Isaac K. Russell papers

Collection

Identifier: ACCN 1568

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Isaac K. Russell papers (1897-1900) includes correspondence, copies of The American Soldier, and other documents regarding U. S. military activities in the Phillipines. These items were received by Russell's family in Salt Lake City during and after his military service in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish American War. The collection's twenty-nine letters written to Russell's family include short personal letters to his mother, aunt, and younger sisters and brother, as well as long letters to his older brother Samuel that include details of his experiences. These letters to Sam make frequent mention of sending material he wished to have saved for useful reference in an anticipated writing career. There are also letters from a cousin, Parker Pratt, who was in the army in the Philippines during this period, and a letter from Thomas Evans, Isaac's employer in Manila. Thirteen issues of The American Soldier from 1898 are also in the collection; these identify Russell as President and Managing Editor on the masthead. Finally, the collection includes a troop roster (1899), a copy of The Soldier's Friend (1989), unattributed poetry, and a letter-to-the-editor of The American Soldier. Russell returned to the United States in August 1900, and later had two books published: Hidden Heroes of the Rockies (Yonkers-on-Hudson, New York: World Book Co., 1923) and Joseph Smith and the Great West (n.p., n.d.).

Click here to view digitized issues from the The American Soldier.

Dates

1897-1900

Creator

Russell, I. K. (Isaac K.) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Note

Russell, as a young man, went to the Philippine Islands in July 1898 with Battery A of the Utah Volunteer Light Artillery. There he participated in the battle of Manila and in quelling native insurrections following the war. He started a weekly newspaper, The American Soldier, in Manila. He was separated from the service while in the Philippines and remained there after his battalion returned to the U.S. in mid-1899. He worked for the firm, Thomas E. Evans, Importers and Commission Merchants, in Manila and then served as civilian aide/secretary to General Bates, the military governor of Mindanao and Jolo.

Extent

2.25 Linear Feet (1 box and 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Isaac K. Russell papers (1897-1900) consists of documents regarding U. S. military activities in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. Included are letters from Isaac Russell to various members of his family describing his activities, a troop roster (1899), issues of The American soldier, illustrations from Harper's weekly concerning the U.S. Navy (1897), and two maps of the Philippines (1899). Russell was a Utah soldier who served in the Phillipines during the Spanish-American War. He founded a newspaper in the Philippines titled The American soldier.