Summary. Hand written diary.
Access.No Restrictions.
Microfilmed.2000
Citation.Berton Enoch Daniel War Diary, 1917 - 1919., No. 89-34., Reese Library Collections, Augusta State University, Augusta, Georgia.
Biographical/Historical Note.
Berton E. Daniel was born at Mer Rouge, Morehouse County, Louisiana, [165 miles east of Baton Rouge] on September 10, 1888. He apprenticed as a pharmacist at Mer Rouge until he enrolled in the New Orleans College of Pharmacy, Loyola University from which he graduated in 1912. Daniel enlisted in the U. S. Army at Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana on June 9, 1917. He served in the medical department at Jackson Barracks until July 9, 1917 when he was transferred to the Medical Detachment of the 6th Infantry Battalion, 5th Division, at Fort Saint Phillip, Louisiana [below New Orleans]. He was promoted to sergeant on September 24, 1917and his battalion was transferred to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, on November 11, 1917. From Fort Oglethorpe, his battalion departed for New Jersey on April 5, 1918. His unit embarked the transport S. S. Covington on April 9th and the Covington landed at Brest, France on April 22. In France he participated in action in the Aunould Sector, St. Dieu Sector (Frappe Engagement), St. Mihiel Battle, and Argonne Meuse Offensive. He returned to the United States on July 22, 1919 and discharged on August 4, 1919 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The diary in the collection is a transcription of what is assumed to be the original notes he kept during the war. There are obvious additions of information that he probably gleaned from encyclopedic sources. The handwriting is consistent throughout and contains no water or other stains. The notebook also contains two photographs of Berton Daniel in uniform.
List of Records.
Folder 1.Diary.June
9, 1917 – August 4, 1919. (45 pages); (5X9 inches).
Folder 2.Photographs.
(1918, 1936, 1940. (4 pieces)Arranged
chronologically.Mounted on 5 x
8 inch notebook paper.Two photographs
of Daniel in World War I Army uniform in postcard format dated 1918.One
of Daniel with young boy (unidentified) in Boy Scout Uniform dated 1940.One
of Daniel with an unidentified man dated 1936.
Folder 3. Letters,
Personal papers, Military discharge papers, Draft registration cards (WWI
and WWII), Action report of 5th Division 1918, Pharmacy Apprentice
certificate. (9 pieces).
Folder 4.General Pharmaceutical measurement information.(3
pieces). Arranged chronologically.