An American Soldier in World War I

Acknowledgments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 [First Page] [-11], (1) Lines: 0 to ——— 0.0pt PgV ——— Normal Page PgEnds: TE [-11], (1) acknowledgments When I began this project in the late 1990s, I had little idea where it would lead or the number of people it would put me in contact with. It has been a truly rewarding experience, and I can only offer my deepest thanks to all who have touched this project at one time or another. The final product is much better because of their great help. I began this study after Page Waugh, one of my students at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, offered to show me some letters that her great uncle, George “Brownie” Browne, wrote to her great aunt, Martha “Marty” Browne, during World War I. Neither Page nor I could have imagined at that moment what this chance encounter would produce. I am indebted to her for sharing the letters and introducing me to the rest of her family. Her father, John Waugh, and her aunt, Janet Hanson, are the closest living relatives of Brownie and Marty. They gave me permission to write a book based on the letters and offered extensive assistance in learning about Brownie and Marty’s family history. Unfortunately, Lydia Waugh, Marty’s sister, passed away during the early stages of my research, but she also provided important insight into her sister’s life. One of the joys of being a historian is meeting new and won- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 [-12], (2) Lines: 17 ——— 0.0pt PgV ——— Normal PgEnds: [-12], (2) derful people at various archives, historical societies, and libraries . The staffs at the Connecticut Historical Society, the Connecticut State Library and Archives, the Francis Marion Library, the MacArthur Memorial Library and Archives, the Morris Historical Society, the National Archives of the United States, the Texas Tech University Library, the U.S. Army Military History Institute, the U.S. Military Academy Special Collections, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Archives and Special Collections, and the Waterbury public library answered numerous inquiries and provided invaluable information. In particular, I would like to thank Mary Ellen Ducey, David Keogh, Bill Nelson, and Katherine Walter. Numerous scholars provided guidance and support at various stages of this project. In particular, Pete Maslowski took me under his wing and constantly encouraged my efforts. While there may be no tougher critic, my book is better because of his advice. Many other friends and colleagues offered assistance, including Gretchen Adams, Alwyn Barr, Ernie Bolt, Jim Cooke, Bruce Daniels, Jorge Iber, Jim Reckner, and Don Walker. Several anonymous reviewers for the University of Nebraska Press also extended their invaluable expertise and insight. The staff at the University of Nebraska Press has shepherded my manuscript with the utmost care. It has been my pleasure to work closely with Elizabeth Demers, Jeremy Hall, Beth Ina, Julie Van Pelt, and Chris Steinke. I would also like to thank Randolph-Macon College and the University of Richmond for support in the early stages of this project. Additionally, Texas Tech University and the Big 12 Conference awarded me grants that permitted several research trips to Lincoln, Nebraska, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Washington dc. Without this, it would have been difficult to complete my research. Finally and most importantly, I must thank my family. My mother, Marilyn Snead, offered unfailing support, and my brothers and sister provided many words of encouragement. My father and mother-in-law, D. C. and Carolyn Hughes, added to this project in more ways than they could imagine. I would have never been able to finish this book without the commitment of my wife, Lori, and children, Reagan, Delaney, and Darel. An unflinching supporter and one of my most careful critics, Lori has learned xii | acknowledgments 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38...