Special Collections Research Center
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Charles Mills Sheldon Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Gifts received from 1991 to 1998.
Acc. 1991.15: Approximately 40 letters of Charles Mills Sheldon, foreign correspondent in Cuba, Spain, Sudan, Egypt, and India, 1896-1906. Plus an undetermined number of photographs taken in these places. Given in memory of his father Charles Mills Sheldon and in memory of their son Capt. Charles Mills Sheldon, class of 1958.
Acc. 1992.64: Items relating to the journalistic career of Charles Sheldon chiefly relating to his Cuban experience including reports on the campaign. Biographical material on Charles Sheldon.
Acc. 1993.33: Typescript of quotes about journalist Charles Sheldon in books about the Spanish American War; biographical material on Sheldon; "Recollections of the First Ten Years of My Life" by Sheldon, 1913. Original in the possession of Jean Sheldon of "Recollections".
Charles Mills Sheldon (1866-1928) of London, England was an illustrator and war correspondent. His work carried him to the Sudan (1896), Cuba (1898), the Spanish-American War, Egypt (1902) during the opening of the Assouan Dam, Durbar India (1903), and Spain (1906) during the royal wedding and attempted assassination of Edward VII of Great Britian. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Correspondence, clippings, photographs, and papers of Charles Mills Sheldon (1866-1928), British illustrator and war correspondent. Letters were written primarily to his wife, Grace, of London, and often contain detailed descriptions of his experiences abroad. Some of the topics discussed in his correspondence include the Sudan (1896), Cuba (1898), the Spanish-American War, Egypt during the opening of the Aswan Dam (1902), the Durbar in India (1903), and Spain (1906) during the royal wedding and attempted assassination of Alfonso XIII of Spain and Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, niece of Edward VII of Great Britain. Included are a biography of Sheldon, typescripts of his letters. newspaper articles and clippings, and photographs (1896-1913) of assignment areas (particularly Egypt and the Sudan) and Sheldon himself.
Accounts of Kitchener's first campaign up the Nile to avenge the death of General George Gordon in Khartoum at the hands of the Mahdi. This first phase ended on the capture of Dongola and was completed by a second expedition in 1898.
Scope and Contents From the "the cruise of the "Tantallon Castle" on the occasion of the opening of the Baltic Canal" with shipboard articles and lists of guests of Sir Donald Currie, K.C., M.G., M.P. for the opening including Charles Sheldon, Esq.
Congratulations on Sheldon's dispatch to South Africa as representative of Black and White magazine; details and terms of Sheldon's contract.
Scope and Contents Explanation of how got telegram to go to Sudan and how got boat for passage, trip on Steamer on the Crocodile River described; natives of the area described; commentary on "missionary negro" and untouched negro and work that is done; "I am, at present, absolutely in the dark as to what is transpiring and shall not learn until I get to Suez. I dare say."
Preparations for Sudan mentioned, description of trip up the west coast of Africa, including Beirn, Mozambique, Dar-el-Salaam, Zanzibar, Aden, and his stay in Cairo.
Expressions of how pleased to have received a letter and news of home; details of journey south, with special mention of Lord Athlumney; description of his house and surrounding area in Halfa and a few daily activities.
Some typescripts added from Acc. 1994.13.
First battle with the Dervishes detailed; his predictions of what will happen with the expedition.
Account of what had passed since his last letter; cholera epidemic mentioned; usually bad weather pattern; acquired another corespondence position; news about the death of a friend; references about home.
Scope and Contents Preparations being made to move; horses at camp described; descriptions of view out door of hut; reference made to his sketches; "partner", Berman sic. detailed.
Some typescripts added from Acc. 1994.13.
Scope and Contents Mention of storm wiping about 12 miles of railroad and wires and delay of expedition; description of storm and damage; army "scattered along a line a hundred miles long" and vulnerable to Dervish attack; hopes of home.
Account of an overnight trip down river to Firket Mountain with Beaman; Commentary on Egyptians; account of climb up mountain; "We had all thought that there had been Dervishes on the mountain the morning of the fight, but I saw now that this would have been impossible."
Arrival at Kerma welcomed by native Berberine population; fighting with Dervishes soon after arrival; account of moving army en route to Dongola.
2 photographs.
Typescripts added from Acc. 1994.40.
Scope and Contents Notice from Black and White magazine that Charles Mills Sheldon is to be their Special Representative "in the campaign now preceding between America and Spain."
Scope and Contents Voucher of authority for Charles Mills Sheldon to act as Special Representative fot Black and White Magazine during the Spanish-American War; sealed with a certificate from the Consulate-General of the United States of America, for Great Britain and Ireland.
Scope and Contents Signed by Rititegel?, Secretary of War and J.D. Miley, 1st Lieut., 5th arty, A.D.C.
Scope and Contents Complaint that there is "idleness and procrastination" and "seems as though the war would never get into progress"; expedition sailed for Cuba to land near Havana; moving out of hotel to join the fourth regiment in camp.
Scope and Contents Fleet gathered together and underway; "At least we were commencing a new page in the world's history"; descriptions of some officers' life on board.
Scope and Contents Personal thoughts; (June 17th) descriptions of traveling at sea with the fleet; (June 22nd?) arrival at Santiago and preparations made for landing; next day description of Santiago and blockade fleets from ship; fort bombarded by American battleships; orders to retreat; (dated June 21st?) fifth in line to land.
Typescripts added from Acc. 1994.40.
Scope and Contents Details of fighting before landing; "I only succeeded in getting ashore yesterday noon, after the fight in which the "Rough Riders" lost about twenty men killed."
Description of landing ashore; account of things saw while looking for 4th Infantry; details of life with the army. Ms (no original letter; from a notebook)
Scope and Contents Have been on the move marching for four days; "I was not in the fight with the "Rough Riders" the other day as we were not alowed to land till after that happened."
Account of landing on Cuba with Mac Pherson; description of the weather and the area; "This is about as tough campaigning as any army ever went through.
Complaints that Spanish underestimated, have inadequate supplies and incapable leadership; news of Sampson destroying Spanish fleets; details of fighting; details of eating and sleeping conditions; sketch of map.
Typescripts added from Acc. 1994.40.
Details of conditions; description of the predicament of 15-18 thousand women and children who evacuated Santiago; reports of yellow fever; rumors about Spanish surrenderings.
Details of the surrender of Santiago; description of the city; hopes to go to Tampa and undergo quarentine for yellow fever before going on to Porto Rico; prediction that Spain will make peace before Porto Rico expedition starts.
On board first boat could get out of Santiago, on way to Tampa; people of influence on board such as a Russian prince, a captain from Sweden, and John Jacob Astor; passed the remains of the wrecked ship; to be quarantined midstream in Tampa seven days; news that Porto Rican expedition started.
Medal award letter for involvement "in the military operations in the Sudan in 1896."
9 items. 1 photograph.
Typescripts added from Acc. 1994.13.
Description of passengers on board steamer, comments on the passing of wedding anniversary.
Description of Cairo, accounts of people met that day; sentiments and affections.
Description of Assouan; account of last days in Cairo; visit to dam works; references to news from home; comments on how photographs are turning out.
Sentiments of home life, details of past few days and people acquainted with; (12 Dec.) rehearsal of the dam where spent time with the sidar and his friends; account of actual opening day of the dam; complaints about railroad in Egypt, (rest of letter lost).
Typescripts added from Acc. 1994.13.
Account of reaching ship; description of Duke and Duchess of Marlborough on Board; mention of ships at Fort Said.
Comments on scenery and shipmates on board; references to events at home, commentary on women; reference to meeting old servant from Sudan, Sulieman Taka, now Hadji Sulieman.
Scope and Contents Descriptions of other passengers; details of Duke and Duchess of Marlborough (sketches of both); noted fatigue of traveling at sea; mention of continueing work in India for "B & W" (Black and White magazine.
Nostalgic thoughts of home and personal messages.
Typescripts added from Acc. 1994.13.
Scope and Contents Details of functions attending everyday, such as; the Investment at the Devani Arn ?, dining with the Viceroy, ball at Devani Arn ?, show of old army; mentions of conversation with Colonel Rhodes; govenment furnished him "with a queer vehicle called a 'tonga'"; update on work done.
Last function was official departure of viceregal party; excursion taken around ruins of Delhi; finishing up work and preparations to move on to Bombay; advice to send 6 pounds and descriptions to a Mr. Grossman to buy two turquoise necklaces; mention of other places plan to visit.
Experience of Indian hotel life; train rides from Agra to Jeypur; description of Jeypur and natives; references to home.
Typescripts added from Acc. 1994.13.
Description of the destruction from the attempted assassination of King and Queen of Spain on their wedding day.
Scope and Contents Commentary on the "State Bull Fight" with some royalty present.
Scope and Contents Robert H. Dole, East Lansing, Michigan, to Charles Mills Sheldon, London, England. Thanks sent for stamps Charles Mills Sheldon sent; description of his house in Michigan and comparison to English houses.
NWS
NWS 12 pp.
Expression of thanks for a drawing done by Charles Mills Sheldon and given to Reginal Wingate who write Mr. Weinthal to thank him and Sheldon for the gift.
Letter from Lipton thanking Sheldon for the gift of the Durgola War Drum and sending wishes for the New Year.
Scope and Contents "Recollections of the First Ten Years of My Life" 1866-1876 (10 pages) Chapter 11 "Boyhood in Des Moines" (6 pages) Typescripts added from Acc. 1993.33.
Original ms. 8 pp and typescript 3 pp. Addition, from Acc. 1994.13.
Typescripts added from Acc. 1993.33.
4 pp. ALS. Contains reminiscences about the condition of the men during the battles in Santiago, Cuba. Also typescript (2 pp.) Addition, from Acc. 1994.13.
Addition, Acc. 1996.12.
Addition, Acc. 1996.12.
Typescripts of letters with illustrations. One volume of unnumbered pages (over 100 pages). Addition, from Acc. 1998.20.
Typescripts of letters with illustrations. One volume of unnumbered pages (over 100 pages). Addition, from Acc. 1998.20.
Typescripts of letters with illustrations. One volume of unnumbered pages (over 100 pages). Addition, from Acc. 1998.20.
Typescripts of letters with illustrations. One volume of unnumbered pages (over 100 pages). Addition, from Acc. 1998.20.
1994.40
12 photographs
26 photographs.
12 photographs.
31 photographs.
5 photographs.
28 photographs.
6 photographs.
26 photographs.
6 photographs.
Scope and Contents 5" x 7", 4"x6" , black and white. Additions from Acc. 1994.13.
Scope and Contents U.S. Civil War photograph, 7 5/8"x 9 5/8" of officers of the 19th Brigade of the New York National Guard at Sherburne, N.Y. in 1862. Included in the photograph is "Uncle Frank" Franklin P. Garland, brother of Fannie (Garland) Fitch of Sherburne, N.Y. who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg. Includes 1965 letter from National Archives. Addition from Acc. 1994.13.