.
By John Michael Foster
Collection Overview
Title: J. Holmes Martin Battery B papers, circa 1910s-1960s
Predominant Dates:1916, 1966-1967
Primary Creator: Indiana. National Guard. Artillery, Battery B
Extent: 0.4 Cubic feet. More info below.
Arrangement: Photographs arranged chronologically; correspondence arranged chronologically; rosters of former members arranged chronologically; receipts and finances arranged chronologically; magazine and newspaper articles arranged by topic and chronologically; press release; article drafts; undated notes; miscellaneous items arranged chronologically.
Date Acquired: 01/20/2012
Subjects: Indiana. National Guard. Artillery, Battery B, Mexico-History--Revolution, 1910-1920, Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae, United States. Army. Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Forms of Material: Articles, Black-and-white photographs, Letters (correspondence), Manuscripts (document genre), Rosters
Languages: English
Abstract
Photographs, correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles/clippings, and other materials belonging to J. Holmes Martin and relating to the history and service of Battery B, Indiana National Guard, and its 50th Year Reunion in May 1967.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
History of Battery B, photos, 1960's correspondence, Letters from Battery B alums, Reunion file, clippings, Sgt. Madden's roster.
Biographical Note
Battery B was organized in November 1914 from Purdue students and faculty interested in forming an artillery unit. At the time, the Purdue Cadet Corps consisted entirely of infantry. Because the Cadet Corps was unable to obtain the cannon or horses necessary to form a battery of field artillery, Battery B members agreed to organize as an Indiana National Guard unit. In the summer of 1916, during the so-called “Border War” with Mexico (1910-1919), the battery was mobilized and sent to Texas to help prevent against border incursions by Mexican revolutionaries hostile to the United States. By the end of the summer, 117,000 National Guardsmen were performing similar duty along the southern borders of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. At the time of its mobilization on June 23, 1916, Battery B consisted of 163 officers and men, all but three of whom were Purdue students or faculty. From July to September, Battery B performed guard duty at several irrigation pumping stations along the Rio Grande. In late September, President Woodrow Wilson issued an executive order, releasing Battery B from federal service. Many members of the battery went on to serve in the U.S. Army during World War I. On May 6, 1967, seventeen former members of Battery B held a special 50th Year Reunion at Purdue.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections
Alternate Extent Statement:
1 mss box
Access Restrictions:
This collection is open for research
Use Restrictions:
Purdue University per deed of gift, except for published items under copyright.
Acquisition Source:
Jim Turley
Acquisition Method:
Donation
Related Materials:
For more information please see http://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/cdm4/browse.php?CISOROOT=/debris.
Related Publications:
Purdue Debris, 1916-1917
Processing Information:
All materials have been housed in acid-free folders, and acid-free boxes. Staples and tape have been removed and discarded; all photographs placed in protective sleeves.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Folder:
[
Folder 1: Photographs of camp life and Battery B train car, 1916],
[
Folder 2: Photographs, continued, 1916],
[
Folder 3: Photograph Prints & Negatives, circa 1967],
[
Folder 4: Photographs, Battery B Reunion, 1967],
[
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1961, 1963-1964],
[Folder 6: Correspondence, 1966],
[
Folder 7: Correspondence, 1967],
[
Folder 8: Correspondence, 1968-1970, undated],
[
Folder 9: Rosters of former Battery B members, circa 1966-1967],
[
Folder 10: Receipts and Finances, Battery B 50th Year Reunion, 1967],
[
Folder 11: Magazine Articles, Battery B history, 1967, 1982],
[
Folder 12: Newspaper Articles, Battery B service and history, 1916, 1967],
[
Folder 13: Newspaper Articles, Battery B, death of Harry E. McIvor, 1919],
[
Folder 14: Newspaper Clippings, Battery B, 1916, 1966-1967, 1983],
[
Folder 15: Press Release, "Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys," Purde News Bureau, 1967],
[
Folder 16: Article Drafts by J. Holmes Martin, 1967],
[
Folder 17: Notes concerning Battery B and ROTC history by J. Holmes Martin, undated],
[
Folder 18: Miscellaneous, Battery B, 1920, 1941, undated],
[
Folder 19: Miscellaneous, Purdue R.O.T.C., circa 1961, 1967, 1984, undated],
[
All]
