| Scope and content |
The collection consists entirely of letters written by McMillan to his parents and sister between June 1918 and July 1919. McMillan was sent first to Fort McPherson near Atlanta, Georgia, for training. He describes attending automobile school, French lessons, drill, receiving a gas mask, and guard duty. He was vaccinated for smallpox and mentions a rumor that the Germans innoculated their prisoners with diseases. While stationed at Camp Upton, N.Y., before embarking for France, McMillan noted that there were approximately 60,000 soldiers at the camp, including several thousand black soldiers. In France near Brest, McMillan noted the rainy weather, high price of goods, and the politeness of the French people. Other topics mentioned include necessity of women driving coal wagons and streetcars, both men and women wearing wooden shoes, and the excellent appearance of the many bird-dogs. From September to December, he drove an ambulance and then was made cook for the base hospital. |
| Access restriction | No access restrictions. |
| Cite as |
Douglas Moore McMillan Papers (#MF0028), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Reproduction note | Microfilm. [Place of manufacture not identified] : [Manufacturer not identified], [1981] 1 item |
| Terms of use | Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Mr. James Green McMillan. |
| Biographical note | Douglas Moore McMillan, a farmer from Red Springs, N.C., entered the Army in June 1918 and was attached to Base Hospital #65. McMillan was discharged in July 1919. |
