1/1:
Secondary and Post-Secondary Studies at Wesleyan Academy, Willingham, Mass., 1885-1886.  Letter from C. M. Steele to John R. Anderson regarding Alvord Anderson's health, 12 Feb. 1886.

1/2:
Secondary and Post-Secondary Studies at Pennington Seminary, Pennington, N. J., 1886-1888.  Letter from John R. Anderson to his son, apparently inquiring about his conversion to Christianity, 25 Jan. 1887. There is also an essay, "Truth," possibly written by Alvord Anderson.

1/3:
Secondary and Post-Secondary Studies at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., 1890-1891.  Letters to "Papa" (John R. Anderson) and "Mamma" (Isabel Anderson) from Alvord Anderson as a college student, 6 Dec. 1890-8 July 1891. Includes a letter from Edgar Moran regarding enlistment in the Cavalry.

1/4:
Military Training at Fort Niobrara, Neb., 1891-1894.  Chiefly correspondence to "Papa" or "Father" (John R. Anderson) and "Mamma" (Isabel Anderson), most often concerning Alvord Anderson's efforts to obtain a commission as an officer in the 6th Cavalry, 24 Oct. 1892-8 July 1894. There is one letter addressed to brother "Robie," (Robin Anderson). This series includes a copy of letters of recommendation from teachers and former employers as well as endorsements from captains and colonels and several letters to John R. Anderson from officers familiar with Alvord Anderson's career. Also included is an honorable discharge from 10 May 1894.

1/5:
Military Training at Fort Niobrara, Neb., 1891-1894.  Chiefly correspondence to "Papa" or "Father" (John R. Anderson) and "Mamma" (Isabel Anderson), most often concerning Alvord Anderson's efforts to obtain a commission as an officer in the 6th Cavalry, 24 Oct. 1892-8 July 1894. There is one letter addressed to brother "Robie," (Robin Anderson). This series includes a copy of letters of recommendation from teachers and former employers as well as endorsements from captains and colonels and several letters to John R. Anderson from officers familiar with Alvord Anderson's career. Also included is an honorable discharge from 10 May 1894.

1/6:
Military Training at Fort Sheridan, Ill., 15 July 1894-10 Sept. 1894.  A letter from the Adjutant General's Office in Washington informs John R. Anderson that Alvord Anderson was not recommended for a competitive examination for a commission. Letters to "Father" or "Papa" (John R. Anderson) document Alvord Anderson's subsequent decision to be discharged from Troop G of the 6th Cavalry, and to enlist in some other troop or regiment. Several letters are written after Alvord Anderson's discharge, during his brief travels through Illinois, Ohio, and New York.

1/7:
Military Training at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., 15 Sept. 1894-Apr. 1898.  Letters to "Father" (John R. Anderson) and "Mamma" or "Mother" (Isabel Anderson) about life with Troop B of the 6th Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth, including the continued attempt to obtain a commission through examination at Fort Sheridan. The letters also document Alvord Anderson's marriage to Cora Collins and the beginning of their family life. A few letters from Cora Anderson to her husband's parents are included.

1/8:
Military Training at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., 15 Sept. 1894-Apr. 1898.  Letters to "Father" (John R. Anderson) and "Mamma" or "Mother" (Isabel Anderson) about life with Troop B of the 6th Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth, including the continued attempt to obtain a commission through examination at Fort Sheridan. The letters also document Alvord Anderson's marriage to Cora Collins and the beginning of their family life. A few letters from Cora Anderson to her husband's parents are included.

1/9:
Military Training at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., 15 Sept. 1894-Apr. 1898.  Letters to "Father" (John R. Anderson) and "Mamma" or "Mother" (Isabel Anderson) about life with Troop B of the 6th Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth, including the continued attempt to obtain a commission through examination at Fort Sheridan. The letters also document Alvord Anderson's marriage to Cora Collins and the beginning of their family life. A few letters from Cora Anderson to her husband's parents are included.

1/10:
Spanish-American War. Camp Hamilton, Santiago, Cuba, 25 Apr. 1898-30 Mar. 1899.  Letters to Alvord Anderson's parents and wife written en route to the war in Cuba, at the camp in Santiago, and shortly after his Cuban tour of duty. Official copies of Citation for Gallantry in Action (Silver Star), 1898, against Spanish forces, with related correspondence, and "La Solidaridad" certificate, Republic of Panama.

1/11:
China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion). South Arsenal, Tientsin, China, 15 Nov. 1899-6 Dec. 1900.  Letters to Alvord Anderson's father and wife, as well as letters from his wife to his father. Includes clippings about Nagasaki, Japan, and Peking, China.

1/12:
Philippine-American War (Philippine Insurrection). Philippine Islands, 20 Jan. 1901-30 Sept. 1903.  Letters to John R. Anderson from Alvord Anderson about living conditions and duties, including an execution, and about diseases affecting the horses. Also includes letters from Cora Collins Anderson to "My Dear Father" (probably John R. Anderson).

1/13:
Fort Keogh, Montana, 14 Feb. 1904-20 Apr. 1907.  Letters to John R. Anderson from Alvord Anderson describing camp and family life, requesting reading materials from New York City, and discussing financial considerations.

1/14:
Philippine Islands, 11 Sept. 1907-13 Oct. 1913.  Letters to John R. Anderson from Alvord Anderson concerning his family's journey to Anderson's station in the Philippine Islands. Anderson describes life on the base and the people of the islands. He also describes life at a prisoner of war camp at Corregidor in 1910. In letters dated 30 Aug. 1910 and 14 Oct. 1910, he remarks that war with Japan is a probability. A 13 Sept. 1910 confidential letter from John J. Pershing asks Anderson to consider a transfer to headquarters as a district governor. Subsequent letters detail his performance in this capacity. In addition to letters addressed to John R. Anderson, some letters to Mrs. John R. Anderson (stepmother Isabel), wife Cora Anderson, brother Hale Anderson, and daughter Dorothy, sometimes called "Army," are included in this series.

1/15:
Philippine Islands, 11 Sept. 1907-13 Oct. 1913.  Letters to John R. Anderson from Alvord Anderson concerning his family's journey to Anderson's station in the Philippine Islands. Anderson describes life on the base and the people of the islands. He also describes life at a prisoner of war camp at Corregidor in 1910. In letters dated 30 Aug. 1910 and 14 Oct. 1910, he remarks that war with Japan is a probability. A 13 Sept. 1910 confidential letter from John J. Pershing asks Anderson to consider a transfer to headquarters as a district governor. Subsequent letters detail his performance in this capacity. In addition to letters addressed to John R. Anderson, some letters to Mrs. John R. Anderson (stepmother Isabel), wife Cora Anderson, brother Hale Anderson, and daughter Dorothy, sometimes called "Army," are included in this series.

1/16:
Philippine Islands, 11 Sept. 1907-13 Oct. 1913.  Letters to John R. Anderson from Alvord Anderson concerning his family's journey to Anderson's station in the Philippine Islands. Anderson describes life on the base and the people of the islands. He also describes life at a prisoner of war camp at Corregidor in 1910. In letters dated 30 Aug. 1910 and 14 Oct. 1910, he remarks that war with Japan is a probability. A 13 Sept. 1910 confidential letter from John J. Pershing asks Anderson to consider a transfer to headquarters as a district governor. Subsequent letters detail his performance in this capacity. In addition to letters addressed to John R. Anderson, some letters to Mrs. John R. Anderson (stepmother Isabel), wife Cora Anderson, brother Hale Anderson, and daughter Dorothy, sometimes called "Army," are included in this series.

1/17:
Philippine Islands, 11 Sept. 1907-13 Oct. 1913.  Letters to John R. Anderson from Alvord Anderson concerning his family's journey to Anderson's station in the Philippine Islands. Anderson describes life on the base and the people of the islands. He also describes life at a prisoner of war camp at Corregidor in 1910. In letters dated 30 Aug. 1910 and 14 Oct. 1910, he remarks that war with Japan is a probability. A 13 Sept. 1910 confidential letter from John J. Pershing asks Anderson to consider a transfer to headquarters as a district governor. Subsequent letters detail his performance in this capacity. In addition to letters addressed to John R. Anderson, some letters to Mrs. John R. Anderson (stepmother Isabel), wife Cora Anderson, brother Hale Anderson, and daughter Dorothy, sometimes called "Army," are included in this series.

1/18:
Mexican Revolution. El Paso, Tex., 29 Nov. 1913-9 May 1914.; Chiefly letters to Cora Anderson ("My dear:-"), concerning camp life on the west Texas border during the Mexican Revolution. A few of the letters are addressed to "Army" (Dorothy Anderson), John R. Anderson, and Mrs. John Anderson, with two of the latter being from Cora Anderson rather than Alvord.

1/19:
Mexican Revolution. El Paso, Tex., 29 Nov. 1913-9 May 1914.; Chiefly letters to Cora Anderson ("My dear:-"), concerning camp life on the west Texas border during the Mexican Revolution. A few of the letters are addressed to "Army" (Dorothy Anderson), John R. Anderson, and Mrs. John Anderson, with two of the latter being from Cora Anderson rather than Alvord.

1/20:
Mexican Revolution. Harlingen, Tex., 10 May 1914-2 Oct. 1915.  Daily letters to Cora Anderson ("My dear:-") concerning camp life on the east Texas border during the Mexican Revolution, with occasional letters to John R. Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr., and a few letters from Cora Anderson to Mr. or Mrs. John R. Anderson. Also includes "A Report of the affair near Progresso, Texas, September 24th, 1915" from C.O. Troop "B," 12th Cavalry (Captain A.V.P. Anderson).

1/21:
Mexican Revolution. Harlingen, Tex., 10 May 1914-2 Oct. 1915.  Daily letters to Cora Anderson ("My dear:-") concerning camp life on the east Texas border during the Mexican Revolution, with occasional letters to John R. Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr., and a few letters from Cora Anderson to Mr. or Mrs. John R. Anderson. Also includes "A Report of the affair near Progresso, Texas, September 24th, 1915" from C.O. Troop "B," 12th Cavalry (Captain A.V.P. Anderson).

1/22:
Mexican Revolution. Harlingen, Tex., 10 May 1914-2 Oct. 1915.  Daily letters to Cora Anderson ("My dear:-") concerning camp life on the east Texas border during the Mexican Revolution, with occasional letters to John R. Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr., and a few letters from Cora Anderson to Mr. or Mrs. John R. Anderson. Also includes "A Report of the affair near Progresso, Texas, September 24th, 1915" from C.O. Troop "B," 12th Cavalry (Captain A.V.P. Anderson).

1/23:
Mexican Revolution. Harlingen, Tex., 10 May 1914-2 Oct. 1915.  Daily letters to Cora Anderson ("My dear:-") concerning camp life on the east Texas border during the Mexican Revolution, with occasional letters to John R. Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr., and a few letters from Cora Anderson to Mr. or Mrs. John R. Anderson. Also includes "A Report of the affair near Progresso, Texas, September 24th, 1915" from C.O. Troop "B," 12th Cavalry (Captain A.V.P. Anderson).

1/24:
Mexican Revolution. Donna, Tex., 3 Oct. 1915-12 Mar. 1916.  Letters to Cora Anderson concerning border duty with Troop M of the 6th Cavalry, at Donna, Tex., at San Juan Hacienda, and Santa Maria, Tex. A few of the letters are addressed to others in Anderson's immediate family.

1/25:
Mexican Revolution. Presidio, Tex., 22 May 1916-8 Jan. 1917.  Letters to Cora Anderson concerning duty near the Big Bend area, on the border at Presidio and slightly north at Shafter and Marfa, Tex. Also includes letters to John R. Anderson, one letter to Mrs. John R. Anderson from Cora Anderson, and Major A.V.P. Anderson's business card.

1/26:
Mexican Revolution. Presidio, Tex., 22 May 1916-8 Jan. 1917.  Letters to Cora Anderson concerning duty near the Big Bend area, on the border at Presidio and slightly north at Shafter and Marfa, Tex. Also includes letters to John R. Anderson, one letter to Mrs. John R. Anderson from Cora Anderson, and Major A.V.P. Anderson's business card.

1/27:
World War I. 1 Fort Dix, N. J., 31 Aug. 1917-6 May 1919.  Letters to Cora Anderson, letter and poem from a member of the 312th Regiment of Infantry, and newspaper pictorial review of the 312th Regiment.  A letter from New York to Alvord Anderson Jr., just before Anderson sailed for Europe, and letters to Cora Anderson, both written and censored by Colonel A.V.P. Anderson, from the journey overseas. Letters to Cora Anderson passed by censors other than Anderson, from somewhere in Europe. Early letters describe living conditions (in a chateau), menus, and social life among the officers. Later letters describe military action such as bombing by enemy aircraft, shelling and trench warfare, a raid to capture the "Bosche," and a visit with an artillery unit. Also included is the order of battle for the 51st Division, 14 Aug. 1918.  Anderson documented his whereabouts during the first six months of his tour of duty in a letter dated 24 November 1918. After this date, letters from Alvord Anderson to Cora Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr. give Bussy-le-Grand Cote d'Or as the place where his regiment is stationed. Anderson's duties here included writing to the families of men killed in action; one letter to Alvord Jr., dated 22 Jan. 1919 describes the final mission of one of these men.  Also present are letters of appreciation to Colonel Anderson from the mayor of Bussy-le-Grand and the commander of the U.S.S. Montpelier on the behavior of the 312th while stationed in France and while returning to the U.S.

1/28:
World War I. 1 Fort Dix, N. J., 31 Aug. 1917-6 May 1919.  Letters to Cora Anderson, letter and poem from a member of the 312th Regiment of Infantry, and newspaper pictorial review of the 312th Regiment.  A letter from New York to Alvord Anderson Jr., just before Anderson sailed for Europe, and letters to Cora Anderson, both written and censored by Colonel A.V.P. Anderson, from the journey overseas. Letters to Cora Anderson passed by censors other than Anderson, from somewhere in Europe. Early letters describe living conditions (in a chateau), menus, and social life among the officers. Later letters describe military action such as bombing by enemy aircraft, shelling and trench warfare, a raid to capture the "Bosche," and a visit with an artillery unit. Also included is the order of battle for the 51st Division, 14 Aug. 1918.  Anderson documented his whereabouts during the first six months of his tour of duty in a letter dated 24 November 1918. After this date, letters from Alvord Anderson to Cora Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr. give Bussy-le-Grand Cote d'Or as the place where his regiment is stationed. Anderson's duties here included writing to the families of men killed in action; one letter to Alvord Jr., dated 22 Jan. 1919 describes the final mission of one of these men.  Also present are letters of appreciation to Colonel Anderson from the mayor of Bussy-le-Grand and the commander of the U.S.S. Montpelier on the behavior of the 312th while stationed in France and while returning to the U.S.

1/29:
World War I. 1 Fort Dix, N. J., 31 Aug. 1917-6 May 1919.  Letters to Cora Anderson, letter and poem from a member of the 312th Regiment of Infantry, and newspaper pictorial review of the 312th Regiment.  A letter from New York to Alvord Anderson Jr., just before Anderson sailed for Europe, and letters to Cora Anderson, both written and censored by Colonel A.V.P. Anderson, from the journey overseas. Letters to Cora Anderson passed by censors other than Anderson, from somewhere in Europe. Early letters describe living conditions (in a chateau), menus, and social life among the officers. Later letters describe military action such as bombing by enemy aircraft, shelling and trench warfare, a raid to capture the "Bosche," and a visit with an artillery unit. Also included is the order of battle for the 51st Division, 14 Aug. 1918.  Anderson documented his whereabouts during the first six months of his tour of duty in a letter dated 24 November 1918. After this date, letters from Alvord Anderson to Cora Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr. give Bussy-le-Grand Cote d'Or as the place where his regiment is stationed. Anderson's duties here included writing to the families of men killed in action; one letter to Alvord Jr., dated 22 Jan. 1919 describes the final mission of one of these men.  Also present are letters of appreciation to Colonel Anderson from the mayor of Bussy-le-Grand and the commander of the U.S.S. Montpelier on the behavior of the 312th while stationed in France and while returning to the U.S.

1/30:
World War I. 1 Fort Dix, N. J., 31 Aug. 1917-6 May 1919.  Letters to Cora Anderson, letter and poem from a member of the 312th Regiment of Infantry, and newspaper pictorial review of the 312th Regiment.  A letter from New York to Alvord Anderson Jr., just before Anderson sailed for Europe, and letters to Cora Anderson, both written and censored by Colonel A.V.P. Anderson, from the journey overseas. Letters to Cora Anderson passed by censors other than Anderson, from somewhere in Europe. Early letters describe living conditions (in a chateau), menus, and social life among the officers. Later letters describe military action such as bombing by enemy aircraft, shelling and trench warfare, a raid to capture the "Bosche," and a visit with an artillery unit. Also included is the order of battle for the 51st Division, 14 Aug. 1918.  Anderson documented his whereabouts during the first six months of his tour of duty in a letter dated 24 November 1918. After this date, letters from Alvord Anderson to Cora Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr. give Bussy-le-Grand Cote d'Or as the place where his regiment is stationed. Anderson's duties here included writing to the families of men killed in action; one letter to Alvord Jr., dated 22 Jan. 1919 describes the final mission of one of these men.  Also present are letters of appreciation to Colonel Anderson from the mayor of Bussy-le-Grand and the commander of the U.S.S. Montpelier on the behavior of the 312th while stationed in France and while returning to the U.S.

1/31:
World War I. 1 Fort Dix, N. J., 31 Aug. 1917-6 May 1919.  Letters to Cora Anderson, letter and poem from a member of the 312th Regiment of Infantry, and newspaper pictorial review of the 312th Regiment.  A letter from New York to Alvord Anderson Jr., just before Anderson sailed for Europe, and letters to Cora Anderson, both written and censored by Colonel A.V.P. Anderson, from the journey overseas. Letters to Cora Anderson passed by censors other than Anderson, from somewhere in Europe. Early letters describe living conditions (in a chateau), menus, and social life among the officers. Later letters describe military action such as bombing by enemy aircraft, shelling and trench warfare, a raid to capture the "Bosche," and a visit with an artillery unit. Also included is the order of battle for the 51st Division, 14 Aug. 1918.  Anderson documented his whereabouts during the first six months of his tour of duty in a letter dated 24 November 1918. After this date, letters from Alvord Anderson to Cora Anderson and Alvord Anderson Jr. give Bussy-le-Grand Cote d'Or as the place where his regiment is stationed. Anderson's duties here included writing to the families of men killed in action; one letter to Alvord Jr., dated 22 Jan. 1919 describes the final mission of one of these men.  Also present are letters of appreciation to Colonel Anderson from the mayor of Bussy-le-Grand and the commander of the U.S.S. Montpelier on the behavior of the 312th while stationed in France and while returning to the U.S.

1/32:
Recruitment Centers, 23-25 May 1920.  Letters from Chicago and Cleveland.

1/33:
Camp Harry J. Jones, Douglas, Ariz., 3 Mar. 1921.  Letter from Malin Crain to Col. Anderson.

1/34:
Marfa, Tex. 19 May-12 Aug. 1923.  Five photographic prints measuring 8in. x 10in. of Camp Marfa, Tex.

1/35:
Fort Lewis, Wash., 1934.  One photograph measuring 8in. x 10in. taken at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, Wash., and one undated, unidentified photograph.

1/36:
Imperial Order of the Dragon, 28 Aug. 1950-19 Feb. 1962.  Correspondence between A.V.P. Anderson and Enoch R.L. "Chino" Jones, Grand Custodian Archives-Finance, Imperial Order of the Dragon, and issues of the Imperial Order of the Dragon, a newsletter "Commemorating the China Relief Expedition of 1900." Includes Constitution and By-Laws and Muster Roll. Also includes a letter from Jones to Colonel and Mrs. McLennan.

1/37:
Anderson Family Genealogies and Archives, 17 June 1954-14 Dec. 1976.  Correspondence regarding gifts to archives by A.V.P. Anderson family, chiefly a gift to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

1/38:
Genealogical information by Mrs. Hale Anderson, photocopy of published genealogy by Dorothy A. McLennan, a list of A.V.P. Anderson's medals and awards, and a newspaper clipping on the cavalry.

The General Alvord Van Patten Anderson Papers, 1886-1976, contain many letters from Alvord Anderson to his father, John R. Anderson, and his wife, Cora Anderson. The nineteenth century letters are handwritten, while the twentieth century letters are typed, with the exception of the World War I letters.

Throughout the collection, some letters are annotated in pencil with dates, page numbers, and names of recipients. This added information is contradicted by information in the letters themselves in one or two cases. A few undated or incompletely dated letters have been arranged according to the approximate date.

Letters in Series 1. are sometimes accompanied by other materials, such as military papers, reports, citations of awards, newsletters, black and white photographic prints, newspaper clippings, a poem, an essay, and a map.Series 2 consists of a scrapbook of photographic prints and postcards, and Series 3. Published monographs collected by Anderson, 1905-1966, icludes 8 monographs which are cataloged and housed seperately in the repository's stacks.

• “Partially processed. Might not be available to patrons. Please contact the Cushing Library’s Reading Room for more information.”

The following monographs in this series have been cataloged and must be requested through the library catalog system.

• Merill, James M. Spurs to Glory, The Story of the United States Cavalry. Rand McNally & Company, 1966. RAGAN UA30.M43 1966

• Denison, George T. A History of Cavalry From the Earliest Times. Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1913. RAGAN UE15.D4 1913

• Carl, Katharine A. With the Empress Dowager. The Century Co., 1905. RAGAN DS763.T8 C3 1905

• The Military Order of the Dragon. The Military Order of the Dragon, 1900-1911. [S.l. : s.n.], 1912. RAGN DS771.M6 1912

• Wormser, Richard. The Yellowlegs, The Story of the United States Cavalry. Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1966. RAGN UE23.W6 1966

• Gillet, James B. Six Years with the Texas Ranger, 1875-1881.Von Boeckman-Jones Co., Publishers, 1921. RAGAN F391.G47 1921

• American Battle Monuments Commission. 78th Division, Summary of Operations in the World War. U.S. G.P.O., 1944. RAGAN UA27.5 78th .A53 1944

• Meehan, Thomas F. History of the Seventy-Eighth Division in the World War, 1917-18-19.Dodd, Mead and Company, 1921. RAGAN D570.3 78th .M4 1921

This series (box 2) consists of a scrapbook with photographs that also contains a list of Troop M, 6th Cavalry members from 1905, two postcards and a menu. Some loose photographs, including one, marked Copyright 1909.

2/1:
Scrapbook. ITEM SEPERATED [held in box 2], 1905-1910 and Undated.