apple crops back home. He still thinks he won't have to go to France because the Germans are "getting the fur knocked out of them," and "bound to get licked," especially since the submarines (aka "U-boats") aren't doing much now. He says he's been "hungry" for his snuff and was happy to get some from home. Importantly, he notes the arrival of 6,000 Negro troops raising the company's number to 40,000. Charles is impressed by the spectacle of thousands of uniformed troops marching past Secretary of War [Newton D.] Baker, who was visiting the camp. For African Americans like those seen by Charles Riggle, the First World War was a transformative experience. Blacks were dealing with the horrors of full-blown "Jim Crow" segregation in the American South (including Wheeling, West Virginia), and the "Great Migration" was taking place, as thousands of African Americans moved to northern cities seeking opportunity. President Wilson's pledge to "make the world safe for democracy" gave many African Americans hope that the war would also increase freedom and equality for them at home. Others decried the hypocrisy of asking people who were not treated as equals in their own country to fight for democracy overseas. More than 200,000 African American soldiers were eventually sent to France. Those who did see combat were often assigned to French command and were treated with greater respect by the French. Many served with distinction, especially members of the 92nd Division and the 93rd Division's 369th Infantry Regiment from New York, nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters." Unfortunately, the hoped-for improvement in race relations at home, out of respect for honorable service, did not happen. The achievements of African American soldiers were largely ignored or diminished for decades. But the WWI experiences of African Americans, both military and civilian, had also proved empowering and eyeopening, and many were inspired and emboldened to fight for racial justice. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. This is his fourth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, December 7, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's December 7, 1917 letter can be viewed at: www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-december-7-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Porcupine Rag," Johnson, Chas. J. (composer), New York Military Band, 1915, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035782/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 16 [December 4, 1917] 3:55
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3:55"Well I will see you Christmas for sure...I would not of come but I knew you would have a conniption fit if I didn’t." In his twelfth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he expects to be home for Christmas for three or four days. He wants the visit to be a surprise but he wants to make sure that his best girl, Minnie's friend Cleo, will be there. He's glad he's not one of the boys who won't get to go home because they were caught playing poker. As usual, Les mentions his mules as well as his brother-in-law Dutch Riggle. Elsewhere on the same day, British psychiatrist W.H. Rivers presented his report titled, "The Repression of War Experience," to the Royal School of Medicine. The report focused on the phenomenon dubbed "shell shock," the disturbing psychological and physical effects on soldiers subjected to the horrors of long term combat in the trenches during the Great War. We now refer to similar effects as "post traumatic stress disorder." Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his twelfth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, December 4, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's December 4, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-december-4-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Medley of Southern airs," Fred J. Bacon, banjo, 1920, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694032/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 15 [November 29, 1917] 4:55
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4:55"Believe me we have some bad mules here. We have one we call dynamite nitro glycerin. It takes four or five men to harness him..." In his eleventh letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes wistfully (on Thanksgiving Day, 1917) about hearing the "hounds running and the rabbit hunters shooting," an activity he himself engaged in the prior Thanksgiving. He writes about having turkey, pumpkin pie, fruit cake, oysters, oranges and even a five-cent cigar. He says he'll be getting a raise despite talk of "motorizing" the mule companies. He admits he doesn't know much about the war but if the papers are to be believed, the "Dutch" (Germans) are losing. Yet he thinks he'll be sent to France soon as activities in camp have settled down. He then names some of the men in the photo of his company that he has sent home and discusses the bad behavior of some of the mules. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his eleventh letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, November 29, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's November 29, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-november-29-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Junk Man Rag," Roberts, [Luckyeth] (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1913, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 14 [November 25, 1917] 4:09
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4:09"You wanted to know what I was going to do Thanksgiving. I am going to get my teeth fixed. I got one pulled. I only have two to fix." In his tenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he still isn't sure if he'll get furlough a few days later for Thanksgiving (November 29 in 1917). If he doesn't make it home, he plans to get his teeth fixed for the holiday. He only has two to fix, he notes. He says that he and the men asked for a transfer to France and were told they would be there soon. As his brother-in-law Dutch Riggle mentioned in his letter of the previous day (see Podcast #13), Lester talks about the transfer of the infantry men, including Wheeling friend Walter Toland (W.T.). Lester doesn't miss Walter, but says Dutch seems happy. Lester also mentions the snow but disagrees with Dutch about how cold it is. Les still only needs a shirt. Lester promises to let Minnie know when he arrives at Elm Grove so she can meet him. Finally, as he so often does in his letters home, he mentions Cleo, a friend of his sister and a person of great importance to Lester. Stay tuned for more about the mysterious Cleo, who will have her own podcast in this series next spring. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his tenth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, November 25, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's November 25, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-november-25-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hail Columbia ; Star Spangled Banner," 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010368/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 13 [November 24, 1917] 4:16
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4:16"Guarding is the only thing i don't like in the army. I tell you a fellow get lonesome tramping the post." In his fourth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated November 24, 1917, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle, about how several infantry men (including a Wheeling friend named Walter Toland) were moved to a new barracks, giving Dutch and brother-in-law Lester Scott (our other letter writing soldier) more room. Dutch notes that it has snowed and is cold for the first time since he's been in Virginia. He talks about his disdain for guarding a barn full of mules (Lester was a mule driver), a lonely duty. Dutch seems to prefer washing dishes and peeling potatoes on KP (kitchen patrol). He reminisces about fox and raccoon hunting and speculates about whether he'll be home for the holidays before crossing the "pond" to France. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his fourth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, November 24, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's November 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-november-24-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Bugle Call Rag," Metropolitan Military Band, 1915, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035785/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 12 [November 18, 1917] 4:05
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4:05"I will wait and see if I have to go to France but I have begin to think I will never get to go over..." In his ninth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes about his dinner of fresh pork and tomato catsup, how hot it remains in Virginia, his mule driving prowess, the insurance he plans to purchase in case "anything should happen," how he has quit smoking cigarettes in favor of his pipe, and how easy he has it around camp. Interestingly, he asks Minnie what she thinks of the Germans "surrendering" to France. This could be a reference to the minor French victory at La Malmaison in late October 1917, during which the French forced a six mile retreat of the German 7th Army, which suffered twice as many casualties as their opponents. The Germans recaptured the position a few months later. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his eighth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, November 18, 1917. A World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers were trained. Scott served as a Wagoner (mule team driver) in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home from Camp Lee, September 30, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-september-24-1917 Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "The U.S. Field Artillery March," Sousa, John Philip (arranger), New York Military Band (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/item/00694042/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 11 [November 16, 1917] 3:48
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3:48In his eighth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes about how he hopes to be home for Christmas, how he is driving two pairs of mules, a fellow mule driver from West Liberty named Calvin Davis, how fine the weather has been, and a few other odds and ends about everyday life at camp. A World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers were trained. Scott served as a Wagoner (mule team driver) in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home from Camp Lee, November 16, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's November 16, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-november-16-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: Castle's half and half | James Reese(composer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010715 Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 10 [November 5, 1917] 4:05
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4:05"If you could see this training camp you would not think Germany would last long..." In his seventh letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes, rather humorously, about his adventures in guard duty, including encounters with a soldier who refused to wear his uniform and another who was inebriated. Lester is happy to note that the "mule skinners" finally have their mules and will be able to start driving them. He talks about sending pictures home of the Ohio County boys. He requests "mince pie" and refers again to Minnie's brother-in-law Dutch Riggle, who has "gained 15 lbs." Lester talks about a soldier with poor hygiene who is disliked by the other men, and he mentions the liberty bonds he has signed over to his sister, in case anything should happen to him. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his seventh letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, November 5, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's November 5, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-november-5-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: True to the Flag March | United States Marine Band, 1922, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694039/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 9 [November 2, 1917] 5:38
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5:38For content, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle’s third letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated November 2, 1917, is one of the best in this series. In it, he tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle, about how training camp has made him bigger and stronger and how it has changed their brother-in-law Lester into a “brute of a man.” Dutch expresses his concerns about having to go to France now that the "Germans are going after the Italians." Interestingly, Dutch comments on the 7,000 black soldiers that have recently arrived in camp. Some of them are singers. Dutch has been shoeing mules (brother-in-law Lester is a mule driver) to drive the guns, but Dutch fears the mules will be replaced by motors, which “won’t take much shoeing.” Dutch talks about training (plenty of foot work but not much gun training) and guard duty, and thinks the field artillery to be “the safest place a soldier can get in the army.” Both Dutch and Lester served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division. The infantry and machine guns would be ahead of him on the battlefield, providing some cushion. Dutch says there are three field artillery regiments with six companies in each. He ends by turning to subjects back home, including his hounds, his brother’s potato crop, and coming home for Christmas. Charles “Dutch” Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle’s brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, in France. Riggle was a farm boy with little formal education who grew up in the hills of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He spelled many of his words phonetically. His letters have been transcribed exactly as they were written. This is his third letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, November 2, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's November 2, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-november-2-1917-charles-riggle-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Castle Walk," Meacham, F. W. (composer); Dabney, [Ford] (composer); Prince's Band, 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010714/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 8 [November 2, 1917] 4:06
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4:06In his sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, informs his sister that rumors of his illness and hospitalization are “a bad mistake.” In fact, he feels better that he ever has in his life. He discusses a recreational trip away from camp during which many games were played and how all the mule drivers have been moved to the same barracks. He promises to have a picture taken to send home. He doesn’t think he’ll be in any danger hauling supplies, but believes the American troops will “scatter” the Germans. He mentions Dutch Riggle, the brother of his sister's husband, and our second letter writer, who is also at Camp Lee. Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his fifth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, November 2, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's November 2, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-november-2-1917-lester-scott-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Porcupine Rag," Johnson, Chas. J. (composer), New York Military Band, 1915, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035782/…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 7 [October 29, 1917] 4:15
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4:15In his fifth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, discusses his first five weeks at Camp Lee. Topics include how much he enjoys driving mules (he's been given a steady job hauling supplies for $3 per month), how taking care of the mules reminds him of caring for his colts back home, an early snowfall in the Valley, Lester’s painful boxing match with Charles Lewis from Elm Grove, the postcards he sent home, and the “moving pictures” he’s looking forward to seeing. The letter is signed "Scotty." Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, where so many Wheeling soldiers were trained. And, like so many of his Ohio Valley comrades, he served in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his fifth letter from Camp Lee, dated 100 years ago today, October 29, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's October 29, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-october-29-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hot Time in the Old Town," Metz, Theo (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1917, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010764/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 6 [October 21, 1917] 5:44
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5:44In his fourth letter home from Camp Lee to his sister Minnie Riggle, Lester Scott describes, somewhat boastfully, the details of his rather filling dinner, his eagerness to be sent to France to the war, and his prowess at guard duty. While the other men are homesick, Lester declares himself "very well contented." A World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers were trained. Scott served as a Wagoner (mule team driver) in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home from Camp Lee, October 21, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's October 21, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-october-21-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "The U.S. Field Artillery March," Sousa, John Philip (arranger), New York Military Band (performer), 1921, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694042/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 5 [October 20, 1917] 3:55
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3:55In his second letter home, dated October 20, 1917, PFC Charles "Dutch" Riggle tells his brother James about the drilling at Camp Lee, how farming suits him better than Army life, how he misses the sounds of the fox hunts, and how everything is overpriced at camp. Charles "Dutch" Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle's brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home, October 20, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's October 20, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-october-20-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: True to the Flag March | United States Marine Band, 1922, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/00694039/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 4 [October 8, 1917] 4:07
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4:07A World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers were trained. Scott served as a Wagoner (mule team driver) in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home from Camp Lee, September 30, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-october-8-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Bugle Call Rag," Metropolitan Military Band, 1915, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035785/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 3 [September 30, 1917] 3:50
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3:50A World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, Lester Scott was drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers were trained. Scott served as a Wagoner (mule team driver) in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home from Camp Lee, September 30, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 30, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-september-30-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Junk Man Rag," Roberts, [Luckyeth] (composer), Victor Military Band (performer), 1913, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010646/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 2 [September 29, 1917] 4:00
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4:00Charles "Dutch" Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle's brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. This is his letter home, September 29, 1917. Digital scans and a transcript of Charles Riggle's September 29, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-september-29-1917-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Vince Marshall is the voice of Charles Riggle. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: Castle's half and half | James Reese(composer), 1916, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010715/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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From Camp Lee to the Great War: The Letters of Lester Scott & Charles Riggle
1 From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 1 [September 24, 1917] 3:37
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3:37World War I soldiers from Wheeling, West Virginia, Lester Scott and Charles "Dutch" Riggle were drafted in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia. Lester Scott served as a Wagoner (mule team driver) in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in France. Dutch Riggle was a PFC with the same unit. These are their letters home. Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's September 24, 1917 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/camp-lee-great-war-september-24-1917 Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library (http://www.ohiocountylibrary.org) and the WALS Foundation (http://walswheeling.com). Jeremy Richter is the voice of Lester Scott. The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle were transcribed by Jon-Erik Gilot. This podcast was edited and written by Sean Duffy, audio edited by Erin Rothenbuehler. Music: "Hail Columbia ; Star Spangled Banner," 1914, courtesy Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010368/ Many thanks to Marjorie Richey for sharing family letters and the stories of her uncles, Lester Scott and Charles “Dutch” Riggle, WWI soldiers from West Virginia.…
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