This volume is the fourth in a series of diaries and letters of significant figures that have come to my attention since being librarian of the Rockbridge Historical Society. The other three included the letters of a medical doctor Reuben Knox, who went on the California Gold Rush, A Medic Forty-niner, the second the diary of Jeremiah C. Harris, An Old Field School Teacher and finally the diary and letters of Greenlee Davidson, Captain Greenlee Davidson, C.S.A. The present book includes the war letters 1917-'19, of George Irwin, who served along with 55 other men in the Washington and Lee Ambulance Corps. They received their training at Allentown, Pennsylvania, and were sent to the western front in France. These letters are to members of his family, who lived in Lexington, Virginia, or to his brother Preston in Cleveland, Ohio. They give a very clear picture of a soldier's life at that front in World War I. The writer is grateful to Mrs. Elizabeth Lapsley, George's sister, of Lexington and his sister-in-law, Mrs. J. Preston Irwin of Cleveland, Ohio, who loaned the letters to the writer. The Washington and Lee University language departments were helpful too, especially Dr. Francis Drake, chairman of the French Department.

The editor wishes to thank the typist of the manuscript, Mrs. Basil Price and my student assistant, T. Patrick Brennan for helping with the index. The staff of the McCormick Library on the Washington and Lee Campus needs to be given praise for its help as well. Finally, as always, to the McClure Press, the editor is grateful for the fine production of his mental brain child.

Charles W. Turner
June 10, 1976

work under copyright
copies may be available at: