Cecil Roberts Gross papers, 1918-1950.
Collection Number: 1890

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Cecil Roberts Gross papers, 1918-1950.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
1890
Abstract:
Forty-four letters from C.R. Gross to members of his family concerning his service with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I and afterward with the army of occupation in Luxembourg. Also included are newspapers, monographs on agricultural chemistry, postcards, and other printed items.
Creator:
Gross, Cecil Roberts.
Quanitities:
.2 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Forty-four letters from C.R. Gross to members of his family concerning his service with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I and afterward with the army of occupation in Luxembourg, including comments on army life, work in a 33rd Division field hospital, devastation caused by military operation in Lorraine and northeastern France, conditions on troop ships, reactions to the cessation of hostilities, the situation in France during the half year following the Armistice, his studies at the University of Paris, and related matters. Also included are three newspapers, eleven monographs on agricultural chemistry, postcards, and other printed items.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:

Cecil Roberts Gross. Papers, #1890. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

SUBJECTS

Names:
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
Université de Paris -- : Students.
Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918 -- Luxembourg.
World War, 1914-1918 -- France.
Hospitals, Military.
Agricultural chemistry.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Scope and Contents
All the material in the collection may not be covered by this guide.
Series I. Correspondence
Scope and Contents
Cornell University Agricultural Experimental Station, Memoir 297. by R.M. Smock, C.R. Gross. (47 pp.)
Box 1
Cecil Gross to sister
1918-03-14-1918-03-15
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his sister. Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, re: monthly salary, description of a day's work - pack carried, here and in France.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Mother and Lela
1918-07-02
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Mother and Sister Lela, from little French town, "letters are quite limited now," learning French by association.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Edna
1918-07-15
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Edna. From France re: infrequency of receiving mail - dinner in a French home on July 14th.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Betty
1918-08-07
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Betty. From France. Re: Americans received cordially; well fed here; day spent in exercise; and class pay (increased) and allotment.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Mother
1918-08-26
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his mother. From France re: his progress in French language.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Betty
1918-09-16
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross sister Betty. From France. re: "[have] quit standing around watching, and now in it", don't stay long in one place - airplanes, and artillery or bombs, machine guns-often in doubt as to true facts - been acting as orderly in hospital - lately had several cases of men who'd eaten a shiny blackberry - men delirious - lasted a day or two.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Lela
1918-09-18
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to sister Lela. From France. Re: restriction on number of letters can write per week removed (number was restricted because own officers were doing the censoring - time element involved.) Dark veil of secrecy over all troop movements had to discard all equipment, etc., not absolutely necessary work of a field hospital - condition of area as result of fighting - these villages devoid of civilian life - rats around ruins - increase in aerial activity on cloudless nights...
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Lela
1918-10-09
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to sister Lela. From France. Re: account of efforts "to better my condition" - lately been in charge of burials, long line of planes passed over today, dropping what appeared to be leaflets.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Sister
1918-10-19
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to sister. From France. Re: French acquaintances - little chance to spend $ of late.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Mother
1918-10-25
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his mother. From France. Re: empty French village - restrictions as to taking photographs - necessity of making German's surrender unconditionally.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Edna
1918-10-27
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Edna. From France. Re: American offensive launched on Sept. 26 in district w. of Meuse near Verdun - description of Verdun after the offensive.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Lela
1918-10-30
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Lela. From France. Re: been at a "rest camp" - we been cleaning up this village ca. 4 mos. of service followed by 7-10 day furlough far from the front - always great uncertainty as to future movements - rumors when at front desire among troops for peace but one to ensure no repetition of such a war incl. - certificate for the medal of Verdun.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Betty
1918-11-06
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Betty. From France. Re: Verdun medal - speculation in ranks as to how long Germany will last - opinion of terms of the Armistice - AEF as mfg. false reports on its own account.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Lela
1918-11-10
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Lela. From France. Re: Still operating hospital in a back area - trip to area where large evacuation hospital situated - what necessary before a sentry satisfied.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Mother
1918-11-11
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his mother. From France. Re: ringing of bells over end of hostilities - confidence of men that armistice would be signed (after heard of Foch's deadline announced the 9th), reactions to the end of hostilities (French more enthusiastic than Americans)
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Betty
1918-11-18
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Betty. From France. Re: don't know where we are - things easy since hostilities ceased - trip to Commercy (souvenir stores there) - condition of St. Michel - French woman expressed gratitude of her people that they were delivered by the Americans.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Sister
1918-11-18
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister. From France. Re: trip to Commercy: trenches, barbed wire entanglements, levelled villages - explored ruins of a village - large supplies of shells, grenades, flares, etc. still remaining.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1918-11-24
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. From Ambly, France. Re: can now more freely discuss previous movements and experiments: a) crossed in camouflaged ships b) men "packed in" c) liner carried several 1000 soldiers; several 100 civilians and "Y" men; valuable cargo of copper, silver, food and mail d) ship in a convoy of 8 troop ships and small British cruiser, submarine chasers, dirigible balloon, hydroplanes (later 3 soon left us) e) had boat drills, etc. f) gun and bomb equipment of the 8 ships g) entertainment on board h) zigzagging course across ocean i) submarine chaser came to escort us to shore j) stopped for short while in England
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1918-11-27
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. From Ambly, France. Re: a) rode trains across England b) stayed at camp in Southampton where English soldiers recuperating c) boarded boat across channel after 3 days d) conditions in the boat (bad) e) stayed in L'Havre several days f) somewhat restricted there cause previous American soldiers had acted up
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1918-12-18
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Lorraine, France. Re: been "en route" since Dec. 8 - passed beyond German front - Germans lacked cloth - articles abandoned by German when evacuated - ate with a French woman - they bitterly condemned Germans - hiked into Lorraine - French there welcomed us enthusiastically. People in Lorraine almost starved - (Germans took all with them when they left) - trip to Rumelange, Luxemburg (mining iron town) - like villages better as approach Germany - articles in shops expensive - saw blast furnaces
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1918-12-21
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: type of food - our division been frequently shunted from army to army - people here seem glad to have us - description of march and quarters.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1918-12-23
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: from L'Havre (when first in Fr.) loaded into box cars to Charmay and then marched to Rougeux (there 9 weeks) - left in trucks for front - Aug. 23 - passed a camouflaged concentration camp for this division - country near front - Boche aerial activity - casualties handled by Field Hospital # 132 (esp. on Oct. 11 following drive commenced on Oct. 9) - Germans near by took advantage of exposed position of our hospital buildings, just W. of Verdun - feelings about "unrighteousness of war" - time in a suburb of Verdun, end of Oct.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1918-12-31
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: trip to Diekirch, Luxemburg, troops there have it nice….many in Luxemburg speak English - Luxemburg-Germany frontier now closed.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-01-04
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: General - photo house in Diekirch - can't get any film and paper from either U.S. or Germany because of closing of the frontiers.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Annie
1919-01-06
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Annie (friend of Lela's). Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: all having hard time understanding money values here now….
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-01-09
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his parents. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: trip to Vianden where there is an historical castle - train we took there old - supper we had at a hotel - Luxemburg City presently closed to American soldiers; so is Treves. - value of francs in American dollars
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Betty
1919-01-12
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Betty. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: conditions of a field hospital's housing role played, etc. - (theoretical course of wounded man from the front to the U.S.) - having things easy now - shops in Arlon, Belgium fairly well stocked.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Mother
1919-02-04
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his Mother (Mrs. M.G. Gross). Kruchten, Luxemburg. - Re: "card furnished to each soldier to notify his family of his present location and health."
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Edna
1919-02-12
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Edna. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: trips to Clerveaux - people met there - castle (been used to quarter German soldiers at times during war and what they'd taken - comparison of how French and American soldiers leave place they've been - have had no leave since in AEF.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-02-13
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his parents. Kruchten, Luxemburg. Re: applied to take course in a British University; cost arrangements.
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
1919-02-27
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Kruchten, Luxemburg. (picture of Clerveaux - 1835) - our division to return to America in May.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-03-13
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his parents. Paris, France. Re: have left the company - trip to Paris - traveling on French railroads a difficult matter - hotel conditions - Sgt. Carson took us thru rooms at Foreign Off. Where Peace Conference being held (reporters not allowed in main room - where deliberations held) - walks in Paris, Louvre, etc. - am going to attend lecture courses and take courses at the Alliance Francaise and at Pasteur Institute - Attached - "American Commission to Negotiate Peace, Visitor's Pass"
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-03-20
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his parents. Paris, France. Re: courses in French, Industrial Chemistry, biological chemistry, will take course in bacteriology - pay amounts (including for school) can save $, now, by eating at Red Cross huts and Y eating places - (Sorbonne University Detachment c/o Army Educational Commission.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Edna
1919-04-19
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Edna. Paris, France. Re: mail more rapid since Armistice - Red Cross canteens (type of food) - Army way behind in paying us commutations of rations - puppet shows and stamp.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-04-29
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Paris, France. Re: 33rd division now on way to Brest - (I'm here) children playing in Luxemburg Gardens afternoons - French so open in their affection Sunday dinner at a French restaurant - boat race on Seine.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Mother
1919-05-18
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his Mother. Marseille, France. Re: Sorbonne Detachment - # men and officers - pass arrangements - trip to Nice; decided to stay here at Marseille: small trip to Mediterranean - rue Cannebiere - Notre dame de la Garde - took boat to Chateau d'if (prison for German soldiers during war) - old cathedral - Palais-Longchamps comparison of attitude of Paris and Marseille toward American soldiers (Fuime controversy).
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-06-06
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his parents. Paris, France. Re: So enjoying stay in Paris - failure of Red Cross to adjust matter of my allotment - present "Metro" strike in Paris.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Lela
1919-06-21
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his sister Lela. Paris, France. Re: Soon coming home - this is examination week - things seen in Paris - "Metro" strike over (posters all over requesting delay of strikes and labor agitation till after peace signed)
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-06-28
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his parents. Paris, France. Exams over; received diploma from Alliance Francaise - Peace treaty signed today - all Paris gay (will be big demonstration and celebration tonight).
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Lela
1919-07-03
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his sister Lela. Brest, France. Re: trip to Paris.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Mother
1919-07-04
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to his Mother. Brest, France. Re: General - attached - Registration Coupon.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-07-07
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Brest, France. Re: getting impatient to depart
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Edna
1919-07-08
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to Sister Edna. Brest, France. Re: Postcard - leave tomorrow.
Box 1
Cecil Gross to parents
1919-07-08
Scope and Contents
Letter from Cecil Gross to parents. Brest, France. Re: General
I.a. Postcards
Box 1
Cecil Gross to Edna
1919-07-18
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross to sister Edna. Re: Destination, Camp Milo; front, picture of Statue of Liberty and writing: "Well Done Men. America Greets You"
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Front - picture of 2 puppets dancing.
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Front - view of Clerveaux incl.: L'Abbaye de St. Maurice, old castle, new church.
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. L'Abbaye de St. Maurice.
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Front - view of water falls among trees "Souvenir d'Echternach.
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Front - Viaduc de la ligne du Nord. Luxemburg.
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Front - Clerveaux - the new church
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Front - View of Echternach
Box 1
From Cecil Gross
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross. Front - View of Arlon, Belgium - La Gare - Re: few soldiers quartered here (some Belgium and some American ones)
Box 1
Postcard
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard - Front - typical pastoral scene of region now occupying; purchased in Arlon (stream, trees, hill) Diekirch.
Box 1
Snapshot
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Snapshot - 3 soldiers in front of room where 8 of us billeted (during war - Rougeux, France
Box 1
Postcard
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard - Luxemburg - Chateau Grand-Ducal Colmar-Berg (in color)
Box 1
Postcard
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard - Kruchten Quartier de la Gare - writing - general
Box 1
From Cecil Gross to Edna
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross to sister Edna. Re: saying - "the ship on which I sailed has arrived safely overseas: (standard print).
Box 1
From Cecil Gross to Lela
date unknown
Scope and Contents
Postcard from Cecil Gross to sister Lela - giving address while with AEF in France.
Series II. Newspapers
Box 1
New York Herald
1918-06-30
Scope and Contents
European Edition - Newspaper headlines re: Anti-German uprising in Ukraine and Victorious French troops
Box 1
New York Herald
1918-10-26
Scope and Contents
European Edition - Newspaper article entitled, "American Gains Notable in Thirty Day's Offensive". Burr Price.
Box 1
The Stars & Stripes
1918-11-29
Scope and Contents
The official newspaper of the A. E. F. (published in France) entire paper.
Series III. Monographs
Box 1
Chemical Age
1921-04
Scope and Contents
Vol. 29, No. 4 by P.F. Nichols and C.R. Gross. Methods of Preparing Vegetables for Dehydration" - based on experiments made with potatoes, carrots and cabbage (3 pp.) Plus - Editorials on why U.S. entered the War, economic recuperation, and teacher's pay (1 p).
Box 1
Commercial Dehydration of Fruits and Vegetables
1925-09
Scope and Contents
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. Bulletin No. 1335 - P. F. Nichols, Ray Powers, C.R. Gross, and W.A. Noel (40 pp.)
Box 1
Interference of Pyridine Derivatives in Arsenic Determination
1933-01-15
Scope and Contents
A reprint from "Industrial and Engineering Chemistry" Vol. 5, by C.E. Gross (58-60 pp)
Box 1
Sources of Error in the Gutzeit Method for the Determination of Arsenic
1933-08
Scope and Contents
A reprint from "Journal of the Association of Official Ag. Chemists" Vol. XVI, No.3 by C.R. Gross (pp. 398-403)
Box 1
The Removal of Lead, Arsenic and fluoride Residues from Apples
1933-1934
Scope and Contents
Proceedings Twenty-ninth Annual Meeting, Washington State Horticultural Association by Edwin Smith, A. Lloyd Ryall, C.R. Gross, R. H. Carter, C.W. Murray, V.E. Fahey. (pp. 86-96)
Box 1
Colorimetric Method for Determination of Rotenone
1934-05
Scope and Contents
Reprinted from "Journal of Association of Official Ag. Chemists" by C.E. Gross and C.M. Smith. (pp. 336-339)
Box 1
Spray Residue Removal from Apples
1934-09
Scope and Contents
University of Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin No. 368. by M.H. Haller, J.H. Beaumont, C.R. Gross, H.W. Rusk. (pp. 121 - 136)
Box 1
Studies on Odor Elimination in Apple Storage
1945-12
Scope and Contents
Reprint from Refrigerator Engineering, Vol. 50. by C.R. Gross, R.M. Smock. (pp. 535-540)
Box 1
Effect of Some Hormone Materials on the Respiration and Softening Rates of Apples
1947
Scope and Contents
Reprint from American Society for Horticultural Science, Vol. 49. by R.M. Smock and C.R. Gross (pp. 67-77)
Box 1
Odor Sources in Egg Storage and Methods of Removal
1947
Scope and Contents
Reprint from Food Industries, Vol. 19. by C.R. Gross, G.C. Hall, R.M. Smock. pp. 919-921, 1028, and 1030.
Box 1
Studies on Respiration of Apples
1950-03
Scope and Contents
Cornell University Agricultural Experimental Station, Memoir 297. by R.M. Smock, C.R. Gross. (47 pp.)
Series IV. Miscellaneous
Box 1
Former Student Notes -" Where They are After Fifteen Years"
1930-10
Scope and Contents
The Cornell Countryman. Includes paragraph on C.R. Gross (2 pp)
Box 1
Certificate to C.R. Gross in appreciation of effective service - (during war)
1945-03-01
Scope and Contents
From U. S. of America - Office of Science Research and Development