Susan Anthony-Tolbert and Dorian Tolbert’s latest book, Until The Guns Went Silent, honors those heroic Northumberland County men and women who served in World War I. Hopefully, this account will celebrate their efforts and sacrifices as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into that war approaches in April.
Accounts of pre-wartime and wartime conditions in the county and surrounding areas, information on the local draft and on induction camps like Camp Lee and Camp A.A. Humphrey are presented, reported Anthony-Tolbert. They were young men, boys really, who left Northumberland County to fight in World War I. They faced a war of unimaginable weapons and hardships. Accounts of these “modern weapons” and lethal gases add a framework for the horrors of this new-type warfare.
To attempt to gain the personal perspectives of these young people, original letters to the home folks, (used with permission), have been interspersed throughout the text. These include the letter-collection of Private Loren W. Anderson from Miskimon. Pictures of some of his possessions/memorabilia from the war can also be found. Letters from other county residents, including those of a young nurse serving in France, supplement his experiences.
In addition, this story provides a glimpse of some battle experiences in Europe, animal heroes and the remarkable Army Hospitals, Red Cross, YMCAs and Salvation Army at the front.
The book may be purchased at the Northumberland County Historical Society in Heathsville or at the Mary Ball Museum and Library in Lancaster, said Anthony-Tolbert. Proceeds benefit these historical societies.
