Leon C. Gaylord papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the outgoing correspondence of Leon C. Gaylord to his friend Ed H. Stanard and to his sister Eva Gaylord Westfall while he served in the Philippines from 1898 to 1900 during the Spanish American War. His correspondence, primarily to Stanard, describes in detail his role in the military, various battles he participated in, troop moral, general conditions in the Philippine Islands, and other similar topics. His letters specifically mention the capture of Iloilo Island (part of the Canary Islands), the burning of the cities by insurgents, the Battle of Muntinlupa, and the death of Colonel William C. Smith at the Battle of Manila, the rescue of prisoners of war, and participating in various other encounters. Leon's twelve letters of correspondence have been arranged chronologically. Folder 13 contains a typescript of Gaylord's military travels spanning the period of 1898 to 1916. This typescript contains a log of locations and places Gaylord was stationed.
Two photographs taken of Gaylord while serving in the Spanish American War have been separated from this collection for preservation purposes. Researchers interested in viewing these photographs should inquire with USU's photograph curator.
Dates
- 1898-1900
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Restrictions
Open to public research.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Permission to publish material from the Leon C. Gaylord papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Biographical Note
Leon C. Gaylord was born in 1860 in New Haven, Michigan. During Leon's youth he and his older sister Eva were raised by their maternal grandparents, John and Eliza Griswold who lived in Chesaning, Michigan. During the 1880s Leon worked as a clerk in his grandfather's hardware supply store. On December 25, 1882 Leon married Nettie B. Wood in Chesaning.
In 1898 Leon enlisted in the 1st Regiment of the Tennessee Infantry, Band Company, to fight in the Spanish American War. In 1898 Leon was deployed to Philippines where he fought in the Battle of Manila, the Battle of Muntinlupa, participated in the capture of Iloilo Island, fought near San Loman, and in various other encounters. He served in the war from 1898 to 1900. He was discharged from the military on February 20, 1901.
After returning to the United States Gaylord reenlisted in the military on October 2, 1901 at Cincinnati, Ohio. That winter he sailed to the Philippines and remained there until 1904. In 1904 Gaylord returned to the United States and was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois for two years. In 1906 he traveled to Cuba and was stationed at Camp Columbia, Havana for three years. In 1909 he returned to Fort Sheridan, where he remained until 1914. From 1914 to 1915 he was stationed at Texas City, Texas. In 1915 he set sail for the Philippines but was detained enroute, and spent a year at various US military bases in Panama until he reached the Philippines on March 5, 1917. From 1918 to 1920 Gaylord remained at sea on patrol. During this time his ship docked at places such as Nagasaki, Japan and Vladivostok, Russia.
It is currently unknown what happened to Gaylord after 1920.
Extent
1 box (.5 linear ft.)
Abstract
Correspondence from Gaylord while in the Phillipines during the Spanish American War. Included in his letters are hand drawn maps of the Manila Bay area.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically and by addressee.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to USU Special Collections & Archives by Helen W. Mahoney in 1990.
- Title
- Guide to the Leon C. Gaylord papers 1898-1900
- Author
- Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives.
- Date
- ©2008
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Revision Statements
- September 29, 2008.: Template information was updated to reflect Utah Manuscript Association best practices.
- 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu