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Don Bosworth Letters
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June 16, 1919, Bosworth explains how the third U.S.S. Albany anchors along with the British cruiser Kent with a hand-drawn diagram. He draws a map of "Golden Horn," one of the harbors in Vladivostok. He shows a hand-drawn ring initialed with the words "USS DB Albany."

June 18, 1919, Bosworth mentions cruising around in Peter the Great Bay. Describing a Russian bathing beach, he comments that Russians do not wear anything while swimming. He thinks Vladivostok is a good place for hunting.

June 21, 1919, Bosworth records that the British cruiser Kent plans to leave Vladivostok Monday morning, but her relief that Carlisle has not come yet. He asks his folks to send some film for his camera because it is expensive in Vladivostok. He informs them that the Navy Department is preparing a bill for Congress by which crews will get a raise in pay.

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June 22, 1919, Bosworth talks about the concert of the Middlesex Regiment Band at "Y." At the concert, he meets a well-educated Czech. Bosworth explains the Battalion of Death, a group of Russian women forces. He mentions two American merchant ships, the West Helix and the Archer.

June 25, 1919, Bosworth writes that he has gone to Russian Island for a test with the navigator, the chief quartermaster, the first-class general manager, and the third general manager. They swim while they are waiting for the boat after they have finished their test.

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June 28, 1919, Bosworth recalls that about 3 days or so ago 500 Bolsheviks attacked a small number of Americans and they killed sixteen and wounded thirty-six. Since the Bolsheviks warn that they will attack the town by tomorrow, all of the Marines are guarding the American consulate.

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June 30, 1919, Bosworth informs that small arms, ammunition, and equipment are distributed for the landing force. He offers the chief 41 dollars to get him on the list of the forces, which will go ashore tomorrow morning, but he does not make it.

July 1, 1919, Bosworth describes that the Albany puts ashore the one hundred forty landing forces to capture Petrovka, which is about 8 or 9 miles inland from Andreeva Bay. Each man is armed with a rifle and 220 rounds. When they attack the town, they find that the Bolsheviks have already left.

July 2, 1919, Bosworth mentions the arrival of the Carlisle, which relieves the Kent when the Albany gets back to port. The Carlisle is a super-destroyer and is armed with five 6-inch guns and ten torpedo tubes. Her speed is 35 knots.

July 5, 1919, Bosworth writes that his shipmates have games on the ship in the morning. The games include an obstacle race, boon fight, shoe race, bottle royal, three-legged race on the dock, pie-eating contest, and a boat race.

July 6, 1919, Bosworth details that the Albany and the Carlisle accompany the ships loaded with supplies for the Americans at Suchan mines. The troops land at about seven in the morning. Even though there is no opposition to the landing, mounted men scout the land.

July 7, 1919, Bosworth records that nothing much happens today. The Carlisle leaves this morning. The Albany returns from the Suchan River at 10 pm.

Transcripts

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The transcripts are undated. One is handwritten in pen. The other is computer-generated.

Don Bosworth Letters

  • US TxAM-C 98
  • Collection
  • 1919

This collection consists of twelve letters handwritten in black ink on both sides of thirteen pages of blue-lined paper with an envelope. The letters are arranged into two series. At the center of the top of the paper are printed the words "Nation War Work Council of the Young Men's Christian Association," each side of which is decorated with an American Flag and the symbol of the YMCA printed in red and dark blue ink. Each page, measuring 27 cm. x 15 cm., is now housed in a transparent plastic folder. On the upper-right side of the envelope are handwritten words "Sailor's Mail". The addressee written on the envelope is Mrs. J.E. Bosworth, who lived on 141 Midland Ave. in Syracuse, New York. However, the letters are addressed to "Dear Folks." Bosworth seems to have bought the envelope before he wrote the letters because his letters begin on June 16, 1919, but the date stamped in blue ink on the envelope is June 14, 1919. In his letters, Bosworth very often does not write the first singular pronoun "I" and uses "&" in preference to the word "and." He crosses out with one or two lines on the words he writes incorrectly. He provides some hand-drawn maps and pictures. He frequently mentions numbers to detail his stories. Of interest is that he comments on the characteristics of the Bolsheviks. He also mentions that he hopes to fight them because he has had no chance to hear gunshots, except in practice.

Bosworth, Don