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Anthony Muller Camp #8, United Spanish War Veterans Collection

Collection 345

Anthony Muller Camp #8, United Spanish War Veterans. Collection, 1912–1979, n.d.

2 feet, 7.5 inches

After the end of the Spanish-American War in 1899, veterans organized into fraternal organizations in order to keep in touch with their former comrades and to memorialize their service to the country. The first national organizations formed directly after the end of the war and merged in 1904 to form the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV), which was in existence until 1992. Nearly twenty years after the formation of the national USWV, the Department of Louisiana of the United Spanish War Veterans formed in Louisiana in 1923.

On August 23, 1924, a group of Spanish-American War veterans led by J. St. Clair Fairot and J. C. Sanders met in New Iberia to discuss the possibility of forming a local Spanish-American war veteran’s camp. Twenty-three veterans signed the charter for the organization and formed Anthony Muller Camp #8 on August 25, 1924 in New Iberia, Louisiana.

This collection contains the papers of Anthony Muller Camp #8 from its formation in 1924 through 1979, divided into five main series. The first is composed of the organizational papers of Anthony Muller Camp #8. This includes correspondence sent and received from the camp to members and to the state and national headquarters of the USWV, local organization meeting minutes, news clippings, membership records, and financial records. The second series contains the proceedings and programs from annual meetings of the Department of Louisiana, USWV association. The third series contains proceedings, minutes, reports, and programs from the national meetings and conventions of the USWV. The fourth and fifth series contain publications about the USWV, its ceremonies, procedures, rituals, and history, and artifacts from Anthony Muller Camp #8.

Series:

I. Local USWV: Anthony Muller Camp #8 (1924-1979)  
  A. Correspondence (1932-1979)  
    1. General Correspondence (1932-1979) 1-01 through 1-08
    2. Orders from State and National Headquarters (1949-1973) 1-09 through 1-14
  B. Minutes (1924-1958) 1-15 through 2-01
  C. Membership records (1925-1959) 2-02 through 2-07
  D. Financial Records and Reports (1924-1962) 2-08 through 2-09
  E. Miscellaneous (n.d., 1964, 1966, 1973) 2-10 through 2-11
II. Department of Louisiana USWV Association (1933-1972)  
  A. Proceedings (1933-1970) 2-12 through 3-11
  B. Reports (1954-1977) 3-12
  C. Circulars 3-13
III. National USWV Association (1932-1977)  
  A. Proceedings (1932-1975) 3-14 through 4-13
  B. Reports (1954-1977) 5-01 through 5-02
  C. Programs (1935-1973) 5-03
IV. Publications (1912-1955) 5-04 through 6-04
V. Artifacts (1927-1963) 7-01 through 7-08

Inventory:

I. Local USWV: Anthony Muller Camp #8 (1924-1979)
A. Correspondence
  1. General Correspondence (1932-1979)
    [includes letters, telegrams, and cards mailed to members of Anthony Muller Camp No.8; subjects discussed are limited to camp activities, meetings, membership, and organizational issues]
1-01 July 1932 - December 1939
1-02 May 1941 - April 1949
1-03 June 1950 - October 1958
    [includes news clippings; (July 31, 1950) mentions the opening of a Veterans Memorial Building in New Iberia; (April 23, 1953) about the 31st annual state encampment of the USWV in New Iberia]
1-04 February 1964 - November 1965
    [includes news clipping; (February 27, 1964) message from the USWV president]
1-05 September 1966 - August 1969
    [includes news clippings; (March 9, 1967) Veterans of WWI honor USWV members; (May 6, 1969) mentions the state convention of USWV in Deridder]
1-06 February 1970 - December 1973
    [includes news clippings; (February 10, 1972) “Remember the Maine” and message from USWV president, (March 2, 1972) 74th annual national encampment, (May 4, 1972) average lifespan of veterans, (May 29, 1972) 50th annual state encampment, (October 11, 1973) new USWV commander in chief]
1-07 April 1974 - October 1979
1-08 Miscellaneous undated correspondence
       
  2. Orders from State and National Headquarters (1949-1979)
    [these include organizational memos with information about meetings, encampments, changes in membership, and information about funding]
1-09 National Headquarters USWV Auxiliary (February 1949 - 1976)
1-10 Department of Louisiana USWV (November 1957 - March 1959)
1-11 Department of Louisiana USWV (May 1960 - August 1964)
1-12 Department of Louisiana USWV (March 1965 - February 15, 1969)
1-13 Department of Louisiana USWV (May 1971 - July 1979)
1-14 Miscellaneous orders from non-Louisiana state USWV organizations (April 1973)
       
B. Minutes (1924-1958)
  [these books contain a complete account of the minutes of each meeting held by Anthony Muller Camp #8 from the camp’s formation through 1958]
1-15 Minute book for Anthony Muller Camp #8 (August 23, 1924 - December 3, 1932)
1-16 Minute book for Anthony Muller Camp #8 (January 4th 1933 - December 3, 1939)
2-01 Minute book for Anthony Muller Camp #8 (January 4th 1940 - March 9, 1958): includes news clippings (obituaries) pasted onto pages
       
C. Membership records (1925-1961)
  [this series contains membership application cards, mailing lists, muster rolls, death notices, and miscellaneous certificates]
2-02 Application cards for membership in USWV Anthony Muller Camp #8 (1925-c.1940)
2-03 Death Reports of members (1925-1961)
2-04 Muster Rolls, Membership and mailing lists (1940s-1973, n.d.): includes a list of non-member pensioners in Louisiana
2-05 Credentials for member Edwin L. Bernard to attend national encampments (1952-1966)
2-06 Certificate for Edward L. Bernard for his appointment as National Aide on the staff of Commander in Chief to the USWV (1955); identification certificate for 66th National Encampment for Edward L. Bernard; and undated identification for Edward L. Bernard
2-07 Certificate of Membership for Anthony Muller Camp #8 to the national organization of the USWV (for 65th, 66th, and 71st National Encampments) (1963-1969)
   
D. Financial Records and Reports (1924-1965)
  [this series contains the financial and administrative records of Anthony Muller Camp #8]
2-08 Expense book for Anthony Muller Camp #8 (August 25, 1924 - June 5, 1962); seven loose pages of expenditures (June 9, 1950 - August 8, 1965); one loose page of expenditures (1964-1965)
2-09 Semi-annual Report of the Adjunct of Anthony Muller Camp #8 (1939-1944); Inspection Report (January 12, 1948)
       
E. Miscellaneous (n.d., 1964, 1966, 1973)
2-10 Blank forms for muster rolls, pension applications, credentials to attend annual encampment, USWV Anthony Muller Camp #8
2-11 Miscellaneous: notes from regular meeting (1964); notes on the first Louisiana volunteer infantry regiment (Spanish American War), membership rosters for “Robinettes” (Spanish American War Women’s group) (1966, 1973)
     
II. Department of Louisiana USWV Association (1933-1972)
  [this series contains the minutes, proceedings and programs from the Department of Louisiana state USWV association collected by members of Anthony Muller Camp #8. The majority of the materials concern the annual convention of the Department of Louisiana (referred to as the “Annual Encampment”)]
       
A. Proceedings (sometimes labeled “Minutes”) (1933-1970)
2-12 Minutes: 11th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana (July 7-8, 1933)
2-13 Proceedings: 12th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, DeRidder, Louisiana (June 22-23, 1934)
2-14 Proceedings: 17th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana (May 12-14, 1939)
2-15 Proceedings: 18th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana (May 3-5, 1940)
3-01 Proceedings: 19th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Hammond, Louisiana (June 6-8, 1941)
3-02 Proceedings: 20th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana (June 5-7, 1942)
3-03 Minutes: 26th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana (May 2-4, 1948)
3-04 Proceedings: 27th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, DeRidder, Louisiana (May 8-10, 1949)
3-05 Proceedings: 28th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Hammond, Louisiana (June 4-6, 1950)
3-06 Proceedings: 41st annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana (May 31 - June 2, 1963)
3-07 Proceedings: 42nd annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, DeRidder, Louisiana (April 24-26, 1964)
3-08 Minutes: 45th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (May 5-7, 1967)
3-09 Minutes: 46th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Covington, Louisiana (May 3-5, 1968)
3-10 Minutes: 48th annual encampment, Department of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (May 9-10, 1970)
3-11 Loose pages (pp. 37-38) from unknown annual encampment minutes (n.d.)
     
B. Programs (1937-1972)
3-12 Miscellaneous materials
    15th Annual Encampment (1937) program
20th Annual Encampment (1942) program
24th Annual Encampment (1946) proceedings
31st Annual Encampment (1953) program
39th Annual Convention (1962) souvenir program
47th Annual Encampment (1969) program
50th Annual Encampment (1972) program
     
C. Circulars (1938-1939)
3-13 Department of Louisiana USWV, Series 1938-1939, no. 1-6
   
III. National USWV Association (1932-1977)
  [this series contains the proceedings, reports, and programs from the national USWV association collected by members of Anthony Muller Camp #8. The majority of the materials concern the annual convention of the USWV (referred to as the “Annual National Encampment”)]
     
A. Proceedings (1932-1975)
3-14 Proceedings: 34th annual national encampment, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Aug 21-25, 1932)
3-15 Proceedings: 42nd annual national encampment, Detroit, Michigan (Aug 18-22, 1940)
3-16 Proceedings: 47th annual national encampment, Atlantic City, New Jersey (Sept 24-28, 1950)
3-17 Proceedings: 62nd annual national encampment, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Sept 4-8, 1960)
4-01 Proceedings: 63rd annual national encampment, Little Rock, Arkansas (Sept 17-21, 1961)
4-02 Proceedings: 64th annual national encampment, Peoria, Illinois (Sept 9-13, 1962)
4-03 Proceedings: 65th annual national encampment, Lansing Michigan (Sept 29 - Oct 3, 1963)
4-04 Proceedings: 66th annual national encampment, Louisville, Kentucky (Aug 30 - Sept 3, 1964)
4-05 Proceedings: 67th annual national encampment, Little Rock, Arkansas (Sept 5-9, 1965)
4-06 Proceedings: 68th annual national encampment, Lansing, Michigan (Oct 1-6, 1966)
4-07 Proceedings: 69th annual national encampment, San Antonio, Texas (Sept 2-7, 1967)
4-08 Proceedings: 70th annual national encampment, Asbury Park, New Jersey (Sept 8-12, 1968)
4-09 Proceedings: 71st annual national encampment, San Diego, California (Sept 7-11, 1969)
4-10 Proceedings: 72nd annual national encampment, Memphis, Tennessee (Sept 6-10, 1970)
4-11 Proceedings: 73rd annual national encampment, Hartford, Connecticut (Sept 19-23, 1971)
4-12 Proceedings: 74th annual national encampment, Portland, Oregon (Sept 10-14, 1972)
4-13 Proceedings: 77th annual national encampment, Indianapolis, Indiana (Sept 8-13, 1975)
   
B. Reports (1954-1977)
5-01 Annual report of John U. Shroyer, Commander in Chief, to the 56th USWV national encampment, San Antonio, Texas (Sept 19-23, 1954); Annual report of Morris G. Oesterreich, Commander in Chief, to the 65th USWV national encampment, Sept 29-Oct 3, 1963)
5-02 69th annual report from the national encampment, United Spanish War Veterans and Auxiliary, (June 10-13, 1972); 73rd annual report of the United Spanish War Veterans and Auxiliary, (June 12-15, 1976); 74th annual report of the United Spanish War Veterans and Auxiliary, Lansing, Michigan (June 11-14, 1977)
   
C. Programs (1935-1973)
5-03 37th Annual National Encampment (1935) program booklet and loose page; 51st National Encampment (1949) hotel rates form; Memorial Day program (1953); 56th National Encampment (1954) souvenir booklet; 57th National Encampment (1955) housing reservation application; 67th National Encampment (1965) flyer and program booklet; 68th National Encampment (1966); 72nd National Encampment (1970) program booklet; 73rd National Encampment (1971) program booklet 75th National Encampment (1973) program booklet
 
IV. Publications (1912-1955)
5-04 Ritual of the United Spanish War Veterans, 1918 (1912)
5-05 Book of Ceremonies of United Spanish War Veterans: Forms and Procedure, 1913-1916 (1912)
5-06 Book of Ceremonies of United Spanish War Veterans: Forms and Procedure, 1913-1929v(1928)
5-07 Book of Ceremonies of United Spanish War Veterans: Forms and Procedure, 1938 (1928)
5-08 Constitution, Rules and Regulations, United Spanish War Veterans, 1920 (1920)
6-01 Government Documents: “Veterans’ Affairs: Hearings before the Joint Congressional Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, extracts from vol. 3, 72nd Congress (1933); H.R. 6995: “War with Spain: Pensions to Veterans of the Spanish-American War,…their widows and dependents, and for other purposes” 74th Congress (1935); “Remarks of Hon. Wright Patman: Information concerning benefits available to veterans and their dependents under laws administered by the Veterans’ Administration and other governmental agencies, including the War Department and Civil Service (1936); The United Spanish War Veterans, Department of Louisiana (booklet lists state legislation concerning Spanish War veterans, n.d.)
6-02 Bylaws of the Department of Louisiana, United Spanish War Veterans, 1935 (2 copies) and Bylaws of the Department of Louisiana, United Spanish War Veterans, 1945 (2 copies)
6-03 The Spanish-American War of 1898: Liberty for Cuba and World Power for the United States, Louisiana’s Part in the Accomplishment of the Manifest Destiny of the Nation (1939)
6-04 United Spanish War Veterans, Department of Louisiana: A short history of the organization of the Department, with a register of Department and Camp Officers, dates of institution, and other items of pertinent information (1955) (2 copies)
 
V. Artifacts (1927-1963)
  [includes convention medals, nametags, and receipt book]
7-01 45th District Conference, Rotary International, Mattoon (April 4-5, 1927): with inscription: “Remember the Maine”
7-02 United Spanish War Veterans, 2nd annual state encampment, Daughters of Union Veterans, Mt. Home, Idaho (June 2-4, 1927)
7-03 United Spanish War Veterans, 3rd annual convention, I.B.M. , Lima, Ohio (June 7-9, 1928)
7-04 United Spanish War Veterans, 16th annual encampment, Department of Indiana auxiliary, Terre Haute, Indiana (June 10-12, 1928)
7-05 21st Annual encampment, Department of Nebraska and Auxiliary, United Spanish War Veterans, Grand Island, Nebraska (June 13-15, 1928)
7-06 Nametag: 63rd National Encampment, United Spanish War Veterans (Sept 17-21, 1961)
7-07 Nametag: 65rd National Encampment, United Spanish War Veterans (Sept 29 - October 3, 1963)
7-08 Receipt booklet for membership dues (blank) (n.d.)