Abstract

A collection of nineteen letters written by Orion Ashenfelter to his family while on his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, which began on January 29, 1900. Included in these letters is an eyewitness account of events during the Boxer Rebellion in China.

Scope and Contents

Letter written by Orion, addressed to his mother and father. Orion writes to his family to inform them that he received both of their letters and greatly enjoyed reading them. In addition, he mentions that he received a letter from Hellen and Bob. Orion writes that he is not bad at target practice and made 18 out of 25 at 100 yards. He says that he does not receive nearly as many letters as some of the other guys and asks that Fred and Bob to write more often.

Scope and Contents Letter written by Orion Ashenfelter, to his mother and father. Orion thanks his parents for sending him the paper but asks them only to send the Saturday morning and evening paper. He informs his family that he is in good health and that he has been studying hard for his exams. He says that if he passes his exam, he will be made an ordinary seaman at $19.00 per month. He tells his mother to expect Navy tobacco for his father and that it will be delivered by his old drill master, Mr. Crouse....

Scope and Contents

Letter written by Orion Ashenfelter, to his mother and father. Orion responds to his parent’s letter and lets them know that he received their letter and the dollar bill that they sent him. He tell his parents about a fight that broke out with a marine on board. He says he has been awaiting every day for the Buffalo and that can’t wait until she arrives.

Scope and Contents Letter written by Orion Ashenfelter to his mother, father, brothers, and sisters. He informs his family that he only received a letter from his mother and Hellen. He tells his mother that he is feeling fine and in good health and he wishes the same for them all. He tells his mother that the work at sea has been difficult but that he doesn’t mind as long as he is fulfilling his heart’s desire to travel the world by sea. Orion does his best to describe the beautiful city of Fayle. He tells his...

Scope and Contents

Letter written by Orion, addressed to his entire family. He informs his mother and father that he has arrived in Gilbraltar. He aks his mother to tell Bob that he met “that boy” and that he dressed their ship with flags. He writes that at noon every ship will fire a gun for each year that their queen has lived. He ends his letter and tells his mother that he will send her an additional letter in which he fully describes the beauty of Azores after he has had his liberty onshore.

Scope and Contents Letter written by Orion, addressed to his entire family. Orion writes about Gibraltar and arrived at Valleta. He describes that trip as the most interesting and amazing memory. Orion describes the ancient architectural work and says he is an awe of how important the small island truly is to ancient, biblical, and modern history. He wonders how the ancient island must have looked under the Carthaginian rule in 260 B. C. and under the rule of the Germans in about 130 B. C. Orion goes on to...

Scope and Contents

Letter written by Orion Ashenfelter to his family, he says he is writing to them because although he hasn’t received their letters, he wants them to know where he is and that he is safe. He says that he feels lonely as many of the men are being transferred to different boats, including himself. Orion lets them know that he is to be transferred to one of the smallest boats in the Navy, the “Nashville” who was the first to fire the first shot during the Spanish war.

Scope and Contents Letter written by Orion Ashenfelter to his family. Orion starts his letter by apologizing for not being able to send out the letter before. He describes the war as awful and that it has gotten to the point where he has become accustomed to seeing dead Chinese bodies down the river. He mentions a ship filled with wounded Russians that stopped by. He says the skies are always lit up at night for miles due to shooting of rifles between the opposing countries. Orion tells his family that there...

Scope and Contents Letter written by Orion Ashenfelter to his family. He tells his folks that if he told them the island in which they stop to seek shelter, they would not know it, instead he describes the neighboring locations that they would be familiar with. Orion informs them that the Aden and Colombo are the first American gun boats that traveled to that location. He writes that the Skipper dropped anchor and they went ashore to ask the natives for fresh meat and they said they only had turtle and no...