Harry R. Mattson letters
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Abstract
Letters written by United States Army soldier Harry R. Mattson (1894-1956) to his parents in Brooklyn, during World War I, when, as a member of the 106th Regiment, 27th Division, he served in Europe during the Ypres-Lys Offensive and the Somme Offensive.
Biographical note
Harry R. Mattson was born Henry Robert Reinke in Brooklyn on August 19, 1894. His parents were German immigrants Robert John Reinke and Louisa Hintze. Harry was later adopted by Louisa's third husband, Bernhard Mattson, and used his surname. Harry married in Queens, in 1924, Louise Künzert, and with her had one son, Harry R. Mattson Jr. The senior Harry worked as a bookkeeper and payroll auditor. He died in Brooklyn on December 12, 1956, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 116 letters written between August 1917 and February 1919 by soldier Harry R. Mattson (1894–1956) to his parents at home in Brooklyn. Many letters were mailed from Camp Wadsworth, the United States Army training facility at Spartanburg, South Carolina, while the rest were sent from "somewhere in France" and "somewhere in Belgium." As a corporal in Company G, 106th Regiment, United States Army, 27th Division, Mattson served in Europe from May 10, 1918 to March 6, 1919, and would have participated in the Ypres-Lys Offensive and the Somme Offensive. He was honorably discharged on April 2, 1919, and received the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
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Access Restrictions
This collection is stored offsite. To arrange to consult it, please go to www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff. Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282. Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: www.nyhistory.org/rights-and-reproductions.
Preferred Citation
The collection should be cited as: Harry R. Mattson Letters, MS 3235, New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Probably purchased from Beltrone & Company, dealers of military artifacts and documents, at an unrecorded date after 1998.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Archivist Joseph Ditta arranged and described this collection in July 2023.
Repository
View Inventory
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1917 August, inclusive
Scope and Contents
One letter dated August 23, 1917, plus Mattson's calling card.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1917 October, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Thirteen letters dated 1917 October 2, 3, 8, 11, 12, 14 (2 letters), 19, 20, 22, 24, 28, and 30.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1917 November, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Twenty letters dated 1917 November 1, 4, 6, 11, 15, 17, 22 (2 letters), 27, and 29.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1917 December, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Nine letters dated 1917 December 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 29.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 January, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Ten letters dated 1918 January 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 23 (2 letters), and 27.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 February, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Four letters dated 1918 February 10, 21, 23, and 27.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 March, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Nine letters dated 1918 March 2, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 23, 27, and 31.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 April, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Fourteen letters dated 1918 April 1, 3 (2 letters), 7, 10, 14, 17, 18, 21, 24, 28 (3 letters), and 30.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 May, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two letters dated 1918 May 8 and 26.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 June, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two letters dated 1918 June 6 and 21.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 July, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Six letters dated 1918 July 6, 12, 14, 19, 24, and 29.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 August, inclusive
Scope and Contents
One letter dated August 20, 1918.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 September, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Five letters dated 1918 September 7, 11, 15, 19, and 21.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 October, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Five letters dated 1918 October 5, 7, 9, 15, and 24.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 November, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Six letters dated 1918 November 1, 7, 13, 16, 18, and 25.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1918 December, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Four letters dated 1918 December 1, 9, 15, and 25.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1919 January, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Three letters dated 1919 January 7, 15, and 23.
Harry R. Mattson letters, 1919 February, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two letters dated 1919 February 2 and 14.
Box cover, etc.
Scope and Contents
Cover of box that originally held the collection, inscribed "Pvt, Corporal, & Sgt Harry R. Mattson / Co. G, 106th US INF / AEF / Mr. & Mrs. B. Battson / 151 2nd Ave / Brooklyn, NY." Folder includes documentation from Beltrone & Company, sellers of the collection.