Collection

Mrs. Walter McLavish Collection

• 1891 - 1899 (Création/Production)

Three folders.

The collection represents documents relating to both times George Wilber enlisted in the United States Army, first in 1898 and later in 1899 after having been mustered out of service. Wilber initially enlisted in 1898, possibly as a minor. A letter details that either a parent or legal guardian would have been required to endorse his decision to enlist, should he have been a minor at the time. Wilber enlisted into the 35th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The regiment was transferred to Georgia, but never saw combat. The Spanish-American War ended a mere three weeks after it had completed its training.

Wilber was mustered out shorty after but chose to reenlist the following year, which saw him placed in the 42nd Infantry Regiment. That unit was transferred to the Philippines via San Francisco and Honolulu. A newspaper clipping details a letter written to his mother where he described the flowers on Oahu and the queen’s palace. Wilber was later promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.

Included also in the collection are several military manuals from throughout the 1890s. It is probable that Wilber consulted them over the course of his service.

Past practices described the contents of this collection individually. Each item received an object ID number and was treated as a distinct artifact. Records have been reunited, but their original order may have been lost.

No restrictions. Contact the Collections Department and the Archivist to arrange use for research at collections@sloanlongway.org or (810) 237-3421.

The records are housed inside three acid-free legal length folders. Some of the manuals reside in Mylar sleeves. The media of the records is paper.

The condition of the collection is generally fair. The newspaper clippings retain much flexibility but have yellowed heavily. Their flexibility should not be taken for granted as they are over 120 years old. The military manuals show slighter signs of yellowing.

No restrictions. Reproductions are done and charged in accordance with Sloan Museum Archives Fee Service Policy.

• anglais

A downloadable PDF finding aid is available.

Mrs. Walter McLavish donated the collection to Sloan Museum in 1966. How she acquired it remains unknown.

None.

Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd edition

Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
May 16, 2023 (PastPerfect)

Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
April 10, 2024 (Access to Memory)

• Military
• Manuals
• Letters

• Philippines

• Wilber, George B. (Sujet)