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Preferred Citation

Bernice E. Payne letters, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains letters predominately from Bernice Edward Payne, of Roaring Springs, Texas, to his parents, Macon L. and Mattie S. Payne, and sister, Eunice Payne. Bernice Payne, a white man, served in the US Army during World War I. He began his initial training at Camp Travis, Texas as a private in the Quartermaster Corps. After successfully passing his examinations, Payne began to oversee the 322nd Labor Battalion Quartermaster Corps, an all-African American battalion. He was soon promoted to sergeant and was transferred along with the 322nd Labor Battalion to Camp Hill in Newport News, Virginia.

Letters addressed to his family reveal Payne's appreciation for his position and gratitude for not having to serve in an infantry battalion. While responsible for a group of all-African American soldiers, Payne writes in his letters that he mostly interacts with his fellow white officers and sergeants. This segregation of race and rank, is highlighted in the separate barracks and mess halls reserved solely for Payne and other white soldiers.

Following his time at Camp Hill, Payne is transferred to Termes, Ardennes, France. Letters from January 1919 onward describe his experiences in Europe, but the collection primarily consists of accounts of his training in Texas and Virginia. Occasionally, letters are supplemented by writings from someone else, perhaps his mother or sister, drafting replies to him or forwarding his letters to other relatives. Also included in this collection is an undated telegram, presumably from Europe, with neither a sender nor recipient name.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Newport News (Va.)
• Quartermasters--United States
• Racism
• United States--Armed Forces--African Americans--History--20th century
• United States. Army
• World War, 1914-1918
• World War, 1914-1918--France