Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: armies

For the original photo, see American Beauties .

For the original photo, see American Beauties .

Although it's difficult to make out, the soldier at front middle is holding up a piece of cloth that looks like a pillowcase. Printed or embroidered on the cloth is an American flag along with the words "American Beauties." Notice, too, the soldier--perhaps a sergeant or other officer--at top middle who's standing head and shoulders above the rest. Rather than facing the camera like the others, he seems to be peering off in the distance at something out of the frame of the photo. Mouse over the image to see close-up views of sarge looking sideways and the pillowcase hold-up.

"Camp Geo. G. Meade, Middletown, Pa. ________ 1898. Horse Shoe Plug Tobacco is the best." Top portion of a letterhead or billhead sheet--with a flag illustration and an advertisement for Horse Shoe plug tobacco--that was evidently printed for use at Camp Meade in Middletown, Pa., during the military camp's existence between August 24 and November 17, 1898. The 45-star version of the United States flag as seen here was in use from 1896 to 1908 (see the Historical Progression of Designs section in Wikipedia's Flag of the United States entry). As Wikipedia explains, " Camp George G. Meade near Middletown, Pennsylvania was a camp established and subsequently abandoned by the U.S. Volunteers during the Spanish American War. . . . Camp Meade was established August 24, 1898, and soon thereafter was occupied by the Second Army Corps of about 22,000 men, under command of Maj. Gen. William M. Graham, which had been moved from Camp Alger in an attempt to outrun the typhoid fever epidemic. Camp Meade was visited by President William McKinley on August 27, 1898. . . . Camp Meade was abandoned about November 17, 1898."

On maneuvers and "in the army" with the Vintage Photos Theme Park group. A real photo postcard of a camp scene, probably dating to World War I. Soldiers are standing in line as they wait to get their chow at the ramshackle building at left. A young boy, who appears to be talking with some of the soldiers, is visible in the center of the photo. Situated along the fence to the right of the boy are some wooden baskets and a box from which the soldiers are evidently getting the plates and cups that many of them are holding. In the background are wall and pyramidal tents typical of those used in the First World War. Unfortunately, I don't have any information regarding the specific date and location of the photo.