Letter to the Secretary of War from Francis Nelson - February 10. 1918
Transcript
Copy 744 Herkimer St., Brooklyn, New York. [February] 10, 1918. Secretary Baker, War Department, Washington, D.C. My dear Friend: I, Francis Nelson, a Oglala Sioux Indian from Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, would like to voluntary or enlist in U.S. Army or navy. I am very anxious and willing to fight and die for our country. I am one of the grand children of Chief Sitting Bull and Chief Rain in face, the two old famous warriors in early days and am only too glad to put on Uncle Sam
Details
| Title | Letter to the Secretary of War from Francis Nelson - February 10. 1918 |
| Creator | Nelson, Francis |
| Source | Nelson, Francis. Letter to the Secretary of War from Francis Nelson. 10 February 1918. Crowder, Enoch H. (1859-1932), Papers, 1884-1942. C1046. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | A letter written to the Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker, from an American Indian, Francis Nelson. Nelson wished to fight in the American military and wrote Baker asking for the right to gain citizenship and fight. This document is part of a collection compiled by Enoch Herbert Crowder, the Edinburg, Grundy County, Missouri native who served as Judge Advocate General. Crowder devised the Selective Service Act in 1917 which drafted America's forces during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | Crowder, E. H. (Enoch Herbert), 1859-1932; Baker, Newton, 1871-1937; World War, 1914-1918--Indians of North America |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Selective Service Act of 1917; Selective Draft Act |
| Site Accession Number | C1046 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | February 10, 1918 |
| Language | English |