by Bob Swanson

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About This Presentation

• Large numbers of military men were transported by rail throughout the United States during the First World War (1917-1919)
• They often mailed cards and letters while onboard the trains
• Some items are canceled by Railway Post Office (RPO) markings
• The content of these postal items can be of great interest
• These are only a small subset of such covers and cards

Troop Train "Ground Rules"

• The men were not allowed off the train (a rare exception: time for exercise drill)
• Generally, they were not informed of their destination
• Sometimes letters were handed to Red Cross women at train stations for mailing (some even provided a stamp for the soldier's mailed item)
• Otherwise, letters would have to be placed in the RPO slot on the train, or handed to a helpful civilian

Cover and Letter Posted in Wyoming

• Mailed in Green River, Wyoming
• Letter indicates "written on train"
• (Appears to be mailed by civilian "Hugo" after letter handed to them by the soldier "Edward")

Postcard from Wounded Soldier in a Hospital Car

• Government Postal Card (GPC) mailed by wounded returning soldier, 1919
• He writes that he is going to General Hospital #32, in a special hospital car
• Canceled by RPO handstamp on train (Pittsburg & Chicago RPO)

Little Rock, Arkansas "En Route"

• Soldier writes "going to Houston" (October 1917)
• Canceled by "Transit Clerk" handstamp for Little Rock (Tr. Clerk office was usually located in a train station)

"En Route" With RPO Handstamp

• Written message: "we are on our way to somewhere"
• Canceled by St. Louis & Parsons RPO handstamp (applied on board train in RPO car)

Sailor "En Route" From Great Lakes

• Sailor writes: "am standing a 2 hr watch now on train"
• Uncommon to find 'en route' items from navy personnel
• Canceled by International machine from main Columbus, Ohio, post office

Acknowledgements

Examples from the collection of Bob Swanson

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Table of Contents

Title Page
About This Presentation
Troop Train "Ground Rules"
Cover and Letter Posted in Wyoming
Postcard from Wounded Soldier in a Hospital Car
Little Rock, Arkansas
"En Route" With RPO Handstamp
Sailor "En Route" From Great Lakes
Acknowledgements
Instructions for Reading Presentation

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