Research: Topics: Military: Records Relating to World War I
Records Relating to World War I
Additional State Agency Records
Adjutant General's Office
14403. General Orders, 1802-1975. 9.2 cubic feet (83 volumes)
Arrangement: General Orders are chronological by year and therein by order number. Divisional and Brigade Orders are numerical by division or brigade name and therein chronological.
This series consists of bound general orders issued by the adjutant general and commanding officers of specific military units to direct those under their command in carrying out specified operations and policies. General orders are permanent orders which apply to all members of a command and usually concern policy or administrative matters. They deal with the military system as a whole and should not be confused with special orders, which deal with specific units and individuals. Typically included with the orders are copies of circulars and bulletins published for "the information and guidance of all concerned." These were issued by the Adjutant General as replies to questions relative to the general orders or approving regulations. Division and brigade orders (1867- 1917) are separately bound and numbered at the end of the series.
Included are orders dealing with assignments, detachments, and reorganization of units; rescindment, corrections, and amendments of previously issued general orders; pay, promotions, demotions, and transfers of personnel; issuance of arms, uniforms, equipment, and accoutrements to units and training institutions, including site selection, expenses/accounts, and authorization for repairs to armories; courts martial and appeals; details for special occasions; appointments of aides to the governor; changes in designations of units; discharges, re-enlistments, and retirements; training exercises; issuance of regulations; grants or suspension of leaves of absence; and awarding of prizes.
Volumes 37 through 40 (box 5) and volume 13 (box 9) cover the World War I years, 1914-1919, and include information on establishment and operation of the New York Guard and the Home Defense Reserve.
Finding aid: Volume list.
Index: Indexing is irregular. Some volumes contain a name/subject index to the general orders; some volumes (also/only) contain a separate index to bulletins and circulars. Indexing of division and brigade orders is very limited.
14405-84 Special Orders, 1855-1946. 57.5 cubic feet (182 volumes)
Arrangement: Chronological by year, then numeric by order number.
This accretion is one part of a large series (343 total volumes, 1855-1975) consisting of bound special orders issued by the Adjutant General as permanent orders that deal with specific units and individuals. Included are orders dealing with reassignment of regiments to brigades and divisions; formation and assignment of companies (including names of commanding officers); revocation of previously issued special orders; promotions and demotions; issuance of arms, uniforms, equipment, and accoutrements to units and training institutions; courts martial and appeals; details for special occasions; inspection of troops; discharges; training exercises; transfer of personnel; issuance of regulations; and grants or suspension of leaves of absence. Volumes 71 through 83 (boxes 41 through 50) cover the World War I years, 1914-1919.
Finding aid: Volume list.
Index: Most of the volumes contain a name/subject index.
A3354. World War I Historical Research Files, ca. 1914- 1928. .3 cubic foot
Arrangement: By type of material (photographs, clippings, maps) and therein roughly chronological.
The series consists of a group of clippings, photographs, training circulars, instructions, and maps, dating from the World War I period. The exact source and association of these records is unclear, although they may be from a collection of Franklin W. Ward, who was Adjutant General from 1926 to 1934. They were apparently kept as background files, perhaps for research purposes or to illustrate New York's part in military training (including intelligence training) and the actual fighting.
The materials include:
- a photograph of the 12th Infantry Rifle Team, Peekskill (New York) dated September, 1914
- a selection of newspaper clippings (ca.1928) from the Albany Knickerbocker Press publication of "War Struck," reminiscences of Adjutant General Franklin W. Ward about his experiences as Colonel in the 27th Division of the American Expeditionary Force (including the 105th and 106th Infantry Regiments), showing officers (e.g. John F. O'Ryan commander), captured German soldiers and equipment, and scenes of damage and action in Belgium and France
- annotated print maps (7 copies) labeled "No. 9228" showing approximate front line and disposition of "Trenches Corrected from Information Received Up To 29-6-18" in West Flanders, Belgium, near the French border (40 x 33 cm)
- annotated print maps (7 copies) labeled "No. 9229" showing approximate front line and disposition of "Trenches Corrected from Information Received Up To 29-6-18" in West Flanders, Belgium, near the French border (40 x 33 cm)
- annotated print maps (2 copies) labeled "No. 9309" and entitled "Probable Enemy Order of Battle. 9-8- 18." showing division and regiment boundary references, the approximate enemy (German) front line, and approximate dates of relief, in West Flanders, Belgium, near the French border (33 x 40 cm)
- undated, unattributed reference map overlay, showing position of companies, guns, reserve positions, and divisional boundaries (51 x 69 cm)
- copies (2) of War Department Training Circular No. 21 "Positive Intelligence" dated September 14, 1918 prescribing "subjects to be considered and methods observed in training of positive intelligence groups" with separate sheets explaining military symbols denoting size and identification of units and posts, and how natural and man-made elements should be represented on maps
- copy of "Instructions for the Intelligence Service of an Infantry Regiment" by the Military Intelligence Branch of the War Department, dated February 22, 1918, explaining the mission, organization, instruction, and fundamental principles of a regimental intelligence service, with guidelines on the nature of information to be collected, possible sources, and the coordination, transfer, and recording of the information and including a separate "Reproduction of Captured Enemy Intelligence Map Dated 13-7-18, Captured 9-8-18"
- a map entitled "Sketch Map No.2 Drawn from Air Photos to 14/8/18 to be used as Reference Map for Front Line Intelligence and Patrols" with a legend showing posts, pillboxes, disused roads, old huts or dugouts, and natural features in West Flanders, Belgium, near the French border (27 x 40 cm)
Finding aid: Folder list.