manuscriptsdivision.docVIP

MANUSCRIPTS DIVISION SOUTH CAROLINIANA LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA Life in China after World War II: Calendar to the Letters of Thomas L. Alexander, 1946 – 1947 and 1951 Extent: 153 items Author: Thomas Loryea Alexander (1893-1975) Background: Col. T.L. Alexander served in China (Apr. 1946 - Apr. 1947) as chairman of the Executive Headquarters Field Teams 5, 12, and 31 in mediation efforts between the National government and the Communist Party of China as a part of the Marshall Mission headed by General George Marshall. A native of Wagner, S.C., Alexander was the son of Dedrick B. Alexander and Lillian Malone, and married to Ellen Boykin (1899-1996). He graduated in 1915 from the Citadel and received his Masters of Science from Oglethorpe University. Prior military service included the Mexican Border conflict in 1916 and in France during World War I. During World War II, Thomas Loryea Alexander commanded the 179th Field Artillery as a National Guard officer in Louisiana, and later commanded 16 Prisoner of War camps in North Carolina. Summary: Chiefly correspondence between Alexander and his wife while awaiting departure at Fort Lawton, Washington, during his sea voyage to China, and while serving in Shanghai, Peiping (present day Beijing), and Shijiazhuang, Kalgan (present day Zhangjiakou), Beidaihe, and Handan (all in present day Heibei Province) as Chairman of Field Teams 5, 12, and 31. Topics discussed include the climate and geography of the area around Fort Lawton, his activities aboard the U.S.S. General R.M. Blatchford while en route to China, his living arrangements in China, his desire that Ellen join him in China as a dependent, mediation efforts of General Marshall, and Chinese geography, climate, and culture. Accession Number: 14702 Abbreviations / Legend ADS = autographed document signed ALS = autographed letter signed ALS(T) = typed copy of autographed letter signed DS = document signed LS = letter