fr*\tj.iv I *■ 4-»- *<■ r 1 mmmUmtim\ l . » j Li iiiiiiii|||i i iii f iiii| ii ;iiii J|l ii«Mi ' |J!iiM.» | i|| - m i | - |i ' iiliij f !i > ii i (i|i w »i^li*< l iili >m: iiii ;irjiinfU;wr;'''^'f^^-.-"'".i':J;!r?^f'-'>. 3 ■TV ■ . , : „■'■;. ':■•. :•■. ■~^:-''-' ■/:>,«> >(^ -V * -iiVj;--'' ;■ .;■ ;• ,• v ■ .■;'.-^ • ■ >: "' ':#!*' .'fvs*JSV i the names of all the oihcers and enlisted men in B Battery Irom June 1'^^ l^^lb. to the date of demobilisation. April 10. I'-'^M 1 he rank, as siven. is the rank held by the ot=tieer or enlisted man at the time ol leaxinf.^ B Battery and does not Si\e the rank that may ha\e been attained later in other organizations. Note. As a means of telling just how long, or at what period a man ser\ed with B Batter\. the lol- lowing key is gi\en — I. C:amp Willis; 2. Border Serxiee; 3, Camp Perry; 4. bt, lienjamin Harrison; ^. Camp Sheridan; (\ American Expeditionary borces in Franee. Note In some cases, it has been impossible to get the complete data and inloimation, where addresses, etc . ha\c been omitted, such has been the case. Albrecht, Hurl j , Captain. 22 Mt \ lew A\e-, Akron, Ohio 1-2-3-4 .Mexandcr, Ross G. Pri\ ate, R 1-n, Cilenmont, Ohio . . . 1 ,\lion, Ray, Prixate. Fayette, Ohio -. -- - - '^ .Antlrews, C R , Pri\ate, .Akron. Ohio _ _ -- ' .Anstctt. brank. Prnate, 1 70(1 Fulton .\\e., E\ans\ille, Ind .__ - ^'' Ashley, John b . Private, Bentonville, Ark. _ _ __ 3-4-5-h Atchison, Owen W . Private. R.F.D. No. \ Minola, Texas - ^^^ ,\ult. Claire. Prnate, Akron. Ohio - - 1-^-> Babbitt, John A , 1st Ft, 710 Wellsley Ave. Akron. Ohio -- - '-2-^ Baer, Russell A, Corporal. Ibl Ash St., Akron, Ohio _ _. --. 1-2 Baldwin, Albert R,. Prnate, 420 S. Maple St., Winchester, Ky. .- 3-4-5-b Barkle. Eugene I- ,. Prnate. 730 Carroll St , Akron, Ohio , _ .. - - 3-4-5-h Barrett, bord. Prnate. Crescent Apts,. W Market St., Akron, Ohio ----- -1-2-3-4-^ Bass. Wm. A , Prnate. Cray\ille. Ill ( 340 Perkins, Akron, Ohio) _ . - - - - 1-2-3-4-5-0 Bausman, Wm K, Corporal, 100 Baird St., Barbcrton, Ohio 4-5-b Bcckleheimer. Clarence. Private, 1413 E. Gilbert St., Muncie, Ind - - .. - 5-b Behrens. Wm I- . Prnate. Akron, Ohio, _i-2-3-4--> Bender, Flwood C. Private, 31 Oakdale. Akron. Ohio - - ----- - 1-^ Bennett, James R., Prnate, 308 Tulane Rd,, Columbus, Ohio -. 4-5-P Berson, Dax id, Prnate, 1S7 Nieman St , Akron, Ohio _ -- -- -- - - - 3-4-5-b Bittinger, Henry C , Prn ate, 429 Bruner St., Daytonia, Pa - - 3-4-5-0; Blake. Earl E, Private, 1147 Seventh Ave., Akron. Ohio -- -- 3-4-5-t> Blackw ood. liarry. Prn ate, 94 [• ir St , .Akron. Ohio 1 Boone, Hugh E. , Corporal - . _ - - - - ' -*- Borden, Alvin D., Private, Killbuck, Ohio .- - - 1-2-3-4-5 Bowcn. C:iaude T., Sergeant. 925 Bluff Road. Canton, Ohio __ 1-2-3-4-5 Bowman, Howard O., Corporal. 532 E. Market St., Akron, l Ihio - - 1-2-3-4 Bowman, Samuel P., Private, R,F-.D, No. 11, Fogansport, Ind. ^-t' Bowman, Russell. Private. 532 E. Market St.. Akron, Ohio -- 1 Breese, Fee, Prnate-.,- - - - '--"^ Brewer, Charles R. Corporal. R.F.D. No. 3, Bloomville, Ohio -..-.- - --. ___3-4-5-0 Brewer, Wm I . Prn ate. R.b^D. No, 3, Bloomville, Ohio 3-4-5-0 Bright, Morgan W. Prnate. 332 I-irst St, Aspinwall, Pa, 3-4-5-b Brow er, Charles, Mechanic - - . - - [ Bruner, George, Corporal. 2c>3 S. .Arlington St . .Akron. Ohio -_ --. .. 1-2-3-4-') Bullard. Stanley W. Corporal. Andover, (^hio ., -- 1-2-3-4-5 Page 10 ^'/^t' ^^^''^ Guidon Bush, Lewis D, Private, Cedarvil'e, W. Va. _ _ 4-5-6 Butcher, Wm. j., jr.. Mechanic, 475 Orchard Court, .Akron, Ohio 3-4-5-6 Caldwell. Percy W., 1st Lieut,, 2l0 College St., Akron, Ohio _ 1 Capron, George A., Cook, 195 N. ZbthSt., Kenmore, Ohio 4-5-6 Carpenter, Lee, Private, 1 1 Stafford St, Worcester, Mass, b Carroll, Dan F., Private, E. Eighth St., Columbus, Ohio ..-._ 1-2-3-4 Carson, Edward, Private, East Ave., Matuk, R. 1 . _.. . .3-4-5 Carson, Luther L, Private, 317 Torrey St . Akron, Ohio. ... . . -.. .1-2-3-4-5-6 Chapman, Albert T., Pri\ate, Ivokomo, Ind . . . ...... . ..5-6 Chapman. Chas. Pri\ate . ^ 1 Cheney, Gail. 2nd Lieut ' Chronister, George O., Private, R.F.D. No. 1. North Manchc-tcr. Ind. _ .... 5-6 Clark, Arnold [5. Private, 1001 W. Broadway, Princeton. InJ . . .... 5-6 Clark, Fred E., private, Tionesta, Pa. . . . 1-2-3-4-5-6 Clark, Llewellyn B., Private, 21b Smith St., Akron, Ohio - . .^ .. .. 3-4-5-0 Clark, Maurice L., Private, 21b Smith St., Akron, Ohio ...._. 3-4-5-6 Cochran, James D., Corporal, ( Ib6 W. E.xchange St , .Akron, Ohio) Warsaw, Ohio. _.. . . 3-4-5-6 Cooper, Arthur F"., Private, 337 Graves Court, Akron, Ohio . . 1-2-3-4-5 Cordon. Rene, Private, 750 Gladwyn A\e., Detroit, Mich ... b Couchey, George F., Private. Esse.x Co., Essex, N^'. . — 3-4-5-b Cox, Clayton, Private, R.F.D. No. b, Rock^ille, Ind. 6 Cox, Elbert L., Sergeant, R.F.D. No. 2, Galax, W Va .... . .1-2-3-4-5 Craig, Robert, Private, Green\ille. Ohio _. . .. . .1-2-3 Crawford, Eugene C. Pri\ ate _ - '-2 Craver, Myron B., Corporal, Brooklyn, Pa. - 3-4-5-b Creveling, Clyde j.. Private, 115 W. Cedar St., Akron, Ohio . . 3-4-5 Grossman, Hal M., Private, 324 Miles St., "ipsilanti, Mich. _ 4-5 Cunningham, l^-ed. Private, 11 Willard St., Akron, Ohio. . 4-5-0 Cunningham. George W., Private. 332 Wood Ave, Sister\ille, W. \ a. ... 1-2-3-4-5-0 Curry, Charles R., Sergeant, Altoona, Pa - 1-2-3-4-5-b Curtin, George D, 1st Lieut, b24 Mulberry St., Clarksburg, W \ ;i ... '^-i^ Davidson. Earl j. Private, 52b Madison Ave , Cambridge, Ohio . .... 3-4-5-0 Davis, Homer, Corporal, Madison. Wis ........ 1-2-3 Davis, Paul v., Corporal. 17 Spruce St , .Akron, Ohio . .. ^-4-5 Davis. Martin, Private, W, South St., Akron, Ohio ... 1-2 Dee, Wilbur, Private, Williamsport, Ind. -- - - "^-^ Delaney, Lee, Private, 1 1 3 W. Spring St., Crawfords\ille. Ind .. . b Demshaw, Andrew, Pri\ ate, Lawndale, Ohio 4-i Desaussure, Lewis [3, Private, 410 E. Coffee St., Greenville, S. C. ... 4-5-b Deselms, Lester W, Private, 1301 Bcule\arLl, Kenmore, Ohio . ..... .. 4-5-b Dougherty, Harry. Private . . . — - — - 3-4-1 Downey, John E. F'rivate. 2737 P St.. Lincoln. Neb. .- - ''-6 Dreese. Mark A., Private, 301 Fountain St., Akron, Ohio . 3-4-5-0 Dunn, Wilbur, Sergeant, Broad St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio ... . -. .1-2-3-4-5-0 Eck, Raymond, Private, 1032 Garfield St , S. W., Canton, Ohio ... -- . '> Eckert, Homer O., Private, 231 Windsor Ave., Akron, (^hio ... ... 3-4-5-6 Edwards, Kenneth, Private, Rhodes Ave, Akron, Ohio . ._._.. . ...1 Edwards, Warren E.. Private, 314 E. 8th St., Mishawaka, Ind. 5-0 Eggleston, Roger S, Sergeant, Mt. Vernon, Ohio ^. 6 Engle, Elmer H . Private, 712 E. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne, Ind... 5-6 Evans, Oscar, Private ' Exner, Fred A., Corporal, 274 So. Main St., Akron, Ohio . . 1-2-3-4-5-6 Falardeau, Alphonse, Sergeant, Lonttiville, Conti de Duebec, Province de Quebec, Canada 1-2-3-4-5 The Red Guidim PageJA Farahaugh, James C. Pn\ate. ElmshurR, Pa. vl't' Faulkner, John A.. Private, Maclison, N. j. , Vrt^t F«tch, William L . Sergeant, 233 Chittenden Ave., Columbus, Ohio j-7.3_4.',.b Filley, Earl F., Private. 4Q North Balch St., Akron, Ohio 1-2 Fissel, Ralph F., Private, R h.D. Xo, 4, Fogansport, Ind ---^ Fitzpatriek, Feo j , Corporal, 1412 Jackson St., Scranton. Pa. __3-4-5-b Flickinger, FelanJ A, Private, Wellington, Ohio. -- ^"-^"^ Foltz, Wm., Pri\ate, 4b3 Carroll St., Akron, Ohio '"^ Ford, Holton N., Private, P. O. Box 383, 437 N. Miami St., Wabash, Ind .^__4-5-b Foshee, Mitchell P, Private, Billmgsley, Ala. _ _.. - V , c"*^ Fouts, Harry F., Bugler, (.MI'S N. Seventh St., Zanesville, Ohio .- 3-4-5-b F^oust, Clarence R-, Corporal, New Milford, Ohio '"2 Fox, GeorgeO, Private. R.F D, No, 2, Milford, Ind ^"^ Freelander, Abe F , Prnate, 185 Perkins St., Akron, Ohio _. -1-2 [•riel, John R. Private, 7I^M-ifth.\ve., Altoona, Pa . _ 1-2-3-4-5-b Fries, George F, Private. S27 S Thirteenth St., Terre Haute, Ind, ''-t^ Fuchs. Norman H.. Private, 2(10 Beck Ave., Akron, Ohio 3-4-5-b F-\ilmer, Earnest A . Private. 575 Carroll St., Akron, Ohio .- -^-^-t' k\ink. John A., Pri\ ate, 2b2 Gordon Dri\e, Akron, Ohio 3-4-5-b Gall. John S., Private, SiKer Fake, Ind -''"^ Gates, Dorsey, Private \ i -\ George, Charles, Private, ^87 Sawyer Ave , Akron, Ohio 3-4- vb Gibson. M H,, Private, New Concord. Ohio •-- i-A--)^ Glasgow, Martin A., Private, 13 Grant Ave,, \'andergrift. Pa ^-^-^ Good, Frank M,, Private, Conneaut, Ohio. __. -- - - ' '^ Graham, Everett T, Private, 1121 Short St , Vincennes, Ind --^-^ Graham. Fouis W., Corporal, 340 Willow St., Akron, C^hio '"2 Gray, Frank W,, 2nd Fieut., Jacksonville, Me.. ^ Greene, Charles, Private, 32 Kirkvvood St., Akron, Ohio _ .. Greene, Frederick H,, Ft Sergeant, 215 N, Mam St , Spencer. Ind , 1-2-3-4-5-b Greenberg, Harry, Corporal, 207 Ash St., Akron, Ohio ^-^"^ GrilTin, Bruce P., 1st Fieut . 7 Gardner Place, Oneonta. N. ^■. ^"^ Grimm, George. Private, ^^'24 Camden St., Akron. Ohio. 1-2-3-4-5 Gruesing, Fred D.. Priv ate. 2 1 7 S, Nineteenth St,, Terre Haute, Ind, . . 5-b Gruver, Gerald A, Private, 131 Westvvdod Ave , Orrville, Ohio .-. 3-4-5-b Guinther, Victor H,, Private, (Glenmont, Ohio) 4^15 Talbot Ave, Akron, Ohio 3-4-5-b Guinther Robert, Supply Sergeant, 553 Stratford Ave., Akron, Ohio . . 1-2 Guhck, Wm, C, Private, .'Xuburn | unci ion, Ind ''^ Gulick, R, A. Private, Marvin Ave . Akron, Ohio _. -_- ' Hageman, Earl D., Chief Mechanic, 323 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio 3-4->-b Hall, Howard M, Mess Sergeant, Akron, Ohio. 1-2 Haller, Taylor B., Private. 2b Adams St . Akron, Ohio ^-*-5 Hamilton, Private, Akron, Ohio -- -- Hapenny, Charles G, Private, Harmony, Ind, _- - ^-" Haimeyer, Frank J , Private, 100^ S Governor St., Evansville, Ind 5-b Harris, George W., Private, 2^'>5 Arch St., Akron. Ohio. 3-4-5-b Harris. Harry C. Private, P O. Box 4b, Eustis, Fla, 3-4-5-b Harris, Percy F., Private. 22bl Mahoning Road N. E., Canton, Ohio ■^-^-'-^ Hatch, Robert G,, 2nd Fieut., Forena. Texas ----^ Hedges, Harrv H , Sergeant, Chippewa Fake. Ohio 1-2-3-4 Hclsel, Glenn H,, Bugler, RED No. 1, Box No. 8. Berlin Center, O 3-4-5-b Herbert, Roland, Corporal, 17 AubLirn St , Maiden, Mass ''^'\'\ Hickel, Harrv, Private, 874 Haynes St , Akron, C^hu. '-2 Page 12 The Red Guidon Hicmcl, John F., Pri\ ate. 1^7 Hiph St., Barberton, Ohio .__ _3-4-5 Hiiicman. Edwin G., Pri\'ate. 257 School St., Cuyahoga [-alls. Ohio ^-t^ Hitchcock, Harvey R., Sergeant _ - 1-2-'' Hobensack. Stewart R, Corporal, Belpre. Ohio . _ .... „... .-. 1-2-3-4-5 Hoffman, Wm. b". Sergeant, 375 Park St., Akron, Ohio___. 1-2-3-4-5-b Hogue. James L., Pri\ate. 713 Bisson A\e., Akron, Ohio . 3-4-5-b Holle, \Vm. F.. Pri\ate. Charlestown. W. Va. b Hollenbeck. Oscar D., Sergeant. 7b E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave.. Akron, O 1-2-3-4 Holton, P. C. Private \ .". . 1 Hoo\er, Martin D., Pri\ate. FBerlin Center, Ohio ..3-4-5-b Honick, Wm.. Pri\atc. 88^ Glenn Ave., Akron. Ohio . . . .1 Hosback, Harry E., Sergeant, R.F.D. No. 5, Plymouth. Mich. 1-2-3-4 Hovis. Wm. R.". Corporal, R.F.D. No. 5, Bo.x No. 4b. Wilkinsburg. Pa 3-4-5-b Hoyt, Charles, Horseshoer, Firestone Rooms, 17 t^achtel, Akron. Ohio . 1 Hudson. Henry G., Private, Petros, Tenn. . . ._. 4-5 Hull. Eret E., Horseshoer, 1^4 N. Main St . London. Ohio . .. 3-4-5-p Hunsicker, Basil, Bugler, Akron. Ohio . . . - . 1-2 Hunter. Jesse. Private. 305 S. A St., Ellwood, Ind 5-6 Iscnman. Louis P., Sergeant. 3n(-i Crosby St., Akron. Ohio . . _ . I -2-^-4-5-b Jackson, Harold, l-'rixate. Akron, Ohio .... ... 1 Jackson, John M , Corporal. 1513 [Xieber Ave., S. W., Canton. Ohio. .. ... . . 3-4-5-h Jackson, Percy \\ . Pri\ ate. 1 5 L3 Dueber A\e., S. W., Canton, Ohio ... ... . . 3-4-5 Jackson, Straud B , Mechanic, 1 183 Fourth Ave , Akron, Ohio ... . . . ........ .3-4-5-h Jacobs, Edward V , Pri\ ate. bbl Hazel St., Akron. Ohio. .. " .. .-. .. .3-4-5-1-1 Jameson. John H , Prixate. Quimby Street, Ibh W Exchange St , Akron, Ohio . ._ . 4-5-(-i Jay, Henry D, Private, U. S. Regular Army .... . . .-. 1-2 Jenkins. Alston C, Private. R.F.D. No. 1 , Masontown, W. Va. ....... 3-4-5-0 Jensen, Dan P.. Pri\ate, Da\ey, Neb. .. ... ..3-4-5 Johnston. Joseph J., Captain. 755 E. Market St.. Akron, Ohio. 1-2-3-4-5 Johnson, George, Pri\ate . ... . 1 Jones, Paul M., Pii\ate. 847 \V. Main St . Ra\enna. Ohio 1-2-3-4 Jones, John P., PriNate, o30 \V. Chapel St . Columbus. Ohio. . . 5-b Jump, Claude A . Pri\ate. Ci8 N 10th St . Kenmore, Ohio . . 1-2 Jump. Ira C, I^ruate. 1 1 N. 10th St., Kenmorc, Ohio . 1-2 Kaichen, 1 roy, 1st Lieut., b8b Cjholson A\e.. Cincinnati, Ohio . 5 Kalaher, Ross R.. Pri\ate, 404 Doyle St.. Akron, Ohio 3-4-5-p Kaxcnagh, Carl J., Captain. Boston, Mass. . . . 1-2-3-4-5-p Kelly, Joseph B, Corporal. 47 Hawthorne A\e., Akron, Ohio . .. 1-2-3-4-5-p Kelly, Thomas, Pri\ ate, 47 Hawthorne A\e., Akron, Ohio. . .. . .. 4-5 Kelly. Wm, Pri\ ate, 231 Ohio Building, Akron, Ohio. 1-2 King, L. B.. Pri\ ate, N. Portage Path, Akron, Ohio .. . .. . .. 1 Kluge. Raymond. Private, .Akron. Ohio . . . . . — ... 1-2 Kneff, Raymond A., Sergeant, *^T38 .Ardmore .'\\ e, . Akron. Ohio 1-2-3-4 Kougelis, John, Private, 33Q Michigan A\e., Indiana Harbor. Ind. b Kramer, Thomas J., Private, 1 2 5(.i South Bend Ave , South Bend, ind . .... 5-b Krue, EdwardJ., Private, 314 E. F^ilth St., Madison, Ind. . ... 5-b Krycler, George, Corporal, 3bl Highland .^ve.. Akron. Ohio . .... . 1 Lange, Charles, 1st Sergeant, 852 S, Sumner. Akron, Ohio .. . .... .- 1-2-3-4 Lane, Gilbert F,, Corporal, Akron, Ohio .... 1-2 Lamiell, Clyde E., Private, 12Q Ochard Road, Barberton, Ohio . ... ...4-5-b Lathomar, Russell L.. Corporal, Care of Canton Electric li l.-^ngineering Co , Canton. Ohio 3-4-5-b Lavcry, Richard T., Stable Sergeant, 10b W. E.xchange St . .Akron. Ohio .. .4-5-b Lavvandales, Frank, Private. 47 Columbus St , Charlestown, S. C. — b The Red liuidon Paije VI La\maii. Otto O . Prixatc, ^21 MontgomciA St-, I-^oi't Wu\-ne. InJ ' 5-6 Leahy, Wm. H.. C^.aptain, 710 W. Main St.. Massillon, (.Ihio ]-2-3-4-5-b Lee, Glenn R. Pri\ate, Plymouth. Ind. _ _ _ . 5-b Lenihan, Wm A,. Prixatc. 147'-^ HiL;h St , Pans, Ky 4.5-ti Limback, Roy C, Private, Massillon, Ohio, _. 1-2-3 Lippa. Clarence E. . f^ri\ate. Cleveland. Ohio 3-4-5 Loni^, Albert. Private. U. S. Rcf^ular .Army 1-2-3 Lynch, Patrick M . Sergeant, 3b Stone St.. Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio _. ]-2-3-4-5-b Lynch, W. k . [^ri\ ate, 3b Stone St.. Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio 1 McCollum, kldvvin M,, Corporal. 517 W. Ihird St , Mishawaka, Ind , 1-2-3-4-5-b McCormick, James, Private, Akron. Ohio _. 1-2 McCormick. Lyle. Stable Sergeant. Akron. Ohio 1-2 McCormick. Ralph H , f^rivate, 2318 Quebec Road, Cincinnati, (^hio _ 5-b McCracken. Winfield C... Private. 470 Perkins St . Akron. Ohio 5-b McEntee, Jensen A.. Corporal, 4Q0 E. Market St.. Akron, Ohio___ 1-2-3 McLeeley, .'Mien K, Private, Elmora, Pa, _ _ _ _. ._ _ 4-i-b McGovvan. Wm. Private, 1071 W. Exchange St, Akron, Ohio 3-4 McCjacken. wm , fxMporal, Akron, Ohio ,, _.. 1 Mcl\ecver, Wm , CxHik, L' S ,\rmv-at-Large _. . 1-2 McPherson, Rcjscoe Li , Priv ate, f^arkersburg. W. Va ... . 1-2 McMillan, Roy. Private, 425 Hickory St . Akron. Ohio . ._ . __l-2 Mahoney. James. Private . 1 Maiden. Henry, Private. 2^13 3 Cji'ove Ave, Lorain. Ohio ._ 1-2-3-4 Manlev. Leo. Private. 1402 Scov ille Ave. Canton, Ohio . ._ 1 .Martin, Wm L, Private, 1 2 1 Storer Ave. Akron, Ohio . _., 1-2-3-4-5 .Mai V in, Stephen (i. Private, v'lO'-'' Ridge .Ave. Cincinnati, Oliio . _ ... _. 5-b Mason. AllrcLl S , C^iok, 1 racv Citv , lenn _ . ... 4-5-b \ lathes, Bulor^.1 li, Pnvcite, learokKtovvn, 1 cnn . _ . . ?-4-i.o May. Boyd H. ._ . _ _ i .... . 5 Meagher, '1 homas, Priv ate ..... . _. . 1 Meirill, Robert, Private, lb5 Prospect St., Ravenna, Ohio _ ..^ 4 .Michael, lohn 11. Corporal. 7b Elizabeth St. Akron, Ohio .._ . _. 3-4-i-p Michael, I homas, [^riv ate, 7b Elizabeth St., Akron, Ohio .. . . 3-4-S-ci Miller. Clyde W . Sergeant. 1327 .Atcheson St, Columbus, Ohio. _ . . 1.2-^-4-i-b Miller, Donald. Private. bQ7 W Market St.. Akron, Ohio . .. 1-2-3-4-5 Miller, George C. Corporal, 1 1 I 7 lH)urteenth St , [\:)uglas, .Arizona . _ ... . ._ ■!-4-5-o \ liller. How ard k , Priv ate, 42 I Sherman St , .Akron, Ohio ... . _ . . 3-4-S-o Miller, Robert W, Private, I F'> Lexington Ave, Columbus, Ohio ... . .1-2-3 Mogensen, Christian. Priv ate. Care of A. Jenson. Davey, Neb. 3-4-5-p -Moledor. Carl H , Priv ate, North Canton. Ohio ti Moock. Harold M. Private. Canton Engineering li. Electric Cx) . f~anton, Ohio 3-4-5-b Moore. Harrv C^, . Private, 404 E Louisiana St . Indianapolis. In^l _ 5-6 Moore, Lee Cj. 2nd Lieut , 5717 Peabody Ave. (~.incinnali. Ohio .. _ . _ 5-b Moore. Lewis \\ , Private, 130 .McCortney St.. Easton. Pa ^-4--;-(i Mrose. Ralph C]. Sergeant. 1025 l-ourth St . N. W, Canton, Ohio ..._ .. ... |_2-]-4-5-b Mu;phy. Archie W , Private, RL.D. No. 3, Box No I 1 L Morgantovvn, W \'a ... 3-4-5-b Mu;phv , Llovd Ci Pi ivate. L naka. N. C . . _ . . . . .b Muiphy, Wm k , Private, SI 7 Cornell St , L-iarberton, Ohio . . 3-4-5-0 MuelLr. Allied W, Private, 5o Marvin Ave. Akron, Ohio . . .. ...4-5 Mueller. George E. Private, b21 Weber St.. Akron. Ohio . . 1-2 Myers, Howard E,, 1st Lieut , 8]^^ West En^l .Ave. New "I'ork City ..... 6 New kirk. Bruce P., Corporal, 4 3-; Li Market St. Akron. Ohid .... . 3-4-i Newman, i-lobert B., Sergeant, 2 7 Ft Euclid Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 1-2-3-4-5-b Page I'l The Red Guidon Norris, WenJall H,, Bugler. Mogadore, Ohio 1-2-3-4 Northrup, Donald M., Corporal. b3 Grand A\e,. Akron. Ohio 1-2-3-4-5-b Nycamp, George W., Corporal. Chagrin flails Ohio 3-4-5-b O'Brien, Francis, Private. __. . _ 1 Ogier. John A.. Private, 3 1 2 E, Tuscarawas, Barberton, Ohio 4-5-0 Outland. Orland P., Mess Sergeant, 255 W. Center St.. Akron, Ohio 3-4-5-b Owens, Wnr. Pruate. 3b2 Weeks St., Akron, Ohio _ _ 3-4-5-b Palmer, Russell L, Supply Sergeant. Akron, Ohio -_l-2-3 Pague. Charles A.. Prnatc. '^SO Garfield A\e.. Price Hill. Cincinnati. Ohio- ^ __ 6 Parmer. Theo. L. Prnate. 1 3CK^ Missouri St., E. St. Louis, 111. 5-6 Pearson, Wm. H., Private. bQ E. High St.. Salem. ( )hio _ 3-4-5-b Peoples, Vaughn L, Pri\ ate. Wallacetown. Pa. 3-4-5-b Peters. Henry O. Private. P. O. Bo.\ No, 38. Brookville. HI. . __b Poling, Roscoe A., Supply Sergeant, 18'-~) S. Main St.. Akron. Ohio I -2- 3-4-5-b Possehl, Arthur R , Pri\ate, b8 Dartmore Ave., Akron, Ohio 3-4-5-b Powell, Kenneth M., Private, 100 E. Market St., Akron, (^hio .__l-2 Powers, Theodore, Corporal, b8 North Forge Street, .Akron, (.^hio 1 -2-3 Price, Guy W. . Prixate, North Canton, Ohio 3-4-5-b Purdy, Wesley W. , Pri\ ate, Killbuck, Ohio 1-2 Rafeld. W. C. 403 Boulevard, Kenmore, Ohio _ 1-2 Reddington, Ralph W , Private, New Waterford, Ohio 3-4-5-b Redman, John D. , Private. Cynthina, Ohio . 5-b Reynolds, Oda. Private, RED. No. 1, Bo.\ No. 2b, Lowell, C^hio 3-4-5-b Rhoads, Harry O., Private, lb4 Adams St., Akron, Ohio 1-2 Rich, Wm. . Horseshoer. .'\kron. Ohio _... __ 1-2 Richards, Alfred C. Private, 108 Bowery St , Akron, Ohio A-2 Richmond, Alfred L., Corporal, Kenmore. Ohio . 1-2-3 Riden, Robert L.. Private, b Market St , Louistown, Pa._ 4-5-b Ritter, Alton V.. Corporal, Ritter's Studio, I^latiron Building, Akron. Ohio 1-2-3-4-5-b Robertson, Harry, Private, R.F-.D. No I . Llnionville, Ohio _._ 5-b Robinson, Ered, Private, 278 W. South St . Akron. (3hio 1-2-3-4-5-b Rogers, Wilber L , Private, Lavvnsdale, Ohio _ 4-5-b Romily, Edward, Supply Sergeant, Akron, Ohio _ . 1 Rood, George D., Private, 3 12 Tuscarawas Ave.. Barberton. Ohio 4-5-6 Rowen, Howard, Private, 1 3'-^ Orchard .Ave . Barberton, Ohio 1 Rubright, Miles S., Corporal. 414 .Ash St , Akron, Ohio . 1-2-3-4-5-b Saalfield, Arthur J ., 1st Sergeant. 85 Belv edere Way. Akron, Ohio 1-2 Samsey, John, Sergeant, Akron, Ohio_ 1-2-3 Sanders, Erritt S., Private, R.F.D. No. 2. Marion. Ohio 4-5-b Sapperfield, Ira V., Private, RE. L^). No, I , Box No. I 1 , Oblong. 111. 5-6 Sauter, Edward E., Private, 632b McCollum St., Philadelphia, Pa 1-2-3-4-5 Say re, Jesse L.. Private, (Townsville, Pa.) b42 Hazel St.. Akron. Ohio___ 3-4-5-b Scales. James G., Private, Merriman Road and Edgerton Road. Akron, Ohio 1 Schieb, Charles, Private, 1 1 15 Laird Street, Akron, Ohio _ ___1 Schmok. Brainard W., Private, 18b8 Rosalind .'\ve,. East Cleveland, Ohio 3-4-5-b Schneider, Wm,, Bugler, Engine House No. 5. Buchtel Ave.. Akron, OhiO- _ . _ 1-2 Schnitzler, Joseph J., Private, E, Sixth St., Eostoria. Ohio. . . ...1-2-3-4-5-b Schnake. Clifford W.. Corporal, 3 1 Scoville Ave., S W., Canton, C^hio 3-4-5-b Schrader, John G., Private, 744^ ■> E. North St., Indianapolis. Ind, 1-2-3-4-5 Schrank, Carl P.. Private. 401 Bass Ave., Akron. Ohio _ 1-2-3-4-5-b Schreiner, Joseph J., Private, 523 Vine St.. Akron. Ohio . .- 3-4-5 Schwalbach, Gilbert D.. Private. 1040 East Ave.. Akron. Ohio . 3-4-5-b Schwarts, DeWitt, Private, 55bO Gates Ave., St Louis, Mo. . 3-4-5 Scott, Donald B., Sergeant, Ustis, Fla. . 1-2-3-4-5-6 ilie lied Guidon Paqe 15 Scott. Ralph W.. Corporal, Mingo junction. Ohio 3-4-5-b Sco\ille. Clyde. Pri\ate ___ _ _ | Scroggs, CliiTord H,. 2nd Lieut.. ti8Q Hoover St.. Columbus. Ohio .__5 Sedberry. Sidney W.. Cook, Eddyville, Ky. _ . _ . . 3-4- Vb Seiberling, Frederick J., Corporal. N. Portage Path. Akron, Ohio 1-2-3-4 Seikel, Charles R.. Horseshoer, 51 Kuder A\e,, .Akron. Ohio _ 3-4-5-b Shal^er. Paul, Private. 218 Park St.. .Akron. Ohio '/."_//..._. ] Sharp. Charles T,. Pri\ate. 137 N. Eighth St., New Philadelphia. Ohio . 3-4-5-b Sharp. Wm, Mcl\inle\, Pri\ ate. R, I- D. Mechanicstown, Ohio 4-5 Shaw, Horace C. Sergeant. 1532 Samson St.. Philadelphia. Pa. .._ i-2-3-4-5-b Sheets, Marshall H. Pri\ate. R.F.D. No. 1, Crown City. Ohio 3-4-5-b Shepard. Michael B., Prnate, 573 Well St.. Steuben\ille. Ohio 5-0 Shere, Joseph N., Sergeant. Carmi. 111. _ 3-4-5-b Shere, Martin M., Private. Carmi. 111. -_ _ __ _ 3_4_5_^^ Shreve, Roy J, Private, 38b Artillery St., Detroit, Mich. . _. 3-4-i Shryock, Otis. Corporal. Goodyear Efficiency Department, Akron, (^hio .1-2 Slater, Harry F., Pri\ate. 280 James St.. .Akron. Ohio ._. 3-4-5-b Slates. Marion L.. Corporal. Dellroy, Ohio, 3-4-5.(-, Smetts, Frank. Cook. Akron. Ohio. ] Smith. Da\id E. . Prixate, Brandenburg. Ky. 4-5-b Smith, L, W , Prixate, 21 Adams, Akron, Ohio |_3 Snapp. James B.. Pri\ate. ^X) S. .Maple St., Akron. Ohio |-2 Snow, Welton A., 1st Lieut, Ncedham. Mass. _ __ 1-2-3 4 Spade, Glenn E., Corporal. b32 Day St.. Akron, Ohio 3-4-5.b Sperry, Carleton D.. Corporal. Tallmadge. Ohio 1-2-3 Sperry, John A., Private. Tallmadge, Ohio . ^ _ 1-2-? Spicer, Ira C. Private. 423 Vine St . .Xkron. Ohio 3-4-5-0 Sprigle. Harold. Private. bQ Borton .A\e.. Akron. Ohio 1-2 Stagg, George D.. Bugler. 7b Ido A\'e.. Akron. Ohio 3-4-5-b Stambaugh. Merle F.. Private. 244b Winfield Way. Canton. Ohio . _ 3-4-5-b Stanion. Donald. Prixate. b8 N. Forge St.. Akron. Ohio . _ _ 1-2-3 Starn, Craig R.. Private. ^Il 1 Fulton Road N, W. Canton. Ohio 3-4-5-b Staudt, Thurman L.. Corporal. ^^25 Rcnkert Building, Canton, Ohio 3-4-5-b Stevens. Ray, Private. R.F.D. No. 3. Lynnville, Ind _. I'-o Steinel. Wm. B,, Corporal, 482 Orchard St., Akron. Ohio 3-4-5-0 Stilwell. Private _ __ [ Stone. I-'rancis J., Private. 221 W. Stein St.. St. Louis. Mo. 5-b Stonebarger. Joseph F. Private. Durango. Colo. _ __. Stouffer. V\'. L.. Chief Mech.. White .Motor Sales Co.. E. .Market St.. Akron, Ohio 1 Sturgeon, Joseph A.. Private. 404 N. Water St.. Clinton, Ind. 5-0 Stunmers, William H.. Private. Ottawa. Ohio __ 3-4-5_0 Swain, Willard J.. Private. b42 East Ave.. Akron. Ohio 3-4-5-b Talbeet, H. A., Private, Care of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.. .Akron. Ohio ] Taylor. Adon H., Private. R.F.D. No. 2. Indin Springs. Ind. _ . , 5-0 Taylor. I-'. W., Private, 3(10 W. Center St., .Akron, Ohio _ 1 Taylor, John R,, 2nd Lieut, .Akron, Ohio __ . _._ 1-2-3-4 Thomas. F. R.. Private. Ib51 HiILilIc Terrace. Akron. Ohio I Thomas, Richard J.. Private. 71 I .\. Lifth St.. Barberton. Ohio 4-5-o Thompson, George J.. Private. Moorhead, .Minn. 5-4 Thompson. R. J., Private, Moorhead, Minn. _ I Thompson, Roland C, Corporal, bl3 E. Market St , .Akron. Ohio 1-2-3-4-5-0 Tilton, Clyde H., Private, 25b S. 4th St.. Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio. 4-5 Timmons, Joseph M., Private, 5 37 S. Jetferson St,, Hartford City. Ind 5-b Treat, Howard W., Corporal, 1800 K St.. Washington, D. C 1-2 P(ige 16 The Red Guidon Trekal, Gus,, Private, care of F. Gleason, 2123 W, 4th St., C;ie\ eland, Ohio 3-4- Trombley, Russell, Pri\ ate, Lake Anna Court, Barherton. Ohio. ._ I ruby, Loren C. Oorporal, 17t.i Maplewooci A\e., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 3-4- Tuttle, Thomas J,, Private, Sassar, Ky, . .. Tyson, Wm. H., Corporal, Ninth St N, E., Canton, Ohio 3- Upson, Ralph, Sergeant, 21'-~> Shawnee Path, Akron. Ohio Vaughn, Walter D.. Horseshoer, 4'>(l Bartges St,. Akron, Ohio 3-4- Vignos, Paul, C^orporal, bl 7 Shorbit St., N. W., Canton. Ohio 3- X'mcent, Richard, Pri\ate, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Buffalo, N. "l". 1 - \ rabec, Paul, Pn\ate, 322 S Broadwav , Akron, Ohio 3- Wagner, Albeit, Pii\ate _ ._ _ 3- VValker, C, L., l^nxate, % Brick St., Cuyahoga f-'alls, Ohio 1-2- Wallace, R. O.. Sergeant, Akron, Ohio 1-2- Wea\er, Marshall I, Pri\ate, .Akron, Ohio. _ _. Wea\er, Roy, Pri\ate, 701 Wooster Ave., Akron, Ohio , 3- Webster. [Daniel, Corporal, 1 70 Beck St. , Akron, Ohio Weeks, Charles, Supply Sergeant, 149 S, Balch St,, Akron, Ohio Welsh, Edward j., Private, 215 Crosby St., Akron, Ohio. . _ _ - Werner, Frank M . Private, 4KS Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, Ohio 4- Whaple, Raymond, Pri\ate, Wallacetown, Pa _ . . Whistl'.r, Samuel L,, Pri\ate, care of N. O. T, & L, Terminal Bldg., Akron, Ohio 3- VVhitc, John, Private, 340 0th ,^\e,, Altoona, Pa White, Charles H., Private, R.F.D. No. lb, Williams, Ind White, George W., Private, 3ei2 Weeks St., Akron, Ohio 3-4- \\ hit lock, jdhn. Corporal, Athens, (Dhio 1- V\ lencr, Robert M., Pri\ate, 51 Arch St., .^kl■on, Ohio . 3-4- VV illiams, Harr\-, Pri\ate, 3 14 Baird Ave., Barberton, Ohio ._ Wise, Atlee, Corporal, 1011 W. Market St., .'\kron, Ohio 1-2-3-4 Wise, John H.. 2nd Lieut,, 903 Harrison Ave., N. W., Canton, Ohio 1-2-3-4 Wolcott, Clarence E., Private. P. O. Box No, 27, Newton F-'alls, Ohio 3-4 Wood. Pearl C... Supply Sergeant, 37 N. Thiri.1 St., Columbus. Ohio 1-2 Woodward. John H.. Sergeant, 19()4 Leavenworth St., Los Angeles, Cal 1 -2-3 Wright. George M., Sergeant, U. S. Regular Army, Tallmadge, Ohio 'I'orkey, Reed, Pri\ate, 88 W. Salome A\e., Akron, Ohio I'ork, Henry P , Sergeant, 174 Park Place, Akron, Ohio Youngs, Earl C, . f'orporal, 450 E. Perry St , 1 ilfin, Ohio ^c Fdw; 4 1-2-3-4- ._3-4- Prixate. 120 Bav St., Macon, Ga. 3- 5-b 1-2 5-b ..6 4-5 1-2 5-b 4-5 2-3 4-5 4-5 3-4 3-4 1-2 4-5 1-2 1-2 1-2 5-b 1-2 4-5 ..1 5-b 5-b 2-3 5-b 4-5 5-b 5-b 5-b 3-4 4-5 1-2 5-b 5-b 5-b 4-5 TKeV/^r TKat liade Dull DurKa.rf\]an\cu3 Explanatnry Note— Ihii' list incluLlcs onK' the olliccrs who actLulIv scr\ed with lidttcry B at some time hctween June ]'-'>. I^)|h, when the battery was c.illeLl out toi- lx)i\ler-sei\ lee, and the date of demobilization, April 10. I'-^M It eioes not ineltKle neurU (ilt\ men ol the batter\ who left it to beeome offkers, or who reeene^l eommissions at the ditierent trainmti- eamps. Their names are lej^ion: they are scattered broadcast through lut the length and breadth of the L^nited States Army, and the task of collecting the pictures and necessary data would ha\e b'cen wxll-nigh impossible. KAX'LiNACjH, r.ARl- ,1- Boston, Mass, Major, o2nd bield Artillery Brigade Enlisted in Battery B, November h', I'-^l'', and ap- pointed sergeant from date. .Appointed 1st sergeant December 10, b)|p. Commissionexl 2nd lieutenant June 15, 1917. Commis- sioned 1st lieutenant July 11, b^l7. Commissioned captain May 5. l^-'tlS Commissioned major No\ember 3, I'-^IS. ()ne of the charter members and organizers ot the battery and with It as sergeant, 1st sergeant, 2nd lieutenant, 1st lieutenant, and captain until he left for Brigaded -leadquarters, .August 2'->, IQ18. ".All right now, let's get some |^ep into it and see what we can do." .ALBRECHT, HURL J. Akron. ()hio, laeutenant-Colonel. I Uth Regi- ment Field Artillery Commissioned captain of Ohio Field Artil- lery, No\ember \\ F^lv ("ommissioned lieutenant-colonel July 11, 1^17, One of the charter members antl organizers ot Battery B. and w.ith it as captain until he became lieutenant-colonel of the regi- ment, July 11, ^^17, "What do vou want this time, \leKec\er^" Page 18 The Red Guidon 1. V'inttf!1?H" i ""■ ^ \ "t' RUSH, HAROLD M. Columbus, Ohio. Colonel, 134th Regiment Field Artillery. Enlisted in Company I, 6th M. A. M., 1887. Cadet at Cornell University from 1889 to 1891. Enlisted in Ohio National Guard, May 16, 1894 — Company A, 14th Infantry. Commissioned 2nd lieutenant of Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, April 26, 1898, and served to October 23, 1898. Commissioned captain ot Ohio Field Artillery March 10, 1900. Commissioned major September 11, 1911. Commissioned colonel May 4, 1917. "Pass in review. Order ot march. A, B, and C." SNOW, WELTON A. Needham, Mass. Captain, I >4th Regiment Field Artillery. Enlisted in Battery B, No\ ember 1 5, 1915. Appointed sergeant, February 22. 191b. Commissioned 2nd lieutenant July 21, F^lb. Commissioned 1st lieutenant June \\ 19|7. Commis- sioned captain July 11, 1917. One of the charter members and organizers ol^ the battery and with it as sergeant, 2nd lieutenant, and 1st lieutenant, until he left to command Headquarters Company, July 11, 1 91 7. "^'ou will have the men fall in at once, sergeant." BABBFIT, JOHN F. Louisville. Ky. Captain, 1 34th Regiment Field Artillery. Commissioncel 2nd lieutenant in Battery B, November U, 19] 5. Commissioned 1st lieutenant July 22, 1916. Commis- sioned captain June 15, 1917, One of the charter members and organizers of the battery, and with it as 2nd lieutenant and 1st lieutenant until he left to become regimental-adjutant, June 15, 1917. "What seems to be the trouble here?" The lied Guidon Page 19 LEAH\\ WILLIAM E. Massillon. Ohio, C'.aptain. 1 >4th Retiinicnt Field Artillery. EnlistCLJ in Battery B, N'o\emher ji. I'-^lv Com- missioned 2nd lieutenant July 11, I'^IZ. Commissioned 1st lieu- tenant September 15, I'^IZ, Commissioned captain No\'emher 3, 1^5 1 8. One of the select lew who saw the game through, horn start to finish, with Battery B. Charter member and organizer of the battery, he served with it as private, 2nd lieutenant. 1st lieutenant, and captain, until the battery was demobilized, "That was a tres bon inspection, if I do say it myself." CURTIN, GEORGE D. Clarksburg, W. \a. 1st lieutenant, 134th Regiment FieLI Artillei\ Commissioned 2nLl lieutenant at 1st Officers' Training School, Atigust l\ |Q17, Commissioned 1st lieutenant September I, b'l7 Assigned to the batteiA' for eltitN, March 1, b'>l>S, and with it until he left for dut>' with I leudquarters Company, June 5. I^^IS, Reassigned to the battery lor duty August 1, 1^18, and with it until the battery was demobilized, "Be quiet, the Ck-rmans are just o\er the hill," JOHNSTON, JOSEPH J. .Akron. Ohio. Captain, 1 34th Regiment Field Artillery. Commissioneel 1st lieutenant in Battery B, No\- ember 15, 1QI5, Commissioned captain July II, b^l7. One of the charter members and organizers of the battery, and with It as 1st lieutenant and captain until he left to comman^l Battery E. April b. I'-^KS, "The sergeants are doing all right, but the corporals will have to buck up." Pdiic 'Jll The Red (iiiidon CjRlFi-lN, BRUCE P. r-ield Artillery. Training School April 23, I^IS Assigned to Battery B April 24. 1^1 S, ant. n4th F. A aeroplane observer July 31, F^18 "Id rather do this than play bridge." Oneonta, \ ^ 1st bieutenant, 1 34th Regiment CommissioncLl 2nLl lieutenant at 1st Officers' August l\ bM7 ("ommissioned 1st lietitenant i lett to become TA^L()R, JOHN R Akron, Ohio 1st Lietitenant, I 54th Regiment I'leld Artiller\' C "()mmist,ioneLl 2nLl lieutenant No\ember \\ F'tlS. Commissioned 1st lieutenant June II, I'-"'I7 Ser\ed with the battery as 2nd lieutenant and 1st lietitenant until he lelt lor duty with Battery I\ September h", |0|7. 'Bring that caisson tip here. " Nh'ERS, HOWARD E. New ^ork City. Ist Lieutenant, 1 34th Regi- ment lield Artillery, Commissioned 2nd lieutenant at Officers' Training School. Saumur, I-"ranee. )ul\ 27, 1st lieutenant No\ember 3, L^LS, Assigned to the batters Atigust \ L'lS, battery was demobilized, "t iunners to me, " l^^liS Commissioned antl with It until the The l\('(l (iuidoii Pane ?/ HATCH, ROBERT C, Lorcna, Texas 2nJ Lieutenant. 134th Regiment f^ield ArtilleiN C'ommissioneel 2nd liLUtenant at Thirel Officers' Trainint; School, Ma\ 13, I'^hS Assigned to the battei\' for duty, January 23. IQjO and with it until the hattcry was dcmohilizcLl ' 1 hey grow lie-mcn where 1 come from, ' CjRE'I', FRANK W jack-onx ille. Me. ist Lieutenant, 1 ?4th Regiment Field Artillery C^mimissioned 2nd lieutenant at Third Officers' Training School, Camp De\ens, .Mass, Commissioned 1st lieu- tenant \'o\ ember 3, jOLS. Assigned to the Batter\ for elut\ September 2h, L^LS, anel with It until transferred to Batter\ I" lor dutx October 2(i. I'-'>I.S. 'Peahson, wheahs my gas-mask!" WTSF. JOLIN H Canton. C^hi^ 2nel Lieutenant. 1 Uth f-legiment r-ield Artiller\ tinlistcd as pri\ ate in Batter\ B). June LI L'lO Appointed corporal May 1r\, un^l i-littei- made peneil sketches, for its illustration in oil, Kelly was kept busy trying to curb the exuberant anel extravagant spirits of the copy-writers. "Boil it elown' Boil it clown' quoth our noble chief, none too gentK. It became a watchword among the staff. Bill wotikl submit about three thousand words anel be tokl to "cut it down to about two hundrcel and use a lot ol names, all the names you can think of ' We were fortunate in having so capable a man for our chiel I ka\en only knows what amateurish cop\' might ha\e iDuntl its way into these pages. Night after night founel the staff working in the ridiculously small office, crowelcel elbuw to elbow, feet sinking into the mud of the lloor, and straining their eyes by the candle-light and the wood-smoke from the stove, which was alwa\s too hot or too cold. Oh, those were the days! Thanksgiving Day was celebrated b\' the building of a three-foot addition onto one end of the shack, giving us room for the typewriter which Captain Hollenbeck, kindly loaned us. So, against all army traditions, we desecrated the Holiday, but finished in time to do justice to Curry's dinner (this is no joke.) riie impetus gi\en by the enlarged space in the sanctum sanctorum caused KJeas to accumulate so rapidly that we lacked the time m which to execute them (Some of them should have been executed wc admit.) It was considered ad\ isable to try to he released from drill. (Against our wishes, of course, but we were altruists in those days.) The officers were backing us and boosting the book, so we were gi\en that permission, although arguments with section-chiefs ne\er became infrequent, F^robably the greater part of our work was accomplished between that time and Christmas. Howe\er. about a week beloie ( "hristmas, our at- tention was elixerted and our ellorts (.lirecteel ahmg a different channel. One elay the captain came down to the office to ask otir help in mal- ing Christmas f^ay more enjoyable than the average elav' on the "Hill " It was suggested that we organize an entertainment t)f some sort, and of course, we Linanin:otis|y \oted for it. 11 the tjuielon staff likcel an\ thing better than an enter- tainment. It was an- other one. bor seven elays, ani.1 nights we workcel, writing, rehearsing anel costuming the acts, the scenery was painted and a stage was erected and wired for lights in the little uIlI " Iheater Comique" in the abandoneel hospital at the foot of the "Hill ' It was a good show and \oLi enjoved it. So did we. The little office across from the officer's billet ^lied a glorious anel heroic death when the stall celebrated after the show that night Do you remember when (name deleted) broke the door from its hinges'" .And how Sidney's chocolate cake found its true vocation as a eleeorative meditim' One vvonelerful night' Like Phoenix rising from the ashes, a new office was erected uneler the corrugated iron roof of one ol the stables, next door to our local "^' " ( i) About this time Tommy anel Bausman deserted us lor the greater excitement of going on the road with the regimental show Ihis etit down our writing loree, btit, though a considerable handicap, elid not catise tis to elespair. Things continLied to run smemthlv. m spite ol the Lliffieultv' in obtaining wood for the fire. We were forced to beg, borrow, or steal candles from Polling or Curry. (Occasionally it became necessary to go A W. O 1,, to Bar le Due for supplies, ink, paper, pencils anel other articles which we neeelcel in our business. After we left the "I lill" on the last leg of our journey towarel home, we eliel vet >■ little tmtil we were back in "civvies, ' in fact, we believed that our work hael been practicallv' eompleteel We found out that the biggest job of all vet lemameel. Editing, coherent anel logical arrangement, collection ol photographs, rewriting and correcting, new stories to write, making up the "dummv, " selling new subscriptions, all work, harel work anel little time to do it in We wish to give Bausman credit for finishing the historv anel a number of short stories, after our return. Ritter put in a lot ol time collecting anel arranging photographs Harrv' Rhoaels, who was with the Flattery on the boreler, became a member of the staff and provcel himsell to be practicallv invaluable m the matter of technical aelvice, Harry also contributeel some clever art-work, ol which our [:x Libris is a notable example. We have given vi>u a good book, and a beautiful book, one which vou will treasure so long as voti live We regret that it diei not come out scjoner, but we did our darndest. aiiLl we appreciate your backing, at first m r^rance and then in the States. ^'es. It's a gootl book, but then. \ou deserve a goiKl book, all vou fellows of 15 Battery. In the years to come It will be the onlv link to take us back, back to those gooel okl elavs when we hiked together along the roaels ol America, anel of Irance, with equipment "(" on our backs, and .'■omeone (yoti know who we mean) m the line of file closer ciuinting "l-2-?-4 — 1-2-^-4 get in btep there 1-2-3-4 -1-2-.' Bon Nuit. Camp wmis B Battery History CHAPTER I IN the late summer of l'-"'l'> when the possibilities of United States e\er entering the hostilities in Europe were being scoffed at by everyone but the prospect of trouble with Mexico or Japan were cause for much com- ment — then came the big idea, to a group of progressive members of the Unixersity Club of Akron. The nation was entirely unprepared for any emergency that called for an army of o\er 500.000 men, and surely in either case, Mexico or Japan, such an emergency would be at hand and then there was the affair in Europe to be con- sidered, for no one had been able at that time to deter- mine just where that would lead, before it was finished. Akron was no exception to the rule of the nation, for although she had three companies in the National Guard, it was considered by those interested in the progress of the cit>- that from her population of o\er 75,000 Akron should have a larger representation in the American army, or at least in reserve. After man\- little parleys ani.1 impromptu meetings at the club, it was found that there was enough interest taken in the matter at that time to justify seriotis con- sideration of another organization in Akron. On the evening of August 23n.l. 1^15, a meeting was called for all those members ot the L'nixersity Club who were in- terested in the proposition of forming a military organ- ization. Eighty members were present, among them ex-army men anel many of the prominent business men of the city. J. J. Johnston was appointed temporary chairman for this meeting for his had been a great part in the culmin- ation of the gathering, f". A. Seiberling and H. J. Al- brecht spoke, and as citizens and business men of Akron promised their loyal support of anything that would assist in the organization of a military company. At the suggestion of Mr. Johnston, it was unanimously Llecided that the organization be a battery of light field artillery, this branch ol the scr\icc being especially attractive because of the mathematical problems it inx'oK'ed. A pe- tition was drawn up and tweh'e copies of it made, to be sent to the rubber factories for recruiting desirable men for the project. It was expected at that time to be organized by Labor Day, that year, and after calling a meeting for the following Tuesday, August 30th, the first meeting was adjourned. The next week was marked by the editorial comment in one of the Akron newspapers which called the new- organization a social military organization to enable millionaires' sons to wear a uniform. This was hastily denied, in the following e\ening's paper, and the assertion that only millionaires' sons were eligible to join the as- sociation was pro\en untrue by the petitions then going through the Akron rubber factories, asking for recruits from all ranks. True, there were se\eral very prominent men and their sons interested in the affair, but it was patriotism and not selfish pride that caused the interest. The story prublished claiming the contrary was soon branded a lie. The meeting of August 30th was held in the court hotise in order to accommodate all the newly acquired recruits who attended. The proposition of an armory for the new battery was taken up and the plans for a buikling costing approximately $12,000 were shown. Chairman Johnston, in speaking of the prospects of the battery ga\e the ways and means of a Battery Associa- tion such as was organized that exening. Among other things he suggested an annual ball as a lucrative enter- prise for the organization, but as he said, "It will be no 'pink tea' affair, and we must not lose sight ol the fact that we are a military outfit " Colonel Wright, a veteran of the Spanish-American War. spoke at this meeting congratulating the men on their organization and enlightening them on a few points of militarism. A battery of field artillery would never be called out on strike duty or any industrial troubles, but although they might ne\er be called for any purpose it was well to be prepared. A charter committee was ap- pointed at this meeting and Mr. Johnston left the tem- porary chair of the meeting to assume the chairmanship of this committee. With Johnston on the charter com- mittee were Claire Ault, I. Redtlick. W. f^unn, and W. Doyle. Another meeting in the court house was called for September 8th and the second meeting of the Battery Association was adjourned. Mr. H. ). Albrecht acted as chairman at the next meeting ol the association, when it was decided that it was necessary to send representatives to Columbus to inter\iew Go\ernor Willis regarding a charter and equip- ment for the new battery. A letter was read from General Johnson, of the National Defence Boaixl, in which he complimented the Akron men on "making an effort in the right elirection," for he said, "artillery is badly needed in the American army in \ iew of current e\enls in brance " I he charter committee was authorized to make the trip to Cokimbus regarding the equipment for the battery anel another meeting of the .Akron Battery Association was adjourned. I he organization was fast becoming a military one and the 170 men who w,'ere now enrolled on its roster were all anxious to get at some real weapons. On the c\ening ot September 1 3th an important meeting was hekl, LJuring which permanent officers were nominatCLl, reports w,ere heard from two important com- mittees; John F. Babbitt, chairman of the building committee, reported unfa\orably on the proposed $12,000 armory in view,- of the fact that the armory then under contract for the infantry companies of Akron called for an expenditure of almost $200,000, and that a $12,000 building would be out of place beside it. New plans were asked for and George Ball and George Renner, The Red (iiiidon PiUjC W architects and members ol the Battery Association, were asked to present them at the next meeting. Chairman Joe Johnston of the charter committee, then reported the accomplishments of that committee in Columbus. Alter interviews with .\dj. General Hough, Go\ernor Willis, and Major H M. Bush of the Ohio Field Artillery, in which the abilit\ ol Akron to support another military organization was proven, the matter of getting the charter was only a question of a few days Harrv Quine and Captain Werner, a Spanish-.American War veteran, both spoke to the men urging them to ha\e patience and not to lose interest in the association w hich w.as soon to ha\'e its charter. With the assurance ot a charter, it became necessary to nominate oflkers. and so at the meeting of October 4th, nominations were received for a president, a treas- urer, a secretary, and a boarc^ ot directors. Great interest was shown in the proposal made by Geo. Ball and Geo. Renner for an armory to cost in the neighborhood of $25,000. They presented plans for the building and the other plans under consideration were discarded in their fa\or. j. F. Seiberling said in a speech at the meeting, that the $2\()00 could be easily obtained in Akron, and that $5,000 of It was already in the bank to the asso- ciation's credit. Property for the erection of the building had been donated by F. A. Seiberling in the \icinity of Blue Pond, and looked as though the battery armors was to be a reality at last. The Goodyear Rubber Co., through its representative member, Ralph L'pson, offered a scouting balloon for the use of the batters' when the other material armed. A signal corps was organized that evening to make a thor- ough study ot methods used in scouting and signal work in the artillery, thus preparing them in advance tor the work they were to do later on. Nineteen men were chosen for this work under the i.lirection of Ralph Upson, Harry Hosbeck, and R. A. 1 . Preston, all experienced men in some line ol signal work. At the election of officers for the association on the evening of October 18th, H, j, Albrecht was elected Presi- dent; George Kryder, Secretary; j. V . Seiberling, Treas- urer; and Dow Harter, Jerry Holmes, O. D. Hollenbeck, John Reddick and Claire Ault, tlirectors. L. D. l\ing, E. Welsh. Claire Ault and 1. 1-. barr were appointed as a committee on publieits'. to keep up interest in the or- ganization. Judge ,Anderson ot Akiun made a stirring speech to the men urging preparedness to the "Xth " degree. This was shortly after the sinking of the '.Xncona' and two other American ships b>' the German submarines, and the Judge predicted such things leading to a war in the course ot two years "It can not he a\oKleLl," the speaker claimed, and who is there to Lleny him now "' ComniLinication was received by Pies Albrecht from Ai-lj, Gen Hough on ( Vtober "iOth, assuiing the associa- tion ol the materiel lor the equipment for a battery I he guns caissons and wagons ha^l been oixleixvl, and Would arrive m .Akron in about two weeks I his ;in- noLincement instilled new life into the organization, an^l at the ne.xt meeting on November 12th. almost all the members were present It was announced at this meeting, which was held in Judge Fritch's court-room at the court house, Friday evening, that on the following Monday, November 15th, the Battery Association would cease to e.xist. and that in Its place would be an organization known as V> flattery of the Iirst Ohio Field Artillery The officials necessary for the mtistering in of troops woukl be present and all men were to report at b DO P. M, to the Central High School gymnasitim lor physical examination. Prospective officers were lineal up and practicalh' every man was assigned his i-luties before he was miisterei.1 into the service On the morning of November I 5th, live carloads of eqtiipment arrived in the railroad \ards for the batterv' Ciuns, caissons, and commissary wagons, v\ere all unloaded and taken to the old gas house on South Howard Street, w hich was to be the temporary armory for the batters'. 1 hat evening the gvmnasium at the Central High School was a very busy place. About 110 men were present for examination, and the work of putting them throLigh was begtm at 00 o clock sharp. Dr. F. E. Brown, of the 8th Ohio Infantry Medical Corps, was in charge of this first examination He was ably assisted by Drs. F W and H W Barton. C. C Pmkerton. J, C Chase an^l O li. Banker, of Akron. It was a vers cokl night, and the business of running around without anv clothes on in that gymnasium was not the most exciting thing to the nien In the mustering m process. Major Bush, who pre- sided, was assisted b\' Captain Kulich, Captain .\ ludge and Fieutenant li O Williams, all from Battery A of the I'irst Ohio b'leld Artillery. After the physical exam- ination, 104 men reported to this committee to be mus- tered in. four of the men having fallen down on the eyesight test. 1 he otlicers chosen by the associatKjn all passed the examinations given by Major Bush \\.}^ Albrecht became Captain Albrecht. J. J. Johnston was 1st lieutenant, P. W Caldwell. 1st lieutenant, an^l \. A, Babbitt and J. R Taylor. 2nd lieutenants, ('harles Fange, an ex-army man who hatl been m the service twelve vears, was appointCLl first sergeant .Major Irtish matle a verv complimentary speech on the personnel of B Batterv' He said that such an ex- ceptionallv' tit lot of men was seklom loun^l in the first attempt to muster an organizatic^n. hie spoke at some length on the requirements and discipline required from a member of his battalion, but when he nxddc that memorable assertion regarding the importance of a man in the army, most of the fellows began to realize for the first time that life m the army was not to be a "bed ol roses." "The first eonsiLL-ration shc.iuld alwav's be the horses, he said, "the Seconal, the guns and last and least. The Red Guidon Piuje 31 the men." The Major claime^l that men could he re- placed much easier than either horses or guns, especial- ly in time of war, and any A. E. F. man w ill now uphold that statement as a fact. The first drill was helel in the same g\mnasium. with about 50 men present, on the e\ening of Sunday, No- vember 21st. Squad formations were gone through and the rudiments of foot drill instilled into the eager artil- lerymen. Those present were measured for uniforms, which were to be delivered at an early date. Everyone was anxious to get at the field pieces that were down at the gas-house, but the weather was too cold to permit any outside drill. It was decided to have foot drill e\'ery Sunday evening throughout the winter months, just to keep the men in shape for the work expected the coming summer. CHAPTER II THE newspapers of June 18th were full of war talk, this day being Saturday, Akron was all astir with e.x- citement; in the crowded streets it was the one topic of conversation. Congress had officially declared a state of war existing between L'nited States and Mexico, and the National Guard was to be called out. mobilized, and rushed to the border at once. I he officers of Akron's battery waited expectantly for the call that would bring their outfit into active ser\ice, and the men. too. were watching the extra editions that were being sold by all the local newspapers that day. The following e\ening, that memorable date. June K'th I^Mb, the order finally arrived in the form of a telegram to Captain Albreeht. B Battery was called out! It was about t> 00 P. M. when the order was recei\eei. and immediately the telephone lines began to hum, and the bells tinkling in many Akron homes announced the arrival of the expected news. Telegrams were sent to the members who were out of town and the message was always the same, "Report to the Captain at the armory at once." Captain Albreeht made a hurried trip to the L'ni\ersity Club, and, lor the first time using his au- thority and rank, ordered the batterymen he found sitting on the porch "to the armory at once." That night the men stood their first guard o\er the materiel at the gas-house, the officers each taking one relief. It was a strangely excited group that collected on South Howarci Street that evening and talked o\er the probable outcome of the call. "It spoiled my whole evening." "Gee! the old man was tickled to death when I told him," and such ccjmments were heard on all sides. One member, somew.hat less e.xcited than the others, stepped up to "Chief" Lange, an old timer at this game, and asked, "What are the average fatalities in artillery. Chief" His only answer was a sympathetic grin that caused him to think the more seriously. It was founi.1 that 00 men were needed to fill the ranks of the battery to lull war strength, so a call for volunteers was issued the next morning, and by noon Dr. E W. Barton had become Lieutenant Barton, and was busily examining applicants. Stock was taken of the available uniforms and they were issued as fast as the men could be fitted. The old members were still reporting in their uniforms, and in a short time the old gas-house assumed the appearance of a real army camp. Howard Bowman reported on his motorcycle, and both "Hub ' and his machine were pressed into service, and the motorcycle was seen chugging through the streets of Akron all day. ' _ -- The officers reported — Senior First Lieutenant L J- Johnston, Junior First Lieutenant Caldwell, Senior Sec- ond Lieutenant J. F. Babbitt, and Junior Seconal Lieu- tenant John R. Taylor. They took hold with Captain Albreeht, and things began to assume a military aspect. Among the first men to enlist on June F'tth were Alton V. Ritter, Dorsey Gates, Fred Clark, F'red Robinson, Henry Maiden, Ford Barrett, John Paul Jones, Joseph Schnitzler and Harry Blackwood. June 21st saw the morning papers aflame with war talk. I he National Guard was to be mobilized im- mediately on a war footing. It was expected it would be rushed to the border at once. This day marked the opening of recruiting in earnest. All day long men be- gan flocking into the armory; crowds of war fans and friends of the men stood around the gas-house. This was the cause of the first 24-hour guard, which consisted of three posts in and around the place. A long time later Captain Hollenbeck (he was a corporal then) made the remark that this first guard was the best the battery ever conducted, adding that it conlormed more nearly to the Manual of Interior Guard Dut\-. Lhe first war- time formation came on June 21st. for the battery stood the first retreat that evening. Then came a waiting period of two weeks; an anxious two weeks kor every man while the battery awaited moving orders. More recruits kept drifting in daily, until finally the recruiting stopped. A regular drill schedule came out; beginners were given "Right Lace!" "Left Face'" and "Squads Right!" Harvey Hitchcock will probably remember this part of his army career because he could not teach Raymond Kluge to keep step. Acivanced classes were put on the guns and taught how to mount, how to dismount, and how to do it all over again. Would-be special detail men semaphored to each other from the gas-house roof to the top of the hills and learned how to send and receive messages. Only the men who lIilI not live in .^kron stayed at the gas-house; some of them slept inside, and some of them got their first experience sleeping in pup-tents. [3ox lunches were serveel to the whole crowel at noon, anel it was here that Carleton Sperry, Homer Davis, Bill Loltz and others, organized the first battery glee club. In the evening those w hcj didn't want to, or couldn't go home to tlinner, were taken to the Ohio Cafeteria in the Ohio The Red Guidon Page 33 Building, where they were allowed to sttilf themseKes to the extent of forty cents worth [i\ery day moving orders were expected, and every day proved a disap- pointment. On Sunday morning, June 25th, services were held by Rex .Franklyn Cole Sherman, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. It was a rainy morning htit not so wet as to cause an\' noticeable decrease in attendance. Everyone was sure that this would be the last Sunday in Akron; a sort of farewell dinner was tendered by the Howe Hotel to the men who did not live in Akron, and Ed. Romily presided. Speeches were made, and it certainly was a good dinner. The next week was a repetition of the lormer one; the Mexican situation was growing less acute, and there was no word from Columbus. Were they going or was it to prove a grani.1 fizzle'' In the meantime there was a ceremony in the shape of a flag presentation; Louis Isenman, Carl Schrank, Fred Seiberling, and Fred Exner were presented with silk American flags, the gift of Attor- ney C. W. Seibert and the St Paul's Episcopal Church. One night. Just belbre dusk, the Goodyear balloon made its initial flight. Sergeant Ralph Upson was the pilot and he carried Lieutenants Johnston and Babbitt as passengers. \\ ith the exception of the lact Chief Mechanic W. L. Stauffer, Charles Lange, and a few others, who were supposed to follow in a machine, got lost, it was a good flight. The balloon came elown once, there was some trouble with the ballast. anLl Lieutenant Johnston got out; but it went up again anel finalK- came down near \lei.lina There was a banquet at the \ alley View (^.ountry Club on JuK 1st for all Firestone men, and the lucky ones who attenekxl came back with the report that "a good time was had by all.'" And July 3rd was the real big day, for that morning a messenger hustled into Captain Albrecht's oflice with a telegram, live minutes later he had the battery lined up, — moving oixlers had arrived. The battery was to entrain for Columbus, Ohio, the next morning. The men were dismissed for the day with orders to get ready to leave. Then there was a lot of hurry ani.1 bustle, business of packing up, loading of boxes and equipment, and all personal belongings attended to. All the farewells and goodbyes were said and that night the Horn Stock Co. gave free tickets for the evening per- formance to all the batterymen. It was a military play and the battery turned out in force. Six o'clock on the morning of July 4th, anel the bat- tery had its last view of the gas-house. I he humorous element came into the situation when the men who cliJ not have uniforms appeared in the battery column 1 he substitute for uniforms was blue-denim fatigue suits, and the overalls didn't fit anv' too well. 1 here were about forty men outfitted thus, and it is a safe bet that there is not one of them who will ever forget it' The battery lined up on N. Howard Street, just outside the gas-house, "Squads Right' " was given, anel the march to the station began, O. D, and Blue Denim! Li Bat- terv', Ohio Lield Artillery — letl by [Buckley Post Fife and Drum Corps of the G. A. R. An^l they were off! I here was an enormous crowxl at L'nion Station; going down the incline from E. Market Street the battery walked between solid lines of people There was a mass of packed htimanity on the bridge; mothers, sweethearts, relatives, friends, well-wishers. How many of you who were there that day realized the time that was to elapse before the battery came back^ 1 low many of vou bat- terymen realized as you steppetl nn that train, the time you were to spend in the army or how long it would be before you donned civilian clothes again'' ^ ou enlisted for three years active service' /\s the Life anLl Drum Corps led you up East Market Street did any of you think that you would come very close to serving it'' Or that the playful little war with .Mexico was only a begin- ner, and that the real war cIoulIs, ominous, black and threatening, were hovering far in the back ground!" A whistle tooted— a bell clanged — a few last goodbyes were said — and the battery was off on the "Big Adventure." The train left .'\kron at 7 A. j\ 1 , and at 12 o'clock noon It pulleel into Columbus, wheie the battery de- trained in L'nion Station with the exception of a few men detailed to go with the materiel out to the Camp Willis siding. .Mter a short halt in Cjoodale Park. Colum- bus, waiting for flattery A to arrive from Cleveland, a tlustv hike of five miles to Camp Willis, Ohio, was be- gtin and for the first time the lx)ys trudged over a roatl to the tune of : "Ohio — Ohio! The hills senel down the cry — " CHAPTER III THE arrival at Camp Willis was at 5 P, M. It was a tired bunch, but there was lots of work to be done. The materiel hael to be brought from the siding, tents pitched and some kind of a battery street laid out, and all there was for supper was bacon sandwiches and black coffee. 1 ruly it was a hard life, the first night out. That was the life' Perhaps, everything considered, that was the hardest period of the outfit's whole career, that first two or three weeks in Camp Willis. Everything was new. and everybody, from the captain down, were more or less "rookies " The men tlidn't know how to make themselves comfortable, and half the time they were too tired to try; you must consider the fact that these men had Just come from civil life, an^l all the ease and luxury that goes with it. '1 here was no one to tell them the little things that helped make things com- fortable, because ncj one knew' Equipment was slow in coming. Everybody expected to throw awav' their blue denim as soon as they struck Camp Willis. :\s it was, blue denim was the popular drill costume for over a nnjnth, when some uniforms came in. There weren't enough pyramidal tents; the first distribution to the Ohio P(ige S'f The Red Guidon battalion ga\-e B Battery five, and the rest of the hoys slept in pup-tents. The most pathetic part of all this was that e\en the cooks were new Robert Guinther was the first Mess Sergeant, and hrank Smetts and William Murray the first cooks. They had had a little experience in cooking, what they didn't ha\e was the \ast knowledge that comes with the working of a field range, and that must be acquired betore army-slum becomes edible 'I'hat first meal of baked beans that was ser\ed lor instance, nobody will e\er deny that they were baked — the only trouble was that the>- hadn't been soaked' They rattled in a mess pan like hail on a tin roof; they were harder than buckshot, twice as large, and R. S. Wallace broke a tooth. To their exerlasting credit be it said that the cook's recruit days were o\er much sooner than the battery's, and they were turning out good meals long before the rest of the boys had finished learning how to ride. A lew days after the arrixal in Camp Willis, work started in earnest, the real work of making o\er a bunch of recruits into a linisheLl battery of field artillery t)ne of the biggest instruments toward this end was the work done by Sergeant Gale, detailcLl to the t^hio Battalion Irom the regular army He was an old, old timer and what he didn't know about artillery drill was either ob- solete or hadn't been printetl yet A whole lot of the credit lor the amount learne^l in those early t.lays should go to him I he section chiefs who first lined up the men kit his instruction were Sergeant W. A. Snow with the first section. Sergeant Carl Kaxenagh with the second section; Sergeant George Wright with the third; Sergeant O. D Hollenbeck with the fourth. Sergeant Ralph LIpson, the filth; and Sergeant John Sampse\- the sixth. Arthur) Saalfield was first sergeant. About this time Lieutenant Caldwell resigned his commission and Sergeant Snow became Lieutenant Snow; all the section chiefs moved up one notch. Sergeant Sampsey got the fourth section, and Corporal Hitchcock recei\-ed another stripe and took charge of the sixth The first mounted drill started after the outfit had been in camp about a week I here were o\er 100 horses owned by the State of Ohio that were brought up from Briggsdale, Major H. M. Bush's farm and loaned for militar\- purposes The first drill was that pleasant and innocent little pastime known in the army as monkey, probably in\cnted b\ the ancients as one of the most effectixe forms of torttire Two or three days of this and most of the meals were eaten standing up, and men began wondering why the dickens they hadn't joined the infantry. This e.xercise. though somewhat painful, did wonderful things for Iceland Llickinger's ex- cess avoirdupois. After the monkey-drill, riding in a saddle was next in order and finally came the day when the boys first went out as a battery with the horses pulling the ma- teriel. The moral of the battery was high and it didn't take the men long to learn. B Battery had the use of the horses only e\ery third day, as the animals were used b\ Batteries A, B and C on alternate days. On July II, l^lP, the battalion was lined up to take the oath and the men became part of the Lcdcralizcd National Guard. it might be mentioned here, that the guard, as put on at Camp Willis was a wonderful and a fearful thing. Starting with Post No. 1 at the guard house on top of Headquarters Hill, there were twent\-three separate and individual posts stretching arounLJ the camp. This was the cause of so much humor at the time, that it came to the attention of Columbus and there w as a cartoon and write-tip by 'Westerman in the Ohio State journal that gave the whole cf Camp Willis a gooil laugh. The artil- lery camp was situated at the north end of Camp Willis, fartherest from the Columbus car line. Beyond the fence to the west of the camp, stretched a beautiful panorama of green that was the golf links of the Arlington Country Club; on the other to the cast were the tents of the 1st Ohio Ca\alry. Below the gun-park and across a wheat field was the iniantiA', and Camp Willis proper. And around the artillcr\, on the roai.1. through the gtin-park, along the countr\-club fence and up the little hill to Headquarters again, was the guarel, twenty-three of them — and they all knew their general orders. This was where some of the boys obtaincLl their first skirmish- ing experience, lor almost an\- night after taps, saw two or three figures skulking past the lourth hole on the golf links and up to the fence, under it, through f^ Battery and into the seclusion of B Battery s street and home. LIovlI Letch and Dan Carroll both li\ed in Columbus, Ohio, and they generally led these scouting expeditions. Along w ith the guard came the guard house, an^l this last was the place that ga\e "Rex" Hitchcock his start. Several of the men fell into the clutches of the law along with a number of A and C Batter\' culprits, and this necessitated a proxost -sergeant anel Hitchcock got the job. He hadn't been in office more than two days be- fore the guardhouse became the most unpopular place in camp, and a residence there, no matter how short the duration, a thing to be Llreaded. One of the first ideas, Sergeant Hitchcock inaugurated for the enjoyment of his prisoners, was the building of a natural bridged road o\er the little \alley between the battery street and headquarters. This became known as "Hitchcock Boule- vard" — btiilt at the expense of twenty broken wheel- barrows, thirt\-fi\c worn out shoxels, liftN picks ditto, two hundred back-aches and ten thousand blisters. Another pastime, which went to make life enjoyable at Camp Willis, was playcef with l^ieutenant Barton and "Doc " E. Z. Alspach. taking the center of the stage. They started serum inoculations, and by the time these were completed on August 31st, the medics had inoc- ulated the batterymen for just about e\ery disease known to man, with a vaccination thrown in for good The Red Guidon Page 3.) measLirc. This was known as "'the Sore Arm Era." and the popular greeting was: "Good morning' Ha\e you had today's inocula- tion'' " There were some pretty sore arms at first, and the first "shot." heing a new e.xperience. was taken more or less seriously. One corporal drew up his will, an^l twn or three of the boys wanted to call Akron o\er long dis- tance the night before and say a seconc^ good-bye to their relatives ,'\nd there were several white laces when thi,' time came and the needle plunged home, and some ol the men fainted; but after two or three weeks it had ceased to be a no\elt\' and a "shot in the arm" was onK- another one of those darn things, in July came the physical examination to Lletcrmine the fitness of the men for bor^ler service. Niearh' e\ery- body was anxious to pass it. as those who ha^l come this far were eager to see the ad\'enture through It was a ner\ous bunch that stood around the door of the med- ical buikling. awaiting their turn to go in. Freddie Seiberling was afraid he was under weight, and he drank so much wa- ter that it oozed from the pores of his skin. \\ hen the examination came, he tra\ - eled to the building in an automobile, as he ^lidn t want to lose any of his precious weight through perspiration, 1 he trick was successftil, and he went through with flying colors. Fred Exner. Howard Bowman and FIbert Cox also made noble attempts to add weight, an^l were suc- cessfully passed. When the examination was o\er — the last man looked at for Hat feet, the last chest tapped antl the last cotigh echoed into space — B Battery looked itsell o\er. and founel that it was still practically intact, Ihere were, howexcr. thirt\-twi) men who did not pass the examination. In this btinch the outfit lost a good cook in Frank Smetts. a good quartermaster when Ed Romily was ttirned down (he was under the minimum height) an^l his as.Mstant. "Whitey. " went with him lor the same reason. Inclueled in the hunch that went were Harry Blackwood. {". R .Andrews. Corp, William .\lcCucken. Geo. W, King. W. I- Lynch. L. W, Smith, fdarold ,A Talbot. Howard Rowen. James G. Scales. "Prof" Rich. Chas. Hoyt.C'has Brower. Ihomas 1 homas. an^l 1 ionic k And Vvith one or two exceptions, it was a gloomy btinch that left for Akron the next da>' Preliminaries o\cr, the real battery ^Irill and ma- neu\ers started, and almost any day one could ha\e seen B Battery in a cloud of dust in or around the wheat lield east of camp. "Right front into line at a trot." and "'Battery Right at a trot." the last section swinging around the pixot. horses straining at the collars and caissons banging o\er the ruts. Ihere were some fast rifling at this stage of the game, i^emember the time o\er by the road when the third section caisson struck a stump and turned over sending cannoneers into the air m .l States an^l exentually overseas: ""Ohio- -( )hio, the hills scn^l Llr}wn the cry — "' i fere, m Camp Willis, as m e\er\ other place, it wasn't long before "when do we mo\e^"" became the po|Tular ^iLiestion. and it seeme^l a long, long time before It was answercLl, When the boys first arrucvl the\' thought It wouki be onl\ a matter of ^fa\s before the\ woLikl be on the wa\ to the border: but July gave way to .August, ani.1 they were still ^lomg gun-Llnll und train- ing the panoramic sights on the girls on the golf- course It seemcLl that exery state but the Fjucke\e was alreaLly south: Xew ^ ork and Massachusetts haLl been there since JtiK 4th, Week follow clI week an^l there were the usual rumors ani.1 no orders until finally, late afternoon ol .Atigust 31st, the battalion was ordereel to entrain lor Texas Ihere was a lot more eciuipment to pack than there had been in , Akron, hut the launch was not so green, with the result, it didn"t take an\ long- er. September 1st. the guns, caissons, eic, were hauled down to the railroad \ards west of Columbus The ca\'alry pulled oLit that afternoon Pup tents were pitchei,! in an orLlerly row along the railroad that night It was the last night in ("'olumbtis an^l nattiralK e\ervlxxl\ wantei.1 to tio to town. At *ll»V!i.v -^ dav; in Camp Pershing | *!,$ f,^^. iij V ^"'^ii-^'^^''f' y^ f*5 <"•- o 0:¥^f4^il^^ Wt^ The Red (riiidon Pdijc :;: mess time Captain Alhreeht mai^le an announcement to the batterx' anei said theix- would be ahsoluteK' no passes to anyone, adding that the next day was to lie a hard day and he wanted the men to rest up. One-half hour later. at a rough estimate, there were four men left m the camp: three of these were on guard and the other had a sore foot. And to his credit, let it be put on record here, that later in the e\ening the captain met four of the batterymen on High Street. He looked, grinned, and passed on. It was a wild, wild night, for the Spirit of Eternal ^'outh was rampant, and the wind blew and the waves beat against the rocks. Many a good ship sailed into port much the worse for the storm; but they all got there! And the ne.xt day, at four o'clock, a long train com- posed of Pullmans, freight cars loaded with boxes, flats with the guns and caissons spiked down secureK'. and a kitchen car trailing a thin w isp of smoke, pulled out of the siding. Go\ernor Willis of Ohio was there to wish the boys good luck; a little cluster of friends and rela- tives wa\ed a last goodbye, the train gathered speed. and fainter and fainter became the song that rang out of the [-"ullman windows. "Ohio — Ohio, the hills send ^lown the cry — '" CHAPTER 1\- Tl IE first stop on the trip south was made on Sunday, morning, September Ird. at Washington, Indiana 1 he train lay o\er for two hours and the battery marched through the streets of the town. The next da\- was Labor Day. and at noon a stop was made a few miles below Brookfield, Mo., at a little creek where the bunch took a swim. In East St Louis. Cook McKee\er put himself on "detached ser\ice" — he got oil the tram to get a bottle ot "Coca-Cola " and the train pulled out without him He ^lidn't get lost, thank goodness, he caught the next section. C Battery, and came on through with them. Major Bush and Headquarters Company were travel- ing with B Battery, and that evening, at C^aptain Al- brecht's request, the battery octette consisting of Ser- geant i\a\enagh. Bill Eoltz, Llo\\.l Eetch, Tomm\ Thompson, Russell Baer, Carleton Sperry, Ted Rich- ards and Homer Da\ is. ga\e a concert in the officer's car. They sang everything in their repertoire, including Russ Baer s specialty "We re going to the Hamburg Show," and at the conclusion Captain Albrecht treat- ed the bunch to a couple of bottles of \ irginia Dare wine. September nh ga\e the boys their first idea of what life would be for the next few months, as they got their first sight of the fiat plains of 1 exas. There was a two- hour stop at C.anadian. Texas, a town noted chiefly for its main street running up the hill an^l for its mil- lineryC) store. The Arrival at Fort Bliss, Texas. I he next day, the hth, brought .'\marillo. fexas and San .Marciel, New Mexico, an^l that night under co\er of darkness the train pulled up along the Rio Grande Ri\'er. past the fiat .Mexican buiklmgs on the lower edge of \l\ Paso, and finally at nine o'clcxk stopped at its destination. Lort Bliss, Texas. It was too late to do any unloading that night, so the Pullman berths were used for the last time. Early in the morning, ie\eille blew at the side of the cars, and life in [•J Paso began. It was a beautiful sight that greeted the batterymen when they pulled up the shades of the ear- windows that morning. — a ne\ er-to-be-forgottcn sight. On one si^le ol the train was Fort Bliss itself — a picture in gra\ that scattered o\er the mesa as far as the eye could see Stables in the foreground, with \eteran regular army men leading their horses to water, and be\ond them the hos- pital, a group ol bar- racks, the headquarters ol the Post Command- er topped b\- an .Ameri- can flag, and a long street of little gra>- build- ings that were the offi- cers c|uarters, and on the other side a picture that maLle the boys gasp, rub their e\es and look again. In the ^listance the Mt kranklm group, a chain ol mountains stretched against the horcon; the morning sun shining against their sides made them a spec- "* "■ ' tacle of red and gold anv.1 tawn\' yellow . with wisps ol \apor still clinging to the tops. At the loot be- tween the railroai-l and the mountains, eoxering every foot of space as far as the eye could see, were camps Tents ever\where, until the whole panorama was filled with little \ellow ^lots; corrals filled with horses: gun parks laid out in orderly rows that denoted the |~iresence of artiller\-: and alwa\s more tents and more horses. .And clear against the morning air came the notes of bugles blowing reveille, the faintest ones far. far, away. ! he men took another look at the \ari-colored mountains sprawling m the distance, at the neat camps in the tore- ground, listened to the bugles, and jumped out of bed; and the same thought was in nearly every mind. "Lord — this isn't going to be such a bad place to soldier!" Breakfast o\er. the work of unloading began, and trucks arrived to haul the equipment to the new camp. It was nearly a half mile from the switch at the [-"ort, a \acant field among the man\' tents that the men had The lied (iiiulon PiUjc :pj seen when they first lookeel out ol tlie ear window. 1 he camp site was directly in hack of the town of Lynch\ille, a cluster of buildings typical of any little Texas town. There were the Mesa Bar, Shorty's Pool Room. Todd's Eating House, the Lynch\"ille Bar and Joe's Barber Shop. Behind that tow n was the camp site, and the first view of it brought dismay to e\er\body. It was a howling wilderness of cactus, sand, greasewood, mesquite, and more sand. Huge clumps of meseiuite rose in the places where the tents were supposed to go; there was only one thing to do, anLJ the men did it. The old pick and shovel came into play Sergeants, corporals and every- body got busy with tlic result, the encl of the day saw the battery street cleareei of vegetation, the tents lined up in orderly rows, and supper rea^K at the kitchen. It brought \ery little rest, however, in th^- true sense of the word, for the clearing awa\- of the cactus, etc., had destroyed the homes of a very large portion of the animal and insect population of that part of Te.xas. The result was that countless tarantulas, centipedes, horneci toads, scorpions and lizards were roaming around the camp in a daze (Juite a collection was made 'hy the batterymen during the day and the honors in this line went to the fourth section men They had acquired a mason-jar from the kitchen m which to keep their col- lection of wild beasts and sun-clown found it nearly full. with centipedes in the majority and with a beautiful specimen o( horned toad acting as king of the ranch. The boys didn't get them all b\- a long shot, and nightfall brought very little sleep for most of them. O. D. Hollenbeck killed a scorpion unLler his bunk that night, and John Woodward had been in bed only a half hour when he found a centipede looking for shelter in his blankets. N'e.xt morning, the shoes, that hadn't been hung up the night before, were very carefullv shaken out before they were put on. \ he next night, as if to show how poisonous the insects really were. R C Thomp- son was bitten by a cen- tipede while he was sleep- ing; he was taken to the Base Hospital, where he lay for three weeks. ani;l it was two months before all the swelling went out of his face. Then there was a period ol ten da\s in which the battalion polished up on loot-drill. Then three more batteries. A and B ol Michigan, and .\ Battcr\- of the District of Cokunbia, arrived ani.1 made camp next to the Ohio Battalion 1 hese six batteries composed the I Ith Provisional Regiment of b^ield .Artillery. Colonel A. ,\. Starbird. of the regular arm\'. was put in command ol the regiment. Major Bush commande^l the first l?attalion, and Captain Deems, the second. «^L..^i^ The Texas Horses. — The next proceLlure was the drawing ol horses, and one morning the whole battalion lined up with halters and marched to the remount statioti south ol 1 ynchville 1 he men came back with enough horses to equip the whole battalion, and, as usual, there were good horses and bad ones. Lvle McCormick was then stable sergeant and his job was to weed them out. They were weeded, and eventually saddle broken; bi.it like at Camp Willis, there were a goocT many falls and some bruises in the process. Later it was lounel the best horse in the bunch was Dixie. Dixie! King of them all, a horse that was to become a battery pet, and beloved by all the boys through the battery's entire career in .'\merica T he bad horses, and the ones that never were broken were "C'lrcus' ancT "Loco " Their names were well put, for they were wild, wild horses and stave^l wikl until the last. C>nce again the real battery work was begun. The horses were assigned to the different sections, harness was fitted; drill began on the field east ol Lvnchville. on the other side ol the railroad, and "stables. " blown twice a day by the buglers, began to mean something 1 he daiK drill program usually called for the "Battery MoLinted in the morning with "Right Lront into Line, etc.. and a short hike in the alternoon. with each man on a single mount. On one of those afternoons when the bunch was out with Lieutenant Snow in charge, the bat- terymen got as far as the stables of the nh Cavalry when the\' ran into a rainstorm It wasn't an ordinary rainstorm, it was a downpour — a Lleluge. It seemed as though soIilI sheets ol water were dropping from the sky. lora while the boys took shelter in the Cavalry stables, but It was late, the rain showed no signs of abatement, and It was decided to make a dash for camp And It was a eiash' It was worse than that, a break- neck, headlong race across the drill field, down the street ol Lynchv ille. arountl the corner of the Mesa Bar anLl up into the gun park. 1 hat was a never-to-be-lorgotten ride and 1 ennyson's "CTiarge of the Light BrigaLle" was tame compared to the "Dash of the 1st Ohio. " It might be said that this da\- nearlv' |irov clI the un- doing of Private Rhoads. It seems that Rhoa^ls was on stable police that dav'. and tiring of the Liuties ol his "Office. " decided to try his luck at riding "Loco W ith the help of the stable sergeant and after much work. "Loco was i.luly saddled and mounted. Lverything went well until the center of the drill field was reached and it started to rain. Well, to be brief, the harder it rained the harder "l^oco" bucked, and fmalh settled clown on all fours and refuscLl to move until the rain was nearly over. By this time Rhoads' dispositicjn was rLillkxl tip to the extent that he forgot all about "Horses first. Guns second, and Men last, " as taught by Major Bush, and abandoning ^ vf^ ^' .^ « m T^i;;.^ ^ ^^ m. The Red Guidon Page 'il Loco" somewhere near the "D. C' ." picket line, heat it for the second section tent. Who it was that finally peisuaJed "Loco to the li Battery picket lines ancl who remo\ed the saddle and bridle has always remained a mysterx' to Rhoads. Alter the drill ^ot prett\ well Lini.ler wa>- and the horses got into condition, came the test to find out how much the bo\s anLl horses could stand. 1 his came in the form of a three day hike o\cr the mesa, and was started before the dawn on the niornin were that they had stayed in Ohio during July ani-1 August The Rhode Island and Massachusetts batterymen told some pretty wiLl tales about the heat. No\ ember brought cooler weather but with it, as a tribute to the law of compensation came the sand-storms. It was a toss-up as to which was the worst, the dry, hot days of September anLl < 'etober, or No\ ember's cooler ones that brought with them the intermittent sand storms. Those storms brought a gray-brown dust that would not be denied. It crept into the tiniest cracks and enveloped clothes, trunks, bo.xes — anything am.! everything in a duty powder that mdunlcLl to an eighth of an inch in a da\-. Brush it oil in the morning and it was back again at night, anLl twice as baLl Day alter Llay It kept up until it became one ol the most disagree- able phases of army life, anLl linalK it ,ga\e rise to the popular little poem "There's sand in m\ blankets. There's sand in my clothes. There's sand in the coffee — The Lord only knows' " The Border Rumors. — Thanksgiving came and '"^''oLight with It a denial of the first rumors the O. f-". A. ^ould be home on that date; it also brotight a big feed, of turkey and "all the fi.xm s" that McKeever and the rest of his staff had woikcLl for two nights to prepare: and it brought in the e\ening a second banquet at the Zeiger Hotel that was far more of a "Sob-fest' m the leal sense of the word than the first one on N'o\-, lith. 1 he dinner was gotten up by Bill Foltz and Claire .Ault; most 1)1 the battciwmen were in attendance aULl it woliIlI ha\e been a gooLl banL|Uet haLl it not been lor two lactors ( 1 ) the lact that it was the lirsi holitlaN m the army lor all the men anLl (2) nearly c\er\one had entertaincLl \ isions of the Mexican fracas o\er, and the batteiw home by that date. So instead of the gaiet\ uulI hilarit\ that was anticipated, it was more or less a gloomy bLinch that sat down to dinner. The whole gang was cranky anLl in a bad mood. It was as much as one's life was worth to say "pass the pickles, please." a polite rcL[Ucst for butter brought a growl and one bold artiller\man, who proposed singing "t^lhio" was erowncLl with a loal ol breuLl .Al- together the atmosphere was about as blue as at New Haven after a football victory at Cambridge, So alter all the big cv ent of the da\- was the Thanksgiv ing Limner in the battery mess-hall. That meal itself cotikln t have been an\ better at home, Ihe first training perioLl in I e.xas up until the first of the year was taken up with the regular work that all artillerymen received when thev first went to the border I he iiiilI- dle of (Vtober saw the completion of pair drill. auLl the man\' posi- tions that were taken up on the Mesa, going into action, simulating firing at targets, etc, .Alter that came the real thing, the acttial fir- ing ol the batterxon the range, anLl \, — "" that lasted until abnut the seconLl r week in L7)ecember It was a lot ol fun in those Llavs aULl iW: boys cnjovcLl everv' minute ol It The three Ohio batteries took turns on the range, two batteries liring while the other one lIilI range guaixl \ he memory ol the range Llays will probably stay longer with the men who were there, than any others. I he I exas mesa, with its cactus Lovered sand-hills, the guns i^Lilling into position with the horses working hard to pull the pieces throtigh the sand; the establishing of positions behind the little hill-, with the "B C" station showing its red fiag fnim the top ol another hill, Ihe iclI Hash and roar auLl a little pull of white smoke marking the burst far otit on the horizon, And for the drivers, pleasant memories of sitting on the saiiLl in the warm I exas sunshine, hoklmg their horses and wondering what Cocjk iMcl\ee\er was going to have for supper, or gazing lazily across the mesa at the curling smoke anLl white roofs of El Paso ten miles awa\'; or of going home. Sometimes it was late in the evening when "Cease firing — March'" order came elown, anLl by the time the battery was on its way home past the I exas School of Mines, the cold glittering stars of I'exas were in the sky anLl the air was chilly. V M ^n^P*-- .^. > -i^ i! «"*»«*•*" The lied (iiiidoii P(Ujf ',:i Then lIiinci's anJ cannoneers liULLIleel intu their overcoats: from all along the line came the clank ot steel horse collars anci up forward. Bill EJass's \oice raised in a pee\ish, "I want'a po home'" and the glow of countless cigarettes, and I\a\enagh, l^ill holt:, Larry Fetch and Russ Baer singing. "Oh, Lord jeffery Amherst was a soldier of the king." Then home, a quick unharnessing and unhitching, at which "Spick" Woodward was one of the best men in the outfit, and a good hot supper followed hy a re\ iew oi the day in the tents, cozily heated with the old Sihley stoves '^'es, those were the happy days, [during this period there were two things worth\- ol mention here. I'odd's Eating House sprang into fame as a place where the batterymen could get a good break- fast of hot cakes and coft'ee. It was just below the stables and gun-park; a good man\ ol the men lor a long while did not see the mess hall in the moinmgs. Some ot the frequenters of lodcl's were Sergeant Hollenbeck. Claire Ault, Jim and Lyie McCormick. joe KelK, Howard Treat and Bill Foltr. The other thing to be remem- bered: "Rex" Hitchcock began his bettmg-bee with Lieutenant Lainn the battalion \ eterinanan : and "when do we go home was the subject ol all bets Hitchcock bet the batteiy would not reach home b\ (~hristmas of that year. The second week m December saw the beginning ol the glanders epidemic, a \ery serious time m the battery's career. Se\eral well-developed cases of glanders were disco\ered among the horses of the battalion and steps were taken to pre\ent the spread ol the disease. Isolated corrals were hurriedly erected separating the stables of the three batteries. Each horse was given the Mallein test for glanders. Suspected horses were immediately taken away to be treated or shot. A few horses that did not show up under the test and yet looked sick were isolated in a corral west of camp, near the loothills ot Mt. LVanklin. A fence was erected around the 11th Provisional Regiment bearing signs, "Glanders! Very contagious. Keep out!" Only certain men were allowed to go near the stables. 1 hey were the men who \olunteercd ; two Irom each section, and they did all the necessary teeding, watering, grooming, etc. 1 hey helpeci l^ieutenant l.tinn ^loctor the sick horses, and belorc they were allowed to lea\e the corral the\' had to take off their latigue clothes, lea\e them at the stables and wash their hands in a creolinc solution. For a while, it was a fight to keep the disease irom spreading, but quarantine rules an^l the laws \Md vlow n by "Dec" Lunn finally won the da\ In all thirteen horses were lost The quarantine w.as lilte^l just alter ("hristmas. As a precautionary measure and lo be sure that no glanders germs might possibly be lurking, all the tents were sealed while sulphur was bLirno,! in them, and bed blankets as well as horse-blankets were put m a large sterilizing machine and thoroughly sterilized Lor a lew nights afterward, sleeping on those blankets was not much of a pleasure, due to the lumes ol formaldeh\-de that persisted in sta\ing. but the blankets were sanitary' And then came C~.hristmas' Pages and pages of this history might be written about that Christmas of B Batter\s It might ha\ e been a \er)^ blue one: it was the first ("hiistmas in the army (than which there is nothing worse under I leaxen) and besides, the boys had expected to be home long, long before then. The Mcssa- chusetts N, Ci, had gone, as had Rhode Island and part of the Pennsyh'ania troops, but Ohio was still there with prospects of staying indefinitely. And so, lor the first time in their li\es, lots of the men came to know the meaning of Grantland Rice's little poem, written es- pecially for such as they: "L'or ('hristmas on the off-trail isn t what we used to think It 1 hear the blare ol bugles, and the roll-beat ol the i^lruni ; .■\n^l somewhere, in the distance, a kid calls ",\lother, mother'" .And then, through all the drifting years — we know how far we \ e come Considering the circumstances, it might ha\c been a blue Christmas, but it wasn't. For there was too much to do, and too much excitement for anybody to get blue. The people at home helped out to a large extent, and long before ("hristmas, hundreds of boxes, loaded with good things to eat and presents, came for the bins in the batter\-, and on the 2 3rd and 24th of December there were so man\ ol them that each da\- saw two truckloa^ls of presents come in In e\ery tent there was jam on the tables, cake and cookies under the cots, cand\ e\er\'- where, and pink riblxms and red and green bells hung along the walls A se\en-da\' \acalion was LleclaicLl, fr(.)m (.hristmas until January- 2nd, F">17, the only work done was the absolutely necessary feeding and watering of the horses, and kitchen worf; This work was di\"ided among the sections, each section t.iking a day. So that there wouki r** r 9w The Red (hiidon Page i.) be no favoritism, the names of the seven clays were put into a hat and each section-chief drew one, O, D. Hollenbeck was the unlucky man at that party lor he drew Christmas i.la\' loi" the third section to work ani.1 stay in camp. Christmas Day itself was one of the worst days for weather m the batterx's border experience .All day lon^ the wind howled down out of the mountains and shrieked around the corners of the tents, a veritable tornado that brou{;ht with it the usual deluge of sand. It was a regular Texas sand storm, the kind that the men used to call "Oklahoma and Texas passing m Review." .-\ few- hardy spirits brave^l the storm an^l went to El Paso, but most of the battervmen stayed in the tents an^l ate the contents of the boxes from home Lumber came in for boards an^l side-walls for the tents, earlv" m the week, and all of the sections vfilunteercd to put floors an^l side-walls in the tents as a Christmas present to themselv es. Otitside of that there w as nothing to do. Most of the bovs had a pretty good time, The racing season was on at Juarez and a large part of the men spent their afternoons leaning over the rail and watching the horses sweep around the corner of the track. In Lil F-'aso there were movies, and dancing at the Sheldon Hotel, and across the Rio Grande there was the quaint an^l interesting eitV' of Juarez, Mexico, where the boys eoukl see a near bull-fight. Cooks McKeever, Iriel, Walker and Curry contrib- uted in no small measure to the sticcess of the week I hey workcel hard; they got out a wontlcrful Christmas limner and served it in the evening. That elinner was a least of good things, and all week, the meals were above the average. The Third Section, the unluckv men who had drawn Christmas Day to feed horses, do kitchen police, etc, hai.1 arranged for a big dinner at the X'alley Inn at ^slcta, N M, Christmas evening. Hollenbeck an^l his crew had a big party and came back in the wee small hours of the morning. .Altogether, it was a prettv' big week; while it might have been better, it couki have been a whole lot worse, '.^ The first of the vear brought manv things. I^ouking backward and taking accotint of itself, the battery found that it was a pretty well organized battery of Field Artil- lery, a well drillcLl an^l efficient (irganization. It hael been on the range an^l ha^l seen some very gooel liring, and a little over a vear of its career was behind it. l.ook- iiig ahead, an^l considering the fact that Mexican affairs were at a stanclstifl, that many of the troops on the border were alreadv' gone, the chief L|ucstion in the minds of evervone was "when do we .no home ^ .\ni.l ap- parentlv there was no answer The 11th Provisional Regiment now took up the yearly drill schcLlule allotted to regular army artillery, and the lust part of it was devoted to sub-calibre practice. linv pasteboari.1 tar- gets in the form of horses, caissons, infantry, cavalrv', were put up among the mesquite and greasewood below the mountains; an^l the passing davs saw the gun crews at their gtins peppering awav' with the sub-calibre car- tridges. It was good sport; the men could find the targets against the hilKiLle, anel the crack of a bullet, the puff of dirt an inch above the white bit of pasteboard was the eatise of mtich excitement A gooi:! bit has i^een said about the mountains at ('amp Pershing; a gooi.1 l^it more might be saii.f and still that woiikln t be hall enoLigh In their beautv, they ma^le up for all the sand-storms, all the elust, and all the disagreeable features of the I exas climate. Stretch- ing away in an unending p..inorama as a backgrouuLl lor Camp Pershing, Xlt, I ranklin towering above the rest of the groLip, thev were a soui'ce of constant ^lelight to the batterymen Ihey were a sililK m lights anLl shacl- ows, and from the time the stm rose ani.1 change^l then- ashy-gray to a splendor of red an^l gokl antl vellow until it sank behmtl them an^l maLJe them a vision of purple anel orange, thev were never the same color anv' twi.) mmtites of the ^lav Thev- were the sort ol mountains that Maxfiekl Parrish loves to paint; his pictures the km^l that peo|^le look at and sometimes branel him as a nature-lakir. I he mcmth of January saw the Llestruction of the l^atterv- s observation balloon when it blew awav' from Its moorings one night, ani.1 was hopelessly ripped on the cactus spines And it was also in the month of January that the famous "Keg Party" was held, where .McKeever made a speech an^l Alvin Ritter sang "Sweet Spittoon." Ihe month also recalls the more serious near not with the C^eorgia ^Artillery It wasn t exactly a not, but It had all the earmarks of one The affair was the cLilmmation of a series of small brawls between Ohio an^l Cjcorgia artillervmen, and without fear or i^rejudice. it may be saul that I )hio usually got the better of it I he culmination of the affair came one night when Ceorgia threatencLl to come over and "get" (Jhio, aLlLling that thev' were going to "get em good'" The (.>. b. .A took It verv' quietiv'. made a few small preparations and sat clown and wailed liarlv in the evening there was a false alarm, but the threat was never luH'illeel .Altogether, It was a luckv thing— for Georgia' The Red Guidon P(i(l< 'u The next thing on the training schedule was pistol practice, and the old "Colt 4''" came into pla\-. Targets were erected on the west side ol camp toward the moun- tains, and there was firing nearly c\cr\- alternoon for a month. Some heretofore unknown "Deade\e Dicks were disco\ered in the organization, chicl ol whom was Elbert Cox. He knocked the htilN-cye cold nearly e\'er\ time his pistol cracked He was the onh man in the battery to win the medal for ' li.xpert Pistol Shot. Al Long ran Cox a close second, and very nearly made expert . the two Sperrys, Schrader and Don Scott followed Long \'cry closely. There was a big artillery re\ lew in Lebrtiary, All the artillery in the El Paso district passed in review before General St John Grehle on the drill field east of camp. And the Cattlemen's Conxention that began the first ol March and lasted two weeks, marked the beginning ol the end. "Going home" rumors, the first ol which was heard around Thanksgi\ ing, were more persistent than ever, and earned more con\iction. 1 here were \ ery few outfits left on the border. Cjcneral [\-rshing and his ex- peditionary force had come up out of Mexico and the Mexican crisis was practically o\ er I he (Jhio Bat- talion had been in Texas six months, which was three months longer than it had expected to stay; the men were well drilled and rather sick of sand storms, what then, was keeping them^ The answer to that quest um was now onh a matter of i.la>s. Lhe Cattlemen's C^onxentuin went into lull swing, with hundrecis of cattlemen an^l cow-punchers m the streets of El Paso. .A parai^le through the downtown district of all the troops left arounLl Lort l^liss was held as a part of the eon\ention, and out at the Rio Grande Baseball Park a large "rodeo came into being It was a \ery interesting affair. Most of the soldiers attended at least one day of the week and saw their first exhibition of cow-punching, hog-tying. roping, throwing steers, etc. Mo\ ing orders for the two batteries from Michigan and the District of Columbia batter\' saw the breaking- up ol the 11th Provisional Regiment .ViilI while the Ohio men were cleaning harness and carnages on Friday afternoon. March 10th, the grand and glorious news came down. The Ohio battalion was ordered to Lort Sheridan, 111., to be mustered out. h"relevant as it may seem, it wouLl not be amiss, considering the trend of later e\ents, to ieeori.1 a certain conversation that took place m the Seconal section tent the day moving orders came 1 larness cleaning was over, and the men were washing up. anLl getting read\ for mess. Ted Richards was sitting on his bunl-; thinking about the ftittire in Akron. Finally he said. " Thank the Lord, it's come at last ; a couple of weeks now and the battery will be mustered otit ■And Bill bolt:, drving his hands on a towel, managei.1 to live up to his acqtiired reputation as a Joy-killer. "Maybe we will he said. "We will— if the Kaiser lets Us alone long enough " I he\ latighed at him then \\ ho shall say now that Bill Liiltz was not the truest prophet of them alL .Ml the horses with the exception of thirty-two, that were pieke^l to go home with the battery, had been turned in about a week before. These thirty-two were picked as the best horses of the bunch by Captain Albrecht and Lieutenant Lainn. Dixie, of course, was one of the elect, an^l the near horse of Bill Kelly's swing team, "Kellw' was taken after some deliberation. Thev ^Ikln't want "Kelly" at first, but he afterward proved to be the second best horse in the battery It wotiLI be a great mistake to think that all the good horses were taken. L)n the eontraiw, there were some very good ones left behin^l 1 hrough six months" association there ha^l sprung up a close attachment between the men and their horsLs. anel the da\ the nags were turned back to the re- mount station, It was a parting of real fnen^ls The parting t)f ("iscar kiollenbeck and his mount "BakK " was the most totiehing of all. and "Hollie ' was a sorrowful looking soldier as he slippe<.l the halter off l^aldy's head, slapped him on the back and watchei.1 him trot away. lhe freight cars were not spottctl immediately, and the batterymen (now okl hands at the moving game), spent Satuixlay, Sunelav, anel the most of Monday taking care of the packing so that the material would be ready when the cars eame Ihev' finally arrived, a long string of them, about live o clock in the evening. I he move was schcelulcel lor the next day, so loading hael to be elone that night lhe weather was seeonel onl\' to that of Christmas elay anel it was a memorable night. lhe men worked in pitch Llarkness with only a lantern here and there to help oLit while the wind and sanel neaiiv' took them off their feet. Boxes went into the cars, the guns were spiked to the floors of flats, and the wind blew a veritable gale IJeven o'clock saw the job completed, the Pullman cars rolled in at eleven-thirty, and a tired and sandy bunch got into them and went to bed. I he train was switeheel around, and in the morning the bat- terv' was heading past the El Paso flats, past the "Spigoty" huts, past the Rio Grande and the International brielge. anel along the same rotite thev had come some six months before There was a big canvas sign stretehci,! the whole length ol the ihiiel Pullman car. It bore the legenel: "B Battery Homeward Bound." .And from the windows eame the song that echoed the sentiments of the whole crow el "Oh, It s home bovs, home, it s home we're going to be Home. bovs. home in Cioel s eountry — The Red (liiidon (:hapter \' THLi trip i^Dino north was one continual not ol joy. 1 he men were qiiartereel in Pullman sleepers; Bill Folt: and Bill Kelly were running a canteen, and B Bat- tery was goinfj home. Small wonder they were happy' The first stop was made at San Marciel, New Mexico, on the fourteenth; the fifteenth brought Alamagordo, where half an hour's stop was made; just long enough for the boys to eat breakfast at the Har\ ey House restaurant. The train passed through /Xmarillo that night, and the next day at two o'clock, a two-hour stop was made at Enid, Oklahoma. This was a pretty little town, and the battery took it by storm; the horses were exercised, and some of the staid residents of the city must have been surprised at the sight of mounted soldiers, red hat-cords, leather puttees, spiirs and all, clattering up Main Street, Newburgh, Mo., was the next layoxer, the afternoon of the se\enteenth. No one who took that ride will e\'er forget that town; if anyone of them was asked "What was the biggest hick town you e\er saw^ " it is a pretty conservative estimate that he would say, without the slightest hesitancy, "Newburgh, Mo.'" It certainly bore all the earmarks; one main street, the corner grocery store, a creek, and the residence district C) on top of a cliff. The Newburgh High School Literary Society had a meeting that afternoon with several fond parents and relatives of the members in attendance. Some of the boys wandering past stopped in, anJ at the invitation of the principal, "Two Gun" Jones and Harold Jackson made a little speech describing the hardships and "suf- ferings" endureci by Battery on the border, talking on the battle of Mt Franklin and the "Sic"c of the Mesa," The Red Guidon Page W Early the next morning a short stop was made at St. Louis, Mo., long enough for some of the men to get breakfast in Union Station. anJ for Don Stanton to take a street ear to his home, sa\ "Hello" to the lolks anLl hurry haek. Decattir. HI , was the last stop on the way up, antl in the two hours here, as e\"erywhcie else, the men met a wonelerfiil hospitality. The ne.xt morning the battery looker! otit the whilIow anJ saw their first snow-storm of the winter. The stations the\' passeti along the roael reatl "Li\anston, 111, " an^l "1 lighlan^l Park, 111,, " and finally the train eame to a stop on ,\lareh lC)th at 1-ort Sheiidan. home ol the bat- tery for the next six weeks. What a host of pleasant- ani.! bitter — memories the name of loit Shei iclan brings up! It markeel the turning point in B Battery's career; the lIi\ ision be- , tween the okl and the new, .Vni^l what a beautiful place it was' The 1-ort itself was more like an old college or uni\ ersity than a military institution, 1 he long gray stone barracks eo\ere^l with i\y, ^^ i-lixidcd m the mitklle l^y the water tuw- ., 'ij||ij||f |['|| er, and a high shalt ol gray stime, the well kept lawns that remin^kxl okl college i men ol former campus da\s, tlottcd here ' and there with oaks and elm trees, the v ^ '•V N'orthwestern R. R. station, the autlito- rium ani-l the neat stone houses. theoHi- cers' quarters,- e\ en the stables were architectLirally beautiful, and the whole effect, oak-bordered walks, graystone, i\ \ covered anel time worn, was peaceful ani.1 soothing. On one side of the lort, anLl west of it, were the tracks of the Northwestern R. R ani,l the C.hicago iSi' Milwaukee Lilectnc Line: to the east at the loot of the l^luff, the siKer waters of i,ake Michigan stretched sheer into the horizon: the aristocratic sLiburb of Lake korest, with L'erry Hall School for girls. la\ to the north and Highlancl Park to the south, I'rom a standpoint of ease and luxury, lort Sherulan was far and away, the best place the battery e\er stayetl The barracks were large, warm and comfortable, steam- heatc^l and electricalK lighte^l Down in the basement, there were showers or tub baths at the pleasure of the bather, and the water was always good and hot, Kelh and loltr estal-ilished their canteen in the basement, anel the toys soon lormed a habit of taking a bath, then dropping into the canteen clad in a towel, to btiy a ham sandwich and a cup of coffee, I he mess hall anel kitchen were in a separate building across the area-way, and thus were just as good as the barracks. The ranges in the kitchen were. huge affairs that would ha\e done credit to the Portage Hotel. In comparison with Camp Willis and El Paso, living quarters at Fort Sheridan were more %l ■~J\, 'IT like a good hotel than anything else. As George Pattullo would say. '"Boy Howdy! That was the life!" And it was the life — those first three weeks. The boys were going home, at least they thought they were, anel m the meanwhile they meant to ha\e a good time. .\nel the\ ^liel There was little or no drill, and w,-hat there was. was lots of fun In the mornings, Lieutenant John- ston took the battery out indi\-idually mountcel for long rieles along the saneK beach of Lake Michigan; coming back he waitcel until they were a mile or so from ihe kort, an^l then would let the peaeeftil Jaunt dexclop into a race Sometimes the route was changed and -■••'• the road kxl throtigh the smart little towns of Lake korest and Highland Park. *; In the afternoons the men who were not (■ on guarel. stable-police, etc.. proceeeled to take a bath, shave, dress in civilian clothes and go to Chicago, only forty minutes' ride on the Northwestern R, R One week after the Ohio Battalion lanekxl at kOrl Sheridan, the clerk in the Western Lnion Telegraph oil ice at Highlanel Park maele the confession that he hael recei\eel more money b\' tele- graph from ( )hio than he hael in all his prior three years' experience! ."so life went on merrih" enough, and there wasnt a clouel on the horcon. Lxeryone was too busy to take the newspapers seriousl\-; though if they had studieel them. the\- might ha\e worrieel o\cr the war news, and the ominous wai-clouels that were gathering and threat- ening the peace of America The Lusitania had been sunk long ago, anel \arious h\o did not e|Uite know what to do with her own troops; the artil- lery, engineers and signal corps were the only troops caught by the "no more elemobilization' oreler and Major Bush made the remark "that thev' were unwel- come guests in their own state " Camp was pitched on the flat grounel east of the rail- road switch anel the pvramielal tents that hael not been used at bort Sherielan, once more sprang up There were plenty of board floors, stackeel in neat piles all over the camp and each tent soon had a wooden floor. It starteel raining in the alternoon of the elav the Batterv arrived; It was the last dav' of the month anel mu>ter was helel that night in the pouring rain. Major Bush maele a short speech, the high spots of which were to the effect the war was serious business, anel he expeetcel eveiv man to "play the game I he Ohio b.ngineers anel Sign;il (j)ips piilkvl in the next elav' anel pitched tents; anel all the Ohio National Guard outfits in the service were ut Camp Periv and B Battery was among them, .About six o'eloek the next evening '"lop Kick"' Kavenagh back in .Akron showed that he was on the job by the delivery of IS recruit >. the first for the Batterv' since the gas-house elavs Two of them, James Lester and George Smith were reieeted as a result of Lieutenant Barton's physical examination; but those who stayed and began drilling uneler Lee Breese, Mike Cireene. Robert Newman anel )en^en .\LEntee were Sidney Sedberry. Archie Muiphv, \aughn Peoples, Harry Dotigherty, Orland Outlanel, ('.has Seikel. Robert .Merrill. |ohn L'tink. Paul N'rabjc. Harrv' Slater. Eret Hull, John Hiemel, .Marshall Sheets, Wm Murphv. 1., D. Clark and Morgan Bright. P(HJC .)5 The lied (hiidon To these IS men goes the honor of being B [battery's first vokinteer recrtiits enlisted for the war w ith Germanv- A little previoLis to this it was mentioneLl that it rained the i-lay the Artillery landei.1 in ("amp PeiiA'. It might be abided that it rained the next lLin , ani.1 the next, and the next. In laet it rained anel it rainei.1 ani.1 it rained' E^eaiitilLil weather' L:\'erything and e\er\b()Ll\ was soggy ani.1 Llamp 0\d farmers, long-time resKlenters ol that part o( Ohio, looke^l Lltibioiisly at the elownpoiir an^l eal- eulateLl that they "ne\er seed stich wx'alher lor this time of the year'" To make matters worse a stead\' gale be- gan blowing from the North, direetly off the Lake 1 here was a lour-loot retaining wall ^ilong the beaeh, but the wintl wiis so high and steaely that fotir feet was insLitlieient and the white waxes began to slop over the wall. Noein of the foLirth ol \la\- found gallons and gallons of water pouring o\er, and spilling into the tar- get ranges; and by four o'elock the I'lekls were eoveretl with a silver sheet of water that erept nearer an^l nearer the camp, t^nee the water got oxer the little rise in the grounel arounLl the target l^titts it IoHoxxclI the lines of least resistance towartls the .Xrtillery eamp. Seven o'clock that dax brought no change in the xxeather and the water ke|^t creeping up, inch b\ inch until at nine o'clock the first water appeared in the Ixit- tery street. Lanterns began to bob in the darkness, top Sergeants whistles blexx , ani-l the men xxere toLI to "come a rolling'" Lngineers, Signal C/irps ani.1 .\rtillery all began to abandon Camp Everything was left just as it \xas, only L^ei.lding and personal belongings were taken. The troops took up quarters for the night in the concrttc building known there as the mess-hall. Morning came at last, and brotight with it a xast change in the scenery. Where once ha^l been green grass there x\as now a large lake, and the tents of the (.^hu) troops had settled down in the xvatcr. Boxes, and a hat or two and txxo or three suit cases floated serenely aroun^l in two feet ol water in the Battery street. The men elidn t like to contemplate xxhat they wouki lin^l when they got back to the tents I he first thing to be accom- plished xxas the rescue ol the horses, Ihis was done immci^liately alter breakfast, and they xxere turned loose in the fields, west ol the mess-hall A good many xvet leet xvere acciuired m the process and the cry immediatelx' went out for rubber boots, A telegram announcing the catastro|:ihe xxas sent to Akron xvith a reciuest lor as many rubber hoots as was possible to send, but the bcjots were slow in coming and dn.ln't arrix'c for C|uite a xvhile afterxvards. The horses attended to, all the tent I loots were blocked up clear of the xxatcr and the equipment piled on cots. All that could be done while the xvater xvas still up xvas finished in two or three days, and then it xx'as merely a matter of waiting for the water to recede, Lile in the mess-hall xxas lar from pleasant. The building xvas never intended for sleeping cjuarters, an^l it would haxe comfortably accommodatCLl about onc-thitLl ol the number ol men who were packed into it. The hall was damp and xxet and the btinks were packed in so tightly that they oxerlappcLl, with the result no one had room enough to mox e aroun^l I he men had to endure it lor a week V>\ .\la\' 12th, howexer, the groutxl was prettx' xvell Llrainci.1 oil antl the Camp was mox clI to a new place behind the mess-hall. Sixteen more recruits came in the night of the 12th and the liattery began to fill up The whole day of May 1 3th was gi\en oxer to building pieket-lines. New Texas horses came in that night and xvith the '52 brought up Irom the border, the Battery was eeitiippci,! 1 he horses came in at nine o'clock an^l Lieutenant joe Johnston, commani^ling the Batter\' in ("aptain .Mbrecht s absence, had a hard time routing the boys out ol be^l It xvas past one o'clock before the cars xx'ere unloaded and the horses tieel tip. Captain .Vlbixcht ani:l his recrtuting Staff were busy in Akron ani.1 recrtiits kept coming in Six men arrixed on ,\Ia\' 2 k1 an^l June nh was the recoivl breaker when 41 men marehetl into camp Prior to this time howexer the Battery suffercLl more losses in her ranks, for the papers brought out the announcement ol the lirst CM fleers' Training Camp, .A large numlxr ma^le application for It, as they all figurcLl their boivler experience entitled them to xeear black an^l ,gokl hatcoixls Later ex'cnts proxeel that thex' ha^l the right Klea I'he BattLivmen xvho xxon the coxete^l chance to go to school xx'ere Richard X'lneent, "Rex ' I litchcock, 1 loxvard Treat, Al Richmond, Jensen .\LLntec. jack Sampsey, Lee Breese, Harry Webster, Ro\' Limbach, I e^l Powers, Carlton and jack Sperry, John Whitloek, Al Long. Russell Palmer. Robert Craig, Homer Daxis, Claire Ault and Don Stanton. Gilbert Lane and Hugh l3oone left with them. They howexer, had taken an examination at Lort Sheridan and xvcre commissioncLl immcLliately xvithotit haxing to go to school. Lull Justice woukl not be tlone C'amp Perrx' withottt a lew words about the mtkl 1 he water finally xxent i.loxxn. but It rained pretty steadil>' tip tmtil the sccoiilI week in The lied (iiiidoii June. The ground was low an^l soggy anJ mud soon huic the same relation to Camp [^errv that sand liad to El Paso. Boots finally came in lor all the Baitcr\mcn and they were the most uselnl things in camp, 1 he miKl was worst around the picket-lines and olUsilIc the gnard- hoLise : some ol the men ;icliiall\" sank up to their knees w hilc grooming horses. I here were a good many instances where, when the order "Cease grooming" came down, a Batteryman lotind himsell with unu stocking loot wa\"ing wildK' in the air, his hoot barely showing and held tight in the \ellow nuid. 1 he Battery street was slippery and treacherous; man\' a luckless indi\idual spoiled a nice clean uniform and lit on one ear while trying to get to the Top Sergeants tent. .As lor the guardhouse, there was a stanching joke about the corpmal of the giuuLl taking his relief around in a row boat Drilling ol recruits went meiiiU on ("haiiey L^ange filbert Cox, Alphonse FalarLJeau, "Spick" Woodwar^l jack Wise ancH George Bruner entered the list of ^Inll- master and they taught the "rookies" loot-drill m the mess-hall, gun-drill ant.1 equitation Equitation included the usual amount of monke>-drill and monkey-dnll was just as heartily hated as m the okl days. As for the Battery itself, it was pretty tough sledding at this period. So many men were on special duty, drilling recruits, etc.. that there wci\nt man\' old pri\ates kit 1 he\' were doing kitchen police one da\', stables the ne\l and guard the next I hen the\ had a ^lay off and in this da>' of rest, all thc\ ha^l to do was to exercise the horses that were not being used, water all the horses, in Eake Erie, help feed them, and go out on a few odd details. Pretty solt! ' ' .'\ War Department order came out in June, raising the pa\' of enlisted men in the army I he btick pri\ates pay was doubled from litteen dollars a month to the stupendous sum ol thiit\ : and to offset this and take all the joy out ol lile again, two more orders came in at the same time. The first forbade the wearing ol ci\ilian clothes and anything other than the ficld-scr\ ice unilorm tor the Lluration of the war. The second was a terrible catastrophe -lorbn_lding the sale of "all alcoholic drinks to soldiers, or men in uniforhi ' for a like perioLl I here wasn t an\ getting arotind it, and it looked to the battery- men as if It would soon be a case of "lots ol i.lough anLl no place to spend it." (Juile a lew fellows got two and three-day passes to .'\kron an^l many trips were made to Port Clinton, C^ak Harbor and ToIclIo Registration Da> for the first dralt came on June nli. It was a big thing, and interest was widespread as to just how the country would take it. 'ihc lied (iiiidon l\ni C .).) Major Bush anticipatcvl some ti'rul^lc, lor ht stnt an armed guard to tht- towns of Poit Clinton and Uak Harbor. The guarLl howexcr came back and reported a \ery quiet da\ An Official \ isitor's &s.\ was Lleclared en June Kith Sunda\ , and the Camp f^erry (lubhouse on the Lake was thrown open to the men an^l their relatnes an^i friends. It was quite a stiecess irom e\er\ point ol \ lew as nearl\ e\ery man in tlie [battalion had somebody up there to see him The majority ol the \isitors came by train although quite a number motored up Irom (de\ eland, Columbus ani.1 Akron And the "okl timers ate the cake that their sisters brought up and tokl them about the border: uhile the "rookies' munched candy anLl showe^l Aunt 5arah how well the\' could do an about lace and loiward n'.arch lor the first time there were little or no rumors attend- ant upon mo\ ing as there was no iro\e expected so it was a big surprise when n-o\ ing oixlers came on the 2.Sth of June, and the afternoon ol the l^^h av three ncloLk the Batter\ entrained for Fort Benjamin Harrison Ind CHAPTHR \ I! Ab the tram rattle^l thn tigh the ^larkness that night. It was practicalK a new batter\ that sat m the da\-coaches and played cards, read magazines and sang Se\enty per cent ol the old Border Batterxmen had left, and their jr^laees had been taken by the reertuts who came in at Camp F-^erry A lot ol new non-commissioned oflicers had been made, Carl l\a\enagh was still first sergeant and the section chiefs linei.1 tip this way First Section. Sergeant Hollenbeek: Second section. Sergeant Kneff ; Third section, Sergeant Wise; Fourth section Sergeant Greene: Filth section. Sergeant 1 losbaek, and Si.xth section. Sergeant Lange Pearl Wood was sup- ply sergeant, Joe I\ell\, stable sergeant, and Ralph Curr\-, mess-sergeant. The batter\ on the border had a \er\ high personnel: o\er hall ol the men were college men and they were all good fellows, so that, when the old bunch left for training camps, the fust question that arose in the minds of those wb.o were left was, 'What kind ol men are we going to ha\e m the place of these who are lea\ing" The question was answered to the satisfaction of exerybociy l(.)r the men who came up from Akron were of the same t\pe and class as the men who had gone As the train crossed the state line between Ohio and Indiana there were man\ more new (aces than there were old ones, but it was B Batter\ and the per- sonnel was just as high as it e\er was Next morning there was a three hour lav-o\er and breaklan at Bellelontaine, Ohio I here were three pigs rooting in a plowed field nearby, btit the elenxnt of arithnxtie and subtraction enteretl into the ^ittiation, an^l when the train pulkxi out there were onl\ two pigs It wouldnt ha\e taken Sherlock: Holmes more than an hour to Lleduce that the missing pig hai.1 gone with B BatteiN' At least, that's what the farmer thought: and upon receipt of a rather irate letter from him ..lemanel- mg ironetary reparation, (he had lost all hope ol e\er getting the pig back') Major Bush conductCLl a \ery rigid in\ c-tigation asking each member ol the batter\ mdividualK if he had seen or had any knowledge of saii.1 pig. shoat or hog. Nothing came ol it and "whr) swipeel the pig remains one ol the E^attery s unsoKed mysteries to this da\' 1 he airnal at f-ort Harrison was at lour P .\ I on kine 311th. ap.el it was a case of hurry to get unloaded so that camp cnulel be made before dark 1 here was some trouble getting the horses to eamp as they had not been wateiwl lor 24 hours but e\ erything was fixeel tip tempor- ariK b\ eight o clock when the batter\- stood muster. I he next Llay was Sunda\' anel e\ery man was busy all day — digging post holes, erecting picket-lines, lining up the batter\' street and digging ditches around the tents Diel any thoughtful statistician e\er stop to figure out wh\ nine-tenths of the battery s mo\es always began or ended on Sunday ' There should be some kind of a reward for the first man who turns m the correct answer, Fhere was 'ro mtieh to elo that it was well into the exening before the men hael a chance to look around and see where the\ were anel what they were there lor I en miles from Indianapolis. Ind, on the Big I our railroael. was fort Benjamin Harrison .An f)lel arm\' post. It was \cr\ much like Fort Shei lelan wiih gra\ stone barracks, stables, etc, but the surrotinLlings were not nearK so prctt\ 1 his being partK elue to the fact the old btiilelings were now onl\ the nucleus of the new camp, being built in a htirr\ b\ hundreds of carpenters, laborers, etc , to accom- moelate the men lrom()hio, Indiana, West Virginia, and a lew from Kentuck\, there lor the first Officers' I raining ("amp So that the F'ort itself was onl\- a part of the camp bellow wooden builelings for sleeping e|uarters. mess halls, showers, etc , sprawled all over the land- scape There were two parts to the camp proper, separ- ated b\' a little ra\ me anel the\ soon became known as the Ohio camp and the Indiana eamp because of the fact the men Irom these two states were pretty well diMeled 1 he olel buildings of the F'ort were a part ol the latter in fact comprised the most ol it, and the Ohio camp w as all new , consisting of the hurriedly built barracks. At the far end ol the camp was the site selected for the Ohio Battalion and they soon found that provision had been made for taking care of e\erybod\' and e\er\- thing except the men who were to tram the student- cjfficers For them there was no barrackS: no mess-hall. The Red (iiiidon Pdijc ,)/ no shower-baths — as one of the boys saiel "\'o, nothin It didn't worry them much; they had been at too many places where they had been forced to shift for themsehes, so once more the old pYramn.lal tents went up, and they pitched a camp of their own Next, they found out wliat the\ had come foi . hi brief, the Student Officers liad passed the preliminary stages of the game and were now specializing; those who had taken up the artillery end of the game had to ha\e horses, gtins, caissons, etc., t(j tram with an^l they had to have men to assist the instructors in training them; to show them what to do. 1 his was the new job ol the Ohio Field Artillerymen. It was something they had never cione, as they had been too bus\ learning themscK es to have time to teach anybody else. But they had succeeded in e\er\thing else and they meant to succeed in this' Ihey were assisted by three Batteries of the Indiana Field Artillery who mcncLl m beside Ohio a few days after, and a tentatixe regiment was formed with Major Bush acting as Colonel The Indiana Artillery remained at Ft. Ben for only three weeks so that the training of fncle Sam's Student Officers was left entirely to the I-irst Battalion on the Ohio Field Artillery. Three days after the batter\' s arrival at f-t. Ben the camp was in perfect order. On the morning of July 4th. a battalion section race was held between A, B and C batteries B Batter\ came oil the winner, establishmu an enviable time record. It was a big Independence [!)ay in the battery camp In the afternoon and evening most ol the men paid their fist \ isit to Indianapolis I hc\ ^.lanced at its two parks, Ri\ersn.le and Broad Ripple. I hey wandered around the "Circle." strollei.1 down to the ^. M C A and across the st;reet to the Hotel Linden, which hotel evcntualb became the downtown headc|uarters (.il the batterymen when m the cit\' and the scene ol many of their ga\ parties As the bo\'s wandered into the traction station that e\ening. the\ heard the call, w hich was afterward tt.) become so lamiliar to them. Ohio Camp Car." July 4th having been fittingly observed, the battery settled down to hard work. The davs were spent teaching luture officers the art of harnessing and driving teams, arm signals and other army exercises The students were taught the difference between the breech block and the muzzle of the gun an^l how to work a panoramic sight. Fvery evening lor about three weeks. "Boots and Saddles" was blown at six o'clock. The batterymen would harness up their teams and two hours would be spent in mountci-l drill. It was the batterv s first even- ing drill. I he drill field was west of the battery camp The field at ft, Ben was entirely covered by grass and was perhaps 1(100 yards square. Woods and hills sur- rounded It on three sides and the drivers had an op- portunity to work their teams over diificult terrain and to test their skill as horsemen. In the afternoons when the training students were not tising the horses the men would go out individually mounted and take long rides through the countrv. Farly in julv all men with mining experience were reciuested to report to the battalion commander. Lender the command of Private Bill Leahy, they were set to work digging gun pits. Bill Summers, Paul Dav IS and (\la Revnolds were numbered among the men who claimed to have had mining experience and for three weeks they labored, with pick and shovel, con- structing gun pits and dugouts. When the i^its were finished, two blank cartridges were fired m them, (rom a three-inch gun. This was to test the construction ol the pits to withstand concussion 1 he experiment w as entirely successful Then dummv guns. mai;le ol logs, carefully camouflaged, were placed in them and there was not a visitor, who seeing them lailed to remark hfn\ natural they looked lulv I ith was a big ^lav m the careers of otficcrs ol B [iattery and in fact the ofiicers of the entire regiment On that day almost everyone of them moved up a notch and in some cases two notches Although he had been acting m the capacity of Colonel lor some time, it was not until this day that Major Bush received his coirmis- sion It was dated back to May 4th. the time that he assumed his ^luties as (Colonel Captain .\lbrecht was advanced over the rank of Major and became Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment Lieutenant John-ton who had been acting batterv commander tor some time became Captain Johnston of B Battery .Second Lieutenant Kav- enagh was movcel up one place aixi became 1st Lietitenant Kavenagh of B Batterv. while the vacancy tluis made was filled bv' Sergeant John Wise who became 2nd Lieu- tenant Wise. Private Bill Leahv passed the Colonels examination satisfactorily and so became 2nd Lieutenant Ix-ahv Saturdav afternoons and Sundays brought ciowlIs of visitors from Indianapolis and the surroun^ling countrv, all eager to see and talk to the boys in camp. 1 he artillerv prov e^l an especially attractive feature ol the camp, as a red hat-cord commanded attention every- where. Visitors would inquire of the boys how they like the armv , if thev were well fed and some asked for samples of the food The visitors became so numerous that tor a time it w's after the opening of the training camf^, the loth U, S [Meld Artil- lery moved in to aid the Lirst Ohio in their work of making officers. Learning the>' were to be associatCLl with a National Guard outfit the Regulars became \er\- in^lignant Their top sergeant, however, had been w ith the Sth F-^, A on the Mexican border and knew the okl ( )hio outfit and what it was. He informed the men m his batterv' that if the\' could begin to compare w ith the Lirst Ohio F ,\, they would be good. Events prove^l him right Out on the drill field the Ohio batteries diilleLl; went into action and executed limbers front and rear with a speed that fairly dazzled the lOth Regtilars 1 hey could not begin to imitate it All they were able to do was to stare. I he Ohio National GLiard, now known as the .37th Division, was being assembled at Gamp Sheridan. .Alabama, under the command of Major General Gharles G 1 reat and the Lisual moving rumors began to circulate in B Batterv- First orders were received late in September lor the battery to move but after everything was ready and the orders were countermanded. The men were still living m pyramidal tents an^l as the weather was becoming ct)ld they were anxious to move. 1 he shower baths w ere in the open and a bath became a painful operation Most of the men made it a point to go to the ^'. M, G A, in Indianapolis where a hot bath and plunge could be had for the asking. It was over three months since the battery arrived in FT. E5en. It ha^l been a goo^l camp and the men enjoyed their play and work. Indianapolis was one of the best cities the batterv' ever saw. Some ol the men met their future wives there but the okl. old wandering spirit was upim the bovs an^l thev were anxious to be on their way. Finally on tXttiber ^^th. orders were reeeue^l to pnieeCLl to Gamp Sheridan and join the rest ol the Ohio F^iv ision The usual work preparator>- to moving was gone through. The batterv' left Fort Benjamin Harrison on the 12th Ihe last night there was but a repetition of tlu last night in Gamp Willis. The entire batterv' went to town to celebrate ani.! say gocKl-b\e to their frien^ls I or the la't time the men (.laneetl and strolled around the ( jrelc; to the "l' M (' .\ , an^l then over to the Linden Hotel Ihey were all there It was the last night and they were determined to make the best ol it Ihe three A .\I. "Ohio Gamp" car louiul B Battery there strong It was a wearv bunch that tumbkxl off at the big canteen at Gamp an hour later, but thev di^l not bother to sleep the rest of the night It was cuki and a light sn camp and on a sign-board were the words "Ihrce .\lilcs to Montgomery" bor a lew minutes an animatci.1 ^liscussion was carried on I he\ could hardily bclic\c they had passed [iirmin.Liham and reache^l (.amp .^herKlan, \et such was the case. 1 he battery ha^l reached the place that was to be its home for the next nine months c Chapter \'l 1 1 'WIP Shciidan was situated northeast of the City of Montgomery It was built on old cotton plantations and the outfits that had arri\'ed before the first battalion of the 134th 1-. A. had spent many weary weeks digging and grubbing out cotton stalks. The country around had been the scene of the first field acti\ities of the C^onfederate Army m INhl. Di\ isional Headquarters were at Pickett .Springs, the place from which Cjcneral Pickett ha^l issuei.1 his call for \olunteers to defend the Confederacy of the South In the center of the camp la>- the old Alabama State fair groun^ls with its mammoth exhibition hall (later made into a theatre and recreation hall for the Ohio men). Its \arious show buildings, its cattle pens and stables. Around the field ran the mile race track where Dan Patch had once made a record of 1 ^^-, On these grounds the troops, who answered General Pickett's call, received their first arm\' training. Radiating from the fair grounds spread the camp The mess-halls, showers and stables, the men sleeping in the tents with floors and side-walls. Half an hour after the train pulled into the yards the place was seething with activity. The men ate breakfast and the work of unloading began. The unloading plat- form was large enotigh to accommodate all the box, fiat. and stock cars at one time, and in a \ery short time the train was unloaded. The entire b2nd Field Artillery Brigade was at the siding to "see a reg- ular outfit work " and they saw — according to the 1st Ohio men. I ruck Com- pany Number 48, the same that had met the battery on the border and at I't. Ben Harrison was on the lob again to assist in mov- ing from the siding to the camp site. By this time the entire camp must ha\e been out. for the roLite was Imc^i with soklicrs The first sight of the l^lacc pickc^l lor B Batter\ camp was enough to sicken the stoutest heart. 1 he gun park was in the mii.ldle of a cotton field; running across the proposed battery street was a drainage ditch about eight feet deep, and the place where tents were to go was piled high with dirt. Boxes, barracks bags, mess kits and e\erything that goes to make up a battery was scattered around just as it was dumped oft the trucks. To make things worse, the heat was intense and the dust choking. But there was no chance to sit around and get melancholy; the okl pick and sho\el that hai.1 long been in storage came out. The junk that littered the place was piled up and the men started to move the state of Alabama. 'I wish the\ had put this state where they wanted it in the first place," the boys said. All morning the men carried dirt, leveling a spot here, filling up a hole there. In the afternoon the tents were set up and by fi\-e o'clock the street was in order. The gun park was in the rear, then the picket lines, latrine, bath house, battery street and. at the hea^l of the street, the mess-hall. Across the roa^l were the tents of the officers, in the rear of which The Ri'd (liiidon Page iU was the regimental Inliimary From there a fiekl streteheel away to the warehouse and railroad tracks. The Battery was lined up about fi\e o'eloek and the rules and regulations go\"erning the camp ani.1 suiiounding country, including the city ol Montgomery, were read to them. The principal order forbade the wearing of leather puttees m the city of Montgomery. Leather putts had long been the pride an^l joy of the batterymen. When the order was read their spirits took a big slump and they decided to register a protest against the order by going to town that e\ening with leather putts on. They went. nearK' half the batters', hut the\' didn't stay long. The\" ha^l hardly stepped off the cars when the M. P. got bus>-. .A lew of the weaker sisters grabbed taxis and beat it hack to camp. Some were in favor of doing battle with the M. P. but the decision agreed upon was to quietly submit to arrest and in this way register a protest against the order. Before the evening was o%'er they had all paid a \isit to .\1. P. Headquarters. The next day, everyone who was implicated in the trouble the night before was called before Colonel Bush. Out of 1p2 men who had been arrested m town, 82 were from B Battery. 1 he men were gi\ en a lecture but this was one occasion on which the Colonel did not mean everything his ollice required him to sa\' lie seemed anxious to see the hoys wear leather putts, but as some disciplinary action was required, the entire crowd was confined to camp for thirty days khis conlmemcnt was lifted in about two weeks. A day or so after the battery's arrixal in camp, an exhibition drill was gi\en by the first Battalion on the field behind the infirmary for the Second Battalion, and the 135th and 1 3tith Regiments. The battery had done exhibition work for student officers but on this da\- they determined to out-do their previous work. Men. horses and equipment were polished and shining when the battery trotted out on the field. The spectators were lined up along the edge ol the field and for two hours the battery- men went through the maneu\ ers. L p to the very edge of the field, in a battery line, they woukl sweep and iust as the crowd began to scatter, a signal for right or left flank would be gixen and they would be off in another direction. Captain J. j. Johnston was in command of the battery on this occasion, and the work of the battery was of the highest order. The next lew weeks were busy ones for the battery. They had come to C^amp Sheridan, not to train future officers as at f't. lien, but to train future enlisted men m the P2nd Brigade. The b2nd Brigade of the 37th Division was composed of the 134th. 1 35th and 1 3Pth regiments, the 1 12th Trench Mortar Battery and the 112th Ammunition and Supply Trains. Of these, the f-drst Battalion, A, B, and f^. Bat- teries of the 134th were the only outfits with full equip- ment and the rest ol the brigade depended on them for what they didn't have. It is true that some of the other batteries had dummy guns made of logs and mounted on cart wheels but these could scarcely be called materiel The first Battalion started to teach the rest of the Brigade the intricacies of harnessing and drixing, the working, of the three-inch field piece and the care of horses and materiel. It was somewhat of a relief for B Battervmen to ha\e some one else clean their harness. The Battery camp meanw hile was being put into shape. Fdoors and sidewalls for the tents arrived and were put in A bridge was placed across the ditch and the street gradetl and drained AL->out this time several of the oflieers that the battery had trained at Ft, Ben arrived in camp and three of them. Lieutenants Mays. Scroggs and Cdieney, were assigned to the Battery, Those who graded the street under I^ieu- tenant Mays' direction will never forget the incident, nor the time Mays set out lour stakes in the field and made the Battery march around them lor an hour as a discip- linary measure Towards, the miLldle of November the other outfits in the Brigade hecame lairK proficient as artillerymen, A drill schedule was posted and each battery in the brigade had the use of the iiorses and materiel one day a week 1 he field on which the Battery's exhibition drill was hekl wciuld have answered all the requirements of a drill field f-lowe\er, the ofiicers of the 135th and 1 3wh Regiments needed recreation and had made it into a polo field On the one day in the week when the Battery used the horses and materiel, the men would go alxiut a mile back of camp and drill on an old cotton field. After hu\ mg spent one day at drill on this field the men were all thanklul thev' did not get to use the materiel more than once a week I he cannoneers were especially fervent in their thanksgiving On days when the Battery did not use the materiel the men took hikes through the woods and along the banks of the Tallapoosa River which ran a mile or more back of camp. Every day brought fatigtie Lletails ol one kind or another, most of them of the good old pick and shovel varietv fhe roads which men of B Batterv' helped construct in f'amp Sheridan would have done credit to the army of Caesar. Stables were erected towaivl the end of November and nearlv every day, from then until the following June, li:)und details grading the stables. .\ lontgomerv'. the capital of Alabama, had been the heart of the South and the hotbed of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Jefferson [3av is had lived there. In the capuol building, a star marked the place on which he stnotl when he took the oath of office as President of the South and the C~ity ha^l been the first capital of the Conlederaev'. 1 he Lnu)n .\rmv ha^l taken the citv', advancing on it along the tipper an^l lower W'etumpka roads and the camp site of the 37th Division marked the spot w here one ol the battles for its possession was fought. When the people ol the city Iearnec4 that an army camp was to be established near by they were disturbed by the news. But the Ohio troops moved in. went to the citv Page (yJ The lied (hiidou anJ bchu\xxl ihcmseK cs. In a lew wccki. the men uere weleome xisitors anel the cit\ was endeavoring to show Its hospitalit\- 1 he Reel Cross anel Knights of Cokimhus ga\'e dances. I he men became ace(Liainted with the Southerners and were in\ itcd to \Iontgomer\ Montgomery homes were opened to the Ohio soldiers I here were places of amusement in the eit\ SLich as Max's Coca Cola cabaret, Harrys Lating Place, 1 he Sheridan C^Jiib and others, where tiic soldiers could flock Saturday afternoons and Sunelays for a little dixersion. To properly co\er B Battery s experiences at Camp Sheridan some mention should be made of the Montgomery street car system. particularK that branch ol the system that was operated between Camp Sheridan and the city of Montgomery. The car line the boys had to depend upon to a great extent was a one-track affair o\er which the traction company operated cars whenexer the weather was nice and the power plentiful. George Reed and Ocla Reynolds Liseel to Start for Montgomery with lunch m their pockets which they ate on the ear at one o\ the numerous tie-up switches along the line to the eit\ 1 he cars were old- fashioned single truckers that squeaked whenexer a passenger got on or oil. And hoxx those cars exer carried soldiers that used to pile onto them still remains a mystery. 1 he conductors used to make the price of a nexx ear on a round trip 1 he jitney serxiee between the camp and city xvas a caution. A soldier going to the citx', xxhile the cars xxere running, could ride in a jitnex' bus for a L|uartcr If he stayed in toxxn until alter the last car left for camp, the trip home in a jitney bus set him back anxwhere from twentx-f'ix'e cents to two dollars, depending upon the hnur L-)oys from the .Alabama hills, who nexer before hael seen as much as a txxo dollar bill, became .Alabama millionaires in the jitnex' business The Battery enjoxed a happx Ihanksgixing Day at Camp Sheridan There was a Thanksgiving dinner with tLirkex' and all the trimmings The officers spoke after dinner and told the boys they were a bunch of soldiers, etc., etc. Johnny Funk dressed in a South Sea Island dancing costume gave a hula hula dance on the table and Paul Daxis and Martin Glasgow strummed some plaintixe airs on their ukeleles. R. C. Fhompson led the famous Hamburg show song. Winter arrixed after 1 hanksgiving and xxhile it wasn't an Ohio winter the weather grew cold enough to warrant the building of stables for the horses. Colored hammer and saxv men adxanced toward the Battery picket lines from the direction of the I3bth regiment and built a stable a day The colored boys used to beat ragtime harmonx on the nails as thex droxe them into the roofs of the stable buildings and the battery soldiers used to stand around during grooming hour to watch them. With the new stables came horses for the rest of the Brigade and the first Battalion men were given complete charge of their own horses. About this time the Sheridan Reveille, Camp Sheridan's dailx' newspaper appeared in camp and Prixate George Harris of the Battery was detailed to run the press for the paper at a salary of twentx'-eight dollars a week. This has always been considered the best detail anybody in B Battery ever got in on. Stable Sergeant Joe Kelly reported news and gags for the paper for the oZnd Artillery Brigade. The first army Christmas for the majority of B Battery soldiers xvas approaching xxhen the Sheridan Reveille announced the whole Dixision xvas to be alloxved fur- loughs home tor the holidays. The furlough story was printed on authority from General Treat, commanding the camp, but the hopes of the boxs xxere doomed, for soon the war department announced that oxxing to the shortage of railroad cars llif Red (riiidon PdiJC (hi and so on. it woliU be impossible to eart tlic men to unel trom Ohio. In the meantime man\' o[ tlie men haei v\ireJ lor and had received money for transportation home and as it ttirned out most of this coin went to Mont;j,omery for holiday celebrations f-'arents. w i\es anei sweethearts of the men came down to \ lont,L!omcr\- in trainloads however, and there wasn't a man in 1-^ Battery who i^lidn't receive two or three boxes ol Irtiit cake, candy and i.tlier Christmas cheer lo B Battery came presents Irom the Akron Chamber of Commerce. The American Red Cross and W. A. Johnston and citizens of Barberton It was almost impossible during Christmas week to walk into a Battery tent without runninf; into an invitation to sit clow n anci eat some cake or something Six men. John Heimel. C T. Bowen, Elbert Cox. William Holiman, Fred Exner ani.1 Homer Eckert were given kirloughs to go home for their ("hristmas presents They went home and got marrKvl anel celebrated a real Christmas. One of the things that m a way took the boys back to Ohio that Christmas was the arrival of the "Christmas Special" train from C^okimbus with Governor C"ox. Henrv' Schlagel. and f~haiicv t^cnner and several others from Akron A big review was hekl in honor ol the governor and the other visitors who hael lelt home to celebrate the week v\ith the Ohio volunteers in the South A big reception and get-together party in the C'olisetim at Camp Sheridan. Governor Cox tokl the boys he had brought the seasons greetings to the ?7th Division from the Soldiers and Sailors' Home in ( 'hio ,\ resolution conveying to the old soldiers anel sailors the same greetings was adopted bv' the soldiers amiel wikl cheering The Batterv' camp for once was thrown open Id visitors with the result that relatives ol the bovs then m Monlgomcrv were given the opportunitv to make a close inspection ol the Batterv C'arnp. Kenna Bailsman, Larrv' Fetch, Dick I homas. Atlee Wise. C^lvde Eamiell anel others entertameel their i^aients anel Irienels at the Battery's Christmas dinner. Colonel Bush. Captain Johnston. Lieutenant Kavenagh. Lieutenant Leahv and Lirst Sergeant Mike C.jreene made speeches at this dinner And Lieutenant K'avenagh. risking his reptitation, asked the battervmen to give three cheers lor Btish an^l the boys came across. No one else but Kavenagh couLI have put that over In connec- tion with the C^hristmas dinner it ma\ be noted that Vic Gumther, Martin Shere, an^l Bill Summers were on kitchen police and had to eat at the "secon^l table" as they say in Canton. O. Shortly alter Christmas there was some kini.1 of a strange epidemic among the parents and relatives of the Batterv- soldiers in Ohio and other places The epidemic began about the time one or two of the men got leaves home to visit parents who reallv' were ill. Of a sudden every- body got worel from home that someone was dving and to come home right awav' " The situation became so bael that the wires Irom home had to be temporarilv' Ignored while the boys waiteel their turns to go home. Prettv" nearlv' everv man m the Batterv who Wcinte^l to go home was given a furlough before the Batterv left .Alabama I he next thing that happened in C'amp Sherielan brought sorrow to the hearts of the llappers, and other soldiers whose wardrobes, until this time, hael always been large and complete .An oreler that all boxes, trunks, suitcases and other luggage trappings be sent home or burneel was reael to the Battery. Taylor Haller. HaroLl Moock. |ohn Downey. Strauel Jackson, anel others with SIX anel eight uniforms and three or lour pairs of sox lor each loot eliein t fnow hc)w the\ were ^ver going to cram all then stull into a barrack bag. "Piettv soon they 11 tiike awav our barrack bags saiel Iiarl Youngs little knowing how soon Battel vmen woukl turn in their ■s^^. 'dWi ^.if-^J .ifi*'"''- The Red Guidon Page 65 barrack bags. Contrary to the Ohio custom, the battery- men played their football in midwinter. The games before anci after Christmas created great interest among the officers and men ol the regiment 1 here were nine B Battery men on tlic regimental team and the outfit was a w inner all through the championship season. The first firing by the [battery since leaving the border took place )anuar\ 2ith 1 he firing Batterx' was com- posed ol non-commissioned officers o( the Brigaele. Sergeant Bowen an^l Sergeant L\nch, Corporal Verne Ritter and Corporal Louis Iscnman were chiefs of section anc"l gunner corporals lor the hirst an^l Second sections. The last day of January saw the first bunch of Battery- men lca\c for o\'erseas scr\ ice, 1 larry Williams, Joe Schriner, bdwarcl Carson, Wagner, (".lycle Creveling and Dan Jensen left to become members of the A. E. \'. motor transportation service. These men were all skilled mechanics and in accor^lance with the go\ernment's plan to place men where they would be most useful, these men were taken away. I he boys w ere all liked by the men in the Battery who regretted to see them go. The Battery as a unit did its first firing at Sheridan, February 2nd. The new men were nervous and excitcLl while the olci border boys stood nonchalanth' around an^l told how they used to "do it on the Mesa." II the old border men were not nervous, the old borLler horses were, and two of them, "Molly" and "Smoke" ran away that first day. The weather, which through the months ol ncccmber and January was cokl. now startCLl to warm up Shrubs and flowers came into bloom an^l the countr\sulc was beautiltil The horse-back rides throtigh the woo^ls und along the i"i\cr were a source ol enj()\ment to the men About e\ery ten days the Batter\ woukl go to the range to fire. The rest of the time was spent exercising horses. On the iHh of lebrtiaiA, Captain Johnston was called to I't. Sill to take a course gixen all Battery ci)m- manders at the School ol hire there 1 his left Lieuten- ant Karl Kavenagh in commanLl of the liatter\. an office which he filled until he too was called to the School of Fire A peculiar accident, the like of which perhaps has never been known in army history took place about the middle of February. The horses and limbers of Battery r^, I ^4th r. A. were struck by lightning while on the range. One man and six horses were killed. Four men and many other horses severely injured. Lieutenant Colonel Albrecht. Lieutenant i\neff. Lieutenant Woodward and Corporals Don, Northrup, Louis Isenman, Verne Rit- ter and others were at the range at the time of the accident and assiste^l in caring for the men and quieting the horses. The souxcnir craze suddenly struck the Battery at this time and e\'er\' Stinday crowds of the men would go to the range in search of shell and shrapnel noses. Chief .Mechanic Earl Hageman, his assistants, Mark Dreese. St rauLl Jackson and E^ill Butcher were among the collect- ors. So was Walter X'aughn, Russ Lathomar, Guy Price and James Hogtie. A pistol range was being built back on the oLl drill lickl unJ one afternoon the Battery took Its turn m the construction of it. .\ major from the 1 12th Engineers was in charge. He hatl a facial camoufiage in the form of a beard that wouLl ha\'e done credit to Rip \ an Winkle and he did rag the boys. One day while on the way back to camp from the range with Lieutenant C'henex m charge, a prett\- stilt pace was being stepped ofl "W h\' lIoii t \()U double time'" yelleel Vic Guinthcr "lxitter\ attention'" came the command, "l3)ouble time, March'" an^l Irom BngaLlc 1 leai_lL|tiarters to the Battery street the boys i^loublc-timc.! March came and with it two hours of calisthenics anel marching e\cry afternoon. In the evening men wrote letters, went to shows at the Coliseum and on occasions, marched over to attend lecttircs. Colonel Bush, who had been to the Artillery school at I't Sill, returned on the l.'th of March, and a barbecue promoted by first sergeants of the 123rd regiment, was given in his honor behiuLl the gun-park. Sergeant Bob Barrington was master of ceremonies ani.1 the men "jungled" on barbe- cuclI bed. lowartl the latter part of .March an^l throtigh .Ap- ril, the Divisional field man- euvers were practiced. The Bat- tery took up a position, the de- tail strung wire Irom the "Doughboy" trenches to the Battery and the cit\ of Mont- gomery was theoretically at- tackcel and capturcLl Early in April a plan to serve the Battciv mess at the mess hall tables was begun: st) much food for each section was placed in pans on the tables be- fore the Battery arrived lor J Jliiylli mess. This mctho^l might have ^gm^igli^l^if^ worked all right in a young ladies' ^^^^"^ seminarv, but in the Battery it tmmdm% Page 66 The Red Guidon failed to register. Small sections like the Sixth and Ninth got all they could eat while in other sections there was not enough. Added to this, "first come, first served" became the rule so that a man three minutes late would get nothing to eat. This system was abandoned after a few weeks" trial. Having completed his course at Ft. Sill by this time Captain Johnston returned for duty and was assigned to D Battery of the second battalion v\here Colonel Bush claimed there was a need of some old time discipline. This left B Battery without a Captain, but Lieutenant Kavenagh was hurriedly dispatched to the school at Ft. Sill to take the necessary training to assume the duties of "skipper." This put Lieutenant Leahy in charge of the Battery and for a few weeks B Battery had only three officers. April 6th, the first anniversary of the L'nited States entry into the war, was marked by a big parade in Mont- gomery. Atlee Wise was all dressed up for the occasion but his horse laid down on him and spoiled his part in the days' program. Recollections of border days were brought to some of the men when in the middle of the month, glanders was discovered among the horses of the 1 12th Engineers in a neighboring camp. Nine new guards posts were added around the stables and all horses were gi\cn the moline test. They were carefully watched hut no s\mptoms of the disease were found among the artillery horses Baseball was coming into popularity- and a \ery interesting game one Sunday catised them to be late for stables. The Battalion commander learning of it, con- fined the men to camp for thirty days, but, three days later, he lifted the ban. Major General Chas. G. Treat who had been in command of the 37th Division since its arrival was relieved on April 24th and uent to the Western Department. Brigadeer General William Smith of the b2nd Artillery Brigade became temporary commanding officer and shortly before the Division's departure for France, Major General William A. Fransworth was appointed commander of the Division Midnight on May 2nd the Battery answered its first fire call in Camp Sheridan The large forage piles at the fair grounds caught fire and the resulting loss to the Government amounted to fifty thotisand dollars. The men fell in in the Battery street that night in all stages ol dress and undress. Dick Thomas wore pajamas, a slicker and hob-nailed shoes, and A. 'V, Ritter carried his breeches on his arm. The Battery was to be held in reserve in the street but through some misunderstanding they were marched over to the fire only to find the\- had arrived too late. During the first of May when all rumors of the regi- ment's going overseas began to asstune more semblance of the truth, Lieutenant Leahy was sent to Ft. Sill also to take a course in observation as practiced in Europe. With the departure of the acting Battery commander the responsibilities were shifted to the shoulders of Lieutenant George Curtin. Lieutenant Curtin's admin- istration will be best remembered by his attempt to re- \-olutioni2e the routine of stable duty, when prizes were offered for the cleanest looking row of stalls. Furloughs which had been coming through for the Batterymen since the first of the year, were suddenly stopped. Mutt Bausman, Skeets Werner, Don Cochran, Verne Clark and Bill Murphy were all ready to leave for Ohio when word was received the furloughs were dis- continued. With the end of the furloughs, rumors began. The Division was going o\'er according to the rumors and everyday brought new stories as to how, when and where. It was worth while to pause long enough in this history to record the feelings of the men when it became certain that the Battery was going across. The men in the old Battery had enlisted to fight Mexico but instead they spent their time grooming horses and drilling on the border. The men of the new Battery had enlisted to fight Germany and expected to go over here. They had been moved from camp to camp and in place of fighting Germany they were training others to do it. As the months went by and there was no sign of going across the men became dejected. The morale took a slump. With the coming of the rumors about leaving for "over there" came also the return of spirit and morale. It didn't come slowly, it came in a burst of glory. 1 he Battery would be lined up in the street before 1st Sergeant Greene finished blowing his whistle. There was a uillingness to work and the old pep came back and over the night the Battery was rejuvenated. The event they had been looking forward to and hoping for was coming. About the middle of the month of May. an order was received calling for candidates for the officers' training camp. It was surprising to note the small number of Batterymen who became enthused over this project, which, had it come a month earlier, would ha\e found the entire Battery in line. The overseas rumors had gained such prestige that the thought of spending more time in training did not appeal to many. As a matter of fact the candidates who were finally chosen were called in by the Colonel and given applications to fill out. Some were never filled out or sent in but the candidates who were eventually chosen for the school were, Paul Davis, Paul V'ignos, Roland Herbert, Bill Bowen and Bruce Newkirk. They were booked for the big show in France. The month of May dragged slowly through. On the 18th, the 1 12th Engineers and part of the Sheridan doughboys left. The psychological examination was held at the Coliseum and the Battery passed it with the highest grade in the regiment. During the months at Sheridan the personnel of the Battery had suffered from transfers and from men going to the training camps. On May 23rd, thirty recruits from Camp Taylor, Ky., arrived, bringing the Battery The Red Guidon Page 67 up to war strength. Tents were erected behind the gun- park for the new men and under the command of Sergeant Hoffman, Corporals Carl Truhy, Marion Slates, John Jackson and Leo Fitzpatrick, they were given the rudi- mentary artillery drill. The last few days of X lay were spent on the pistol range, where the men sharpened up their eyes and pre- pared to give Fritz a warm reception if it ever came to close quarters in France. With June came the closing of the Battery's career in Camp Sheridan. On the 3rd the guns and caissons, relics of the gas-house and Mexican border, were loaded and shipped to Camp Wheeler, Ga. On these old B Battery guns, hundreds of officers and men had been trained, but their tisefulness to the Battery was at an end. Four days after the guns left, the horses were taken to the Remount Station. No one was there that day will ever forget the wild ride around the race-track, during which Bill Base and Don Xorthrup were thrown from their horses and slightly bruised, and the sad parting ^P. of men and horses. The trip back to camp through Montgomery where Marshal Sheets, Spooks Fulmer and others sent kids to buy ice cream for them and then had to go back to camp before the kids returned. The horses and materiel gone, the remainder of the Battery's stay at Sheridan was taken up with full pack drill and inspections. June 14th was the day set for the Battery's departure from Sheridan. The 13th was spent tearing down the tents, oiling floors and policing camp. That night the men slept in pup-tents in the gun-park. A few of the hardened flappers ventured to Montgomery to say their final farewells, but the majority remained in camp. Sleeping on the hard ground in the gun-park was none too good so the men were up bright and early the next morning. Blankets were rolled, packs made up and the men sat around waiting to go. All that day the "^ ' was thronged with men. writing their final let- ters from Sheridan. It was a wild, hilarious bunch that boarded the train late in the afternoon. Cheering, shouting, singing, the boys were overjoyed. 1 here may have been a few serious ones but for most of the men it was the great moment. They had waited and longed for it for over a year. Outfits not half so well drilled or disciplined as B Battery, had gone over long before. At last its time had come, June 14th at six P. M. the train bearing the B Battery pulled otit of Camp Sheridan . Ihe Battery was bound for the big show "o\'er there." CHAPTER I.X THE trip north from Sheridan was made in day coaches. The day coaches were the only flaw in the ointment of the Battery's joy ride to Camp L'pton. The train was delayed at Opelika, Ala., for eighteen hours, owing to a wreck further along the road. The Battery took a short hike through the town and encouraged by Captain Ka\enagh, sang for the people. Athens, Ga., Monroe, N. C, and Hamlet, N. C, were next on the list of stopping places and the Reel Cross, represented by the pretty girls of these towns, passed out chocolate, cigar- ettes and lemonade. Raleigh, N. C, was reached about eight P. M. on the loth. Here the Red Cross and pretty girls were out strong. Ihe Battery song birds Mutt, Bausman, Skeets Werner, Tub Lamiell, Larry Fetch and Tommy Thompson rendered se\eral "choice selections." Some of the officers on the train became so interested in the work of the Red Cross here that they let the train pull out without them. An auto was pressed into ser\ice and they caught the train a few miles out of the city. Washington. D. C, was next an^l the train reached there about ten o'clock the next morning. Ihe men went on a short hike through the woods outside the city and then back to the train for coftee and doughnuts that were served by the Red Cross. Baltimore. Md , Wilmington, Del., and Philadelphia, Pa., were on the route .'\t Philadelphia blocks of ice cream were ser\ed to the men, then through the Pennsylvania tube under New ^ork. antl then out onto Long Island. .At one .\ \1 June l.sth. the Battery arrived in Camp L'pton. L 1. Lhe men were too tired to look around and tumbled into their bunks. A few hardy spirits braved the ic\ waters, of the shower baths to remo\e the tra\el stains. Camp L'pton was built on the flats of Long Island. It was a typical cantonment layout and the troops lived in big two-story barracks. The entire second and part of the ground floors were devoted to sleeping c|uarters, 1 he remainder of the ground floor was taken up by the kitchen, mess-hall and offices for the first sergeant and the supply sergeant. The spick and span appearance, so noticeable at Sheridan, was lacking at Camp Upton. The camp was neat and clean but e\en so it lacked the finished touches of Sheridan. There were the usual ^', .\1. C A. buildings, K. of C. halls and other places of recreation for the men. The big canteen was more like a department store than an army canteen. The men saw se\eral gooel shows at the Liberty Theatre at Camp Upton, among which were Isadore Duncan's Dancers, the Lamb's Gambol, and Irvin Berlin who sang his famous song, "I Hate to Get Up in the Morning." Then there was the Buffalo Theatre for the colored troops in camp. The men I'iKJC li-four hour passes were gixen to the men who had relatives in New ^ork. Tay Haller, joe Kelly. Atlee Wise. Mike Greene and Mutt Bausman \ isited the big city. Art F-^aulkner and John Hicmel \isited their homes in New Jersey. Lewis Moore made Easton. Pa.. Henry ^'ork to Mt. Carmel. and Bill Murph\- went to Philadelphia, Pa. Relatives and friends of man\ of the boys came to camp to bid them good-bye. f^atchogue. Centre Moriches and the other towns around camp where they stayed were the scene of many parties for tlie men Captain J.J. Johnston. Captain Kavenagh. Lieutenant Bruce Griffin. Lieutenant Lee Moore. Dick Thomas. Billy Lenihan. Hal Grossman. George Couch\'. 1 luirman Staudt, Mutt Bausman. Russ Lothamer. HaroLl Moock and man\' other men entertained visitors The da> when the final good-bye's were said came all too quickh , The men said farewell to their relatives and friends while outwardly they were brave, there was many a secret tear shed at the parting. On June 2(3th. the final inspection was held. Barracks bags were packed and sent away and a detail of men went with them to care for the loading and unloading on the railroad and ferry. The Battery was scheduled to leave early the next morning. 1 he packs were made up in the evening belore and the men, fully dressed, laid down to snatch a few hours sleep. Top Sergeant Mike Greene's whistle routed them out of bed at three A. M., a hurried breakfast was eaten and the men started on their march through the sleeping camp to the station, about half a mile away. On the way to the station the boys saw a fire burning in the church opposite the K. of C. hall and by their shouts, they attracted the attention of the guards in camp and in a few seconds the buglers were blowing fire call. The entire 134th Regiment loaded on one train which pulled out about five A, M. A two hour ride brought them to the Brooklyn terminal of the Long Island Railroad and in a lew minutes walk, the\' reached the ferry boat waiting to carr\' them dow n the ri\ er 1 he men hung o\er the rails and endeavored in every wa\' to reach a vantage point on the boat, from which to see New ^'ork and Brooklyn, as the ferry churned its way down the East River 1 hev saw the Brooklyn bridge. New fork's famous skv-line, an^l manv' other interesting sights. The ferry boat reached the Bush Terminal about Q:30 A. M.. and. docked at the terminal lay the English transport ship "Nestor. " which was to bear the Battery on its journey. The men debarked from the ferry boat to the pier where hot coffee and buns were served by the Ameri- can Red Cross women At every place the Battery had stopped on Its trip from Camp Sheridan, the Red Cross had been there to serve the men. The American Red Cross was always deeplv appreciated by the men of B Battery. The lunch finished, the flattery lined up according to number, tile^l up the gang-plank, and onto the boat. As the boys reached the head of the gang-plank, "Safe .Arrival " cai\ls were ^listributCLl by the Red Cross. d hey were filled out and addressed bv' the men and the Red Cross took charge of them, and as soon as word of the "Nes- tor s" arrival in Eti- rope was receiveel. these cards weremaikxl Irom New ^ ork. e funnel freighter, had formerly plied between Australia and England, carrying cargoes of meat and wool, but during the war it was pressed into the transport service and now it was the ship that was to carry B Battery overseas. The Battery quarters were on C Deck in the forward hold. About twenty mess tables accommodating ten to fifteen men each, completely filled the place. The men slept in canvas hammocks which were slung from hooks overhead and above the tables and during the elaytime the hammocks were taken down, folded ancf piled in the corners. All equipment was folded and plaeeel on racks. The place was over- crowded and It was almost impossible to move around. After arranging things below, the men went up on deck to look arounel. The scene was tvpical of New York harbor. At the different piers as far as the eye could see. ocean going vessels were moored. Most of them were taking on cargoes, and many, like the "Nestor,' were crowde^l with soldiers, and all of them camoulfaged. On the ciock w ere the warehouses of the Bush Terminal, Out on the river, tugs and lighters churned their way up or down stream. Here and there a tug could be seen hatilmg a string of barges or iiull-cloggedly pulling a vessel into mKl-stream, .Alongside the "Nestor" lay a The good ship "Nestor, a sin^ The l\i'(l (iiiidon Page ()!) lighter from which barracks haj^s were hcinji Linloaclecl hy means of a w inch and deposited in the hold of the ship. Supper. ser\ed about four P. M.. was the Battery's first meal on the ship It was a fairh' good meal, one ot the few good ones ser\cd on hoard during the trip. Before supper the men had their first experience in drawing rations aboard ship. Carets were issued for each table and two men from a table armed with pots and pans went to the galle>'. A sergeant punched the card and as the men marched through the two by four cook house, the English cooks filled the pans. Every afternoon at four o'clock, two men went to the ship's bakery and drew bread, butter and sugar with an occasional can of jam or marmalade. After mess, hammocks were slung again anel the men prepared to try their new sleeping quarters. 1 hey had been on the go since three A. M. and were ready to sleep anywhere. The hammocks were so close that the ends o\'er-lappeel and a man often woke up anel found himself nursing the foot of the man sleeping in the next hammock Henry Bittinger. \ ei ne Ritter anei se\ eral other men spread their hammocks and l^lankets on the tables and floor, preferring this to the swinging oxerhead berths When the battcr\men reachei.1 the eleck the next morning the "Nestor" was still at her berth. About eight-thirty A. M. a tug came spluttering up along-side and tow lines were thrown to her anel maele fast The tug. puffing and spluttering more than e\er. headed for mid-stream, while the "Nestor," carrying its load of soklier-frcighl, slowly follow-ed. "They were off" Mid-stream reached, the tug cast off The huge propellers of the "Nestor " started to churn She swung •irounel and in a few minutes was heaeleef out to sea. Down the ba\'. past Goxernors hianel anel the Statue of Liberty the \essel steameel The men stood crowding her sides and decks taking a last fond look, as the shore line of the one and onh' nation m the workl for them, fadcel slowly be\'onel the hoicon IhcN were going 4000 miles away to light lor this great nation, to protect her from the late of Belgium anel 1 -'ranee, to keep in- xiolate her womanhood and to preseiwe a go\'crnment of democracy against the autocrats an^l barbarians of the Kaiser and his legions. Deep down in e\ery man's heart there was a sadness and a tear as the\- stood anel watched the land of their birth or adoption fade slowly into the distance. Late in the alternoon the sea became choppy 1 he boat rocked badly and many of the men experienced their first attack of seasickness Mess that night found \ery lew of them at the tables. Nearly e\eryone on board was sick 1 he hoLl was hot and stuffy, so most of them rcmaineel on eleck until se\'en-thirty P M, when they were orelered below When they did go below they were all armed with buckets. From the time of lea\'ing the harbor at New ^'ork the "Nestor " had been under the protection of two elestroyers, six submarine chasers, two aeroplanes anel a dirigible balloon W hen the men came on deck the next morning after a miserable night m the holel the protecting \essels anel aireralts hael \anisheel The "Nestor" had been loineel during the night by ele\en other transports, A L'nited States battle cruiser was the protecting ship. Lor the next lew days nearl\- e\er\onc hael a touch ot seasickness or was recovering from it Hn Sunelay the men were gi\en then first boat eliill anel an order was reael makin,g e< mipuNorv' the wearing ol lile belt and can- teens filled with water at all times 1 he transports in the con\oy had now increased to fifteen in nuniixr anel the \esscls were lollow ing the Gulf Stream Late in the afternoon two men lell o\erboard from a \essel on the port siele of the "Nestor " A boat was lowereel from a tanker bringing up the rear of the con\oy and they were pick eel up ( "orporals Glen Spade, Don Northrup, Carl Truby, V] ] Thomas and Frank Werner ol the Special l^etail were stationed at different points on the ship as lookout, watching for submarines C L Lamiell anel ,\rt Possehl were assigneel to the ship's gun crew anel for the rcmainLler nf the \c)\age they stayed by the gun on the stern ol the boat With detail men on guard and Possehl anel Lamiell on the gun crew, it would ha\e spelled disaster to a submarine that dared show itself. The f-'ourth of July was celebrated in mid-ocean. The Stars and Stripes (lew from the mast heael all day, the onh da>' that any flag was flown by the "Nestor" eluring the entire \(i\ age In the morning there were speeches by the ship's Captain anel the ship's Doctor, The hand played anel the whole bLineh sang, leel by Captain Ka\enagh fhe eiinnei was orelinai\, but plum eLill was seiweel which helped some In the afternoon there was bo.xing. The men had all recoxered from their attacks of seasick- ness anel were beginning to enjox' the trip. On the elaiU routine Reveille was blown about six in the morning I here was mess at se\en and about nine, the men took salt shower baths followed by calisthenics on the top deck The rest of the da\ was spent reading, writing letters or watching the boxing in the alternoons, l^aps souneleel about eight P. M anel e\er\(ine was lorccd to go below. Lights were under ban on the ship and. The Red Guidon Page 7/ except for a few shaded lights, the hold was dark. It was stuffy and uncomfortable. Many of the men would sneak up-stairs to the wash rooms to steal a smoke or to enjoy the fresh air. The nights were wonderful, and except for about three hours of darkness, they were as bright as day. The mess being served was totally inadequate to satisfy the appetites of the men and many a stealthy \isit was paid the ship's bakeries after taps. \1 P. were on guard throughout the ship but the men managed to elude them and get into the bakery and kitchens of the ship's dining room. Corporal Clif Schnake and M. M. Shere were leaders in these visits and for the sum of fifty or se\'enty-fi\e cents a sandwich and cup of coffee or a pie could be purchased. Nearly every man in the battery bought something from the bakery during the trip and while the prices charged were exorbitant, still the appetite must he satisfied. Something the regular fare was totally unable to do. When the "Nestor " had been at sea for seven or eight days the voyage started to become monotonous. The men were anxious to land. E\en the lact that the ship was entering the mine fields, or the possibilities ot an encounter with a sub, failed to keep alive the interest of the men in the trip. On the tenth day the convoy met the sub chasers sent out to escort them safely in. As soon as they hove into sight the protecting cruiser turned hack and started full speed for the States, For a few hours the men were interested in the maneuvers ot the chasers. They seemed barely to touch the water as the>' skimmed along, racing hither and thither, always on the lookout for a submarine or minL-. I he\- did discover a floating mine and there was a lively half hour while thev exploded it by gunfire. When the bunch came on deck the morning of the eleventh day they saw land far out on the port side of the vessel. It was Scotland and all day long the vessel steamed along its rocky coast. For a time the coast of Ireland was visible far off on the starboard and later the Isle of Man, About one A, M, on Jtily lOth, the "Nestor" entered the Mersey River and anchored in midstream by the city of Liverpool, Hammocks were taken down and folded tor the last time that morning. Packs were made up and the men made ready to disembark. The ship had to wait for the tide before docking so the men spent the time on deck, taking in the sights on the riv er and w aving to the ferry boats as they steamed down the river. By two P. M. the tide was right and the boat warped into the berth. The docks were crowded with workmen who waved and cheered and gave the ^'anks a hearty welcome. The boys on the boat were all on deck, the band was playing and everyone was shouting and singing "Hail! Hail! the gang's all here," and the old, old favorite "Ohio — Ohio, the hills send back the crv were the popular songs. They were sung with a vim and gusto that must have been heard all over the city. It was a happy bunch that filed down the gang plank and formed in line on the dock at Liverpool, A few minutes of rest, then the command "Squads right'" and the battery was on its way to a rest camp about four miles distant. Through the streets of a city, new and strange to the men, they marched. The double decker street cars, with women conductors, and the few English Bobbies that were seen, caused much merriment. Every- where the people treated the men kindly and at one place where the men rested some women served tea. By five o'clock the Battery had reached its first rest camp at Knotty Ash, on the outskirts of the city. The Battery was destined to stop at several of these rest camps during its stay in Europe, but none of them lived up to their name. Knotty Ash was typical of all other such camps There were tents of all sizes, shapes and colors, accommodating from six to twenty men each, and a dirty straw tick for a bed. Stops for over-night or occasionally for two or three days were made at these rest camps, and, during that time, the men were not permitted to leave them. There were huge stoves where coffee could be boiled but that was about all, the mess usually consisting of cooked and ready-to-serve army dishes such as corn willy, hardtack, etc. After the men had cleaned up and eaten they spent the evening wandering around the camp. Perched on the wall around the grounds were dozens of little English kids and their favorite cry was, "Eh! Sam, gimme a coin. " The ^'anks always obliged, and had lots of fun watch- ing the kids scrambling for the pennies. Occasionally a Bobby would wander past and then the kids would beat it to a safe distance until he had gone. Perhaps the most noticeable thing around Knotty Ash was the hundreds of convalescent English soldiers in their light blue uniforms Some were seated on benches on trees. Many were walking and a few were in invalid chairs. Despite the strict orders about leaving camp many ot the boys managed to sneak out and take a look at the city. .A few of these were unfortunate enough to be picked up by the M. P Captain Johnston, Captain Kavenagh and several of the lieutenants put on their "Old Sam Brownes" and went downtown. Packs were made early the next morning and at seven- thirty A. M. the Battery boarded a train at the Knotty Ash station, a few hundred yards from camp. Here they Page 12 The Red Giiidoii found that English railroad coaches and continental coaches, for that matter, differed greatly from those in the States- The cars in which the Battery traveled were divided into compartments. There were eight men to a compartment and there was no interior aisles in the coaches, in going from one compartment to another it was necessary to leave the train. 1 he Battery had a pleasant trip that day for the coun- try was pretty and good to look upon, and although there was no grandeur or magnificence and no imposing moun- tains or ri\'ers as might ha\e been seen in the States. things were just pretty and typically English. Towns were plentiful and their red bricks and white mortar ga\e them the appearance of Christmas houses. I he fields were cultivated up to the railroad tracks and low stone walls, running far up the hillsides, divided the fields Crops were springing up every w here and the w ht)le count r\ was so neat and orderly that it appeared that a landscape gardener had plotted it. The train passed throtigh many of England's famous cities, notable among them being Leicester, Sheffield, Reading and Oxford, where a glimpse of the gray towers of its famous University were seen, and late in the alternoon the train pulled into Winchester Then there was another hike through the city and another rest camp. Morn Hill, sittiated some distance beyond, which differed slightK' from Knottv Ash Here the men slept in wooden barracks, Ihere were many British soldiers at this camp and from them the boys heard some wonderful stories of the fighting on the Western lidnt It was here that an old soldier talking to Bob Wiener. Red McCracken and other Battery men answered the question; "What's the war like, over there, anyhow^" "Well," came the reply, "Hits four-fifths fun and excitement and one-fifth danger and inconvenience." The next day the Battery was on the move again. A two-hour train ride brought it to the docks at South- hampton. A short time after the 1 Uth arrived the 542nd Field Artillery also pulled in There was a canteen on the dock, and all afternoon the men ate pork pie, cookies, chocolate and drank pop Hours later they deeply regretted the way they had spent the afternoon. The band of the 134th and that of the 142nd gave concerts, each band striving to outdo the other in music and volume of noise furnished. At six P. M. the Battery boarded the boat that was to carry them across the English Channel. It was a side- wheeler and looked like the old "Island C^)ueen" that used to run from Cincinnati to Coney Island. Adjectives aren't available to describe the way the men were crow^led. jammed and packed on that old "tub. " As the vessel steamed down the bay the boys saw some of the coast defense work. Small stone turrets scattered over the bay and the ugly muzzles of the big guns proiected through loopholes in their sides. Once in the channel the trotible bcijan I he ocean at its worst had been a mill pond compared to it and the crowded condition made things still worse. The boat was heavily convoyed by sub chasers, but there were many men who that night prayed that a submarine might slip through auLl end their misery with a torpedo. L3espite the miserable night the men were in fair shape when at six o'clock the next morning the vessel reached Le Havre, f- ranee B Battery had finally arrived "Over There" and was soon to be m the place for which it had so longed hoped and waited It was soon to take its place as one small unit m that far flung battle line on the Western front CHAPIER X AM ER ^lisembarking they were drawn up on the pier. 1 he men stood rigidly at attention and the officers at salute while the band played the "Star Spangled Banner" aU'.l the "Marseillaise I hen headed bv the band the regiment started for a rest camp .ibout live miles awa\'. The march through the city was a triumphal procession. Everyone had heard or read of the treatment accorded the American troops by the French people and few of the men ever expected to experience it. vet on that eventftil day. the Battery s first in b ranee, thev' were received with a welcome that will linger forever m the memories of the men who were there, .'\merican flags floated everywhere, the people clapped and cheered, llowers were showered on the marching troops from v\alls and windows and it was not long before all the batterymen were wearing llowers in their buttonholes Perhaps the most striking incident ol the march, the thing that will linger longest and strongest, was the deference and respect shown the regimental colors and the .American flag as thev went by Evervone in uniform, men and women, stood at salute. The entire male population from old white haired men. veterans of 1870, to small boys hardiv able to walk, took off their hats. It was a touching sight and the men thrilkxl anel wondered at It After an arcluotis march up steep hills the camp, which was but a counterpart of the rest camps that had gone The Red Guidon Page 7.) before, was finally reached. GiiarLls were posted and the men were not permitted to leaxe the camp. Two days were spent here and it rained most ot the time Throughout the night the distant rumble of guns could be heard although the battle line was about se\enty-fi\e miles away. There was a \ apor bath in the camp, but most of the time, both \apor antl bath pro\'ed to be a minus quantity. When a man was all ready for a bath, water was shut off, due to a defective tap or joint and then he was forced to wait se\ eral hours or go w ithout his bath The Battery was well satisfied when on the third day it started its march down hill and back to the city and railroad yards. If the men had known what was waiting for them perhaps they would have been content to remain in the Le Ha\Te rest camp. Their next experience was to be with '"40 hommes — 8 chevaux. " For the un- enlightened It might be well to explain that all troops m France were mo\ed in box cars, which resembled, to a great extent, the ones on children's to\ railroads and were not much larger, about half the size of an American box car. These cars were supposed to hold forty men or eight horses and as a matter of fact, the>- do hold fort\' men, but the last six men have to be pushed in and the door closed. Into these cars the men of B Battery were crowxled, between thirt>'-fi\e ani.1 loits nun to a car with their equipment and three days' traveling rations. I he cars were so badly crowded that it was hardly possible lor all to sit down and wItlit night came the men either slept on top of one another or else the\ took turns sitting elow n While waiting for the train to i^iill out the Battery had the first sight of the Hun. there were many German prisoners working around the \arels and in their pea green uniforms on the back of w hich w as paintetl in white the letters P. Cj., they presented a strange sight Iheir guards were f-rench soldiers who were too old lor line service. As the train pulled out of the yards and through the city, the way was lined with kiddies who continually pleaded for "Beeskeet." Many a can of corn willy and package of hard tack was thrown to them but w hether or not that is what they wanted is still a debated question in the Battery, However, the men deprived themselves o( food in order to give it to these krench children "I like to eat but if those kids are hungrv', I am willing to go without " was the sentiment expressed by \'ic Guinther and it found an echo throughout the Batterv The men seated in the doorways of the ears that night saw indistinctlv' the irregular flashes of the guns, far to the north, and their roar reached them faintiv L'p there •American soldiers were making historv It was |ulv 15, F1|8, and that day the "I'anks defeated the flower of the German army at Chateau Thierry, I he trip south from Le Havre was uneventful but the men of B Battery will long remember it, not for any incidents during the trip but because of the mode of travel The country through which the train passed lacke^l the picturesqueness of England Cities were scarce; Rouen, Lc Mans and Saumur being the principal ones that were passed on the road. At several places where the train stopped, strong black coffee was served. As the train ,got further south the country became- prettier anel showed more signs ot cultivation until it finalK entereel the great wine country around BorLleaux Here the land was given over almost entirely to the growing of grapes, and, stretching into the distance, clear to the horizon, were fields of grapes, the vines all careftilly pruneel ani;l trimmed to a height of three or four feet. About noon of the third dav' of the trip the train crossed the bridge over the Gironde and entereel the city of Bordcatix A stop of about an hour was made there. Then the train contintied its journey to the town ot Pessac about ten miles outside of Bordeaux. 1 he train pulled in on a siding and the men unloadeLl. I hen that wearisome, full-pack hike to Cestas, seven miles away, began. The Battery's stay in Cestas v.'as short but pleasant. ( See details Cestas. ) Calisthenics under Lieutenant jacks followed by a full-pack hike of five or six miles in the morning and a shorter hike in the afternoon made up the schedule of work. The rest of the d'av the men were free. Captain Norton was in command of A ani.1 B batteries at Cestas and he never overworked them I he Battery's easiest and pleasantest days in France were spent at Cestas and its best impressions of France and of the French were obtained there. During the stay in Cestas the first passes issued in France were given out and the fellows, who v\'ere lucky enough to have the necessary francs, made their first trip Page 7i The Red Guidon to a French city — Bordeaux. Fhe long deferred pay-day came at last and then the demand for passes grew to uch an extent that Captain l\a\enagh put restrictions on the issuing of them. The fame of Bordeaux had spread like wild-fire and everyone was anxious to \erify the pictur- esque stories told by those who had been there. Twelve days after the arrival at Cestas the Battery was on the mo\e again. 1. C. Spicer, Howard Miller, John Michaels, James Hogue, Chris Mogensen and others under the command of Stable Sergeant La\er>' left to scour the country for horses. The rest of the Battery started at se\'en A. M, for the artillery training camp of De Souge, twenty miles away. Packs had been lightened as all unnecessary articles were put in barracks bags which went over by trucks. Just before the hike started all canteens were inspected to see that thev con- tained water and not "\inegar blink." TwentN miles is easy to say but it's mighty hard to hike and the men found it out that day. It was hot and dusty. The men had been warned to be conser\ati\e with the water in their canteens but before the stop was made for noon mess, most of the canteens were emptv. Mess consisted of baked beans, tomatoes ani.i hard tack It was eaten quickly and the Battery was on its way again. The rest of that hike was torture to most of the outfit. They were artillerymen and as such, they had ne\'er been called upon to hike any great distance on foot Near Cam|^ De Souge two captive observation balloons floated lazily in the air, and the men gazed at them longingh' and wished that they were in them. About the middle of the afternoon the gate of the camp was reachetl "Here at last'" was the expression of all. They were doomed to disappointment as they found that the billets were a long, long way from the gate. Through the camp they marchcLl, barracks were everywhere and ten yards from the road was running water. Once the Battery halted and the men made a break to fill their canteens but were ordered back in ranks and they realized the meaning of- - "Water — water e\erywhere and not a drop to drink " .After a weary heart-breaking hike through camp they finally reached their billets, which were at the extreme end of the camp. 1 he barracks were typical French ones. Long, rather narrow, one-story affairs with double-deck bunks, each building capable of housing about se\ent>'- five men. The barracks in which the Batter>- li\ed at De Souge were built of brick, though man\ in this camp were of wood. The men were too tired to take much interest in their surroundings the afternoon of their arrival, Fhey la\' wearily on their bunks until mess time and immediatcK after mess they went to bed again for the night, Ihe next day work started in earnest for the billets, kitchen and mess hall were in a filthy condition and the Battery's first job was one of housecleaning. It was thorough and started at the top, the ceiling and rafters, then the walls and bunks were dusted antl finally the floors were swept and scrubbed. The kitchen, mess hall and tables were scrubbed; the rafters and walls whitewashed. Flies buzzed around the kitchen and mess hall in untold numbers and in order to remedy this to some extent, the place was darkened through the daytime and every day two men were detailed from the Battery as fly swatters. Housecleaning finished, the men discovered that after their work they could stand some personal cleaning but they soon founci that the most necessary element — water — was sadly lacking in Camp De Souge. It seemed to be lacking all o\er France but in the training camp it was especially noticeable. Water was indeed precious. There were shower baths but most of the time they were not working It was during the months of August and September that the Battery stayed in De Souge. The weather was hot and the ground covered with fin; du;t, so that the shortage of water caused much inconvenience. There was a small, shallow creek some distance from camp and many of the men went there for their baths. The Battery was to be equipped with the French 75 mm. gun, which had been shipped from Tours, but it was not until two weeks after the arrival in De Souge that the guns arrived. During these two weeks the Battery was not idle. The camp still needed cleaning and under the direction of Colonel Bush and Major Gordon all bru=;h around camp was burned, and there w'as gas mask drill and full-pack hikes. The old bromid; about war being Hell was full\- realized by the men who took the two-hour full-pack hikes with gas masks. The hike was bad enough but the ankle-deep sand made it worse. The Battery usually walked to a balloon school, about two miles below camp, and much interest was exhibited in the products of their home town, for they were Goodyear balloons. There were numerous forest fires about camp, caused by firing on the range, and every day and every night found details from the Battery out fighting fires. Baldwin, Swain and Owens were the chief fire fighters of the Battery, A few days after the arrival in camp, schools were opened in different subjects pertaining to Battery work. There was school for Battery officers; another for chiefs of section and gunners in the nomenclature and care of the J") mm The signal detail took a five weeks' course in telephone and communication work and there were also courses in special subjects. Corporals C. 1, Brewee and M L, Slates were instructed in machine gun work. Corporal J , B, Kelly and Norman Fuchs were the Battery's camoufleurs and Corporals Thurman, Staudt, Cliff Schnake and George Miller attended gas school. The gas corporals soon became the most cordially disliked men in the Battery, not personally, but from a gas point of view. Their job was to give the Battery an hour or so gas drill every day and if there was anything the bunch disliked, It was this method of torture and the playful games that went with it The Red Guidon Page 75 In the evenings the outfit loafecl around the Y. M. C. A., wrote letters or \isiteLl the neishhoiing towns of Bonneau, St. Medarcl and St. Jean d'llac The city of Bordeau.x was only about fifteen miles from camp antl the boys with the necessar\- amount ol Irancs spent Sundays there. They \isited the art galleries, the cathedral and places of interest, arn-l alined at the ^', i\I, C. A., or restaurants or drank \ in blanc at the little tables in front of sidewalk cafes. The materiel finally arrixcLl late Sunday afternoon. August I 1th. and the following moining the men. \ery glad to ha\e guns again, and acting in lieu of horses. dragged the guns through the sand from the road back to the gun park. The next few weeks were busy ones for with gun drill and range work, there was not much time lor loafing. Gun drill starteel m the afternoon under Lieutenant H. E. Myers and a corporal who was assignee! to the Battery as an instructor. 1die 7^ mm was a much different gun trom the okl three- inch field piece, and the bo\s ha^l to begin learning all o\er again They soon found that, in man\- wa>s it was a much better gun; the one thing the\ elKln t like hi)we\er. was the panoramic sight 1 he gtin park was crowded every day after the arrixal ol the guns. "Rear of your piece — f'all in'" "Cannoneers Post!" "Gunners to me'" and similar commands IiIIclI the air I he bo\s were old-timers in artiller\ wiirk, so it i.lii.l not take them long to get going I hen too. there were other incenti\es to spur them on They realized that the qtiicker they learncel the quicker they w.ould reach the Iront. and. after a wait of two years, they were all brok- en out with anxiety to get in the big show. Every day the papers were filled with news of Yankee activity and B Battery wanted to get in on a part of it at least; — Chateau Ihierry. The Marne, kismes, — "La Jeune Armee Americaine" had fought side by side with the vet- erans of F'rance and Englani.1 and ha^l earned its spurs. The\' had met and bested the Huns at their own game. Would there be any fighting left for okl "B ' when it struck the front" \o wonLJer the gang pi.it pep and ginger into its gun drills. Ckin drill started Monda\- alternoon. and l-ridaN morning the Batter\- went to range for its first firing practice. Captain Ka\enagh acted as e.xecuti\e officer on this occasion and on the Battery's return to camp, he congratulated the men on their work from then on the Battery spent about e\ery third day on the range, the other days being filled in with gun drills and an hour or so of gas. Water was still lacking in camp It was anything but pleasant to speiiLi the LJay working on a gun cleaning and greasing it. then tramp back to camp under the hot. dusty afternoon's sun and find there was no water. A bucket bath became a luxury and there were men who were al^le to sha\e. bathe and get a good drink from one canteen of water. brench harness arri\ed on the 18th of August, but why it came no one w.'as ever able to figure out lor it was always an encumbrance to the Battery. No doubt it would have been useful if there had been any horses but most of the work in k ranee was elone "sans chevaux " (without horses). Of course, there were a few scraggy animals but the total \'ery seldom exceeded twelve or fifteen. The lack of horses was the cause of holding up the [battery on more than one occasion. As the work progressed barrages became the order of the clay. They were small at first, culminating in the big one the evening the training enekxl D Battery stiffered a most regret- table accident on .August 27. two of its men being killed and a thnxl injured by a premature burst of a high explosi\e shell in the breach of a gun. A\fter this accident e\erN- precaution was taken to guard against similar ones in the reg- iment Pits were dug, and bags erected and the gtins were fired with a long lanyard. 1 wo elays after D Battery's accident B Battery also suffered a loss. Captain Carl Ka\enagh went to Brigade Headquarters to become C^.hief of Operations for the 02ni.l field .Artillery Brigade. There were grave fears that an outsider wotild become commander of the Pmtter\ but the\ were ne\er realized. Lieutenant W m E. Leahy became command- ing officer and some weeks later recei\ed his commission as captain and assigned to B Battery Three other men left the Bat- tery about the same time as Captain Kav- enagh. Sergeant Clyde Miller went to the raining School at Saumur and Corporal Wm. A. Bass and F'rivate George Harris went to the Motor I ransport School at Lyons. 'fhe boys were all working hard, at De Souge. but there was enough diversion to keep them from going stale. 1 he ^'. M. C~. A had shows and one evening held a costume ball, strictly stag, and a regimental minstrel show was organized. C. E. Lamiell. Larry Fetch, "Skeets" Werner, I omm\- I hompson and "Mutt Bailsman were the men who represented the outfit in the show. Several old boys from "B" scattered through the regiment also took part, among them being Jack F-^riel, Harry Greenberg, Eddie Sauter and Bob Barrington. The show played at the different "^'s in camp and took a few trips to out- side places. Great excitement prevailed with the arrival of news- papers on September 14 Ihe First American Army operating on its own initiative had succeeded in reducing the famous St. Mihiel salient after two days of hard Officers' Page 76 The lU-d Guidon lighting, Ihe news maeic the boys more impatient than ever to he lea\ ing the training camp, and it was not long until they were on their way i he period of probation was soon to be eneleci. 1 here was a day spent on the range tising direct fire an^l some dead-eye gunners were uncovered, Corporal Larry Fetch and George (Speed) Nycamp kocking down four trees in as many shots at 400 \ards distance. There was a night barrage laid elown by the regiment and then came the big final one. lasting better than half an hour, in which the entire brigade participated and it was only a question of days, now. until the Battery would lea\e for the big show. Playing war was over; from now on it was to be the real thing. Barracks bags were discarded as was all unnecessary clothing. Everything a man owned was to be carried on his back and no one cared to be over-burdened. Caissons were packed with a few extra articles of clothing and the harness was bundled up. There were only fourteen horses in the outfit and on Monday. September 23. the guns were pulled from the gunpark to the road, prepara- tory to being hauled away b\' truck. The Battery was to lea\e early the ne.xt morning, A detail left in the e\ening to care for the guns at the loading platform and the rest of the men laid down full pack for a few hours sleep. At three a, m, they crawled out in answer to the "Top's" whistle and with their packs they started for the loading station at Bonneau. fi\e miles away. They v,-ere scheduled to pull out at si.x a m,, but no one e\er knew of a troop tram in f- ranee lea\ ing on time. By the time the cars were spotted and the materiel loaded and spiked down, it was well after six a, m,. anel it was nine when the eleparture was finally made. The trip from Bonneau was peihaps the most com- fortable one the outfit e\er made in "40 Hommes — 8 Che\aux," Ihere were only twelve or fourteen men to a car, A large forage pile lay beside the platform and before the tram pullcel otit, every one had straw to sleep on, 1 he engine pulled and sw itched around l^orLleaux until noon, when it (malK decided to start on its journey. The first stop after Bordeaux was La Bourne, then Perigueux, where an American train crew took charge. The horses were watered at Bussiere and the journey continued. Limoges. Chabanais and Chateauroux were on the list of stopping places. The countryside was beautiful anel the boys spent long hours m the doors of the cars admiring it. Through Issoudun, Bourges and Saumur the train sped or crawled. It usually did the latter. Then into the railroad center of Chatillon and later the one at Cosne, Re\igny. the destination, was finally reached at two a, m,, September 27, Then started the work of unloading. 1 here was some- thing missing here, however, that was present on all pre\'ious occasions No lights were allowed as the place was close enough to the front to suffer from air raids, and, being something of a railroad center, it lIilI occasion- ally suffer. After the cars were unloadexl, the guns were pulled into a field a few hundred yards away, and the men sat elown to await ele\elopments. After a hot breakfast, \er\ earl\- in the morning, the Battery started for l.aimont, lour kilometers north, where it was billeted They had to pass through Revigny and for the lust time the bo\s saw, at close hand, the effects of nuxlern war on a brench \ illage, as the northern part of the town was nothing but crumbling walls and jpA ss-?5 The lied (iiiidon Page 77 brick ckist. l.aimont was e\en worse; tlicrc was haiwly a building in the whole town that ha^l not stiffered a direct hit anel here the men saw ( w hat w as later to become an olel lamiliar story), eriimblin.n walls, j^apping windows, shcll-toin lools anei shatteie^l eluirch spires. The billets were scattered o\ei' the town; a lew in the lofts of barns that had escapei.1 serious injiiiN- but most of them in cellars an^l bomb-pioofs called "abris ' Another new experience, anel one that really ma^le the outfit think that the\- were at last "getting into it," was the earlv posting of an oi\lei- lorbi^lding lights after dark as L^oche planes hatl a habit of making \isits in this territory and a light might mean a bomb and the upheaxal of large sections ot the sui rouni.ling landscape, .Ani^l when darkness fell, it brought with it a re^l flicker like heat lightning on the horizon aiiLl the sullen mtitter of the guns, "Cest la Guerre " 1 he 324th Fiekl Artillery pulled into Rcvigny just three hours after the n4th and some of the old border men hekl quite a retinion with Captain Richmond, Lieu- tenant [-"aimer an^l Lieutenant Ikxingtun, who were attached to the 324th Lield .'Xrtillery /\11 of them were tickled to death to see the oLl erowLl, Fhe 324th ['ield Artillery left abottt noon, thinking that the\- were bouni-1 lor the \'erdun sector Lile m Laimont lor the ne.xt lew days was \'ery quiet, 1 he Battery had gtin lIiiII in the morning, in order not to forget what the\- leaine^l at bouge, and hikes with the materiel m the alternoon I here was a large aviation camp near Re\ igny an^l all Lla\ the air was filled with planes, generalK fix ing m SL|uaLlrons, going to and return- ing Irom the Iront ( 'ne evening |Li>t belore mess the [iattery men cotinte^l sc\ enty-eight planes in the air at one time I here was a Trench anti-aircraft battery stationed here f^ut while the outfit was in Laimont, Boche planes kept prettx well out of sight and the anti-aircraft guns were silent. A detail from the Lilteenth f^.axalry Remount Depot brought four hunLlicLl horses to the regiment at Laimont on September 3f)th and B Battery got thirty-fi\c of them. 1 he Battery began to have \isions of a well-equipped outfit in regard to horses — something new in r'>ance. and their hopes rose still higher when a regimental detail of about one hunLlred men was sent to Re\ igny after some more horses that came m by rail It was a grand, little Llream, while it lasted, but the detail was no sooner back than another eletail was pickecl to take them away again, along w ith the horses that the Fifteenth Cavalry brought in, I his cletail took the "ehevaii.x" tip to an outfit (C Company 2 3rLl I-ingineers) on the X'er^lun front. This was the alterw aixl-celebratCLl "1 rip to V'eivlun " (See story.) Fhe [battery was now left with twentx-two head of horses (-Or that matter, in all the mo\ mg around f-ranee thai was done later. thc\- nexer had an\- more than that iiiul the\ always got there' (.''rders came through, and the regiment left Laimont at one o'clock m the morning of October 8th. it was a miserable, rainy night to load antl the inevitable "40 Hommes---8 C.hex atix ' train that pulled out at sex'en in the morning earricLl a tired and cold crowd They did not know It then, but this was the Battery's last train ride lor a long, long time — their next one was to be in Lebruary "apres la Guerre. " It was only a one-day ride; the train came to its destination at Champigneulles -<•»->"' ^-s^" ll Page 78 The Red Guidon that night at fi\e o'clock. After Linloadinj:;, the long hike was started to "Pneumonia Hollow" nine kilometers away. It was raining again (it seemed to be always raining in this part of France) and the arrival was made about nine o'clock by a bunch that were very wet, very tired and colder than e\er. "Pneumonia Hollow!" Who of you gold-striped A. E. F. \eterans reading this history will ever forget it'' A muddy road wound between two towering hills, (they were called hills, but in reality they were the foothills of the \'osges Mountains) to where the whole bind Field Artillery Brigade was camped in this little narrow valley. The sides of the hills began to climb among the beech and oak trees twenty feet from each side of the road. There was not a sign of a billet, so long-forgotten pup tents were brought into use. The Battery was only ten kilo- meters from the front and constantly in danger of bomb- ing from Boche planes. "Get under cover!" was the order, and get under co\er they did, horses, caissons, guns, equipment and men. Literally, they took to the hills, and the thick shelter of the wooded hillsides. It was a weird scene. From the entrance to the valley the casual observer could see nothing but a muddy road and wooded slopes, while on the hills themselves under the shelter of protecting beech and oak were picket lines and hundreds of horses; guns, caissons and materiel in seemingly endless confusion; cook wagons preparing food for hungry men; and everywhere and anywhere were pup tents pitched on the slopes, with their occupants, dug-in on the sides, and pup tents hung precariously along ledges of rock. That very night carne the proof that the "Get under cover " order had not been in \ain. It was chilly and hundreds of little fires had been started on the hillsides and about an hour after dark these little red gleams were \ isible e\ery where like so many gigantic fireflies. Sudden- The Red Guidon Page 79 ly there was a low hum, rising and falling in cadence, even to those who did not know what it was it held a sinister sound. The hum grew louder until it became what it really was, the purr of an airplane motor. Then a new sound, the low wail of a siren in the little village of Pompey at the foot of the road warning in- habitants to go into their "abris" or bomb-proofs and simultaneously, the "krump--krump" of anti-aircraft batteries opening up. The first Boche airplane'to visit •a\ . L-' the 134th Field Ar- ^li _■- g. tiilery was here! ^^H ^ It got to be a y common enough occurrence afterward; but that first night there was pretty much excitement. 1 he air was filled with cries of "'Put out those lights!" "'Hey, Buddy, douse the gleam'" and "Put those fires out'" "Hovv^" "Pour water on 'em. Anyway, only make it snappy!" Needless to say, the fires were extinguished "toute d'suite" and in five minutes "Pneumonia Hollow" was enveloped in the deep dark gloom of the night. The plane eventually passed o\er without dropping any bombs and the Battery finally got to sleep. Pneumonia Hollow was clamp and muddy and cold and wet and miserable and it there were any more adjectives to be thought of they could be applied just as well. That was the way the place got its name, while, as far as is known, nobody really developed pneumonia, everybody should have. K'lost of the next day was spent in cleaning the mud from the harness and materiel, and in watching the battles between German airplanes and anti-aircraft guns. It was a fascinating sight; a black speck appeared in the sky, there was a muffied "krump" and a fleecy white ball of smoke exploded somewhere near it This was soon followed by others until there were a dozen or more of the cottony puffs in the sky and until the Hun turned tail and chased back to his own lines. There were many of these battles, but the boys ne\'er tired of watching them. At one thirty p. m., on October 10th, the first two gun sections led by Lieutenant Leahy, Lieutenant Myers and Lieutenant Curtin, with a few men from the detail left to take up a position, about sixteen kilometers away. The route lay for the most part along the beautiful Moselle River and they reached the position about nine in the e\ ening and relieved the first two gun sections of a French battery. I he next day the performance was repeated by the third and fourth gun sections; they arrived at the same time, pulled their guns into the places left by the l-'rench guns, the Frenchman started down the hill and 13 Battery was established in its first position of the war. The Battery suffered its first casualty on this trip. Just before the positions were reached a caisson ran over Corporal Glen Spade's heel while he was assisting to pull one of the limbers out of a mud hole. It was a very pain- ful injury and he was taken back to Pompey the next morning and from there to the hospital at Toul. The next morning when the firing Battery woke up, dressed, and came up out of the dugouts to look around, they found thcmseKes gazing on the most beautiful scene they had witnessed in France. The Battery position was on top of a high hill, with the gun positions just below the crest. All around and far below them lay France. Directly at the foot of the hill, nestling in the valley, was the little vil- lage of Ville-Val, her red roofs and church spires gleaming in the sunlight, smoke curling la- zily from the many chimney tops. The rest of the broad val- ley was a study in patches of green, red, brown and gold, the whole coLintry was under different stages of cultivation and from this high altitude it looked like a cubist picture. The Moselle River was a siK'er ribbon that twisted crazily in an^l out until it lost itself among the far purple hills on the horizon, and the roads looked like white tape stretched across the country, just below them a plow- man turncLl a furrow in a nearby field and shouted to his yoke of oxen; a cowbell tinkled faintly in the distance. It was a beautiful scene, a scene of peace and quiet, and it is pretty safe to say that not one of the Battery men in trying to picture what their first front would look like, came anywhere near the mark. In fact, there were times when it was hard to believe that there really was a war going on I ^ S 'I M% ., ':^^ ^-^^^ The Red Guidon Page 81 :^J/f- On the other hand, there were the gun pits with the ^uns pointed in the gen- eral direction of Ger- many. Looking closer, one could see that the business of war was \ going on here in a \ery husineS.s-like manner The dugouts were all camouflaged from aerial observa- tion, as were the gun pits thcmseKes. These last, by the way, were \ery substantial af- fairs: the floor, and the trail-log was of concrete. hea\y tim- bers supported the roof, which was made bomb-proof with heavy, steel rails, sheet iron and sand bags. There were I roomy ammunition pits adjoining, filled with shrapnel, high explosives and gas shells, as well as different kinds of fuses, and camouflaged tunnels led from one gun pit to the other. That first day the men found that this was officially known as the Marbache sector; that the 134th b^ield Artillery was backing up the Q2nd Division ; that they were about fifteen miles from the city of Metz as the crow flies, and that B Battery's barrage data called for purely defensi\'e barrages. As the probability of the Allied forces being put on the defensive again at this stage ot the game was ver>' remote, this proxed to be quite a disappointment: as usual, the Battery cra\ed action, especially now that they were really on the front and some of them coukl not understand why they did not begin firing right away. Two days later, on October 1 3th, the rest of the Battery mo\ed up from "Pneumonia Hollow" to Millery where the Battery echelon was established. It was only eight kilometers from here to the gun positions and much easier to get supplies up to the firing Battery. All the Battery, with the exception of the four gun crews, two camouflage men and some of the telephone detail, two cooks and three kitchen police were here, and spent the time, for the most part, cleaning up the town, which was in a pretty- filthy condition, due to the fact that it was so near the front. Up at the gun positions, life was far from monotonous, even though B Battery did no actual firing from where they were. There was a good bit of counter-battery work. Heinie was sending his shells o\er more or less con- stantly all the time, and the beautiful statue of Joan of Arc near to the Battery position, erected as a shrine, came in for a good bit of shelling. It is characteristic of the German Kultur, that they shelled this statue for months at a time, and they never hit it. The Battery ne\er fired a shot from this position. Corporal Mike Slates and his machine-gun crew had their Hotchkiss set up about fifty yards in front of the fourth- section gun and they, too. waite^l in \ain; plenty of Boche planes came o\-er. but they were either too high or too far away for the gun to be used. For the most part, the men sat in the dug-outs and wrote letters or stood guard over the guns during the night — listening to the whine of German shells as they dropped in the vicinity ot the Battery position. Here it was that the Batterymen heard, for the first time, the unmistakable sound of an approaching shell — a low whine, gradually increasing in intensity, followed by the "Bang" of the burst of the projectile. It was a terrifying sound at first, but they soon got used to it and learned to tell approximately where the shell was going to light On the morning of October loth, the first and third gun crews got up at four o'clock and had an early break- fast. Limbers came up from echelon and the guns were taken from the positions, and they started forward. Their objective was a point some four kilometers from the Battery position on the edge of the ,*\lton woods, in a forward position. They reached it about se\en o'clock and at two o'clock that afternoon they fired B Battery s first shot of the war, on Epiey in the (merman lines. Altogether, the two sections fired ninety rounds between them. As soon as they ceased firing, a German Battery opened up with reciprocal fire and they limbered up and moved out under heavy shelling, reaching the position again at eleven o'clock in the evening. The second and fourth sections were supposed to repeat the performance A\^- Tl\e Red Guidon Page A'.)' the next day. hut word came from Regimental Head- quarters that the liattery was to he relie\-ed and they did not go. The Battery was relle\ ed on the night of Octoher the 20th, hy a Battery from the 35 1st F-ield Artillery, Q2nd Division and the Batterymen who were in Texas were surprised to find two old B Batterymen with this organ- ization Wendell Norris. at that time Lieutenant Norris, was acting hattery commander of one of the hatteries, and Chas. Chapman was orientation officer w ith another. There was not much time for talk then .so alter a few words of greeting B Battery was off. They arrived about one o'clock in the morning ani.1 under cover of darkness. B Battery moved out ; the limhers went down the hill and the new Battery moved in They reached echelon at Millery. just as dawn was breaking, to find that they were to leave again that day; that the higher numbered sections had left the day b;fore in trti.ks A hot breakfast was ser\xd to the men who had just arrived and they hit for the nearest barns and billets — any place to snatch a few hours sleep before they had to leave again At eight o'clock in the morning, the regiment was on the way again and arri\'ed at Camp Ouest. their new destination, at four o'clock in the afternoon It was an old French camp with the typical wooden billets of the French army, situatei.1 in a patch of woods just oil the Toul road There was hardh' room to accommodate a regiment so as a consequence, all the billets were fillcLi to overflowing, A period of six days in all was spent here It was known as a "rest camp" and was the one place in France so dcsignat-d that lived up to its name, for the men didn't do n:uch but rest there was a Mobile Hospital about two kilos away and Colonel [\ish made arrange- ments for hot baths for the regiment It was their first bath for a long time -most ol the otitfit hadn't hacl a bcth since leaving Laimont. so it was sadiv needed and greatly appreciated This six dav sojourn at Camp Ouest can be best remembered by such incidents as pay-day, th: subseqtu^nt all night poker session, and ^ \u MM — I the trip to Toul that George White. \ ic Cuinther and Harold Moock didn't take At this stage of the game, it seemed to most of the outfit that they were traveling all the time — in fact ever since leaving Camp de Sotige. they no sooner got settled in one place than another or^ler came through and they hit the road again As they never, in all their A. E, F" career, had more than one-fourth of their full ecjuipment ol horses, it became the regiment's pet boast that "what it took to get somewhere with nothing " thev had Really It was not so much of a boast either, for it was an absolute tact. It was not much t)l a surprise then, when, after SIX days at Camp Ouest, they again found themselves moving — destination unknown. Accordingly at four o clock in the afternoon of October 27th, the guns, caissons and men were on the road again. All night long thev' hit the road. It was a long and wearisome trip through the ^larkness. Now and then thev clattered through the streets of a shell-torn and ruined \ illage It was cold as usual and very uncomfort- able as such trips always are At one place the line was held up for three hours by two stalled trucks that blocked the road by running into a shell hole. Dawn came, and it was five o'clock m the morning when they pulled onto the side of the road and came to a stop. Dead tired the men tumbled off the guns and caissons, spread their blankets in the iiiulI an^l went to sleep. When they awoke they found that they were in territory that was to go down in history, connected with the American army — for thev' were just on the outskirts o[ Apremont. in the famous St, Mihiel salient, just ahead of them was a high hill that had been German territory until a few short weeks before when it was wrested from them, Apremont and the surrounding country was terribly shelled and evidencesof the American offensive were everywhere, I he fields to the r ght and left of the woods were full of barbed wire entanglements and hastily constructed graves Immediately after breakfast most of the batterymen climbed the high hill west of Apremont and found it Paije S'l The Red Guidon well worth the eHoit. The Germans had hcen there so long that they had spared no pains to make themsei\es absolutely comfortable. Everything was made of con- crete, even the trenches and machine-gun nests were well made and very substantial. The larger dug-outs were marvels of human ingenuity, containing everything that might add to the comfort of those living therein. Some of them forty feet lielo\v the grotind with connecting tunnels, had wallpaper and pictures on the walls, tables and arm chairs sitting around and two of them even had grand pianos. All were equipped with electric lights although the power plant had been completeK' destro\ed In one of the exploring parties was Tub Lamiell, B Bat- tery's piano artist, who was one of the first to discover the pianos. Ten minutes later the casual passer-bv' might have been astonished to hear, coming from a hole in the ground, the old familiar, "Ohio — Ohio. The hills send back the cry," etc. On the summit ol the hill, clevcrlv' camoullaged from aerial observation by a clumi^ ol trees, the fellows found a two storv' clubhouse that might have served as a country-club anywhere It was surrounded by a "beer garden" with clever little rustic tables and chairs, every- thing left just as It hael been before the birst armv' ha^l made their attack. It was very evident that the Hun had left this place in a great hurry, nor ha^l he meditatcel on the manner ol his leaving. However, from the way things were fixed on that hill, he certainlv' must have hated to go, Apremont was onlv what might be called a breathing spell, to give the men and horses a much needed rest. The regiment now had work to do, and it was not to be very long until they would be doing it. Once again it was the same oIlI story ot not enough horses so at ten o'clock on the night of October 27th only the first two sectR>ns left Apremont lor the front and the Battery's second positions It is tmfortunate that they were not able to make the trip in daylight tor it was a very interesting road they traveled. The boys never saw it that night but they passed under the shadow of the famous Montsec where it is said that torty-five thousand I'renchmen in efforts to capture its fortifications, were lost. At Hattonchatel the batterymen were met by a French sergeant who v\'as a guide tor the remainder of the lourney. .At four o clock they came to a stop on a deeply wooded road and discovered the Ireneh battery- men, thev' were to relieve, busilv' engagcel in pulling their guns out of some cleverly camoullaged gun-pits. B Battery's guns were soon in their places and the men looking for their dug-outs, lor it was not wise to go exploring in a strange country at night The shells were f jtB i I/I Iff ■ f.TKL"''^'-^^ ^ *««'M»*i>'OtH'«»«'*SWW«W;U The Red (iiiidon Page .S'.> all falling some distance to the Icit ol these new positions hut one could not tell wlien Heinie might shilt his guns to the right. The next night the thiixl anel lourth sections went through the same performance, relieving the remaining two French sections, and the firing battery was in position on the second front. They were now m w hat was officially known as the Pannes sector but the newspaper accounts of actixities ga\e it as the Woevre sector. Ahead of them was the 33rd [3i\ision of Illinois National Guardsmen who were relieved two days later by the 28th Dnision of Pennsyhania National Guardsmen When the batterymen had the opportunity to look around them, they found that all their preconceived notions of artillery warfare as regards battery positions were turned topsy-tur\ y. I he four guns were centered around a cross- road that ran through the heart of a deep wocds, about one-half kilo west of the Verdun, Pont-a-Mousson road. The first section gun was just about one kilo from the little piles of stone that had been the village of Woel. Most ol the positions were in what had at one time been a German camp or echelon during their four years stay in that part of the country. The positions served as a sort of perma- nent right wing defense for the Ar- gonne advance Like the hill at Ap- remont the one-time camp had all the modern conveniences that could be lound in any of the French homes that the Boche had ravished. The first section gun was on an uncharted road that had been bin It l-iy the Germans during their occupa- tion of the territory. Back of the gun position in a little grove were a few shacks that had been the homes of the lately departed Boche. The dug-out was a hastily constructed affair dug by the Frenchmen who had been the first allied soldiers to occupy the place It was very small and only by croweiing were the men able to get into the hole anei once inside it was necessary to get in a bunk, such as they were, for it was impossible to stand up because ol the low ceiling of logs. In one dI the shacks marked "Unteroffitzenn" the men established a kitchen and tor two davs thev' prepared their own meals. The kitchen was about a kilometer back of this position and to get to It It was necessary to go over some dangercjusly exposed territory, so Cook Sedberry gave the men rations to last a few days and the trip was not necessary. In their rush to get out of this sector the Germans had left many useful articles behind for the newly arrived batterymen who soon had an iron range set up and were preparing warm meals three times a eiay. To the right ol the position was a huge building that resembled a house that might be seen on any new allotment in Akron 1 1 was of the colonial type and had been equipped with all motlern improvements, including electric lights. The second, third and fourth section gun positions and the officers and special detail dug-outs were close to each other and all along the main road, also uncharted on most commercial maps, which connected Vigneulles with the road to Fresnes In these sections as in the first, the boys had made themselves as comfortable as possible with the stoves, tables and chairs which they found around m the little shacks throughout the woods. The thii\l section adopted a little shack near their dug-out in which they spent their leisure hours during the day. There they wrote letters and talked, and on one occasion. v\ hen the issue of sugar ' had been rather large, they made real ''\ fudge. That mess of fudge is one that the boys will not soon forget for it was surely made under peculiar con- ditions and with peculiar utensils. A bucket that was usually used to clean the gun was pressed into serv- ice for the bo ling process. It was the same one that Sergeant ^at Lynch had used previously to boil out some clothes and that George Nycamp earlier in the dav' had washed his sore foot in The chocolate — for it was choc- olate fudge — w as that which had been issued to the battery for the purpose of making hot chocolate tor the men instead of coffee but under the condi- ^-"^ A^Jf^ »"-■ ''^ tions It was impossible to use it for that -"^^^^-l^^- e' ■/■^' ' so the cooks gave it to the boys to use •^5-:'< '"', Y' as they wished. When the fudge was finished and cooled it would have been hard to tell it from the creation o( the best of the fudge making "co-eds." The officers and special details had very comtortable dug-outs, if dug-outs may be called that, tor they were both spacious and dry. Above the detail cellar there was a little shack resembling a summer house m which the men spent their time when not on duty. In any other part of the world this little settlement would have been termed beautiful. I he fourth section position was marked by the ob- servation post in the big tree that stood directly in front of the dug-out door. Here many a weary hour was spent by the men on watch for signal rockets from the inlantry. Their underground home was also spacious, in fact it was the largest in the battery. The second section was quartered in a small dug-out that allowed some of the overhead moisture to ooze through but in spite of this the men followed the example of the third section and procured sugar and chocolate and Page 86 The Red Guidon made fudge in their home on the German stove that they had policed up in tlic woods. The French batteries had brought up plenty of am- munition to last for a week and it was all nicely piled up beside each gun. There were plenty of fuses of all descriptions, too, and all the B Batterymen had to do was invoice it and wait for the orders to use it. The boom of the exploding German shells made the fellows impatient to send some sort of receipt back for the scrap iron that was falling in their \'icinity and the officers and details were working incessantly on the data that would place the 75s where they were most useful. On the morning of the 2'^th, the first shots were (ired on this sector when the first section fired about six rountls of shrapnel to adjust the gun for direction. Then after the other guns were placed in position B Battery was ready to resume hostilities. The following day the other guns joined the first section and they were all adjusted on the \illage of Ioin\ille with shrapnel. The most surprising thing about the firing from these positions up to that time had been the lack of reciprocation on the part of Heinie, None of the incoming shells had been close enough to cause an\' particular Inght. whereas the batterymen had figured that since the Boche had so recently been in these same woods, he would be able to place a shell just where he wanted it from the maps they . must have drawn of the vicinity. It was on this day that most of the men w itnesscLl their first air battle Almost o\erhead, a Boche and a F'rench- man met and fought It was indeed an inspiring sight to see those "aces" dive and dip trying to assume an ad\antageous position to fire on his enems'. When the "Spad" was finally forced to land, it was \ery gracefully done in spite of the rain of machine-gun bullets that poured around him. Later in the day another thriller was performed in plain \iew of the battery when another German manou\ered o\er a French "sausage" until at last, ha\ ing the recjuired position, he opened fire on the ■ ■*-.■•" -#".-' ■■-■*■' gas bag and headed his machine directly for it. The lone occupant of the O, P. was seen to lea\'e his basket in his parachute just as the big bag burst into flames and the German "Ace" turned his "Fokker" homeward and dis- appeared behind the clouds. On the night of October 30th B Batterymen experi" enced one of their worst scares and also another lucky escape. Heinie finding that his artillery had failed to locate the American Batteries in the woods, sent a bomb- ing plane o\'er about midnight, carrying a load of G. I. cans and pro\ed that he knew something of the geography of that sector by dropping four of the things one-hundred meters from the first section position. Some of the men were in the dug-out and some above ground when the explosions occurred but everyone in the battery felt them. F"our such concussions as are felt only from the explo- sion of an air bomb literally rocked the little shacks. Goming as it did in the dense woods, the concussion multiplied in \olume The windows and cioors of the shacks were either blown in or cntircU' off their hinges. In the kitchen shack there was a mad rush for the safety of a gun-pit on the part of the cooks. The memory of Sidney and Mason chasing each other from tree to tree that night will be long remembered by all who heard of it that night. In the first section shack the windows and doors were blown in and the light from the two flickering candles pierced the darkness, gi\ing wonderful e\'idence of occLipation to anyone having time to obser\e. The thing uppermost in the minds of the men sprawling on the floor was to get these apertures closed as quickly as possible, before they re\'ealed the position. Although the scare had been successful, it was no more than a scare for after the four bombs came, a monotonous silence, broken only occasionally by the put-put of a machine- gun somewhere in the distance and the more distant rumt^le of hea\ ies to the north. The next morning the boys foun^l the holes made by ^y- -"■^TP**- -^t^"!*^ -tat ^,. -— ^-.•. •...-- v^- ."^ \ ^-: -' ^ .O The Red (iuidon PiUje SI the large ten-inch bombs and the customary report was made of the affair. In Akron today are some pieces of those bombs whose arri\al gave B Battery its second big scare and close shax'e. Close sha\es, by the way, to use the slang term, are only consKlerc.! the escapes from exploding shells, for if one considered duds — B Battery's lack of casualties was miraculous Duds frequently arrived in very close proximity to the positions and Heinie, finding that his shells placed in that \icinity did not quiet the Americans, shifted to another where his 210s landed harmlessly in an unoccupied position Little did the Boche know how man\- non-cxplosn e shells he sent over Through the woods a little narrow gage railroad that had been used to haul ammunition to the big Boche guns, that had lately been statione^l in the rear of B Battery's present positions, but which was broken in some places, was repaired b\' (^hief .Mechanic Hageman, with the aid of some of the men, and the kitchen and rations were hauled up nearer to the guns 1 he secontl day after the guns were placed, the kitchen was in opera- tion in the center of the wockIs within eas>' walking distance of all the gun-pits, and ( ^ooks Sedberry and Mason were on the job Althotigh there was some firing e\ery morning at some little target such as a machine-gun nest, it was not until the morning of No\ember 2ntl that a real barrage was thrown o\er I he returns were freL|uent on this occasion but the excitement was enough to keep the min^l btisN I he show starte^l at lour .\ M an^l lastCLl about an hotir and a hall It consisicLl ol throwing a smoke screen ahead of the ai.l\ancing infantrx who that morning captured a line ol trenches running along the northeast side of the "Litang lIc la I ranLle Parrois, ' one of the lakes m the Lachaussee group, ani.1 taking o\er si.xtN prisoners from the machine-gun nests there During this tiring the returns had denoted that Hemic was some- what surprised and at a loss to know jList where to locate the .American gtins for the shells Idl in all paiU ol the woolIs. showing that he was |ust leeling around Earl\ the next morning the second, thnxl and fourth gun crews were ordered to mo\e their guns into new temporary positions lor the firing ol a new barrage and at three thirty the cannoneers were busily engaged in hatiling the guns along the road to the new positions on the left flank of the first section gun. By four A. M. the guns were set and orders to fire were anxiously awaited. Orders came almost immediately — to fire ten rounds a minute for ten minutes and then fi\e rounds a minute for fi\e minutes, repeating the dose until further orders. Ihis onl\' lasted about twent\ minutes, then came the order to increase the range one hundred meters. The Lkjughboys were on their way and up went the range while the firing went steadiK' on .Xt six o'clock the job was done and the btisiness of cleaning and cooling the gun was rushed through, so the cannoneers couki get a little of the sIcLp ihe\ had been robbeel ol m the past two Lla\s In the afternoon the\- were called upon to adjust on a new target this time a part of the Bois de Dom- martin HnK li\c roun^ls of shrapnel were necessary to register on this and the day's work was done It was only necessary to keep out of sight thereafter 1 hat night the inlantr>' of the ^^rd L^i\ ision, that ha^l been occupying the lorward trenches, was relieved and the 2Nth r2)i\ ision mo\ed into its place 1-^rom ten o'clock until earh' morning, the long column of inlantr>men ancl machine-gunners moNtvl Lip to the crossroads in broken formation -about filt\ men in a group with about one hunLlixxl meters l^ctween groups, caterpillar tractors, mule teams ammunition trucks and baby tanks wound up the procession anel the batterymen who had been watching, retired quite assured that something was going to happen, and happen soon, in their immediate \ icinitN The l()'-''th regiment was placed in the trenches LlircctK' aheaLJ of B Batter\ s positions an^l the Illinois men ( i^rel Division) went back to rest (In the morning of November 4th, B Batterv lired its largest barrage 1724rounel-. .Although a heavy' barrage was expected .soon, the call at three thirt\ that morning was rather sudelen 1 he ammtinition, brought up the 'e>ia^j£^ J^iAJof^ <:-,^^s.^M>o Page S8 The Red Guidon previous night hy the Amnuinition Iiain, liacl been dumped near the crossroads, and the cannoneers were kept busy all morning carrying it to the guns, two shells at a time. Firing started at lour A, M , the barrage being a so-called "creeping" barrage, to move ahead of the advancing infantr>'. At eight forty-fi\e A. M. the order "Cease i-irmg" was heard o\er the phone and after four hours and thirty minutes of continuous firing, the men Just dropped in their tracks. All the guns had been operated with three men while the others carried ammunition. Breakfast had been ser\ed by the energetic cooks who brought a pail of col- fee and a pan of bacon and hard tack to each gun, and such good tasting food had seldom been eaten by the men. Orders were received to stand by ready lor any firing orders that might be necessary for the result of the ad\ance was not known. Until one P. M. the gun crews sat by the guns, then a shift was given and firing almost at a right angle to the pre\ ious target opened up on some re- treating Hun infantry on the road Here the first accident occurred and one that might have been \ery se- rious, too. After firing six rounds, the first section cannoneers jammed a shell in the breech which refused to go either entirely in or come back out. With all the contri\ances e\ er invented lor the purpose, they endeavored to dislodge the thing but after wedging a block in the tube of the gun, the attempt was gi\en up and the battery continLiei.1 to fire with three guns until the fourth section, too, jammed a bad shell in its gun and was put out of commission. Until the job was completed, only two guns from B Battery were heard. The ammunition on this problem was of the O, \i. A. (Obus Explosi\' Allongater) type, a non-resistant pro- jectile, capable of traveling eleven thousand meters whereas the common shell would onl\- make sixty-five hundred at its best. The fuses were the dangerous I. A. L. detonaters, whose action was su|->er-instantaneous, and utmost care had to be used in handling them, for a pressure of fourteen pounds would explode them. It was quite a problem then, to force a shell out of the gun w ith- out striking the fuse on the en^l. The fourth section men were successful in their attempt, but that night the drivers were called up to the position to haul the use- less first section gun back and to bring up a new one. For the next few days nothing but the scattered firing in the early morning at machine-gun nests and i--:4=v=r^ suspicious looking vehicles was done. I he 28th men were getting settled up ahead, but were merely sending out patrols since no advance had been ordered. Orders came up on the 5th, to "dig-in," meaning to make more substantial gun-pits for there was nothing much to the original ones but a trail hole. As soon as the firing was done, every man took a pick or shovel and started on the same work that he learned so well at Camp Sheridan, Men were sent from the echelon to assist in this work, and the third section started a pit on the left flank of the (jrst section position. The fourth and second section crews had already started their improvements near their origi- nal positions. 1 hroughout the woods occupied by the battery were found numerous huge timbers in several stages ot manulacture into beams and supports (Heinie had evidently expected to do some more building during the winter) and these w-ere gathered up and ragged to the gun-pits, that were in the making, and saved Chief Hageman and his crew some work in hewing and cutting On the morning of November 7th, five hundred twenty rounds were fired at a suspi- cious looking Bois de Dommartin, Ac- tivities had been observed in that section and it was suspected that Heinie was arranging a machine-gun party. After the guns were cleaned, the cannoneers were at ease and it was very satisfying to note the Lloughboys coming down the road with a gang of Boche machine gunners and guns. I his v\as one ot the occasions when B Battery rcceivcLl an inlantry citation. There was little to do during the day but to sleep and remain within call, so occasionally one man was relieved to make a trip back to the echelon for cigarettes or to take a much needed bath, if a suitable place could be loLind 1 he work on the gun-pits continued and the thii\l section men who were also digging a new dug-out were almost really to move November Sth marked the receiving of the first authentic peace rumors in B [battery. Of course, peace had been talked of lor over a year, but the copv' of die newspaper that came into the batterymen s hands that day carried a conv mcing article, Cermanv' was about to send delegates to meet the Allies on the subject of an Armistice In spite of these convincing rumors, the firing went on and over three hundrcel rounds were hrcd that morning at machine-gun nests Later in the morning hurried ore^ers came to fire at will upon another given target. This used ninety more rounds ol H. E. and again the results of the day were seen marching elow n the roael to a prison camp. Fate that night a battalion of heav\- artillery started The Red (iiiidon Page 80 moNinf^ down the X'crJun, Pont-a-Monsson road and were stopped by some well placeel Boche shells directly in their path. Heinie e\idently thought the entire American army was ad\ancing by the amount of scrap iron he heaped o\er on that road. This happencLl LliicctK' in front ol the B Batter\- positions ani.1 naturally was an interesting affair to the batterymen who were fnguring on the chances of their being called tipon to answer the racket. November '^th was a day of promotions, lor on that day announcement was made that C'aptain Ka\enagh's commission as major huti been approxed, Lieutenant Leahy became Captain Leahy of B Battery: Second Lieutenant Myers became Mist l^icutenant Myers and there were numerous appointments maele in the ranks. Only one small problem was lireel this elax . It was on another machine-gun nest an^l calLxl forth some few returns — a surprising number of which were duds. Rumors seemed to float in from all skIcs about the war's ending in the ne.xt few days and there was much talk pro and con. It was certain that unless something happcncel soon, an advance wouLl ha\e to be maele o\cr \er\ ba^l roads to keep up with the retreating artillery, as nothing but the forward Cjcrman machine-gtin nests were withm easy range. On the other hanel, it was the general belief that Heinie was getting oil entircK^ too easy, H all hos- tilities were to cease then, for in another week the battery- men hoped to be in Conllans — firing on Met: The morning ol the K.lth proxeel the peace rumors to contain at least some truth lor oixlers were issued calling for the suspension of all firing to allow C^erman delegates to cross the Allied lines, .Ammunition haei been coming up to the positions continualK an^l there was plenty of work to be done in getting it to the guns and storing it in safety. All da>- the cannoneers carried those eighteen pound shells and were read\ to fire them on a moment's notice, anei no one slept that night, lor it was expected that a call would come an\ time to crawl oLit anel "get going." Again infantrx' was seen mo\ ing lorwarel along the road. This time it was the second brigaele of the 2Sth Division doughboNS, I here were no men returning from the trenches and so it was L|uUe e\ lelent that the numbers were being increased and that something was due to happen il terms were not made at the peace parley. This brigade was aecompanicel b\ two companies of tanks of the small type, manncel b\ Iienchmen. who advancecl to their trenches unmolestcel anel assumeel the positions of "waiters " too. After the long wait, when the orelers came concerning the signing of the Armistice, strange as it may seem, all feet turned towards the kitchen. Of course, all digging ceased when this order arrived. The most peculiar incidents of the war occurred on the afternoon of November I 1, and all day of the 12th when the men ol the Allicel anel Oerman armies met m open territory and talkeel ol commonplace things without the aiel 1)1 bayonet or siele arms None ol the batter\men were pri\ileged to enjoy this unique experience until the morning of the 12th. when after all the ammunition hael been sahaged. thc\- were free to go as they pleascLl until night Men hcaeled in all directions leading towar^l German trencher anel many interesting stories are being tokl toelaN of the aeKcnttires of those trips anel man>' sou\enirs are being shown as evidence. 1 he fields anel trenches were full of German ordnance property but on the first trip o\er the batter>men didn't want to be both- ered with anything of that sort They all figured that in the next few days the\- would ha\e ample opportunity to rcNisit this territory and get what they wanteel I he Germans, too, w^'cre out looking lor souxenirs anel were willing to traele anxthing the> ow nevl for something eiistinctly American (ireat was the surprise and disappointment when at twehe thirty on the night of the 12th, orders were reecned to mo\e back — after only one night of rest. Business of packing up anel mo\ mg out was started at once, but not until four .\ .\1 were the guns and men reach' for the mo\ e. It was with great regret that B Battery movcel that night, for It meant the last chance gone, of ever seeing Confians or anv of the larger cities that had been targets so recently At four ,A M on the morning of the Hth, the tircel battery set forth on the first lap of its Journcs Irom war to peace and at se\en thirty the regimental column wa- lined up m the one-time street of Vigneulles and the men were getting a breakfast of coffee and bacon Here the S'irel Pioneer Infantry passed on its way to the late front to start on its job of policing L ranee and burying (Germans I he 2Sth DiMsion infantrymen had already e\acuated their trenches and were on their way to a rest camp aiitl e\er\i>ne scemcel ..|uite happy o\er the prospect ol "going home Two non-commissioncel officers were assigned to each section's materiel to stay with it on the cross-country hike and the balance of the battery was loaded on trucks and started on their wa\- about two o'clock m the after- noon. Their journcN' was quite une\entful aside, Irom tlie stop in St Mihiel where some of the men looked the place o\er, quite contrary to orders, until the trucks arrived at the new camp that night about se\en P M. and then c\er\- fellow started looking lor a place to sleep. The guns anel materiel mo\ed out of N'lgneulles shortK' after the trucks but o\er a different route I ra\ cl- ing was very slow oxer the rolling hills that marke^l this country. With the lew remaining horses in fi Battery it was eloubh harel to mo\ e for e\ery horse was pulling a double load and they had to have plenty of rest. It was nightfall before they reached the Meuse and camp was finally pitchcel along the road by the La\ignc\illc sign- bcwrds and stone piles, lor that was all that remained ol what was once the \ illa.ge of La\ igneville. as not a single wall was staneling 1 reneh soldiers toLI the batterymen that it hael been .American shells and not Boche that had Page 'JO The Red Guidon The lied (juiilon Page 91 caused all this clestrLictnin It was JecmcJ necessar\' in dri\ing the Hun out ol the sector After a night spent beneath the stars an^l all the axailable blankets, and alter a breakfast ol haid tack anel coffee, the procession mo\ed away from these ruins to\\ard the new camp about ten A M rra\el was e\ en slower than the elay belore, tor the horses became \ery tireel h\' noon and were gixen a big rest at Troyon, the southern elefense of X'erdun At Amhiy, where thc>' crossed the Mcuse, the batterymen met the 112th Ammunition I rain, who were billeted there, and had with them a "'l " 1 kit anel a K of C. soup wagon. After a few refreshments there the materiel detail crossed the ri\er to TilK anel moxed on into Reeourt and thence to the camp about two anel a half kilos west on the summit ol a hill. Camp Mariaux was the legend on the arch at the entrance of the little gioxe in which the billets were situateel. but it belicLl its name grossK' lor it was lar from domesticatcel The billets were at the summit oi a \ er\ steep hill an^l it was impossible lor the horses to pull the hea\y materiel to the top so the\' were unhitched, and taken to the stables. lea\ ing the carnages where the\' were at the toot of the hill. The billets were crow,deel to siiliocation and many ot the fellows preferred to sleep outside near a warm lire rather than in the cold, croweled interior The first morning m this camp was spent by [I f-^attery- men in tr\ing to clean up both thcmscKes and their clothing Many of the boys walked as far as .AmbK' to get a shower bath Efforts were being made by the authorities to find a more accommodating, camp for the men so no drill schedule was issued that ela\' Some ot the lellows m searching throtigh the wixxls hael lound a little \illage about tut) kilos from camp where some lost ^'. M. C A. man had put up a tent anel waited lor them. Henoite\aux was the name ol the \ illage anel it containcel. besides the "^ tent, a pen- lineage \isiteel b\' brench peo- ple from all piirts of the coun- tr\. lor about a week the "\ was at the Battery's disposal btit then the man anel two ladies loLind their wa\' to the ciiMsion they were supposcel to be serving an^l the\- left su^Llenly ■Alter an unexentlul lour ela\s in ("amp Mariaux the 1 e g 1 m e n t was l1 i \ i l1 e d i n t o battalions and moved to anoth- er hill, about two kilos away; the lirst battallion was assigned hill above Ramblurin. and the second to billets on the hill elirectly opposite Camp Mariaux. B Battery hai.1 the billets larthest west in the regiment ani:l therelore w.is nearest to Rambluzin -tzl- ^^ reat. memorable Bach battery's billets were about a hall kilo Irom the other anel the organization was together very little during the entire sta\' in Camp du Chanois, w hich was the name the brench hael given the place. 1 he view I rom this hill was pictur- eseiuely beautilul anel not many, w ho looke>;l over the hazy land- scape the first morning, did so without feeling a thrill During the ensuing dav's and weeks anel months the works of nature be- came (.|iiite forgotten in the anx- letv to get her elav until the guns were taken charge ol b\ the ( lielnance [department That tlav alsi) markeel the real beginning ol the "Reel Ckiielon.' lor (in that morning Tommy 1 hompson starteei his big storv' ( I l-l 1-1 I ) an^l m tact the entire staff got to Wolf, m earnest John bunk completeel the heacl lor the "C'lomg Over " storv that day, too, using blue ink and w rapping paper lor the job Ovv mg to the lack ol materiel, work was rather slow but after a trip to Bar le Hue things "began to move arounel the "Red Guidon editorial shack Ihanksgiv ing B>av, the home coming day of the nation, was approaching anel its approach was met with many homesick looks and conversations in the billets bor some it was the bust Ihanksgiv ing awa\' from home so lar that thev eoukin t get a pass an^l it gave the boys seimething new to "crab ' about Rumors hael been Hying arounel the camp for some time as to the probable departtire lor home bv Christmas, an^l some in the regiment had thought so much of these rumors that the\ had seen lit to celebrate in a verv boisterous manner in Rambluzin, which caused a guard to be placed over the town and B Battery, being nearest the village, lurnisheel the eletail Thanksgiving Day passed uneventfullv save for the wonderful dinner in which doughnuts made their ov erseas appearance in B Battery mess. It was really a wonderful dinner considering the difficulty experienced in getting rations to this forgotten hill m France but .'sergeant Curry Pdijt' O'J The Red Giudon ^/t«*'"' -^a.^***4r^ n.\ and his crew ser\-ed a meal that caused more than one disappointed scowl to turn into a smile. Then followed days of diligent policing of roads around the camp, and every article that could possibly be useci was piled up in salvage piles along the road and tin cans and paper were piled in other heaps which were afterwards removed and disposed of either in a salvage depot or a fire. Every day some organization had been moving along these roads on their way to a rest camp and had left a trail of gas-masks, helmets, tin cans and every sort ol hea\y article that they could get along without. Thousands of rounds of ammunition were found, too, and these had to be packed off to the ordnance department. Some of the stables had been left in bad condition by the outfit that had preceded the 1 34th an^l these too were made sanitary by the batterymen. Hikes were made every morning, sometimes along the picturesque roads and some- times cross country, through woods and fields. Onz of the places visited during a hike was 1 lill 341, abo\-e Hieppes about five kilos from du r.hanois, which marked the right wing of the German ad\ance in September, 1Q14. A huge cross, which could be seen for miles around, was erected here, commemorating the little Frenchmen's decisi\e repulse of the \iciou5 1 lun, at the loss of twent\-tvvo hundred men to themselves and a like number to the Crown Prince's horde. The hastily constructed trenches had been used as graves for the four thousand dead of the two days' battle. Canteen Joe (Schintzler) got on the job early in the stay at this camp and about December 5th B Battery had its most appreciated canteen. Stock for the establishment was rather hard to get most of the time but by diligent effort joe had a fair supply of tobacco and cigarettes for the boys. About this time the Gas Hospital at the foot of the hill was abandoned and the shower baths, which were the one thing necdetl to make life endurable on the hill, were at the disposal of the regiment. By sending a detail to the bath billet every day to keep up the fire, the Battery was able to ha\e a nice warm shower any time they were not busy drilling. Passes were issued to Bar le L^uc e\ery Saturday but transportation was not furnished. It was a comparatix ely easy matter to get a Bar le L^uc bound truck on the famous "via sacre," the road from Bar le Due to Verdun, o\'er which all reinforcements rushed to the defense of the latter city when it was threatened by the Boche. It was due to the good condition of this road that Verdun was saved on several occasions. Rumors of the home going of the 1 34th Regiment were numerous and a new batch came to life e\ery day. The Red Guidon Staff established a rumor service early in December and e\ery morning published on the bulletin board the most authentic rumors for the day. Of course none of them e\er came true but then rumors aren't supposed to do that — they cease to be rumors when they become facts. Rambluzin, the little \illage at the foot of B Battery hill, enjoyed prosperity during these days — the like of w hich It may ne\'er enjo\- again. An\ thing that was put on the sheUes in the quaint little shops sold at once. Some of the fellows became real friendly with the \illagers and were guests at dinners in their homes. Ihe French fried potatoes and salads made by these peasants was unsurpassed in any American home. SouilK . the headquarters of the First Army was another village frequented b\' many of the boys. It was about eight kilos west of the camp on the "route nationale. " A "i". M v.. A base attracted them there for a while but It was mo\ed to \ erdun and the sal\ age Liump and branch commissary were then the at- traction. Many of the men were able to pass a Satur- day inspection only after a \i5it to the Souilly sal\-age dump. Perhaps the prettiest and most picturesciue \ illage in that vicinity was the little settlement of Benoite Vau.x. There are very few batterymen who returncLl without some sort of remembrance from this little \ illagc It was only four kilos from the camp and was well patronized not only by V> Batterymen but by the entire regiment. Many of the men attended mass in the historical church there, the abbey of which had been con\erted into a French hospital for contagious diseases December iPth announcement was macie that passes were to be issued for eight men to go on a se\en day lea\e to Aixles Bains. The men were chosen and were all ready to go that night when an order came tlown postponing it. It was a great disappointment to the v.aiting men who thought that their chance was gone but the following e\'ening they were called to heaLlc|uarters and started on their way. In the party were Sergeants Newman, Fynch and Poling, Corporal Northrup, Privates Conchy, 1 rekal, Bittinger and Bennett. These men were prixileged to spenel Christmas day amicl the gaiet\' of a large city. With the approach ol the holiLlay season came the demand for something special in the way of amusement and mess. Sergeant Curry was capable of taking care of the latter demand but after a meeting of some of the most interested a novel i^lea was workev.loul for the amusement The lied (iiiidoii Page iKi rhc stor\- of the big show on C^hnstmas l^ay is tokl else- where in this book so it needs but little mention here, it was only after \ery tedious hotirs and days of work that this show was possible and it was indeed something for B Battery to be proud of, Exeryone in the organization was personally interested in the project, in fact they would have taken an interest in any- thing that would tend to sa\ e them from a gloomy Christ- mas Day "Noel" has been vividly y pii pictured in another story un- ijji ' der this cover so it can be passed o\er lightly here. It is only fitting to sa\' that it surpassed all expectations, though, and is bound to be remembered as the best holi- day B Battery e\er spent That B Battery show surely started things, for two days after its premiere, the regimental stage manager. Lieutenant Thomas, decided that a regimental show was obtainable and asked sexeral B Batterymen to report lor rehearsals. The now famous Buckeye entertainers, who played to so many packed houses throughotit eastern France, was formed in this manner After the success of the big party Christmas I^ay it was immediately decided to arrange for some sort ol entertainment tor the next holiday. New '^'ear's Day, Through the agency of George White all the boxers and wrestlers in the Battery were lined up and started training in preparation tor a big athletic show. Most of the Battery spent New 'I'ear's morning in bed, for after properly assisting in the birth of the baby year, 1919, there were few who felt equal to the task of getting up for breakfast Dinner was served at tw/o P, i\l and it was almost a replica of the big feed of Christmas Day; plenty of good substantial eats and a surprising side line of trimmings; chocolate, cigarettes and tobacco all donated by the "Y," the Red Cross, and the K. of C. It was an enthusiastic crowd indeed that filed down the hill to the Theatre Comique in a light rain New ^'ear's Eve to enjo\- the offerings of the [5 Battery "pugs," and it was a \-ery well satisfied bunch that scrambled back up to their bunks in the "wee sma" hours of the morning. It was quite an inno\ation for the batterymen to be allowed freedom until one and two A. M. but not a man was seen to go to sleep during the performance l^^b-^ was a new year but it brought no new questions or rumors to the Battery. The same old questions were being asked and the same old rumors, with some little additions possibly, were being spread about, "When are we going home^" was answered in several different ways. each man taking his pick ot the rumors and spreading them in real literary style throughout the [3atter\'. Some might say that it was an understood fact at head- quarters that the regiment was to sail January 15th, and, before the rumor died its eventual natural death, every officer in the brigade would be quoted as saying the same thing. Some placed the date so far ahead as March I 5th but they naturally did not ha\ e many listeners when they began to expound on the ad\ antages of crossing the ocean at that time of the year The rumors of an early departure died suddenly, when on the 12th of Jantiary. the second group of leave men started lor Vals les Bains. They were A. V. Ritter, J. M Jackson, E G, Hirleman, m" M, Shere. W, D. Vaughn, lom Michael, Harry Slater, "Duke" '^'ork, "F^at" Lynch, llrland Outland, George Nycamp and Guy W. Price It was three weeks later when they returned, some with pleasant memories of an e\'entful trip and some who cieclared that the trip in the dirty, cold cars that they traveled in was more than worth the rest they had, but it was better than staying on the hill all the time and that was about all the majority of the boys said about their trip, except that they were sort of disappointed as they did not get to see the famous Aix les Bains or Nice. I he day after the bunch left on their turloughs the corps inspector, whose coming had been anticipated for se\eral days, as he had been inspecting the 135th and 1 3bth regiments just previously, paid the outfit a \isit. Some wild stories had been circulated concerning the severity of his inspections, and for two weeks pre\-ious to his visit the Battery was in the throes of cleaning materiel, harness and what not. The guns and carriages were cleaned and greased, the harness w as oiled alter a thorough application of saddle soap until e\ery bit ol eqtupment was in the finest condition it had ever been during the time It had been in possession of the Battery, Day after day the cleaning continued so that by the time the in- spector did arrive every buckle and strap was shining, and the most exacting inspector in the A L V . must ha\-e been pleased with the result. When he came — he casually glanced around and walked away — and the inspection was o\er. The hard work of days was tor naught, but that is the way of inspec- tions, and was but a part ot the okl army game. The higher the rank ot the inspector the greater the prep- arations for his coming and the less exacting the inspection. Had it been a shavetail assigned to the inspec- ting there is no doubt that some con- siderable fuss would have been created. January 22nd and 23rd were big days in the history of the Battery in FM-ance, They presaged going home, for on those days the hea\ier pieces of the materiel and I'hc Ilcd (iiiidoii Page !)J mv h ol th' harness was turncel hack to a sahage depot. It wa-. a saJ \et jonIliI parting, sad — because of the fact thit t'T o'd 7i> \\hi;h th; cannoneers had almost learned to lo\ lea\ini; joyful ;;ause of the promise of h::'meth3t it brought. "Pea;e Terms. " "Calamity Jane. "Bu:key; Girl" and "Buziard" were leax'ing those who had ro careiully wat;h;d and groomed them during the month, in f-'rance. It is statjd m the pre\iou^ paragraph that the heaxier parts o! the materiel were turned in, and this is actually true, lor th.? lighter parts such as bubbles, quadrants and hring pins were stored away in ditty bags to be carried home as s.)u\enits 1 h-'ee dcys before thi.- end of January, the Battery had a .rcare thrown into it .Meningitis,' that dread disease, was supposed to he abroad It started down in RaT.blu:in and immcLli- ately a quarantine was put on. although It is still a question whether or not there was meningitis in the \illage. Suf- fice to say that all men who had been in a certain house down thjre were lorced to go to Verdun for tests and about \ thirt> iTi n were placed in quarantine in ] a building some distance from the Bat- tery. E\eryone had to ha\e his th oat and nose rprayed twice dailv 1 wo days alter the cuaiartine went on, the ** men who had gene on furloughs ix- tuiiLd alt r spending rc\en da\s at a re'-O t and ele\tn da\s m cokl bo,\ ears — f a\ cling. Old Dame Rumor was again on the job, with one to th: effect that the L|uar- anfnewas to last two weeks, so imagine ^ ' th(? 'urprise then, when on February Ird mo\ ing orders rrr \;:d !or the ne.\t morning. No pen can portray the icy that pre\-ailed that night ,\t last, after four long weary months on the "hill that CotI forgot," and which mary men bclie\ed the CI H. Q. ne\er knew about, the Battel y was ready to lea\e. Hom.e — that greatest and dearest ol all things in the world — was drawing nearer The Battery was up at fi\ e on the morning of the 4th packs were made, the billets cleaned and trucks loaded With kitchen and Q. M. stuff. .At nine o'clock, packs w.re shouVkrcd an^l they were hea\\- packs too, from being wvigleted down with sou\enirs, and the Battery started clown the hill an^l away on a nineteen kilometer hike. The Colonel was ^riling as he re\iewed the regiment as it paESn.!. the hand playing "Home Sweet Home " I he route lay through Recouit, Tilly and Bouqtie- mont, and at two thirty m the afternoon the outfit lagged into Bannoncourt. where they entrained. Everyone was mighty tired and hungr\' and that meal of boiled beans, serveel three hours later, tasted e.xtremelv good. The railroad on which the journc\- was started, was a little spur that ran from St, Mihiel to \ erdun. It had been a German prize for four years and was onl\- opened lor traffic shorth' before the Armistice was signe^l It had suffered somewhat at Bannoncourt from the .American shelling but was in condition to run an occasional train on alter the Cierman P G's had filled up all the shell holes on the right-of-wa>e Cowing to the lack of speed shown by the otfier regi- ments in getting away from this entraining point, the lUth was held up here until fixe F' M, While waiting lor oixlers to move some of the bo\s made a tour of the wrecked \illage. The ruins of the church in this place was one of the freaks of war, for its steeple, after being struck by a big shell, had hurtled to the ground and pierced It like an arrow head After the 135th and Mi th regi- ments had entrained and lelt, the busi- ness ol loading and starting the I Mth on their wa\ began Issuing rations and luel and ol loading the regiment, thir- t\- men to a car, was starte^l at (our P. M . an^l at ti\e P i\ ! the tram was on - • » Its way, while the other regiments had been laboring since morning to get away ^S***^ b\- lour P \1 Colonel Bush was high- ly complimented on the speed ol his or- ganization 1 he first leg of the journex home starte^l out xery sloxxly, and under anx other contlitions there wotikl haxe been a lot ol lault founi.1 with the operatum ol the railroad, as the onlx real spee^l shown on the entire journex' was that displayed bx' the men m loa^lmg, lor at midnight, when most ol the men xxent to their corner to try to get a little sleep, the train had only run as far as St. Mihiel, a distance of about twelve kilos. With twenty-eight or thirty men in each car there was not xerx' mtieh room for recreation and especiallx after room had been reser\ed for the stoxe an^l fuel In these 2Q' x 7' cars it was impossible for all to rest at once so the sleeping was done like guard dtitxe le\' reliefs. .After remaining twd m a knot for an iTOiir or txxo it x\as inLlecLl a relief to get up and readjust the misplaced xertihrae and axxaken the pedal extremities xxhich persiste^l in sleeping on and on The fires were kept going all the time tor there xxas i^lentx o( coal, and coal xxas a fuel that the Batterxmen had not had the prix ilege to burn since cfjmmg to Prance. About noon of the second day the tram stoj^pe^l at Nleufchateau for some time and inasmuch as the te)\xn contained a large Red Cross canteen and a ^' M C. A base, the fellows left the train going in all directions for chocolate and cakes. .After a delay of about two hours the tram finally pulled out of the town xerx' quietly; so Pagt^ 96 The Red Guidon quietly in iact that two-thircis of B Battery's buglers. Stagg, r-"outs and Dave Berson did not hear it going and so were left behind, eating cookies at the Red Cross canteen. The little toy train crept slowly, very slowly, on Its wa\- and by nightfall it hatl only reached Troyes. a distance that e\en an Erie train would ha\e covered m two hours. The third day's journeN' did not carr\' the Battery over any greater distance than the preceding ones either. At every junction there was always a delay of an hour or two and by se\en P. M. they were onh' as far as Bourges. The "Battle of Bourges" will li\e long in the memories of many of the Batterymen but hardly needs mention as a historical e\ent. The long loaves of bread that the hoys bought in the "Care" and the cheese and sardines that went with it created a lot of merriment in the cars for it v,'as almost impossible to get one of these loaves of bread into the little cars without break- ing it- There were no prisoners taken in this "battle" but Major Schlegel was making a \iolent effort to take some when the train ptilled out. It would have been all right, he said, if the (el- lows had not left the empty case on the platform and broken the bottles on the track. The last day's trip was through a \ery beautiful part of the country and the slow tra\eling of the train was not noticed so much. After going through the outskirts ol Tours, a \ery pic- turesque city, the road wound around the side of a hill of \ari-colored sand- stone in the valley of the Loire. Along this route, especially in the \icinity of Langeais, the houses and storerooms w'ere built in the face of sheer cliffs somewhat on the order of the ancient elift-Llwellers homes in America, onh' much more modern. At two P. M. the train stopped in the station at Angers and one look at that city caused man\- batterymen to wish for just one day in the place. It was thought that the destination was somewhere near this beautiftil city, but as the train startei.1 out in a northeasterly direction, there was some doubt in the minds of the fellows as to whether the brench crew.' knew just v.here they were going or not. At Segre the train was put on a siding and the men told to prepare to spend the night there, as the railroad that ran to Le Lion cle Angers, the destination of the 1 34th, was very lightly bi.iilt and the ollicials would not allow the large American engine that had been pulling the train, to run on these tracks, so a French engine had to be sent from Angers and it was not to arri\e until morning. After a night spent tr\ing to pass the guards and get into the town to iiet something to eat. the men were in bad humor the next morning, when the French engine failed to arri\e until noon. Once started on the short trip to the little \illage of Le Lion de Angers it took very few hours to arrive and at two o'clock the regiment unloaded at the station of what was to be their home for the next month. News of their coming had evidently preceded the 1 34th to this town for it was bedecked in its holiday garb in honor of the first American soldiers to locate there. There was a hike ahead for B Battery which was rumored to be from four to fotirteen kilometers long but it was somewhat of a surprise to the Batterymen when after a walk of about three kilometers, they were given "Column Right " into the grounds of a beautiful chateau. Chateau clu Mas owned by the Baron Chalet was the final halt on the fi\'e-day journey from Rambluzin and the barn on the estate was the billets for the Battery. Although the new home was a barren, cold-looking affair when the boys ar- med, the ability to make a home out of nothing, that B Battery had displayed throughout its career, was evidenced in the next few days when stoves were set up and the bunks arranged in good or- (.ler around the walls. I'he huge barn of the chateau was not large enotigh to accommodate the entire Battery so some of the men were assigned to the "sheep barn,' which was indeed a chilly looking dom- icile. But, as the others had done in the big barn, these men of the filth section did to this home of the sheep. Two days after the arrival of the Bat- terymen at the chateau, the Baron did not know his own barns. The sheep barn, a structure about thirty-five feet high was renovated and turned into a gym- nasium at one end and a first class hotel at the other. Baron Chalet placed his little lake at the disposal of the Battery- men but since he had told them that there were nothing but "la grande carpe " in the pool there was no time wasted in fishing, and as it was too cold to enjoy a swim, the offer was not acceptecL The genial host of B Battery seemed \'ery much interested in the doings of the outfit and expressed real regret when the time came for them to lea\e. 1 here were no restrictions on going in to the \illage of Le Lion and while the Battery was at the chateau at least sixty per cent of the men were there every night. Some were able to get passes to the city of Angers, making the trip on the little railroad that ran through the \illage. 1 his v.'as an education to the lucky ones for there they were gi\en a wonderful contrast between the devastated district which they had just recently left and the beautiful western citN which had suffered nothing — physicalK. The regimental minstrel show was re- The Red Guidon Page .97 organized and taken to Angers for a week and this allowed the B Battery minstrels to enjoy an exceptional privilege. Hikes were made to the surrounding towns, where American soldiers were a curiosity, and through such beautiful country that the Batterymen were quite un- mindful of the distance co\ered, save on one occasion. That was shortly after the return of Lieutenant Wise, when he marched the Battery at attention for about six kilos and then made his now famous "Labor Battalion" speech. The last week at the chateau was an e\'entful one for the Battery for it was then that the real preparation for going home started. Inspectors from every part of the district looked o\er the equipment and men were all subjected to the delousing process. The Baron had open house for all the officers of the regiment and served some of his fine cider to the entire Battery one e\ening as a sort of farewell. The 134th Band played on this occa- sion and the Baron and Baroness were delighted. At five-thirty on the morning of the 7th of March, the Battery was lined up with all their belongings for another hike which was a long one indeed. Trucks were furnished to carry the packs and so the Batterymen did not anticipate such a hard journey. The start from the village was made at eight A. M. with the villagers all out waving good-bye to the first Americans they had e\'er been acquainted with. The trip to Chateau Gontier was one of twenty-four kilos over a fine hard road and with everyone in fine spirits it was one of the most enjoyable in the history of the Battery and when the men lined up beside the cars and were ser\ed hot chocolate by the "^'. M. C. A. ladies they pronounced it an enjoyable trip indeed. The train that was to carry the Battery on this, the last o\erland trip in France, was what was known as a "shuttle train ' — a train of American box cars pulled by an American engine, that worked like a shuttle between Brest and the concentration camps in that district. With these large cars to ride in the Batterymen antici- pated a much more comfortable trip than the previous ones, but they were doomed to disappointment, for fifty-six men were assigned to a car and it made them just as much crowded as the twenty-eight men in the little French cars. The Battery mess-fund had been spent lor chocolate and cigarettes and just before the train pulled out of the yards the "ever-ready" cooks issued these luxuries to the men, so when they started on the way at three-thirt\- that afternoon e\-eryone was in the best of spirits. The cars were equipped with sto\es and plenty of fuel and there was no danger of the men getting cold on this short journey. The arri\al at Brest the following morning in a driz- zling rain brought that place up to the expectations of the boys for they had heard many tales of the inclement weather there. The breakfast at the embarkation camp also li\ed up to the standard anticipated by the Battery- men but they soon found that their first mess in that camp was not an example of the standard. The hike up the long winding hill to the Pontanezen barracks far surpassed expectations for it was a thing not counted on before. Six miles almost entirely up hill was enough to dampen the spirits of anyone especially when carr;>ing packs of the size that most of the men had on their backs. Upon entering the large camp on the hill the fellows were treated to their first surprise. Contrary to the reports they had received, the streets were not mud holes but were covered by board-walks, usually called "^luck- walks." In the tents to which they were assigned they found another contradiction to reports inasmuch as they did not ha\e to sleep in the mud. Only six men were placed in one tent and cots were pro\ ided tor all which was more than the Batterymen had enjoyed anywhere in F" ranee. Of course there was plenty of mud in the camp but in the usual line of duty it could be a\oided. In a district where it rains three hundred days in a \ear It must be expecteci that there will be some mud. With the arri\al of the Battery in this camp more rumors of home-going were in circulation and for once they were pro\en true lor in spite of the fact that the entire 37th Di\ ision was encamped in that camp awaiting orders to embark, it was the 1 34th f"ield Artillery that was the first to get started. The Batteries of the regiment were divided into detachments which were to be assigned to the demobiliza- tion camp nearest their home in America. B Battery's largest detachment was, of course, to Camp Sherman since most of the men were from Akron or the vicinity. Then there were detachments for Camp Upton and Camp Dix that were to muster out the men from the cast, near their homes. I'he Camp Green and Camp 1 aylor detachments took care of the men from the south and west , The first ship to sail was the New Hampshire U. S. N., and could only accommodate tweh-e hundixxl men so the detachments bound lor Camp Sherman (the Headquarters Compan\, Supply Company and A and B Batteries), were called out on the morn- ing of March 12th to load on this battle ship. There were one hundred twenty- four men and three of- cers in B Battery's Ohio detachment thus taking about sexenty percent of the entire strength of the organization on the first ship. 1 he other men were supposed to follow on the next ship that left but such was not their fate These detachments mo\ed out of camp about ten A. M. after making a false attempt about two hours The Red Guidon Page 99 earlier and started on the Llown-hill hike to the docks where the farewell to Prance was to be said. I he trip to the city was not over the same course as the one from that place, hut o\'er a \er\' rough and muddy road that took the men about a mile farther aroi.ini.1, but since it was to be the last hike in k ranee no one objected in the least. A wait of about an hour for the lighters to make read\ for their human cargo anei then the Battery mo\ed in single file to the docks. Walking clown the piers the hoys were handed a pair ol home-made socks full of candy, cigarettes and tobacco, by the Red Cross ladies there. These were slung around the neck and the line moved on until the entire contingency was loaded on the little lighter and the trip out into the harbor was started. The U. S. S. New Hampshire was far abo\e the expec- tations of the men who hud heard so many disagreeable things about the na\ y and it.s methods. 1 he crew was a \ery congenial bunch of fellows and before the ship left the harbor, friendships were tornu\l and the soldiers on board felt \ery much at home Aside from a few sea sick men w ho seemed unable to o\ercome the tendency to riish for the rail or lie around on deck the twel\e days spent on board the New Hamp- shire were the first twelve days of America Everything was so decidedly American, from the meals to the mo\ ing picture shows on deck, and much interest was taken in the chart on each deck that marked the course of the ship and ga\e the days rtm e\er\' noon. The canteen, at which the men were able to bti\- real apples and good American cand\ . was \er\ well patronizeci. too. The "mo\ies" were a great treat to the fellows and were well attended e\'ery afternoon and e\ ening The smokers that were held twice, while the I^attery was on board, were affairs that made the ship seem nunc like a little cit\ than e\er before. Several Batterymen participated in these bouts and the entertainments were always well received. The Chief Petty Officer's farewell party to which some of the [3atter>'men were invitcil was the crowning success of the trip an^l proved beyond doubt that the crew was a great bunch from the captain down. .At noon on the eleventh dav, when the bulletin announced that the distance to America was only two- hundred fifty miles and that that distance could be covered before noon the following da\ , there was great rejoicing among the soldiers on board I he prospect of again seeing the shores of God's countrv appealed to them, in fact it appealed to some so much that they stayed on deck all night so they could see the lights in the early morning, for the sailors had said this would be possible When the men all got on deck before breakfast ne.\t morning March 24th. the horizon was literally lined with flashing lights from the lighthouses at Cape May, Cape Henry and other perilous projections along the coast. All morning the rails were lined with eager faces looking landward each trving to get the IJrst glimpse of "terra lirma. " By eleven A M. the shore could Ix- plamU seen and shortly after noon the anchor w as cast in the harbor ot Newport News. \'a. Mess was called and Served with most of the men standing on deck gazing fonLlly at the shore or at the tugs full of home lolks. who had come out into the harbor to meet the ship, ignoring the urgent calls to "come and get it. " Alxiut two l-". M, the ship slid into the dock and the business ol saying good-bye to their friends on l^oard kept the Batterymen busy until the orders were given to make readv' to unload, (letting oft the ship was the easiest thing those fellows ever did in their army career for in ten minutes after the order had been given, the New Hampshire was free of soldiers. The hike to the camp, four miles awav' was a mere pleasure jaunt to the men as thev walked through the streets lined with welcoming residents of Newport News. ■At home' In an .American citv with American people all aroun^l and American streets to walk on' \\ hat more could be w ishccP 1 kkl it been m the l-verglades of Florida that the ship ha^l lan^kxl at it would have been America to the Battervmen who walked on air in their exuberance ol jov' m being almost home. Camp Stuart was a camp of the same type as Camp Upton where B flattery spent their last days before leaving for f' ranee The billets to which the Battery was assigned were of the same structure but the accommoda- tions were nuich better. Roads through the camp were well kept and the Y \l C. A,. K. of C. and l-led Cross huts more plentiful The LibertV' theatre was the same sort of large buikling that was seen at L'pton ani-l held the same sort of good shows. As usLial there was the inspection of clothing an^.! equipment to be gone through with and another trip to the "LleloLiser. ' but this was easy for it promised to be the last m the armv , Necessary clothing was issued and the Battery was all dressed up to parade. Liie those days was ver\- easy and at last B Battery had found a real rest camp although they had come back to the L'nited States to find it. There was no drill and nothing but inspections and moving orders were Page WO The Red Guidon left to worry about, so naturally the men worried about them. A very timely pay-day came March 31st and when the orders came to entrain the next day, e\eryonc was in fair financial condition At ten A. M, April 1st the train, carrying the home- ward bound B Batterymen, pulled out of C^amp Stuart and was on its way up the Chesapeake Bay to Washington, D. C, I'he Red Cross canteens along the way served the hungry men Just the things that they had wanted so long and did all in their power to make the journey pleasant. After the trips made throughout France in those little box cars, the pullmans that carried them on this, their last trip in the army, were like rolling palaces and every one took adxantage of the opportunity to sleep enroute. In Pittsburgh the next morning a long wait was made on the outskirts of the cit\' to allow the second section of the train to catch up. touring the night the train had coxcred a distance that wotild ha\c taken a F->ench train two days. When the lost section caught up the two were united and the journey continued through the little PennsyKania towns anci at last into Ohio, 'loungstown. Alliance, Ra\enna and Akron Junction where a few ol the towns that had been notified that the train was on the way and residents of these places were down to greet the boys, lo George Harris goes the honor ol greeting the first Akron folks for as soon as the train entered the yards. George was hailed by one of his old friends on a passing switch engine and as the train pulled past the station he saw his two sisters frantically w'a\ing a fruit cake at him There was no stop made in Akron nor at any station until the tram pulled into the B. &. O station in C.le\ eland quite unexpectedly. 1 he blow ing of whistles and ringing of bells soon announced the arrival to the city and by the time the train stopped there were several thousand people scanning the faces in the car windows looking lor a familiar one. Since the parade in Cleveland was not to be until the following da\' the Batterymen were allowed their freedom until eleven P. M. unless they had relatives or friends in Cleveland m which case they were allowed until seven A. M. the next morning. Some under pretense of having relatives in the Sixth City took a flyer to Akron that afternoon while others just lookei.1 around and thor- oughly enjoyed themsehes in getting acc|uainted with American habits again. The day for the parade threatened to be a bad one in the early morning and incleed the threat was carried out to the best of the ability of one j. Pkuius. In spite of the rain the crowds along the line were enormous and very enthusiastic. As the column filed into the court house and threw clown their packs they were informed that the next thing on the program was a big feed given by the Red Cross ladies in the Armory across the street. There was a wait of about an hour before the feast was ready but after filling up on the chicken, and many other things that were prepared for them, the Batterymen declared it well worth the wait, brom the .Armory the men were again dismissed until eleven P. M. in Cleveland or until seven A, M, in Akron in case anybody wanted to take an early train to the City of Opportunitv' and meet the Battery train in the morning when it came down. A great many took advantage of this chance to spend an evening with the folks at home and the trains and trolleys were all loaded with B Battery- men that afternoon. W hen the Battery lined up the following morning to parade the streets of Akron every man tried to look his best and as they started down Main street they were a proud looking bunch After the short parade through the streets of the "Rubber" cit\', the Batterymen were again marched to an armor\-, this time to the O, N, G, Armory on High street, and set down to another grand feast, stich as only mothers know how to prepare, and how those fellows did eat' Irom the fruit cocktail to the nuts they were busy and when there was nothing left on their plates the one- time-hungr\ enjoyed the rare privilege of refusing seconds. In the l.'ialcony above the auditorium, where the meal was served, were the mothers, sisters, wives and "certain parties" whose eager and admiring faces peered down on the happy artillerymen so l^usily engaged in the massacre of the dinner before them. Colonel Bush made a short announcement to the effect that the train would leave Akron that evening at ten P. M. and every man must report at that time, but their time was their own until then. Alter that wonderful ice-cream and cake the men left the Armory going in all directions with their friends or relatives to spend their first few hours in .Akron with them. Those Batterymen whose homes were not in the city, an^l who were comparative strangers in the place, were taken care of by the congenial .Akronites who picked them tip along the way and motored them all over the city and m many cases keeping them tor an evening dinner at their homes. Akron, will long he remembered by all the soldiers who were present on the day of the 1 .34th l-ield .'\rtillery parade Although the train was scheduled to leave Akron at eleven P. M. that evening it was not until almost midnight that it fJnallv pulled out Everyone was very tired for It had been a very strenuous day and the berths were nearly all occupied when L^arberton. Orrville, and other little cities went flying by the car windows. Some time during the early morning the train pulled into the Colum- bus yards and the cars were set Just below the Wilson avenue bridge. When the boys awoke that morning it was to the tunc of Mike's whistle, calling them out to form for the parade. The line was formed and the Battery moved up street to take their place in the parade with the many other organizations, both military and civilian, who were to o The Red Guidon l\i(jr 101 pass in rexiew. It was without i^loiiht the largest parade that B Battery had ever taken part in, hut it was to be the last one so they started out with hcaLJs up and a smile on every face. It was not a tiresome hike h\ an>- means. and although they column-marched and counter-marched o\-er the same streets, the enthusiastic populace who lined the curbs and filled the air with their applause served to relie\e any tired feeling the men might ha\e felt. Not until the large re\iewing stand was reached did the men show any sign of fatigue and then it was fatigue caused by the inaction of listening to the speaking that was barely intelligible at the distance they were from the speaker. Speeches were made by Governor C"o.\, Mayor i\olb, General Glenn of the 83rd Di\ision and General I'arns- worth of the 37th [^i\ision. They were all highly com- plimentary in their references to the artillerymen but little of their speeches could be heard by B Battery w hich was some distance from the stand Gradually the ranks began to thin out and before the speaking was all done most of the B Batterymen were on their way to the cars to relieve themsehes of their packs and to enjoy the balance of the day in their own way. Those who stayed were again treated to a fine lunch gi\en by the Columbus Red Cross ladies, this time right out in the open air along Broad Street. Theatres, dances and pri\ate parties attracted the men from the cars for the balance of the day and the streets of Columbus were crowded with pleasure-bent returning aitiller\men The Chamber ol Commerce ga\e a dance in the Memorial Hall that e\cning to which all the men were in\ ited. [-"lenty of girls were guaranteed, for the different girls' auxiliaries had promised to turn out for the affair in a body — and they did. For once in a long time the soldiers attended a dance where the ladies outnumbered the men. Colonel Bush, who was present, e\en had to remind the men that there were girls there who were not dancing. "Here, you artillerymen, come o\er here and dance with these girls" said the Colonel much to the discomfiture of the ladies in question. It was after midnight when the men finally began to file down High street to the w,aiting cars btit they were unanimous in declaring their day in Columbus a grand success. The departure from Columbus was made Just as the entry had been — unknown to most of the occupants of the train. It was just getting light when the men were awakened on a siding in Camp Sherman and told to pack e\erything and get ready to lea\e the cars for good in fifteen minutes. The first look at Camp Sherman assured the Batterymen that it was not going to be such a bad place to spend their last days in the army. A speedy discharge had been promised the bo\s, but then there had been other promises in the army, too, and few of them had ever been fulfilled, so it was of little moment whether the discharges came in the promised five days or if it took them two weeks to arrive. It was the last promise thai the army would e\ei ha\e an opportunity to break, and, since the camp looked so comfortable, the stay there promised to be a very pleasant one. After the preliminary examination, at the entrance of the camp, the Batterymen were marched almost across the camp and assigned to \ery comfortable billets. Camp Sherman was another real rest camp for there were \ery few details called for. the \oluntary ones in helping in the w-riting of the discharges and other paper work, beinu mainly predominant. Two men were Lletailed to the kitchen every day, but it was not the usual sort of dirty kitchen work that they were called upon to do, for there w.as running water in the place and plenty of help to clean up. l-'or the most of the time there was nothing to do but sta\- near the barracks and sign papers in connection with the Llemobilization work. The kiberty theatres, the 1'. M. C, .\. huts, the Red Cross, the K. of C. recreation rooms and the Communit\- House were \ery attracts e to the men who lound so much to do right in camp that they ne\er th(-ught of going to town, as the\' had done in all the other camps they were e\er m Ihere was c\er\thing anLi more, right in Camp Sherman, than could be found an>' nearer than Columbus, sixtN' miles away. 1 he meals were' abo\e reprciach and since there were no formations or calls it was a life of ease in this camp. Work on the i.lemobilization papers started Sunday, .April bth, as soon as the billets were assigned and Corporal Youngs could get his t\pewriter our of its case, and it was an eager buneb \\h> worked all that day and most of the night an^l staite^l in the next morning, where they left off. and when they sat back Monday night and looked satisfactorily at their work, which was finished far ahead of time, the\ hael e\ery reason to be proud of their handiwork. There seemed to be nothing to do but wait now lor the "pt)wers that be" to say the word that woukl mean the last trip to the paymaster. Clothing had been turned m as well as all equipment, but there remained the mess-kits anei blankets. Wednesday the lookeel for order came, and the Battery was ordered to report at the paymaster's building earh' the following morning, so the remaining go\ernment property was turned in at once, and the last night in the arm\' was made one to be remembereel by the fact that it was spent — as many men spent their first one -either on the floor or on bare cots. "khiirsLlay, .April 10, b1|Q' -there is but one date that can e\er retain a place beside it in the memories of B Batterymen and that is, prol:^abl\-, the date of tlieir enlistment, whatc\er it ma>- ha\e Ixen When the fellows Imeel up for the last time that morning there were many half-hearted jibes and jests thrown about the pleasure the last day was giving them, but, if the truth were known, there were \ery few who lined up for the last time without regrets. l-'or o\er two years these P(Ujc 102 The lied (iiiidon men had all lincxl up loi- lormaticins together, had eaten mess together, antl slept in the same harraeks or di.i.'.;-outs together, anel, now — they were there lor the last time with Sei'geant "Mike" Greene's whistle elangling uselessh iVom his shoiileler, lor he ha^l blown it loi' the last time m B l^atterv- I he line mo\ed across the camp to the C'llice of the paymaster and — the story is almost enekxl I here was a wait ot about an hour before the officials were read\' to receive them, so the Batterymen spent this time in talking over their prospects for the future with their friends, hi a nearby barracks the cooks had prepared hot coffee and sandwiches lor the waiting men. and those not too much excited, took acKantage o! this opportunity to get one last hit at the expense of LIncle Sam, B Battery was called and the business of becoming civilians started about ele\en A, \1 that morninti an^l by eleven-thirt\' e\ery man was out of the buikling and on his way with his discharge, bonus, anel transportation money, together with the pay for the ten days in April eluring which the hardest work they had done was break away from home to get to Camp Sherman, Thus ended the career of the one-time B Battery of the First Ohio Field Artillery and the later B Battery of the I 34th U. S. F~ield Artillery just three \ears, four months and twenty-five days after the day of its organization. During its days in ser\'ice it had an en\ iable record and an enviable personnel to uphold that record at all times, [friendships were formed in the Battery that will live long after most people ha\-e forgotten that such an organ- ization e\er existed, E\'en today the boys are getting together and having little dinners and meetings of the organization that may some day ha\e a charter w.ith the same title that the Akron outfit startCLl out with. B Batter\- .Association, FI NIS llic Red (iiiidon Page lor, The 37th Division WHAT combination ol fates ani^i general oixicrs kept apart durinp the war, the Aki'on hilantrymen anel the Akron Batter\^ It lias al\\a\s been af;recd among the soldiers of the Thirty-seventh [division, that the history of the two branches oi the Division sliotikl ha\ e been one But it was not. The men of Captain Sam Cole of Com- pany B as well as the hoys of the other Akron organiza- tions. Company F, Machine Gun, and others will tell you they'd have given much in the Argonne drne for a sight of the Ohio Field Artillerx', Likewise the men of the .Akron Battery wotikl ha\e gi\en their last package of hard breacl tcjr the chance to get behind the Akron Dough- bo\s in their great o(tensi\es m the .Argonne an^l in Belgium. Today, "after the great war, the historx ol both the Battery and the lnlantr\- C'ompanies is known eeiualK well to the Iriends of all the .Akron soldiers. Companies B an^l h ancl the .Akron Machine Gun Company with the 14cith lnfantr\ Hospital unit and the I4bth Band composed mosth' ol .Akron bo\s, reached France on June 23rd, b^^lS. alxjut two weeks ahead of Battery B. Almost immcLliately they were hurried to the eastern part of I ranee in the Baccarat area for a few weeks' training in trench warfare In the Baccarat sec- tor the boys saw their lirst high explosive, (irst air bombs, carried back their lirst wotindecl and buried their first dead, brom a position in the lower end ot the sector, where they first made camp, the Akron men gradually moved into the battle zone, then later into the reserve trenches and final I v into the Iront lines They spent many dreary weeks ol the summer ot F^18 holciing the lines in the A'osges ani.1 when orders to move toward the .Arg(.>nne k)rest came, the boys were gla^l to go. line Akron Infantrv Companies together with the rest of the 37th, began their movement toward the scene of the greatest American offensive on Septem- ber Ifith I hey drew up on a line above Avoeourt, which was to be their jumping ofl pnint, a week or so later, and on September 2oth were assembled for the start into the Germans' great stronghokl m the Argonne WOOi-ls. 1 he 37th was given seven ^lavs m which to reach Cierges, a town several kilometers behin^l the C icrmans' works at Mnntlaticon 1 he doughboys, without the aid of artillerv except on one or two occasions during the drive, reachetl Cierges an^l were camping arountl the hills of their objective on September l'^W\. foLir elavs after the start, 1 hey w ere reliev clI immcLliately ani.1 complimente^l After the Argonne the Infantrvmen were sent to one of the so-callcLl quiet sectors or rest camps where thev held the lines in the St, Mihiel sector 1 he sector was not so quiet as the officers and men of the Div ision ha^l been told. During the short time the boys were m the St. Mihiel sector, they engaged jerry on a numlxiol occasions. There were many casualties. 1 he boys were nik\l them up on the east bank, 1 he Division reachcLl its objective carlv' in November an^l there was nothmu to do btit rest up a few elavs while the t icrmans were preparing to sign the aimisliee, .After the armistice the Division witliLlrew Irom Belgium ani.1 established itself in b landers to await ftirther Llevelopments an^l to wonkier when sailing ori^lers wotild come 1 he boys were LlcstmcLl to wait from Nov emix'r I Ith tmtil the mii,l^lle of the following March lor the ship that was to carrv them home. Fhc .Akron Infantrvmen rcachcLl .Akron on .April ith, b^l'-'', after nearlv' two vears in the liekl 1 heir recoixl in fiance was a glorious one Page 10 i The Red Guidon A Letter From the Editors There was no reason in the world — * + + * For writing the Red Guidon — * * * * Except to escape Kitchen Police — And policing France * * * * * * * * And other little odds and ends — * * * * Like that * * * * Which soldiers always hate to do + + * * We thot there was — A Brighter Future ahead of us — * * + + Than serving Cook Capron's stew - * + * * And doing "In cadence -exercise" - * + * * While "Loot" Myers - - * * * * Counted "One-two-three-four" — + * * * Thru his nose — So we made up our mini.ls To write a book - * * * + Politics always figured strongly — In bringing the Red Guidon — + * + + To ,sful a successful enci - * * * * We always listened to suggestions — * + * * But seldom used them — * * * * One night one of the fellows — * * * + Brot in a carton of Camels — + * * * And toLl us what a good fellow he was - * * * * We smoked the cigarettes — * * * * And accepted his F"\ill Page photograph ■ * * * * But we couldn't find room In the book for the picture — * * * * It was too bad. too — + + * * It was such a good clear photograph * * * * The che\ Ton * * * * Photographed especially well — So — here you are — * * * * * * * * We present our book to you — * * * * With no Apologies — * + * ^: It is a book — * * * + Written for the men — * * * * Sam Brow ne has no more space — * * * * Than Buck Private — * * * * LInless he deserves it - - * * * * If we have brot back to you — * * * * A Pleasant Remembrance — * * * * Or a half-forgotten name — * * * * We have not worked in \ain — + * * * If we have done anything — * * + * To keep the "Old Battery" — * * * + And the "New Battery" together And fuse them — Into a permanent fellowship — We are amply repaid * * * * For the pleasant associations * * + * As members of the staff Of the Red Guidon - MERCI!!! * * * * * * * * The Red Guidon Page Ki.') B Battery Spirit MUCH has been said and written about morale, of "esprit de corps" yet it is doubtful whether this quality displayed the same characteristics in any two or- ganizations. It is difficult therefore to convey to the reader any definite idea of the true significance of the spirit of comradeship which comes to exist among fellows at arms. It is indefinable in the truest sense and no book of reference yet published is capable of giving the reader more than a vague idea of the true meaning of this element so essential to successful soldiery, "^'et. in every military organiza- tion it must and does exist to a greater or less degree In B Battery it passed beyond the stage of morale in its ordinary conception and became in reality a "Battery spirit" which made for pride in the organization and confidence in one another, and it is no exaggeration to say that where\er the Battery may have been lax, it never failed to respond to the call of the spirit which dominated each member, new or old Why this spirit existed to such a degree is difficult to determine, for there were not many things which may have contributed to its existence. It was there, however. a close open friendship among all, full confidence and abiding faith — the unselfish trust that one man learns to place in another when they are thrown together intimately under similar circumstances and for a common purpose. where each man is his neighbors equal. Perhaps here we ha\e come as near the real cause as it is possible to do. While It IS not true that B Battery was unique in this respect, it is undoubtedly a fact that there existed among the m_'n who comprised this organization, a spirit, a morale which in its e\'eryday application came very near being the ideal expression of the mutual friendship and trust one finds between men. Here then is to be found the one great benefit that was derived from the time spent in the ser\ice — the friendships formed therein — strong \iril associations that comprise the happiest memories of a military career. .\nd it is not lost with the discharge of the Battery for in e\erv one of those who were in the Battery either on the border in the camps in America or who saw service abroad, there abides the memory of pleasant friendships and an urgent desire to see the "old bunch" together once again. That is as it should be and it is to be hoped that in the years yet before us. none of this spirit will be lost, but that as time goes on it shall become stronger and that out of B Battery the military organization, there shall arise B Battery the social organization that shall permit the continuing and the strengthening of the best friendships a man e\er enjoyed. Tub Lamiell TUB Lamiell on the front abo\e Vigneulles one day was out in front of the 2nd section piece picking up brush for camouflage. All at once the second piece opened up and the first shell sped over Tub's head about three feet up. Tub figured in his confusion the Cjermans hatl got his range and were about to drop one around his neck. He made a bee-line tor the cover of the 2nd section piece in time to meet "round two" coming toward him with a loud howl. "Round two" was so close that Tub could ha\'e caught it with a catcher's mitt. At this time lub was not certain about anything. He didn't know whether the Germans or the Batterymen were firing at him. Not until he reached the cover of the 2nd piece was he able to figure out his mistake. X TEARL^' half the Liatterymen boarded cooties in France •'■ ^ sometime or another. Bill Brewer took on a batch ot cooties in a barracks that had been occupiei.1 before B Battery came by both German and French soldiers. "And one night the German cooties went over the top on my back to get the French cooties and the battle became so hot they had to stop and it was a case ol dig in on American soil,' said Bill. QxevTc Q^ to the ftaces A STREET car clangs around the corner of San An- tonio Street, El t'aso. Texas, and stops in front of the Paso-del-Norte hotel. It hears a sign "Race-Track" ani.1 the motonnan "steps on it." and pretty soon it's on its w a\' through the slum district of El Paso, across the famous International bridge and into jaurez, Mexico and through its streets swarming with Mexicans, little brown children playing in the gutters, "sans" clothes, "sans" everything spitogy policemen, and "Abbarotte e Carne" signs. The outskirts of the town, a short stretch of mesa and the car stops in front of a low-lying white building sprawling in the sun, decorated with the flags of the United States and Mexico, the grand stand of the Jaurez race track. Another picture. Thanksgiving Day, and the opening of the one-hundred days' racing season at Jaurez. The grandstand a riot of color; the band brilliant in scarlet uniforms, has just finished blaring out "Mammy's Li'l Coal Black Rose" and o\er in the paddock blanketed horses are being exercised. On the other side of the track is the judges' stand; and all eyes are glued at a far corner of the track where fi\e specks are sweeping near- er, rising and falling. As they come nearer, there are shouts of; "Come on, you General Pickett' Come on'" '"Watch that li'l hawse come up. Oh. you baby'" "That biri.! riding Othello must think he s ricling at a funeral. Make it snappy Doc'" "Look at Oldsmobile! Look at him come' Bring home the bacon, honey! " They slid under the wire and the first race of the season was over. A moment later, at the judges' stand, three big white numbers clicked into place, 3-4-1. "Okls- mobile." won, "General Pickett " came in tor a place an^l "Smiling Maggie" showed By the Pari-Mutual betting system, a two dt)llar ticket on Oldsmobile paid that day, four dollars and forty cents; and Dan Boone and Henry 'I'ork of the Battery cashed in. Oscar Hollenbeck was o\'er there that da\' and Lieutenant Lunn the battalion \eterinarian was in the paddock picking them out. Those were the happy days. I^ays when the Battery plungers hai.1 \isions of betting on a dark horse that would pa\ a couple of thousand dollars for one. 1 he only time that happened, by the way, was the morning the cigarette salesman from Liggett and Myers went out to the Battery canteen and ga\e the boys a tip. "If you re going o\er to the races this alternoon. fellows, drop a couple of shekels in the box on San Sam to win," They laughed him down, Lieutenant f^rank Lunn laughing the hardest. "San Sam " was a selling-plater, he couldn't w in if the rest of the field all broke a leg But w hen the El Paso Morning times came out next morning there was w.eeping and wailing, for "San Sam " had romped home and had paid the biggest returns of the whole season, two hundred and twenty dollars for one. and a fiu'e dollar ticket brought home ele\en hundred dollars. Dan Boone had hysterics that morning and "Doc " Lunn closed up the canteen and hung a crepe on the door. Pew of those one-hundred days racing passed without having one or two of the Battery boys leaning over the rail, clutching a little red ticket and pleading with the horses. L}an Boone, the noblest "Roman of them all," Hollenbeck, "Duke " ^'ork. Lieutenant Lunn and Lieu- tenant Johnston, Jensen McEntee, Lyle McCormick, "Spick " Woodward, Otis Shryock, Howard Treat and r-reddie Clark. Clark — there was the boy that looked the part' L^reddie always wore a checkered cap that would ha\e done credit to the most persistent race track follower in the world. Who remembers the day that Duke "^'ork bought a two-dollar straight ticket on General Pickett. The same flashed under the wire and sent "Duke " back to the lobby of the Del Norte hotel with fifty-se\en dollars and fifty cents. There were some good horses there that season, some of the best in the business. Such as "Hocnir," "Utelas," "Meal-Ticket," "Borgo," "Smiling Maggie," and "Big- todo." Charlie Garner was the best of all the jockeys — he rode se\'enty percent of all the winners. Talking abotit "Bigtodo," there was the day that Dan Boone stood by the cigar stand in the betting ring. There was a thin partition that separated the cigar stand from the wash-room and on the other side Dan heard a negro \'oice raised in an impro\'ised melody ; "Oh, 'Bigtodo' am goin' to win today. ' ^'cs he am, yes he am, and I'se gw ine to cop mahself some clough " That was enough for "plunger" Boone. He walked over to the blackboarLl and looked at it. Sure enough, there was "Bigtodo " in the fourth race with Jockey Carroll up. He wasn't a f'a\orite. but Dan had a hunch and that was enough for him. He shoved five ctollars un^ler the wickett at one of the machines "Bigtodo" to win," he told the book-maker. The bell clanged and the book-maker shoved Dan a white ticket; and when the fourth race was o\er, Dan handed that ticket back and received seventy dollars. He had played a hunch and "Bigtodo" came through and paid fourteen to one A good bit of the money the Batterymen won at the Liurez race-track ne\'er got back to the United States. Which brings us to the reason thereof — the wicked, wicked, "Eiesta " in Liurez proper. Here the little ball The lied (iiiidon PiKJC 101 clicked as it whirled aroLintl the loulette table; cards were breathlessly turned o\er in "no limit stud; the dice rolled out on the crap table, an^l the l\eno paddles were passed around. Tables crow tlei.1 w ith pla\ers, Americans, Mexicans, Chinese; an^l two soLliers stumblinp out the doorway. "I told you we shouki ha\e gone riijjht home, ^ork!' "^'ea, I thought it was time for you to come across with this l-told-yoLi-so stuff. \\"h\ ^li^ln t \ou stay away' from that roulette wheeP ' A sheepish grin from Boone, then — "I won thirt>-fnc at the races, how much did you win^" "Twenty -how much ha\e you got Iclt^ ' "H ! I ha\en't c\en got car-lare!" "I ha\cn't either -let's walk!" Canteens THE Battery's first canteen was opened at Camp Willis, Ohio, about two weeks after the Battery's arri\al there in b'llP by Lieutenant b. R. Lunn, better known as "Doc." Thirt\-fi\e dollars sufTieeel to bu\- a crate of lemons and a few packages ol L'needa biscuits. Sugar was furnished by the kitchen, and in a short time the canteen, furnishing the 1x)ns lemonade and cakes, was in full swing. Harr\- [Jlackwoo^l was Lieutenant Lunn's assistant refreshment dispenser. Lwo weeks after the canteen startcel it was nccessar\- to mo\"e into larger quarters. Harry [Blackwood left the Battery and Bill Martin and Roscoe Mcl^herson became f^oc Lainn's assistants. One day Joe Schnitzler was called up beloi'c Major liush expecting to be coui t-m.irtialed lor some unknown olfense (he was onl\ a recruit then). Instead he was gi \ en charge of the ^ _ ^_ book-keeping end of the canteen. I o the origina 1 stock ol lemonade antl cakes there was added cigars, cigarettes, and \ arious other supplies A piano was placed in the canteen and every- thmg was soon in shape. When the Bat- tery left 'for the border the canteen carrieei a stock \alued at fixe thousand dollars. Ld\e hours alter the arrival on the boreler the can- teen was doing busi- ness. A canteen builel- ing was erected and Bill I\elly w.as added to Its working lorce l~)onNorthrupalso aid- ed in dishing out can- dy, cigars, cigarettes aiul Id Pa^o near beer. I i^^ Mk ■^nA,. ;'^ 3v% >' ' When the Battery left the border the "Two Bills," f-oltz anel Kelly ran a small one at Fort Sheridan, which conformeel strictK' to the principles of business and efficiency. Camp Perry saw L^oc Lunn. the (~anteen Oliicer. resume activities I")uiing the Hood at Perr\ the Canteen was washci-l awa\. bi.it alterwards came back bigger anel better than e\ er. ?^ I'ort [kn Harrison and Camp Sheridan lounLl the canteen catering to the wants of the first battalion, an^l later to the entire n4th Regiment. Lieutenant Lunn and joe .Sehnitzler were its chief operators anel the\- were assisted at one time or another by William H. Pearson, Farabatigh, .'\lbert R. fialdw in, Eugene [\irkle, Cilbert SehwallMch ani.1 Samuel L. Whistler. A Dixisional oreler at Sheridan prohibited the sale ol ice cream, pie. and soft elrinks. Despite this the canteen elid a great business Lintil the departure of the Vth Dnision for L ranee. Lieutenant Lunn left the regi- ment and Sehnitzler assumed charge of the Battery canteen Joe openo^l on a small scale at CA-stas. branee. and again while the Battery was in billets near Ram- bkcin. after the war The canteen at the last named place was one of the best in the [battery's history, and one of the most appreciated Hael it not been for the canteen the Battery would ha\e been S () L lor cigarettes, can^ly anel everything else, for the nearest ^'. M. C. A, was ("i\c miles awav' Page KkS The Red Guidon The Top Sergeant's Dream Tl was SLinda\- morning and 'l"op Sergeant Mike Greene ^ walked down the Battery street and blew his whistle. " Fen men for a detail," he yelled. T hen there was a mad scramble. e\erybody was trying to see who could get there first II he picked the first ten. it was a case of hurry up and get there. "Tub" Lamiell was way ciown by the stables, but as soon as he heard the sergeant's voice, he started racing madly for the Battery street. Men began dropping out of upper hunks ; there was such a rtish at the doors of some of the tents that several fellows climbed under the can\as Art I-aulkncr had been shaving and he came out so fast that the lather was still on his face. In one minute and a hall the whole Battery was in the street fighting for a place at the head of the line, as the "Top" had a habit of picking his men from there "Don't scramble, men. " Greene said good naturedly "If you don't get a chance this time, there will be another detail pretty soon." I hat s what you saiel last Sunday, complained lay Haller. "and I ha\en't been on a detail for three months." "Me either," said Harold Moock, "and you promised me three weeks ago you'd put me on the \ery next detail." Complaints started pouring in from all sides, until finally Mike said, "Cut out the argum.'nt I guess I'll have to start a regular roster. Now for this detail, I want tour men to peel spuds and wash pots and pans in the kitchen all day, and the other six to sweep out the gun-park. Faulkner, you were getting ready to go to town -you don't want to go on detail, do you"" " "I should say I do. Sergeant," Art protested, "I'd lo\e to. I was only going to town because there was nothing else to do' " "All right, you can go to the kitchen — now." "There's that damn Faulkner." Art Possehl muttered to Ralph RecLlington. "he always gets the grapes! " 1 hen there was a ne\s burst of excitement. Cries of, ' lake me Sargc. " "Aw. let me go. " and "I wanna sweep the gun-park. " filkxl the air, ,\nel there were excuses like: "Sergeant, il you don't take me. I'll die I've only got one book to read and three letters to write this whole day, and here it is only nine o'clock'" "I ought to get on that kitchen Llctail. f\irry promised me the next time he had to ha\ e any help on pots and pans he'd get me in on it " "Please Sergeant, can't I sweep the gun-park^ Ser- geant Lax'cry got some new brooms and I'm just aching to try one' " (This from Bill Brewer.; Sergeant Greene smiled as he looked at their happy eager faces. Good old B Battery! Always wanting to work no matter how hard it was; the tougher the job the better. I hen he opened his eyes and looked at his watch. "Twelve o'clock — Blame it. " he exclaimed as he turned over. "I knjw I shoukln't ha\"e eaten that cheese before I went to bed." Bill Kelly's Roger TJILL Kelly gave the last customer a pack of Camels •L-' and a piece of candy and lit a cigarette. The canteen in El Paso wasn't \ery busy that morning. The Batter\ was drilling in a cloud of dust on the distant drillfield A Mexican came around the corner of the canteen building and upon seeing Bill standing at the counter said: "Buenos dias. Senor. " "Hello joe' What can I sell you^" Ignoring this display of good business on Bill's part, the "Mex" reached under his coat and pulled out a tiny shivering dog and laid it on the counter. '"^'ou like to buy Mex' hairless dog. perhaps''" Bill's eyes glistened. He had been looking for a hairless dog for a month. He picked it up — it was hairless alright. The poor little thing was so naked that it was positively^indelicate. "How much do you want Joe'' " "I'our pesos. Senor. He is fine Mex' hairless, mucha Bueno. what \ou call, the \ery best " Alter a little argument (more business on Bill's part) Bill parted with leiur of his hard earned dollars and the dog was his Ihis shotild be the end of the story. Ks it happened, the end came some ten days later when Russ Baer picked up the pup an^l remarked: "Hey Bill. Roger's starting to grow whiskers." .An examination proved that Russ was right. Inside a month Roger had a fine growth of black hair — the .Mexican hairless hael only been shaved. Fish Eddie ^ ounis when he went snipe hunting at Camp Sheridan. GOLDBRICK: noun — one who goldbricks. Goldbrick: \erh — to escape work; practice of an army science. As Noah Webster might ha\'e put it in his dictionary. If Webster had said this he would ha\e been right. It was a science in B Battery. And there were men in Battery B who could ha\'e perfected the science: men who studied the proposition as a science. Boys like Eddie Sauter, Bill Martin. Lloyd f-'etch. Bill Leahy, Bill Foltz, Joe Kelly, Art Faulkner, Russell Lothamer. Taylor Haller. Jimmy Bennett, Al\ in Borden, George "Speed" Cunningham, Donald Miller, Bill Schmok, Atlee Wise, Jimmie Jameson and Harold Moock. Their names are legion. It had better be said here that this story does not apply to the army careers of these boys. No! No! Did anybody e\-er work harder for instance than How^arcl Miller at F'ort Ben Harrison, or Joe Kelly, on camouflage on the western front, or Russ Lothamer when he was ammunition corporal at the front' No' E\erybody worked when there was big work on. But at times in their army li\es, all ot the batterymen with few exceptions suftercd from that strange malady, "goldbrickitis." Tay Haller at Camp Sheridan was king premier. He was the complete master of the science. Tay studie^l the subject. He studied it in his bunk at night w hile the rest of 'F , ". ' . -.^^^ ^^W P ■'^>.- • t snored. Result, he for- got more than most of the Batterymen e\er knew about goldbrick- ing and he could ha\ e w rit ten a book on "How do A\oid Work," Tay Haller and Howard Miller teamed at Camp Sheridan. 1 hey worked antl fig- ured together. Those boys had threc-hun- dred-ten good and separate reasons why they should not be put on this or that detail. They always met the first sergeant half-way and usually stopped him. They had ninet\'-se\'en catalogued alibis why they should not be put on kitchen police. Tomm\ Thompson, Lee Breese, Al Borden, Stanley Bullard, Hal Ja>-, Howard Bowman. Dan Boone, and Clarence Foust were among the pioneer goldbricks on the border. 1 he\- were finished craftsmen long before the rest of the men of the old battery c\er knew there were ways of getting out of work. Harold Moock and Bill Leniham, Bill Murphy and Hal Crossman coukl be named lor blue ribbons if there were to be any prizes hung up for good work — dodging tactics. Larr\- F-etch and Harold Moock used a system in avoid- ing details that was all their own. Their method differed from Miller's and Haller's in that it was more subtle and there was more "finesse" attached. Talk about smooth workers — that duet couLl be away from the Battery for three days and when they'd get back you'd look at them and wish that it was in \ou to work as hari.1 as the\' did ^^^ '.!.. I. C. and C. A. Two of the old timers of B Battery who used to pro\ide a lot of good laughs for the boys were the Jump brothers, Ira C. and Clatide A. Neither Clau^le nor lrae\er took the army seriously enough to properly prepare for in- spections or other battery ceremonials. Cdaude and Ira were in Homer Da\ is' squad on the border ;ind Homer had to check up on the boys like a father. Claude ne\er stood an inspection without recei\ing a bawling out for a lost button or a soiled pair of puttees. And Da\ie would always alibi for him. Corporal Da\is and the Jump hoys were good friends and whene\er there was a disagreeable job the other men in the tent would crab about, Davie could feel safe in asking C'laude or Ira to perform the eiuty. The lump brothers were mustered out of the Battery under depentlenc\' at Fort Sherii.lan. 111. Fish The German People — No reason needed. AtiH Nr^mo 1 T I hiin JU JL J rviofi S S' u Morgan Bright, otherwise known as "Senorita. Since coming into the [iatter\' at Camp Periy. \ lorgan had taken on just about thirty more potinds oi" weight than he ever dreamed of getting in civilian life. This was true of just about eighty per cent of the B Battery fellows. 1 here was Tom Micheals for instance. When Tom first hit the shores of Lake Erie on that memorable May day, in \'^\7. his \est hung loose and his coat Happed in the breeze like a sail. After coming to "mess-kit alert" for months that old suit of Tom's would fit today like a pair of tights. John Downey or "Coffee John" used to say the reason he transferred from the 13Cith I'deld .Artillery was because he was gradually getting tiiinner and foi' fear his mother wouldn't recognize him when he returned. He came to B Battery to retain his normal proportions (which were an\thing but small) and anyone who remembers "Colfee John " in action at the "Battle of the Mess" will feel assured that John's mother had no trouble in recognizing him. .'\nd then there was "Ike" Spicer, Oda Reynolds, Joe Schnitzler, "Casey" Guy Price, 'Verne Ritter, George White, Bob Wiener, Carl Truby and others without number w ho took on from ten to l'ort\ pounds in the army. L^iving out-of-doors, eating regularly, plenty of exercise, called "work " put many a man in B Battery on his feet. Again, there were men who. in spite ol the mess sergeant and the de\il refused to take on axoirdtipois. I here was Ross Kalaher. president of the Jungle Buzzards' Union, familiarly known as "Shanty" who remained as thin as the pro\crbial fence rail. "Husky ani.1 Hungry" was Ross' motto. " 1 ub " Lamiell. when he first stepped up to Supply Sergeant Poling to draw his outfit, unblushingly called out "Pants — 38." But when " Tub " answered "here" to the last Battery formation, his belt encircled a pair of "34" breeches. " I ub" was ne\er known to miss a meal but instead of gaining more a\oirdupois. he got leaner and more hardened. And Archie Murphy was ne\'er a follower of the fatted cahcs. Mess Sergeant Curry gave Archie more eat- ing privileges than most (.)( the fel- lows enjoyed, and although in\ ariably heading the "second's" line, Archie ne\er seemed to gain a pound Btit king of them all was W illiam Cjulick alias "Galloping Gulick" lirst man in the mess-line, first man through eating and, first in the "second's" line. His middle name was "eat " anel cat he sureh did (">\er m France, William proudly sported a medal, presented him b> the boys, on which was stamped, " 1 he J tingle-Buzzard King." l"^ut he ne\er, at any time, loosened his belt. Liating was his specialty, but he ne\er gained an ounce. William was won't to remark, "The more I eat. the more I want and the more 1 want the thinner I get." However it was just the dilfcrenee in their makeup. Some of the boys got heavier, some of them got thinner, but the physical stamina in B Battery was equal to that in any other outfit m the A. E. b. Fish Bill Murphy when he used asbestos paper at Rambluzin to try to start a fire with. Fish limmic Bennett, the recrLUt, when he stood baulk- ner s tiuard. ""HE most cLissed and liscLissed man in the Army, Personally, he was a regular fellow, but to the buck j-iri\ate in the rear rank he was a combination of the Kaiser, the Czar. Nero and the De\il. He was Pirst Sergeant Frederick H. Greene, of Battery B, In the ways of war he was a wizard, hi all things military he ranked with the captain. He was a sticker for discipline and as hard to con\ ince as the "Carnbou," He was a past master at "passing the buck" and did it in such a manner that e\en the most cocky sergeant listened. His word was as absolute as his frown w^as suggesti\'e. Those who had experience say one frown meant ten days — a second look at least fifteen — and to be called to the office — Oh Lord! He'd been known to \ isit Bordcau.x on \arious occa- sions and could talk intelligently on the \ ititage of France. He was a woman hater and disclaimed all knowledge of them. Howexer. he had been known to recei\e mail addressed in a leniininc han!.! that was not his mothers. He prizcel highly his "Owen r,oLint\ .Mullen Leaf" and many a grouch and "Fi\e Llays extra duty for you" can be traced to its scarcity in the old hip pocket. But after all, he was an all-round chap, and he was a soldier, e\er\- inch of him; — soldiering not foi' the hope of advancement or personal betterment, but for the mere joy of being with the boys — of sticking: which onl\ adds emphasis to the conclusion that he was the best top sergeant, in the best battery. First Sergeant Greene joincel Batter\- B in .Akron while the battery under Captain Hurl .Albreeht was preparing to lea\e for the Mexican boixler m June, 191 b. He soldiered as a pri\ ate in Texas, play mg \o. 1 on the (frst section piece with Ciunner Ciilbert Lane opposite him Mike Greene was the bo\- who used to lire the piece at target practice, and then reach back antl catch the empty shell case as it left the breech of the gun. Mike was made a corporal at Camp Perry, C.V. but lasted only a few da\s as a corporal He was made ser- geant soon after, an^l later at fT. Benjamin Harrison, Ind . he moxe^l into the first sergeant's office, suc- ceeding ( "harle\ Lange. as top. McKeever IX ci\il life and from time immemorial, mother's cook- ing has always set the standard — likewise a doughnut always recei\ed its rating in the culinary world by the nearness of its approach to "the kinel that mother used to make. " But the old-timers of B flattery, those who were in the outfit before the days of Camp i\i r\ . would offer a slight modification of this phrase, and as appliei,! to the army it became, "Oh, for one of the pies that Mc- Kee\er used to make'" Where is he now. and who is he cooking for"" For he is cooking and we will gamble on that — he knew one trade, and one trade only, but at that traele it wouLIn t be far amiss to sa\- that he was one of the best in the business. William R Mcl\ee\er. eccentric chaiacter and cook extraordinary of Battery B. cotikl make up a pot of army slum and a "cafe parfait " w ith equal adaptability and make both of them the best you e\er tasted. His biscuits were a blessing — and one of his chocolate cakes a thing of beaut\' and joy fore\er. 1 he stor\ of his life sounds like Fiction— romance — anything you choose to call it Wanderer an^l nomati he cooked his way across the world 1 lis recoiLl inclueles three or lour hitches in the arm\ . he blesse^l the f^lth Ca\alr\ with peach pie at 1 he Presidio. California, and while the Filth was acting as range guare! in Yellowstone National Park: with the 22nJ Infantry, he made prune-whip in Canton. C'hina. and dotigh- nuts in Eagle City, .Alaska: the t"ith Ca\alry called him blesseel at Ft n .A Russell 111 W \oming: and he kept the .Stil (.!a\aliy in fighting trim m Fort RinggoLI, Fort .Apache an^l Fort Burr. New Mexico, and at Fort Mcl\inle\' in the Philippine Islanels. His career was not confined to the army: on the contiary. his \ersatilit\' knew no bounds and Page 112 The lied Guidon his knowledge of cookery had no limitations. Contrariwise, he cooked Hapjacks for the crew of a dredge on the Colum- bia River, Washingon. and roasted Philadelphia capon for fastidious diners at the Marlborough-Blenheim Hotel in At- lantic City. From the snow sheds and lumber camps of Cali- fornia he went to those wonderful restaurants, the Harvey houses on the Sant i Fe railroad; the Cleveland Athletic Club knew him for one short week, and many a Pullman diner, clicking o\er the rails between Chicago and New ^'ork, bore a prosperous business, man who praised the salad, and if he could have gone into the kitchen end, he would have found Old Man McKee\er busily engaged in mixing the mayonnaise! Then came the day at Camp Willis when B Battery saw a strange face underneath the white cap that showed in the kitchen. But, as their prior experience had been "cooks may come and cooks may go, but slum goes on forever," they didn't pay much attention to him until that night at mess and then — they tasted the biscuits; they tried the french-fried potatoes; they sampled the gravy; and they ate the chocolate pudding; and one hun- dred and fifty \oices were raised in an awe-striken whisper — "Good Lord' Who's the cook ^" And McKeever had arrived' Like all other great "artists " he was temperamental, and Caruso's wildest storms were zephyrs beside the ha\oc created when the "Major" got peeved. Those were the times when kitchen police peeled spuds in fear and trembling, and the Mess Sergeant stayed far, far away from the mess hall. McKeever got into scrapes innumerable — and got out of them because the captain wanted pie. At Christmas time he lucklessly fell into the hands of the law and was in the guard-house when Christ- mas came, but they let him out- partly because they didn't want anybody there on Christmas — mostly be- cause the battery had to ha\e Christmas dinner! And Colonel Bush was right when he told him. after one of his numerous escapades — "McKeever, about the only thing I can say to fit the case is that you are a most necessary e\il' " He left the outfit when he got his discharge, on account of dependency, at Fort Sheridan, 111. The battery saw him just once after that; thc\- had been at Ft. Benjamin Harrison about a month when he walked into the kitchen with enough stripes on his arm to outfit twenty cor- porals. He was Sergeant McKeever, cook instructor in the U. S. Army. He stayed just long enough to bake the boys a batch of biscuits to show that he still had his old-time form, go over a few border experiences, and then he was gone again. Here's to you, Major. where\er you may be! ^'ou may ha\e cussed us at times — but Good Lord, how you could cook ! Mess Halls UNDOUBTEl^L^' the most luxurious mess hall that ever harbored B Battery during the meal hour was the one at Camp Sheridan. Ala it was more like home than any other "dining room " that the Battery e\er used. Spacious, well ventilated an^i always clean, it was the pride of the Battery cooks. Of course the two first named qualities could be found in another hardly so popular Battery dining room, namely, "the great out-doors " wherein E^ Battery ate many meals both here and "o\er there " At Fort Ben Harrison, as at Camp Willis the well \-entilated and spacious out-doors was the mess hall Fort Sheridan, 111., offered a fair mess hall but it lacked one quality — space. It was impossible for the entire Battery to eat there at one time Then in France, At Camp de Souge the mess hall was a weird affair inasmuch as it was kept in total darkness at all times to a\oid ha\ ing the llies purloin the meals before the Battery arrived. After leaving Camp de Souge. the mess was served from the rolling kitchens to be eaten in nature's mess hall. The Battery didn't enjoy the luxury of a mess hall again until they reached the Pontenazen barracks at Brest. Here they saw the busiest mess hall in the world. This kitchen fed ten thousand men every hour, everything moving like clock-work. Back again in the U. S. A., the Battery returned to mess halls much the same as the old one at Camp Sheridan, tables, benches n'everything. With all the luxury of stoves, tables and chairs, n(;)twithstanLling. nature's mess hall was, without doubt, the one that will be the fondest memory as the most appreciated dining room B Battery ever emptied mess kits in. Fish Tay Haller and joe Kelly when they paid fifty cents to see New ^'ork from the top of the Wool- worth Building. Fish Mutt Bausman when he threw nine one dollar billt in the fire and put candy wrapper in his pocket as Sheridan. PEMd Editor's Note. Historians tell lis that when Roscoe Poling was a mere babe and hael Jtist reached the crawling age, his mother misseel things around the house. Odd mittens, rubber boots, bottles ol ink, candles, cups, frying pans, and se\eral articles of china-ware, disappeared miraculously. After two weeks of this, just when she was beginning to believe in spiritualism, she started house-cleaning, and in the nursery, behind little Roscoe's bed, she found all the missing articles stacked up accord- ing to size. At such an early age then, Roseoe showed his adaptability to the job of Quartermaster Down on the Mexican border, where the sand-storms shrieked down the batter\ street, Roseoe A. Poling was a goo^l wheel- driver and he admittei.1 it himsell;when he got his corporals stripes he was lourth sec- tion gunner for a while and he was nearly always on the aiming-point ; as a caisson-cor- poral, his "Double section, left oblique!" and other commands rang out so firmly that there was no mistaking them. But his real rise to the heights of fame elid not come un- til he started holding down the job ol B Battery SuppK' Sergeant; ani.1 two days after he mo\ed into the Liuartermastcr's tent at Camp Sheridan an^l staitcl dealing out the castile-soap. the>' startcLl to Hock into the battery street from all o\ercamp to see the pcrteet quar- termaster. If any man was e\er fitted for a job. Roseoe certainly found his proper niche when he sat down among the piles of "blouses, woolen, O. D" and "Pistol belts — web There was a quartermaster on your life' C. T Sharpe used to say that if B Batter\' e\er landed near the tront in France, anci lost e\er\ thing it ha^l. it was no cause for worry: Poling could start out in the morning with a "fourgon" wagon or a two-wheekxl cart, and get back at night with "equipment C lor c\ery man, and a tra\eling kitchen thrown in for good measure. Rough, gruft regi- mental supply sergeants with hearts of stone, and world- w ide reputations for stinginess. ha\e been known to listen to Poling for a half-hour, then throw their arms around his neck, weep real tears, and pile his cart high with Lncle Sams best with the promise of two more loads as soon as the stuff came in At times v. hen there apparently had been no candles throughotit the length and breadth of [ranee, the sergeant has started out on a sleuthing expedition, and returned with two dozen candles — and a carbide lighting system' What it took to collect junk he was full of : he could start out w ith nothing and ha\'e the battery full\- equipped in ten days with enotigh left o\er to make three trips to the sahage dump. In LJealmg with the men he was "tres bien." His micLlle name was "diplomacy, and "We treat you right" his watchwor^l. He could argue you into belie\ ing that \()U were fat. thin. tall, short, knock-kneed or bow- legge^l; that \ou needled a pair of shoes or that \ou Llitln't Hr that a new o\erseas cap was just the thing for \ou, or that it was much better for the hair to go bare-hcai.kxl. It is well worth the price of admission to sec him in action — a long line of wait- ing men, those who neei^kvl clothes and those who thought the\' did — a window opens with a bang, the line straightens up aiul mo\ es forward an^l Supply Sergeant Roseoe A. Poling is reach' for business. — "PerioLl. check, next man'" I he first batter-up is "Nick" ("arson; he needs a pair of pants badly- -in fact his are starting to wear through in se\eral places. ".\ pail" ol pants. Sarge. size ^2 around the waist." " I hirt\'-six is all Ivegot, Try em on, the\ II lit you "Closh' lO wduki swamp me. woukln't it'" "No. I shouki s;i\ not. This is a small ^o besides the\ 11 shrink, Clo ahcaLl, take em. \Ia\- not ha\e any more in lor a couple of months. W hat's Nour ntimber? Number 12"). PerioLl. check, next man'" The next bitLl is (".lyde Lamiell He's here lor pants too, onK his waist Llimensions Llilfer largely from Nick Carsons. "Sergeant, 1'lI like to get a pair of pants abotit the size of 40, if \()u'\c got them. I ha\'e — " "Thirl\-six IS all I'xe got. Try em on, the\'ll fit \ou " "G'wan. where Jo you get that sttifT" iCictting har^l- boiled). "It sail I can do to squeeze into a 40 an^l that s the trtith. too'" "Fhat's all right, this is a large 3o. besii^les it will stretch. Ck) ahead, take em. May not ha\e any more for a couple of months. What's \our number' Number 7S. Period, check, next man! " Oh. he's a smooth little worker! Bob Wiener is the next prospective customer. He is one of the greatest little clothes collectors in the army. Page ll'i The Ixi'd (iiiidon If he has only se\cn shirts, and three pairs of sox, he thinks he w ill ha\e to go in rags. "Well, well' How's the old Quartermaster Sergeant''" (The old army game calculated to put Roscoe in a good humor. Swell chance') "Sarge, I want a blouse, and a pair of shoes, and a belt, and if 1 c4on't get a new pair of puttees, I'll ha\-e to start wrapping surcingles around my legs — and I want a suit ol underwear, and a pair of shoe laces. That's about all, 1 guess "Ha\en t got any ol that stufl Cja\c out the last blouse ten minutes ago. No hobs, no unLlcrwcar " "Oh. fcir Hea\ens sake'" (A plainti\'e wail.) "This makes the (ouith time We stood in line and haxen't got- ten a darn thing Im getting tired — " "Wait a minute' I've got something else you can have. Something pretty nice. too. 1 ry that oxerseas cap, it's a new style." The cap goes on the old bean 1 hen — "How does it look''" "Swell' Go ahead, take it' If you e\cr get back to .Akron with that on, you'll be the hit of the battery!" says Roscoe. Poor Bob' lietter men than he ha\c fallen before Roscoe's subtle flattery. Bob takes the hat, forgetting all about the blouse, hobs, etc., that he didn't get, and goes awa\' thinking Poling is a prett>' good fellow. And Poling' He grins, leans over the book and w rites down — "One overseas cap. Number I'-^S " "Period, check, next man'" The Small Boys IN 1Q81 A. D. or thereabouts, alter all the okl nicmlx'rs of Battery B of ,'\kron are either lost or lorgotlen, or too old to hobble around to tell the school children war stories on Decoration Da>', Robert Wiener and Winlield McCracken should still be able to get around on their canes and preach the gospel of old Batter\' B Bob Wiener and "Red MeO.racken were the champion iu\eniles of the Battery ^.lown m .Mabama and in I- ranee As the Battery was preparing to lea\e hrance the two boys celebrated their seventeenth l^iith^laxs \\ lener was a trifle over fifteen \ears old when he enlisted in B Batters m .Alaon McCracken was two months or so younger i^ob hai-l hai\ll\ discari_led his high school knee pants when he i^iit on his first O. D, knickerbockers, same with "l^ed ' 1 lieir ages however never was a serious handicap in their determination to soldier and both boys went through the training pcrio^ls in the .States and "over there " with- out a hitch. Fish Ritter, ketch and Schnake when thc\- took a taxi at Montgomery to get away from the M,P. Do you remember the automatic piano at the Hotel de 1 Gare^ Fish J. B. .Michaels when he paid an English barber fifty cents for a haircut on the good ship "Nestor," Do you remember Sotipy Sam and jim on the U. S. S. New Hampshire^ The tout 5ei-^ednts Cdpt tedHj ^tvefif the credit to ht;? ^tdff DL'RING a conversation in I'rancc one day Captain Leah\' remarked that "the Battery commander of^ B Batter\- had things prctt\- soft " When asked why. he mentioned lour men, and said that with these fbtir men on the job, the hatter>' com- mander coLild take life pretty easy. 'Hie four mentioned were. First Sergeant F-'rederick H. Greene. Supply Ser- geant Roscoe A. Poling, Mess Sergeant George C, Curr\', and Stable Sergeant Riehaivl L^a\er\' It was a quartette that coukln't he beat and in their respecti\'e departments the> were wonders. Frederick H (.Mike) Greene, as first sergeant of B Battery was without doubt the best "top kick" with the U. S. Arm\-, an^l the fellows all admitted it Mike was at one and the same time a .soklier and a man being. A combination that is seldom fotind. Mike joined the Battery as a private at Akron, Ohio, and through those eventful border days he cIkI his ^lutv as a private. Perhaps Mike did his share of gokl-biieking and extra duty, but show us a good private who hasn't. Cor- poral's stripes came to him at Camp f^errv'. Sergeant stripes followed quickly and at f^t. Benjamin Harrison he became the battery's First Sergeant. From then until the word "dismissed" soun^led for the last time, Mike was the battery's "top soak." .As a soklier he toed the mark and e.xpectecl every other man in the battery to do the same. He had been a private long enough to know the ways and wiles of a private ,\ mans loot might slip once or twice in the line ol cluty and the "top would overlook it, but woe tn the man whose loot kept continually slipping. ,Mikc would quietlv' sand his path with some extra duty an^l the slipping would come to a sudden stop, F'irst Sergeant Greene was the cap- tain's right hand man. He knew what was to be done and he did it The battery was always out on time lor formations, Lletails were picked and sent their ways and Mike kept the battery running smoothly an^l ciuietlv like a well oiled machine, ,An order given to him was an order obeyed and carried out. No wonder Sergeant Frederick H. Greene was one of Captain Leahy's main stays. Supplv' Sergeant Roscoe A- Poling was the second ol the batterv' s famous quartette, as "Fooling, R, A.. Sergeant Supply" he was there, ^'cp' he sure was. No chance of the men freezing for lack of clothes as long as Roscoe pre- sided over the Q. M. Dept. He knew to a shoe-string or a pair of socks just how much clothes every man in the battery had, and just when the above mentioned shoe string or pair of socks should wear out. He didn't wait until the men were thread-bare, or for ori-lers to get the supplies. Not Roscoe; he went out and got tlie stuff and saw that it was properly issued. In training camps in the States and in training camps "over there" the "Sergeant Supply" was on the job and when the battery struck the front Roscoe was on the job w ith a vengeance. "Beau-coup" pairs of socks and gloves were sent to the men in the firing batterv' with occasional supplies of breeches and shirts. "Believe you me'' 1 hose socks did come in handy' A pair of socks was soaking wet after a mornings work in the gun-pit. Thanks to Poling there was alwav^ a pair of dry ones handy .After the armistice, while in muLkly billets above Rambluzin, Ros- coe showcLl his true worth, F4ere, there an^l evervvvhere, over the length an^l breadth of France he went po- licing ani.1 salvaging with his "Libertv wagon " and when at inspection on Saturday morning the men's cloth- ing shovvcLl clean an^l neat, it is no wonkier that a cer- tain captain grinnixl an^l remarke^l- -"f jcc' km a luckv' guv to have sLich a Supply Sergeant " Number three m the tamous list stan^K Ralph C Currv', .Mess Sergeant .\s dietitian of the batterv' he delivercLl the goods. If any of Americas lamous res- taurants or hotels are looking tor a managei', here s a recommendation for Ralph C. "George" assumed the job of feeding the two hunLlre^l ""buzzards"" in the battery at Camp Perrv , an^l boy, hovvdv, btit he did succeed He eertainlv scrve^l some sumptuous repasts at lort Fien an^l Sheridan F^illicult though his job was, he usually managei.1 to appease the appetites of the boys. Shortly before the battery lett for F-ranee, ""(jcorge " left his duties m the kitchen ( ') and it was with great re- joicing that the gang saw him rettirn to them ab;)Ut two months after the battery arrived in F-ranee. Everyone had a gooel vvor^l lor Currv. and Ciirry had a go;Kl wori.1 for everybodv. He was all broken out with pep and applied most of it to his job. After a long tiresome hike, when everyone was tired and hungrv , "C^eorge ' would start the kitchen going ani.1 in a short time there woukl be plenty ol "chow" with which to line ones ribs. It took lots of pep and ambition to get hold of food in France, that is, something besides corned beef, and what It took. C'urry had He was all over I- ranee, "parlez- vousing" with the natives, and trvmg to get hokl of something out of the ordinarv' rtin of armv' chnw. I he Christmas dinner, he handled out in F^rance, was a climax to his career as Mess Sergeant, Under the existing con- dition It was a master-piece and that the boys all en- joyed It and appreciated their Mess Sergeant was at- tested that night by the rousing cheers they bestowed on Sergeant Ralph C. Ctirry. Last, but not least, of the famous lour was Richarcl "Dick" Lavery. the battery Stable Sergeant. F.avery, in Pdijr J Hi Tilt' lied (iiiichm point of army service, was the youngest sergeant in the battery, being in the army bi.it six months when he as- sumed his duties anel three stripes. What he dieln't knew about horses, wasn't worth knowing. No man in the battery took a keener or more intelligent interest in his work than Dick did in his work aroLin^l the stables. He could take a horse worth thirt\- cents ani-l in a month have him looking like a million dollars. It was not necessary for the inspecting officer to look the horses over as long as La\ery was in charge of them, and the battery commander placed perfect confidence in his judgment, I Ic knew what was best for the horses both in health and sickness, and he took pains to see that each horse got just what was coming to him. In F-rance horses were rather a scarce article, yet the ones the battery had were always in good condition and at all times fit for service. In rain and mud and cold, they were properly cared for and sheltered, and there were many times when to do this meant a difficult job for the Stable Sergeant, Lkit, nevertheless, the job was always done and done well, Dick ran the stables in great shape and with the least friction possible. No wonder the battery commander silently congratulated himself and remarked how soft his job was with the four efficient aides he had at his command. Schmok and Williams B ILL Schmok was the tallest man that c\er soklicie^l Neither of these bovs were with the battcrv wlien it in Battery B, according to all observers L^ill be able to see the first sergeant coming alter a detail long before the rest of the soldiers in his tent. He was si.\ teet lour inches tall. In one of those old campaign hats he used to look like a big Texas ranger. He walked with a slight slouch, his toes pointe^l in an^l his spurs out. Bill anLl Harry "Happv " W'llluiins used to look funny going together down the batteiv street. In tl-.e battery front it was Bill aiiLl Harry and a lew more like them that use^l ti> give the battery such an irregular skvime "Happy " was just short enough, he use^l to say, to be able to get down on a checker board and beat Al Borden two out ol three games, Williams it will be recalLxl, won the battery checker title from Al Borden at T.amp Sheridan. Jtl to ■achei.1 b ranee, Happv' went over ahead of the outfit as a special mechanic anei Bill, just fiefore the battery pliIIclI away from Sheridan, was called to I i4th regimental headquarters. Fish I red (.lark w hen he gave Shaw ten dol- lars to traele horses at Sheridan, Do you remember 'the zero hour'" Do you remember General Grel^le on "Buck" Weaver's lead horse? Fish Buck I loljman w hen he w ent for the out-post. Dave Takes 12 THL most important ^lav- in Dave Berson's Batterv' career was the day he took twelv e prisoners while the Battery was on the front, The capture woukl have been an important one had the war not been over when Dave caught them, Ihe prisoners L3avc brought in were Russians and had been German prisoners before Dave got them, 1 hey had been left behind by the retreating German army a few davs after the armistice. .And L)ave on a scotit around the Lleserted front lines (ound the prisoners und took them into camp and every- place from the kitchen to the "Carilx)ii" Dave spoke their language an^l I'ounLl that they were htingry. He fed them ancl offereLJ them wiir^ls of cheer. Before he released them he tokl them anLl the rest of the Battervmen helped him to tell them that the war was over and that thev could go back to Russia. The Red (iiiidon l\ujc 11] The General WHO was the fj;reatest militar\- leader of all times — Alexander, Marshal Foch, General Pershing, or General Dunn^ Mutt Bausman, Earnest l-ulmer. Clyde Lamiell, Dick La\ery. Bob Ryden. Maik Dresse. ani.1 others who ser\ei.l in the aimies of Ck-neral Wilbur \'. Dunn will tell noli that Wilbur was the greatest of them all, Dunn had three armies in the iiekl at one time or another at Ft, Benjamin Harrison, Ind, In his first army were Jimmy Bennett, Mark Dreese, St raud Jackson and Louis Youngs, Wilbur's second arm\ was composed of Tom Kelly. His third and greatest army was made up of fellows like Tub Lamiell, Dick Thomas. "Skeets" Werner, Dick Lavery and others, about thiit\ or more, Dunn's armies will be remembered by B flattery as long as the great war itself, Down on the border Wilbur was a pole prop manipu- lator in the F'ifth Section, He was m Gorporal Ho- mer Da\-is" squad of caisson mounters, W hen the old men of the battery began at Camp [-"errx to step out of the ranks and into non-com and commissioned jol^s, Wilbur didn't make much effort to get o\er the hump. He remained a pri\ate until there was no more a\ailable old men tor the work of drilling recruits. Then one day at Ft, Benjamin Harrison C^aptain joe Johnston grabbed Wilbur and tokl him to teach the rudiments of the army game to Jimmy Bennett, LOreese, Jackson, and Youngs. From the day Wilbur took charge of this little first army he was a different boy. From a slow moving, tired, indifferent soldier, the old general changed over night into one of the strictest disciplinarians ever un- covered in L'ncle Sam's army. Wilbur established himself in an officer's tent at the left of the battery camp and the military formalities he inaugurated o\er there in his section of the camp would have shamed General Pershing himself. The boys had to get permission to see the general, stand bareheaded at attention while they talked to him and lIo an about face when the general i.lismissed them from his presence- Wilbur used to haul out his first army. Bennett. Dreese. Jackson and Youngs, and march them around the countrv in close order tormation. The boys marchei.1 so close that Jackson, marching behind Dreese. could not axoid butting Dreese in the back with his knees, fk-nnett be- hind Jackson would butt Jackson's back and tickle him The first two ^lays of this were too much for Recruit Youngs of the first army an^l he went .•\,W,0,L, back home to .Akron dnd sta\ei-l there. The old boys chided Wilbur about this, reminding him that one-fourth of his entire armv hatl gone .\ \\ 0,L. Then for a while Wilbur had only one man in his army. He was recruit Fom Kelly, W'ilbur used to yell for Tom, "[Retail fall in, " he'd say. Then he'd march Kelly all o\er the lot giving him "sciuads right," "right front into line," and other battery mo\-ements, Tom Kell\' was taught moves and turns that no other sol- dier ever heard abc)ut, Dunn ga\'e Tom "Squads right about! Column left'" one afternoon and fvelly turned around three times, became di:zy, and stepped on the general's foot, W ilbiir gave him three days' extra tluty sweeping out the first sergeant's tent alter drill hours, I he okl t imers who had soldiered with Wilbur on the bon.ler wouki gather skilly in the gun park to watch the general march 1 om Kelly up from the field of maneuver and begin giving orders, "Detail halt I Right face' Fall out' ball in again at one o'clock," W''ilbur would shout. Bv' the time Dunn took charge of his third army the general was riding them high and handsome. He seemed to h.ive the wori.1 Irom the war department to go the limit — to whip his armv into shape in the least possible time at all costs. So when kester Deselms, Bob Miller, "Happy" Williams, .\1 Mueller, Bill Lenihan, Erritt Sanders, bred Cunningham, Percv" Harris, Holton b'ord, George Capron, an^l the rest of the recruits went out for drill under Dunn there was much crabbing anel many threats, /Knd everv' time the boys showe^l signs of dis- satisfaction or hmte^l at mutinv, the general pinned on some more Llisciplme an^l smilcLl out of the side of his mouth. lo the recruits the situation was serious, I'o the rest of the battery LT)unn's army troubles were both interesting and amusing, W'ilbur trainee^ his third army and then got into one of the sections of the battery where he corporaled arouuLl until he was made a sergeant. khc general's methiKis were opposed to all battery precedent, but Wilbui' always stuck to them in spite ot this, antl he usuallv' commanLkxl a section ol good sol- diers. Page IIS The Red Guidon Fuel '^^ m H: %m :VEL for the Sibley stoves used in camp in the States was always a soit of bone of con- tention, Li\en on the border where the\' had but to go to the kitch- en at the head of the street to get it the bat- terymen would alw ays argue about whose turn it was to carry wood. in Alabama where the next eold weather caught them in tents, B Battery had the uniL|ue experience of hunting their own wood. Back of the camp was a big woods, part of which was in a swamp. There were at least a dozen kinds of woolI in this little forest, ele\en of which were good for ftiel. Although it was L|uite a tlistance to carry the stulf the Batter\men overcame much of the Lliffictiltv bv bring- ing in a whole tree at a time With a pair ol big wheel horses the boys would go down the hill to the woolIs, cut their tree down and by fastening a chain arouriLl it and attaching the chain to the harness, the matter of getting the log to camp was made easy. In camp, of course, the matter of getting the log cut into desirable pieces for the stove was always another subject of much discussion Alter having their tent cold for a night or two the bovs wouki get busv" and lill the place with ten inch sticks It was verv aggravating to "snake" a big log into camp and then fin^l that it coukln"t be cut. Such was the predicament that manv of the hattervmen found themselves in ^luring the first weeks in Camp Sheridan. After an all afternoon hunt one Saturday, Bill Sum- mers, Percy and "Huntz" Jackson, Bill Pearson and some other first section fellows came intt) camp with a huge log which looked perfect. After sawing it into the proper lengths, the work of splitting it into the desired widths commenced It was never completed though for the ax bounced off the block as it would from a block of iron. The Battery forester S B. Jackson informed the boys that they had brotight in some gtim-wood which would defy anything but dynamite It was the onlv wixid in the swamp that defied an ax and the first section boys were not the onlv' ones to be fooled. The fellows soon learned that the best bet was pine ani.1 when they left Camp Sheridan, there wasn't a pine tree nearer than two miles of B Battery's camp. When the next cold weather came and found the boys in I- ranee, there were many times they wished for just one old Camp Sheridan log, btiel of any sort was very scarce "over there " The first real need of a fire came while the Battery was living in the dug-outs and cellars of Laimont, Stoves could not be found anywhere and after fires were started right in the micklle of the dug-out floors it was a mighty struggle to find enough wood to keep them going. Every- thing burnable that the vigilant town-major didn't catch the boys taking went into the fires. At the front, of course, there were few fires, although It was eold at times. Dry wood could be burned with the least chance of detection so, in the positions on the Pannes sector, the old German billets served as fuel for the German stov es On that memorable hill above Rambluzin is where the greatest shortage was felt. After two days of vain efforts to cut down one of the man\- trees there, the Battcrymen started burning their bunks In every woods, the brench government had a watchman or forester, whose dutv' it was to protect the trees from axes, especially those of American soldiers. The standard price of a tree seemed to be twenty francs, for, regardless of size or kind, the hill presented for a tree chopped c^ovvn, was always the same. All wood for burning had to be purchased from the French Government They acquired their fuel wood by trimming rather than felling the trees. On one occasion John Michaels and "Okl Joe " Stone- barger came up to camp with several sacks of charcoal. A few days later Regimental Headquarters was informed that thev' would have to buv all the remaining charcoal in the building from which these sacks were stolen, bor the remainder of the stay on the hill the boys kept pretty warm for charcoal throws a lot of heat and the salvaged German stoves proved to be much nicer ti) have aroLincl than anything else of Teuton origin On the train bound lor the coast the Battcrymen haLl their first opportunity to use brench coal and they used plenty of it, too In Brest they again found tents equipped w ith Siblevs an^l it was the first thing that they had seen that looke^l like home. After those cold nights and colder mornings in France, surely no B Batteryman will recall "snaking" logs at Sheridan without remarking, "We didn't know how luckv we were." AKMYIKMS HOPb. as LlclineJ b\ Webster or his eontemporaries is; "a desire of gooel, aeeompanieJ with a heliel that it is attainable. " or, in anothei' sense, "one in whom trust or conficlenee is plaeeLl. " How and why does this concern you^ In what way should a discussion of "Hope" interest you' "Hope" is a beacon on the shoals of discouragement forever pointing us on to the harbor of success. Only "hope" bolsters up our billing courage in the face of apparent failure and we find in hope the inspiration to continue toward our goal, despite the difficulties besetting our path. Obstacles are o\ercome because they seem less imposing when hope, the searchlight is played upon them and we eventualK' ride o\er them and on to attain- ment, and success because we ha\e desired good m the belief that we may succecel. On the other hand, hope denicel, means despair, discouragement and defeat and we are plunged into a life of purposeless acti\ ity, wandering aimlessly from place to place because since there is no hope, of success, of advancement, there is nv mccntne to genious, to loyalty, to endea\or. But who lacks hope. No one ol us. to be sure, for its absence is nothing more nor less than eleath — tor hope is life That IS the psychology ol it. the theory, what is the practice' In B Battery, hope first became significant m It, E^en Harrison da\'s as a name applie^l to stu^lent officers the "hopes" and little diel the Batier\ realize the true meaning of the term, "one m whom trust or confidence is placed " In the thinking machmciA ol the soklier, hope takes on a new aspect, it loses a eeriain amount of the seriousness because it becomes such a part ol his life, so inseparably connecteel with his e\er\\lay alfairs, Hope go\erns the soldier's every act or its moti\e His Rising — Ihat there will l^c a lire (in wmterl : that the band w ill or w ill not pla\ , (..letermineel by his opinion ol their efforts or his faeilit\- at '.Ircssmg); that, il late, the sergeant will not report him, or if he does, that the sentence will be light THESE French don't seem to LiuLlerstanel then own language," said Chaplain .Atkinson to Major l\a\- enagh. '"You're right Chaplin," replietl the Ma|or, "I'xe noticed that myself." .\t Mess Call That there will be a .goo^l breakfast: that the K P are benexolent; for hot mess kit water: seconds for (buzzards). At Drill Call — To escape disagreeable details; for bunk fatigue, (if raining); for early recall, (if not ) . -At Stables — I'or a clean horse, anel a short grooming penoLl, -At Noon — I'or mail: for "beaucoup mess anel generous portions. At Drill (^all — To escape disagreeable details; lor bunk fatigue, it raining; lor earl\" recall, il not ,\t Recall — lo escape guard dut\ , il on guard, for tlesirable post and relief At Retreat — Nothing — but — Later — (If ,going to town), for spced\' transpor- tation, (thinking of .\ lontgomer\- 1 In I own II a flapper, for a flappee : anel later, to be on time lor check, (some of them) On Saturda\~ bor no inspection; or to escape detection of a dirty ctip. it inspeeteel; lor the half holidax' without details: to escape K. F-". the follow mg week. On SunLlas' I'or no work. E\eryda\' - I o escape extra duty In brance-- To go home "tout de suite ' .An^l of all ol these the last was not the least. So lite goes, with our ho|ies intermingled with our |o\s aiiel se)rrows. e\"er lulflllmg the worsts ol some un- known. "Nothing hoped lor nothing gained. "\\ h> . contmuci-l I loly joe. "1 went into a restaurant the other ^la\ an^l when the waitress came around 1 tokl her I wanted three eggies. straightie tippic. and she shrugged her shouklers and said. 'No eompre ' I couldn't see what was wrong, I said it jtist as plain, " pCftftSOK , ) 'SAM PlHOCMtt AV?*? PCOTS ^ StBF^lL IrtC CPM> tHOOfCRS "BsPlBiN '/' fff \ \ lOOTBftLI, r't5'1v H^^r7s^cT '':^,''OLLBN^ECK M.^at^Z^ICHT - »"^iirBap>inin,MM ■nail The Red Guidon Mountain Climbing IT'S a safe het that mountain climhinji w 11 ne\er appeal to an old B Batteryman as a pleasmc. A large percentage of the boys who were in lexas got their first experience in this sport ( ') by climbing Mt Franklin. After one trip to the top though, the old hill lost its attraction for the boys. L'pon reaching the top they had to hunt a new way to get down for they could- n't descend the same path they used in coming up. Mt. Franklin lay behind Camp Pershing, the B Battery camp, and its majestic white peak looked to be only about ten or fifteen minutes walk from the Battery street. The Battery landed in Camp Pershing the last of the week and by Sunday e\ery man not on the sick report was packing a lunch for a trip to the summit of the mountain. Of course a great many more started than ever reached the top and after traveling fixe thousand of the seven thousand feet to the summit, many turned around. They found that what looked to be a ten minute walk was in reality an eight mile hike. The first B Battery pait>' to reach the top was: Don Northrup, Bill F-'oltz, Claire Ault, Clarence boust, Roscoe Poling, Russ Trombley, Tommy Thompson and Otis Shryock. T his party on its return effected a rescue of two men from the Fightli Ohio Infantry. The infantrymen had attempted to make the summit by a short route and w.ere caught on a ledge where they could neither get up or down 1 he\' said the\' had been there three hours. By tying web belts together and fastening their canteen straps on the end, the B Battery- men pulled the stranded doughboys to safety. In camp once more this party found another already returned. They were Sperry, Freelander, Shrank, Snapp, iMcCollum ani.1 Hobensack. Later on Cunningham. Cooper and Grimm came dragging themsehes in and they all swore that it was their last offense. Thereafter the E^atterymen onh" went as far up Mt. Franklin as they could on horseback. Surely those who climbeel the hills — young mountains they were, of Europe will never adopt mountain climbing as a pastime either. From the i.la\- thev landed at Liverpool and climbed that steep Moun Hill till the day they left Brest by climb- ing and i.lescenLling the hills arounel the Pontenazen Barracks, B flattery's days were full of climbing hills. Camp du Chanois above Rambluzin was only accessible after a climb of a half mile and before leaving that place e\ery Batter\man hai.1 sworn to stay on level ground unless the hills couki be descenLled by street ears. Baseball at Camp Perry OWING to the condition of the Lake fine C^amp Llur- ingB Battery's stay there it was out ol the question to think of baseball although the recruits coming m at that time could ha\e furnished a fine team 1 here was one game played after Lake Frie condescended to retire to its natural proportions, but boxing was the most in- teresting sport, .'Mthough not participated in by many of B Battery- men, boxing held the interest of all and proxed that as soon as the first rookie days were o\er the oLl men were going to learn something about glo\es The entire battalion used to turn out to watch the bouts between Fddie Jones and Chet Springer of C Batter\- and some (.)f the older boys. Aside from iMx-ddie Clark's hard luck f ■>) game against the Engineer's baseball team, B Battery didn't enter into sports much at Camp Perry, Baseball at Fort Benjamin Harrison T(X) much Battery work an^l too much Indianapolis are gi\en as reasons for the lack ol interest shown in baseball while the B Batterymen were at It ti^enjamin Harrison, Inel. There is no question about the hard wtirk there lor It was continuous ^Inll and eletail work all the time \\ hen not out helping train the caiilet offkers in the methoels ol artillery, the Batterymen w ere cleaning horses or materiel An occasional trip to the city then, was necessary for the l^urpose of relaxation. To spend the spare time practicing or playing baseball in camp was not to be thought of unless one was broke. George Brunei', (jlenn Spai.lc and t3on Cochran spent man>' an e\ening m tr\ing to get the bo>'s out lor some practice, btit met with little success. On one oc- casion the>- founLl enough to iustif\ them in accepting the challenge of .\ Battery for a game. The result of that game should ha\ e encouraged the fellow s to continue, but It didn't Warren Scott pitched the f^ liatterxmen to a one-siekxl \ictory. On the next occasion they lost to C Battery an^l thereafter the baseball was confined to warming-up. The Red Guidon Page J'SI The Polo Pastimers POLO as pla\cJ on the Meadow brook field by profes- sionals and on the mesa in Texas by B Batterymen dif- fers somewhat, not dtie ho\\e\er to lack of enthusiasm dis- plaNeel by the lattei'. Just who was responsible for introelueinfi the sport to B Battery is not definitely known but several among whom were Don Seott and Lyle XleCormiek lookei-l LiuiltN', Someone brought a polo stiek into camp, flaunted it in the laces of the boys anel as a result there was a run oi polo equip- ment It must be admitted that two dollars and a half for a polo stick is a mere pittance if one hoped to see his picture in Vanity Fair with the other celebrities. Bob Newman as well as Oscar Hol- lenbcck and Horace Shaw at once discovered that they had the original polo ponies, while Tommy Thompson. Howard Treat and Captain Al- brecht admitted that the\ made the best appearance on the field. Then those strenuous though painlul weeks ot practice with the oh' so elusiw ball and the stick ne\er the right length nor weight But tired though he was, any man would argue o\er this or that point It was in the after-game argument that the boys learned the fine points. In the \ ery mi^lst of it came the ortler that go\ernment horses were not to be used for polo. but. of course, there were those to whom such an order meant nothing. Bob Newman played his lead horse a few weeks longer and it took a month before "Hollie" and his "Baldx" could be paeificLl The old fire department horses had met their ri\als in these ponies. The horses suffered greath' for the polo stick was continually tripping them and ha\ ing no particular grudge against the ball the\- usually ran away from it. Captain Albrecht went out to pla\ one da\- and at the the first shot he lost the Ixill. but. of course, it was the pony's fault It IS hintei.! that m the homes of some of the Battery- men there are hidden away these polo sticks, perhaps, "their skeleton in the closet." There was a re\i\al of the game in (~amp Sheridan, but most of the players were Majors or better, so B Battery didn't become enthused again. The Crihbage Evil i Tl .'hat is the definition gi\'en by Johnn>- W alker and Al Borden lor the game of cribbage. A definition that will probabK' be acknowledged by many of the sharps of B Battery who used to sit around their tents an^l "fifteen — two. fifteen — four" until the lights were put out, "Major" i\Icl\ee\'er ah\ays claimed that he in\ente^l the game and couldn't be beaten but ne\ertheless on many occasions he left the table forming alibis and claim- ing that he forgot to "peg 'em all ' Many were the card games that came and went in their popularit\' w ith the Batterymen. Ihey plaxcel them all from bridge-whist to penny-ante, but the only one to sur\i\e the lour years without having at any time been forgotten, was cribbage. With such fellows as Johnny Walker, Roland Herbert. Bill Pearson and CKde Cre\eling to stand sponsor for it. cribbage couldn't be forgotten. At Camp Sheridan there seemed to be a noticeable shortage in players of this favorite pastime, but nothing daunted Bill Pearson and "Mutt " Bailsman each with a string ol proteges soon had the game back on the okl footing. In fact there was alwa\s a cribbage game where there was a cribbage board to be found. Although there ne\er was any gambling on a game of cribbage. there was an attachment felt by all the players lor the game that often pulled them out of a w inning crap game to pla\ a few rounds ol "fifteen — two."" Some of the most heate^l arguments that e\er took place in camp, started oxer some point in a ciiblxtge game. 1 here were, times that Cliff Schnake didn"t speak to a man in his tent, JList on account of some misunderstanding o\er a cribbage game. On one occasion Cliff was almost forced to sleep outside, alter Bill Pearson had thrown his bunk out of the tent. The championsb.ip in this game, although ne\er actually decided by a series of games, was claimed by at least si.\ men in the Battery. Bill Pearson had probably the best claim on it, l:iLit he was alwa\s hotl\' contested b>- Tub Lamiell, Harold Moock and several other peggers in the Batter\'. Do you remember F'red Exner's "0\er the Top" story ^ Do you remember the craf Swede. Bill Bass^ The Red (liiidon Page rj.') Basketball at Camp Sheridan DURINCJ B [-battery's sojoLirn In Camp Shcri^lan Uic athletes of that ori^anization took part in all eamp athletics anel maele an enxiable record in e\cry liianch Alter the strenuous season of lootball it was rathei" hard to arouse any interest in basketball immediatelv and the season had about half fled when the boys cliel finally get together. \\ hen the\- lIilI oi'ganize though, they were so far ahead of the other eamp teams that it was decided they could beat the crack northern teams. No of^cial games were played, but the Batterymen would go to the gym at the Coliseum and challenge an\' fi\e men on the floor. A schedule was arranged lor three games and the bo\s were <>n then' way tor Ohio March 1st. Owing to a misunderstanding the team was ndt all present lor the first game which was with the sturdy U. B's. of Canton. 1 he Jackson brothers ani.1 Chll Schnake being the (>nl\ Batter\men on the lloor that night, a team was maele Lip of substitutes from ("anton. It was a fast game, but owing to the boys tinlamiliarity with each other, the B Battery trio were on the short end of a 2S to 20 score. The following evening the B Batter\ e|uintette were on the floor early and in fine shape, \ he opponents for this game were none other than the much heralded Mt. Union varsity team, at that time making a strong bid lor the Ohio conference title. This was the big game of the trip and the bo\s were all ready for it, Ihe 1\. of C^, had lurnisheel the tinilnrms, anel \er\' appropriate ones for a team ol sokliers too. They were red, while and blue. Ihe ^. .\1 C .\ g\-mnasium was used to play the game m anel it eoukln't accommodate half of the enthusi- astic crowd ol fans whn tuineel out to watch the game. In the practice preccLling the game. Craig Starn and bluntz Jackson held the crowd spellbouni.1 with their trick basket shooting while ("liff Schnake and Ike Spicer surprise^l them in the abilit\' to shoot fouls from the center. Ihe game was one ol the fastest that ( 'anton people had been prixileged to see that \ear Ihe first half of the game was almost e\en, btit the stuixK ruggeclness of the artillerymen showeel in the last half. These lellows were all o\ci" the floor an^l seemed to ne\er tire. I he final score was 44 to 2o with B Batter\ on top. I hurman Stauelt replace^l I\'re\' Jackson in the seconel hall an^l eontinLKxl pla\ing the same snapp\ game Pere\' hatl pla\ei_l Ihe baskets were seoieel as lollows: Staudt, I--V Schnake, \- — 3: P. Jackson. \- -1 ; Spieer, C — 7; Stain Ci- >; J. Jackson, C- (r Ihe li\e IoliIs were shot b\- J Jackson anel Spieer. 1 he ,L;ame seheeluleLl in .-\kron was cancelled lor some unknown reason anel the B Batter>mcn returned to Alabama \er\ proikl ol ha\ ing beaten one of ihe strongest teams in (.''hio anel onl\ sorry that their luiloughs were not long enough to allow them to pla\ some more. Basketball at Chateau du Mas AFTER the arrival at the Chateau du Mas near Lc Lion de Angers the Batter\men became c|uite rest- less waiting for mo\ ing orders. There were no amiise- ments, no entertainments or no sports so naturalK there was a feeling of discontent throughout B Batter\ . In the rear ol the chateau the baron hael a large sheep barn. Somebody got the idea that this barn would make an ideal gymnasium and so Baron Chalet, the owner, was approached on the subject of turning it o\cr to the Battery. It no doubt appealed to the baron's sense of humor for he unhesitatingly ga\ e his permission to use the place as a g\'m and penne^l his sheei"" up in one eni.1 of the barn. At the ^ . M. C. A. in Le Lion the Batterymen ace|uired an indoor baseball a pair of bo.xing glo\es and a basket- ball. With these and two barrel hoops the gymnasium was eLiuippe^l and B Battery athletes were again in training 1 he barn made such an ideal basketball hall that in a short time all the other articles were forgotten and the basketball was the only thing in e\idence in the B Batter\ g\m A basketball team was formed in each of the sections an^l a series ol games started between them It soon lIcxcIopclI that most ol the Uilent was in the ihiiLl and fourth Sections anel the other lellows gradualK' lost interest. With such men as Spieer. Miller. Moledor and Bennett shooting baskets tor the thiivl section team an^l Edwarcfs, Mc("ollum. Scott and Hogue dropping them in for the fourth section quintette, there were but a few real snappy plaxers left for the other teams. lOuring the stay at the chateau there were many e.xeitmg games played and just before the mo\ ing orders came. Lieutenant 1 latch arranged for a series of games in the eit\ of .\ngers, with some of the strong teams there ('oming when it diel, the orelers to move to Brest were haixlK' weleonuxl b\ the tossers of B Balterv. Page J 26 The Red Guidon Baseball at Camp Sheridan ON the rcfj,imcntal i^asclxill team that was formed at C^amp Sheridan there were (he B Batterymen thus upholding the organization's enviable record in athletics. These men were Scott and Grossman, pitchers: Thomas, first base; Sayre. right field and Newkirk, left field. Out of ten games played this team won eight Errors were the cause of the Lleleat at the hands of [he 1 I'ith f-ielel Artillery team with Adams of the Mud- Hens pitching for the Toledo boys. Grossman's bad arm anel the lack of a substitute for him was the cause of the other escaped \ letory. During the season there were enough thrills hancied out in the games to satisf\- the most seasoned fan. In a game against the 1 5tith F^ield Artillery team the score stood .S to h in fa\(M- of the I 3tith in the eighth inning. The 1 34th men filkxl the bases and Dick Thomas knocked one into Montgomery, scoring everybody and everything. In their half of the ninth the \isitors filled the bases on Grossman ani.1 things looked bad tintil he struck out Shannon a lormcr protege of Gonnie Mack and forced johnny l^ell the Senator outfielder to pop up. retiring the side. Another thriller was furnished in the game with the 1 12th Sanitary I ram team. Ihe game went nine innings with the score standing 2 to 2. Warren Scott was doing the hurling for the artillcr>men and was going fine. In the last of the ninth w ith two men gone. Long of the 1 34th landed a homer putting his team in the lead. A pinch- hitter for the 1 12th put one o\er Lieutenant Watt's head in center fiekl eluplicating Long's feat and tying the score. In the tenth Grossman, batting for Scott, got behind one anel put a home-run tag on it thus giving the game to the 1 ^4th lor Hal held the opponents nicely in their half of the tenth. So the season was full of thrills and every game had a big turn out of enthusiastic rooters. The mo\'e to Gamp LJpton cut the season short, but it was getting almost too hot to play and the boys didn't regret the cut. The 1 34th team hatting average for the season was 4 lb. Truly they were all sluggers. Pistol Practice CONSIDERED as part of the training of an artillery- man b\- the army officials, pistol practice was a sport that the Batterymen enjo\ed in e\ery camp that it was possible to build a range on. The only objection to target practice with pistols is that it encourages prevarication and alil^i hunting. The range in Texas was an ideal one, being at the foot of one of the hills. The targets were placed against the hill and the firing line was always back just fai- enough to make the black and white circles stand out plainly before the dark background. The days were bright, fair ones and the ammunition was plentiful. Apparently there was no excuse for not hitting the bull's eye every time but there were always plenty of alibis. Either the wind was in the wrong direction, the sand was blowing too strong or the hair-spring was stilT There was an alibi for each man. Only one man in B Battery was awarded the 'expert pistol " medal at this range. He was Elbert Gox. Their shooting of a rattlesnake on the range one day proved that Gaptain Albrecht and Lieutenant Babbitt were able to hit things when it was necessar\' The range at Gamp Sheridan was the result of weeks of hard pick and sho\'el work Trenches twelve feet deep were dug and the dirt thrown up in the form of a parapet which was used as a background for the targets. During the entire time of building and using this range. It was miserabh' hot. The majority of the alibis were founded upon this fact when no one qualified as "expert, " The original alibi came from Jimmy Bennett though. "Every time that I sight that parapet, where I worked so darned harel, through my sights, " said |imm>', "1 get mad and fire up in the air, " In T-rance there was no official range, but that didn t keep the Batterymen from firing their guns after the armistice was signed. They used the entire Republic of Trance for a range. They could find ammunition on any sahage dump and targets were plentiful There was some wonderful scores made there where there was no official score keeper. THE liattery one day reached Gestas, a beautiful little village far down in Southern Erance away from the "awful" Western iM-ont. The place was like a paradise compared to some of the other A. E. E. billeting towns. '"^bu gotta hancl it to this guy Newton Baker," said Sidney Sedberry, "he certainb' sends this Battery on some nice excursions." The Red Guidon Page I'J} Boxing at Ft. Benjamin Harrison RECALL the hoxcis an^l ixinncrs oi \-t. Ben M.ii- rison. Let's see, there was some kind nl an oixler oi" memor- andum from battalion heaLlc|iiaiters to the effeet all men would he requireel to take athletie traminj^, A progi'am of afternoon boxing, wrestling and running was put otit and Lieutenant William Watt. Lietitenant O. D Hollen- beck and others were put in charge. Batterymen put on box- ing glo\es that ne\er had seen a boxing bout before. And Bill Vaughn, in charge of the wrestling for the Bat- tery went to the mat a ith boys who didn't know a toe hold from the Masonic grip. The memorandum said athletes were to be made for the courier seixice in the war in Lrancc. Runners were to be trained and the box- ing and wrestling was to help make B Battery a track team in O. D. How the boys, Boh Spade, Earl Youngs and Mike Slates used to race around the picketlines those hot afternoons' IhcN figured the>- would be the fastest sprinters on the West [">ont when the big trial came. And they did dexelop: their wind became good and their appetites surprised the hoys themselves. The men used to gather around the boxing ring over in the field where Lieutenant Hollenbeck, George \\ hite ani-l |ake\- Sheibman arranged and staged the bouts. .Some ol those bouts were whirlwinLls There was no science to speak of, hut the haymakers that Ed. Jacobs. L5ick Wagoner and Oda Reynolds used to untie and send o\er would ha\ e been knockouts had any of them e\ er landed on an\'body. I he ofiicers used to go down and watch the sport, and not a few of the boys boosted their stock w ith the "powers that be" by their gameness in those battles. "Shortv " I hompson and Howari.1 .Miller put on a furious bout one day. 0\er in the battery street the boys used to box an hour or two e\ery night. George Bruner boxed with Bill Mur- l^h\ one night and the gang saw a good bout. M. L. Clark and his younger brother Llew- elK n used to put on the glo\es an^l try to e\'en up old argu- ments. Boh Wiener anLl Radcliff Hess were the featherweight boxers and their shows were last. One ol them wouki heat the other one night and die next night it would he the other way. One day m a well advertised bout George White and Miles Rubnght went over to the athletic field to box. I he seconds were there and the stage w as set for a big show . but George stopped "Rube" after dodging a couple 1)1 havmakers. [5y the time the Battery got ready to leave for .Alabama most ol the men were hard as nails. Boxing on H. M. S. ''Nestor" FOR entertainment on hoarv.1 the .\estor. |ulv 4th. en- route for Erance, the officials arranged some boxing bouts and knowing B E^atterv s recorcl in athletics thcv approached some ot the hoys. .As a result there were four B Batterymen on the program that was presented on deck that afternoon Inasmuch as nearlv all the Ixivs had been sulfering from seasickness hut recentiv' it was hardl\ expected that there would he that many in condition. The hovs said they were, so the bouts were arrange^l There was a mistake about the condition business though for freddy Exner proved to he very much without stamina. Boh Wiener and Llewellyn Clark put on a classv- little three round draw that created quite an impression on the ship's doctor who was an old "pug" himself. TrcLklv' Tixner started a three rounLl affair with KilI X'legn from some other outfit on KkhxI but was forced to L|uit m the seconi-l roun^l when he lounel that he wasn't in such good condition as he thotight There were several ,gooi.l botits by fellows oLitsiele the Batterv' aixl thev all receivei,! their share of applause, I he show was wounel up hv a bout between Sergeant .\lcOuade of C. Battery anel Cieorge White. B Battery's star It was a regular whirlwinel of glovcel hanels It was verv close btit the ship's eloctor who refereecf all the bouts, gave White a shade on his aggressiveness. In an elimination contest hekl later, to deeiele the champion in each class on hoard, [3ob W lener split the I 50 pounders purse w ith a feather from some other outfit George W hite did not enter this contest. Page 128 The Hal Guidon The Section Race at Ft. Benjamin Harrison PART of the 4th of July cclehratiiin at IT. Ben was a section race between sections h'om each ol the three organizations in camp there. A section race being a race against time is somewhat different from an>' other race that was e\er run- It was a contest to determine in which battery the lastest drivers and cannoneers were. The idea was to hitcii and harness the horses, dri\ e 200 >'ards and fire a shot. I he winners got, aside from all the honor attached to it, an extra piece ol peach cobbler for supper. The race was held on a stretch of ground between the officers' row and the battery kitchens, and was witnessed by a \ery enthusiastic crowd ol civilians. Parents and friends of the Batterymen had come to spend the holiday and were deeply interested to see them at their work. At one carriage Boh Newman, ,Alphonse Falardeau and Ed. McCoUum stood ready to throw on then- harness as soon as the shot was lired. At the other Stanley BuUarcl, Fred Clark and bred Robinson im- patiently twirled their bilLlles waiting for the chance to show the other batteries up, A shot — and down the field they went, A Battery had done the stunt in si.x minutes and three seconds and they were out to beat that. As the B Battery carriages went down the field one could see Sergeant John Wood- ward and .\Iike Cireen all ready tor the leap to the ground. On the a.xle seats, Al Borden an^l Miles Rub- right were remo\ ing all the covers from the gun as the drivers spurred their horses onward at a dead gallop. On the caisson Ralph Moose and Bill Bowen had everything in readiness to fire. As the gun and caisson were dropped and the limbers pulled on dov\n the field the Batterymen literally flew around the gun until, just live minutes and seventeen seconds alter the start 200 vards awav', the shot was fired. 1 hat record was not beaten and stands till this day in the 1 34th regiment if not in the entire United States, Field Day and Athletic Meet at Camp Sheridan UNDER the auspices of the ^', M, C, A and the .\rmy, the largest Field Day and Athletic Meet of the year was staged at Camp Sheridan October 24, 1017. In this, as in most athletic shows, B Battery covered itself w ith glory. The program for the day consisted of wrestling, boxing, running and jumping, and it being a regimental affair, there were a good nianv entries for each event, Walter Vaughn, B Battery's only entry to the w restling event, easily stretched his man out in six and a half minutes. There were several entries in the boxing events from the Rubber City. I he Clark brothers put on a lightning three round bout in which there could be no decision. George White shadeel Sergeant Fongstruth of D Battery and Chet Springer of C Battery furnished one of tlie prettiest performances of the afternoon by stopping Funning of Headquarters Company in two rounds. "I he mounted wrestling furnished lots of thrills until Sergeant Clyde Miller's accident caused the crowd to gasp at what they thought a tragedy. While not engaged with his opponent. Homer Fionsen, and while traveling at a trot, Sergeant Miller, while endeavoring to straighten his blanket, fell i.lirectlv' under his horse injuring his right arm. Only the ctjolness and instinct of "Duke." Sergeant Miller's favorite mount, saved him from further injuries. The beast stepped over his master while going at a trot and never touched him, .-Xrt Possehl, wrestling w ith an A Battery man easily dismounted his opponent m C|uick time, 4 he B Batterv' runners under the direction of Sergeant Falardeau, showed well m all the events they entered. Homer Eckert was forced to drop after the first mile of the tw(5 mile race when he turned his ankle, but Mike Slates finished third. Fail ^ oLings fifth and Paul Vignos sixth in this event among a field of twenty-five stars. In the one hunLlred \ard dash, B Battery's only entry, Jesse Sayrc. finished second receiving a loving cup as a prize. In the other ev ents B Batterv' had no entries, inasmuch as they had only been in camp a month and had found no time to train for them. Fish Ed, Jacobs when he bet two dollars there would be a dance on a Red Cross ship, July 4th, on the wav across the ocean Fish Capt, .Albrecht, Sergt, Hollenheck. Buck Weaver, Fieut, Babbitt. Fred E.xner and Jack Sperrv" when thev bought "race horses " at laurez. The lied (hiidon Page T2U Football in Texas ONE of the best football teams that pla\eel around the Texas sand piles, during the American "occu- pation" of El Paso, in I'^U^, was the 11th Provisional, eleven of B Battery stars. That team was probably the best grid outfit the Battery ever sent into the field. It was not a Battery B team in the sense that later elevens were but the make-up of it was so much like Akron that it smelled of rubber. That at least is what some of the boys who tried for berths on the team used to say. The 1 Ith Provisional team was composed of B Battery men with a sprinkling of \ lich- igan L'niversitv' stars liom the Michigan Field Artillerv and they should have been champions on the border In three out of the five championship games they played in the El Paso con- ference they shut out then- opponents. The team lost a kinel ol a lixak game with the hefty bourth Ohio Infantry outfit and a hard fought contest to the 32nd i\ lichigan eleven. That first lose would not have eliminate^l them Irom the race for honors hai.1 not the team been forced to meet the 32nd .Michigan outfit later with a wagon-load ol cripples. The game the boys lost to the Michigan team would have bjen an easv- one hael the I3attery outfit not been on crutches, or sick in bed. .\s it was with Oscar Hollenbcck an^l C^.haiiey Weeks on the sick report with lame legs and broken ribs, Re.\ Hitchcock in bed with the measles and Lieutenant C^hattock out with injuries the team went m and held the .Michigan men to a 1 3 to 7 score. I hat contest was a warm one an^l the ofiicials were nearly mobbed by the .Artillery rooters. The crowd overran the fiekl and it was nothing short of respect for their rank that saved the referee and umpire from a mauling. It was agreed on all siv.les their work was punk. The 1 1th I-'rov isional team won two games from the > Mxl Michigan Infantry. 1 he first was copped 3 to U and the second to 0. The .-Xttillervmen beat the 2f)th Infantrv by the score of 1 3 to 0. I here were some real foot- ball plavers on the team that represented the Ohio and .Michigan battalions, men like Homer Davis, Hulton, Garrett, Hobensack, Hollenbeck, Hitchcock, Hoag, Strope, .Me("ormiek. Bradman and Rubright. Jack Wise. Bill bolt:, f^rvant. Sterling. Thompson and Weeks were a lew more the llth Provisional had to relv ui^on 1 litchcock and Hollenbeck coached the bovs and there were no better traincLl elevens around ElPaso. Football at Camp Sheridan SECOND only to theB Battery team of the year be- fore was the aggregation that the Akron outfit sent to the gridiron at Camp Sheridan in the season of 17, Such a gang of line plungers is seldom seen outside a big college team. Indeed there were some who claimed that its equal couldn t be found even there. In the seven games plavcd, li Liattery hael seven points scored on them against their one hundred and twenty-eight on their opponents. The game in which the seven points were scored was a one sided alfair w hich B Battery won 52 to 7. Not a game was lost by the Rub- ber City boys and only once were they in any real dan- ger. That was in the game with the strong Battery F team of the 1 3hth Fiekl .Artillerv. when in the last few- minutes ol play joe Schreiner dropped one ov er the bar. w inning the game 3 to In the first game of the season, against the tough Headquarters Company team, one of the fastest men was ptit out Cliff Schnakc. the whirlwind end, received an injury to his knee that threatened to be very serious. C.lilf di^ln't get back into the game until the end of the season. With such 11-ien as Stewart Hobensack, Bill Steinel and Casey Price hitting the line, the opposition seemed to fade away and with men like Ike Spicer, I ub Lamiell and Art Posschl on the line, it needed bLit the incentive, to go out ani.1 w m a game. After the elimination games which were played Page 130 The Red (hiidoii between the eliKerent Batteries, a ref^imental team was pickeel from each regiment and a schedule arranged to decide the championship of the di\ ision. In the 134th regiment, twenty men were chosen to represent the organizatitm and SIXTEEN OF TMOSE MEN CAME F-^ROM B BATTER^'. This team started out just w here the old battery team hael Icit off and won games until it almost ceased to be a question of "will they win^" but rather, "how bad will the\' heat this team^ ' It was alter the holiday season when the final game was played an^l naturally interest had begun to lag in the grid- iron sport, in fact, some of the lellows lailed to report lor the games preferring to get some batting practice for the coming baseball season. It was too much for even the strong 1 34th team for the> played right along ne\er miss- ing a scheduled game, while the other teams rested up and waiteel on them. The work of the Jackson brothers on this team v\as especially notable. Percy at quarter showed rare judg- ment on all occasions while "Huntz" by his lightning work on chlI pulled the team out of man\- a hole "Hobby" continued his daring line plunging and was the terror ol all the opposing lineman. George Bruner with his fine and accurate forward-passing was always to be relied upon, while any one who got through the line while Possehl. l^amiell and Spicer were on defensi\e usually knew that the\ had been some place. After a clean recorel for the season; after beating such teams as the 13nh and Moth kield Artillery and the 112th Sanitar\- Train, the 134th ele\en met defeat in a game with the II 2th Ammunition team, composed of former Maroon men Irom the strong Toledo semi-pro team, by the score of 14 to 7. It was a game played under a handicap inasmuch as the Ammunition Train had not played a game lor two weeks and were in perfect trim while the artillerymen ha^l played three games in that time. I hen as some will protest to this day. the game was literalK' stolen by the referee who seemed to fa\or the opponents in e\ ery- thing. The game was won in the last period when Nich- ols the fast halfback for the ammunition men ran around the enel for a touchdown. I he olfensiN e work of Bill Steinel and At lee Wise was commendable. Bill scoring the only tOLichelown lor the 134th. The fact that the relerce wore an officer s uniform is without efoubt the onK thing that sa\ed him from the wrath of the crowd when he called "Huntz" Jackson back to the center of the (lekl after he had scored the tying touchelown Although It was the onK game lost b\ the artillery- men It was excusable f-'X the fact that the\ were short of men and enthusiasm. 134th hiekl .ArtillerN football 4 earn. Camp Sherielan. .Alabama. f-^lZ-lS I'he Red Guidon Page 131 Bush Feels Good ONE of the stories George Bruncr. Miles Rubright and tjeorge White used to tell about the officers at Fort Ben Harrison concerned the ambition of Captain John- ston, Lieutenants Ka\enagh and Wise and other officers in the battalion to learn to box. "One of the staff used to see us e\ery day. ' said Miles Rubright, "and ask about arrangements for bo.xing lessons and he would promise to come out next day and put on the glo\es. But no officers ever came out. I think they were afraid of some of the haymakers that were flying around the ring when the bo\s vxorked among themsehes. But I guess Captain Johnston could box. He used to box in school at Purdue and ma\be it's a good thing that he didn t come out and show us what he had," continued Rube. Martin Glasgow and Gerald Gru\er were boxing in the Fort Benjamin ring one Sunday morning after e\ ery- body else had been marcheci to church. The two boys and George White were about the only Batter>' soldiers that had not gone to church. i he boxers were mixing it in when Major Bush came upon them. Referee White str)pped the bout and got ready for the bawling out. But on that occasion the commanding officer forgot the boys were skipping Sunday school and tokl them to continue the show. Major Bush then refereed the bout. Tommy's Promoter SHOWING that two heads are better than one especialU if one of them is a business heaci and knows the other. Tommy "i homp.son and George White were in a long line of "!'. M. C. A. chocolate buyers one day in f-^rance when two big husky boys from some other organization essayed to "horn" into the line just ahead of Thompson. Tommy ne\er called himself a scrapper in the Battery and he wouldn't have tackled the big boy, stepping in ahead of him if he had been a scrapper. But he was awful mad He hesitated a moment, kioked up and down at the intruder and then back at Ck-orge White. George White, the boxing instructor of Battery B. himself. Tomm\- turned again toward the big fellow in front of him. 1 hen with his elbow he jarred the stranger in the the ribs so that the big boy went out ol the line with a bang, "^'ou big stilf what do you mean stepping into the line in front of me. For ten centimes I wotild drag you out of the l.xiilding and make a casual out ol you. 'I'ou big ham ' And Tommy made a mo\e toward the I'lig bo\ and grtinted, ani.1 the impolite soldier shuffled oft t()ward the rear of the line, his buddy lollowing him. As Tommy explained afterward he haci not acted rashly. It was his plan to do the talking and then if there was to be any fighting he was going to pull George White out of line and explain that George did the fighting. ( )ne head was indispensable to the other as it worked out. " That s the kind of strategy that won the war," White said. Page 132 The Red Guidon Sergt. "Dick" Lavery ONE of the most reticent men that B Battery ever knew, in regard to talking about himself, was Stable Sergeant Richard T, l.a\ery. It was a rare occasion when he opened tip on a little bit of personal history — but when he did "Oh. la la'" as the French would have it ; for his tales of former experiences w ere a com- bination of Zane Grey, B. M. Bower, and Polly of the Circus, all rolled into one. One afternoon in France (the war was over) there was a rumor that the regiment would parade in Washington on Christmas Day, and he got two letters from his wife: the combination put him in such an unusually good humor that he came through with the story of his life to Mitchell F-'oshee and Christian "Shorty" Mogensen. "I don't remember a whole lot of dates," Dick said, as he slapped some saddle-soap on a bridle, "I'xe been too busy tra\'eling around. Way back in the beginning, before I was born, my mother and father were riders — bareback you know — with the Sanger Circus, an Aus- tralian show that showed in pretty nearly all of Ettrope. They were with the Bostock shows for a while too. "Then I came along. I was born in Queensland, Australia, while my dad was still riding with Sanger. 1 gtiess the first thing 1 remember was when I was three years old, for that's when ! first started to ride. They put me on a big white horse with a mechanic — one of those things they strap around your waist when riders start doing stunts. E\er\- once in awhile the horse walked out from under me and left me kicking my legs and hanging in the air." "When did >ou first come to the LnitCLl States^ " Shorty asked him. "Oh, Lord! I don't remember the date! I know I was sixteen years old. I was with the Bostock show at the time. Where's that cl curb-bit that goes with this bridle:"" Foshee rescued the bit from under Dick's bunk, handed it to him and La\ery went on ; "Then, when I was \'^. I went over to Europe again. That time I was with a bareback act in vaudeville. We stayed at the Olympia theater in London for 32 weeks and we played in Paris. Marseilles, Berlin. Cologne. Hamburg, X'ienna — oh, we made all the big towns' That act lasted three seasons and then I came back to the States. From then on, it's pretty well mixed up — I did so darn many things. I was with the Seegram people for a while in Canada, breeding horses. Then I drove and trained the blue-ribbon team for the Union Stock Yards — the one that took a blue ribbon at the International Stock Show " "Ever drive the twenty-mule team for the Borax people, Dick^" Shorty asked. "Nope, but I tlid i.lri\e chariot for Ringling Bros. Circus 1 hat was the life! There's lots of wise guys that w ill tell you those circus chariot races are 'fixed", but I know better. I here was another bird, a pal of mine; he used to dn\e lour big bays while I was dri\'ing four blacks and e\ery time I went into the tent. 1 went with the idea of making those blacks beat the ba\s, or bust a leg! "It was in F>1 I, I think, when I started with Ringling. I usclI to travel with the show in summer, and when it went into w inter-qtiarters I rode for the Chicago Stock ^'ar^ls: then I was with the "Broncho John" outfit for awhile, ^'ou had to know how to riLle to get by with that show! That out- fit used to ad\'ertise that their riders could ride anything on four legs, and tell the farm- ers to bring in their w 1 kl stock. They brought them in. too — anything from a crazy mule to a wild steer. There was one time when exery rider in the show was crip- pled. "Then I was with I the Cohan Lixery, a ruling school in Chi- cago, and I went with the 1 1 B. Gentry Dog and Pony Show one season, training ponies for them. "The last job I had before joining the army was with a man named Marshal at the Chicago Stock ^'ards. He was a broker selling horses to the British and French go\ernments for war use. And. in 1*^17, I thought with so many good horses going into the army, it was about time for me to get in I tried to get in the cavalry, but they were full up and I finally went to Akron and joined B Battery on the eleventh of September. And you know the rest." "Before you quit, Dick, what was the funniest thing that e\er happened to >ou^ asked Mogensen. "And the queerest^ ' chimed in Foshee. "And the best''" added Shorty. Lavery thought a couple of minutes, lit a eigaret, and threw the bridle into a corner. Then he grinned: — "Well, I'll tell \ou, " he said, "Maybe you won't believe it, but they all happened after I came in the Batterv. The funniest thing was when 1 was a recruit The Red Guidon Page 133 at Ft. Benjamin Harrison. The second day I was there they took us out for monkey-drill and Corporal Wilbur Dunn tried to teach me how to ride a horse'" "I remember that. " Short>' howled, "he told you you didn't sit in the saddle right. Lord, but that was funny'" "And the queerest thinf:;," Dick went on, "was the time the old batter\ outlaw "22" threw me off at Camp Sheridan, He bueke^l me and the sad^lle off at the same time and the cinch ne\er came loose — it was the quarter strap that broke." He got up and threw away his cigaret. "Well, what was the best thing'' 'I'ou haven't told us that yet." "The best thing. Old Son, that ever happened for Richard, was the battery's move to Camp Sheridan, because I met my wife in Montgomery Who's going to mess^" Curry and Friel -In Milwaukee THE best was none too good lor Charles R. Curry and John R. Friel, when they stepped out, and take it from us, "Bo, " Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of them. While the battery was at Fort Sheri^lan, III., "George" and John took a run oxer to a certain city made famous by its amber lluid. Late in the e\ening after ha\ ing seen the city, inspected the water works, etc , they re- tired to the Wisconsin Hotel to speni:! the night They were shown up to a handsomely appointed room. "Bath in there. Sir," said the bellhop, pointing to a door. A liberal tip ai"n:l he was gone I hen (\irry and Friel sat down to \ lew their surroundings. "Some joint, eh. Ralph'' " "^'ea. Boy." answered Curry. "Look at the buttons over there, let's call the porter an^l order some ice water or something. " Jack pushed a button. Brrrr, Bz:zr. lizzzz, and a half a second later the fans were going full blast. "Friel, it's cold enough without them, turn them off. " "Gee, I forgot which button it was." "l^ush any of them, push 'em all. " And Jack did. A second later and there came a rap on the door. Ralph opened the door. "Did you ring for the maid, sir''" asked the demure young woman. "No'" growled Ralph. A minute later and the mana- ger, house detective, doctor, porter, and bellboy arrived, e\idently expecting murkier "Turn those fans off anel bring us a drink," was the boys greeting. /\n hour later things had calmed down and they were ready to go to bed "Holy mackerel. Ralph, do we have to undress and crawl in between those cold sheets^" 'Guess so. Jack, unless you're going to sleep full pack," Early the next morning. Ralph was awakened by smothered curses. Glancing out of bed he saw Friel bending over the drinking fountain in the corner. "What are you doing. Jack, " asked Curry. Doing ^ Why 1 m getting a wash — Simple — and sa\', ain't it awful that a swell hotel like this hasn't got hot water^ " Exner Washes the Tables THE last pan banged into place. The last stick of wood was choppe^l. The mapleine for the I'rench toast in the morning was set on the table and the K. P. were read>' to depart. It was in Camp Pershing, Tex. "Washed the table yet. Exner'" yelled Cook Mc- Keever. "No'" said f-red Lxner, "I'm in a htirry — going to town tonight." "Well, wipe that table before \oli go. " "All right," came back the sour reph'. "Where's the tub of water' " "Look lor It, " said McKee\er. Exner grabbed a rag. set a tub on the table, and went to work. Swish, swash, for about (wc minutes and ROSS Kalahcr stepped out of the 1st sergeant's office with his pay one night. It had been a bad month for Ross and his small obligations were numerous. the job was finished. Back into the tub went the rag and Exner was on his way down the battery street. Early the next morning \ lci\ee\er was on the job making f-rench toast, smiling as he thought how much the boys wotild enjoy the toast and syrup. Reveille soLinded. I he K. P. arrived and soon the battery. "Mac set the toast out and went for the mapleine. Glancing at it he spied a foreign lxxl\- in the ttib. Reach- ing in he pulled out a rag '"How did that get there''" he howled angrily. "Why — why, that's the stuff I washed the tables with last night!" replied Exner, and then beat it. All at once he stepped away from the pay line and shouted to the boys. "E\"erybody I owe money to step forward, — Battery halt." Page ISA The Red Guidon "They Won't Kick" IF Camp Perry had been in any other State than Ohio while B Battery wallowed around in the mud up '■here in 1Q17 the boys would have called down the curse of Heaven on the place. There was never, not e\en in Northern France where it rained all the time, as much mud as the boys lived in for those two months at Camp Perry. The picketlines where the Battery went every day to groom and exercise the horses were a mess. The recruits used to write home and tell the folks they had joined the wrong branch of the ser\ice when they got into the artillery. Bill Novis, Myron Craver, Tom Michael and some of the other boys who joined the Battery at Perry will re- member for all time the way the old border non-coms stood around and told them to forget the mud and commence grooming the horses. "Go on in, they won't kick you," the non-coms used to say, and the recruits went in and came out with a bang-in the mud. The horses ne\er kicked anybody real hard at Perry for the reason they couldn't clear the mud with any satisfaction. The Camp Perry recruits without a doubt had the most difficult first experience w ith Battery horses. First Firing in South WHO, in B Battery, will e\er forget the first day the Battery fired at Camp Sheridan, Ala. The order "action front" was given, the guns went into position and the limbers were taken to the right rear Hank at a fast trot. They lined up as in battle formation, e\ery driver dismounted and "standing by ' his team. An air of expectancy was noticeable, both men and horses were rigidly awaiting the first shot. A puff of smoke from the 1st section — a deafening roar sent echoes rumbling for miles around. The men stood by the guns but the horses didn't, pandemonium broke loose at the limbers. The sections, to a horse, plunged, many wrenched themsehes loose from their dri\ers and started at a dead gallop dow n the field toward the path of the gun fire. The 5th section, entirely composed of "blacks " started the circus, "Doc" Doherty, wheel dri\er, developed a case of cramps in the legs and stood rooted to the ground while his team tore up the southern sod in a straight- away. 1 he 1st section horses with "Hans" Jackson dri\ing lead. Bill Summers swing and "\'ic " Guinther, wheel, followed suit, plunging furiousK' ^lown past the other sections further frightening the already terrified horses. The 2nd section, with "picket line" Sheets, "Hal" Crossman and John Michael at "up, " hit the trail of the first section No dri\er was mounted but all were hang- ing to stirrups, back straps, bridles or whate\er they grabbed first. The feature of the runawa\\ was the spectacle of the six black horses of the Hh section, riderless, tearing across the field, w-ith heads high and manes flowing in the wind, lead by "Midnight," Sergeant R. G. Moore's horse. Chaos w as converted into order by the cool-headiness of "Top" Mike Green. The runaways were caught, harness patched up and with the exception of '"Mike"' Slates who sustained a slight injurv' in the head, the dam- age was slight. "Whoa Boy'' SOME of the men of the Battery that left Akron in 191b were horsemen and some others had ne\er dri\en a horse and d\d not know the first thing about taking care of one. Pearl Wood used to worry more about the nags the Battery owned at Camp Willis than any other soldier. He was sleeping in his tent one night when John Wise coming through the guard lines into camp at a late hour. fell o\er him and knocked him out of his bunk The jar half awakened Wood and he began grabbing for the strings on his blanket, ""Whoa boy, whoa boy, steady, he said, .\nd he began to pat the frightened Wise on the shin. "Woody " had been dreaming and thought he was untler his horse and was about to be kicked. Do you remember Bob Newman's chin-strap!' Do you remember .Art baulkner's furlough uniform" '/7?r Hfd Guidon Page 135 Psvcholosical Examinations THE psychological examination held at the Coliseum at Camp Sheridan. Ala., hit B Battery on May 20. I'^IZ. The men had heard it rumored, hut when the or- der came down to fall in to march to the Coliseum to take it. it came as somewhat of a surprise. This examination was the suhject of much humorous comment on the part of the Battery hut when the fellows found themselves inside the huge hall with a hunch of papers in one hand, a pencil in the other and an elderly dignified captain on the platform impressing them with the importance of the task, the humor of the thing rather faded away. The exam, looked simple, as the fellows said after- wards hut at the time "psychologically speaking." it was no joke. Four large sheets of paper co\ered w ith circles, triangles, lines, rectangles, sentences, correct and in- correct, simple arithmetical problems, similar and dis- similar words, words of like and unlike meaning, composed the test. The whole examination was a test tor quick and accurate thinking. The captain con^kicting the altair explained the way it was to be done and then proceeded to put B Battery through. "Attention' Pencils up in the air — on the first page, Test No. l.you will see six circles numbered from one to six respectiveh' Draw a continuous line, begin- ning with one o\'er two under three o\'er four through fi\e and under six, get bus>'. don't cheat, sharpen your pencils — begin. (.At the expiration of a few seconds.) Attention. Pencils in the air." B Batterx- was off in a cloud of dust "Now on the next page you will see a square, a triangle and a circle, place an x in the square and the circle, a B in the circle anci triangle, a C in the square and triangle, a D in the triangle and square — begin -time up' Now- turn to the steenth page where you will lind, etc., etc." Thus did the show go on, the fellows sweating, swear- ing, scratching their heads, chewing their pencils and damning, under their breath, the captain, the examination, the circles and the whole works. "Now." continued the captain, "on page lour you will find a list of questions, ^'ou ha\'e three minutes to answer them — begin." Heads ducked and pencils flew across the papers. "How many legs has a zulu'" it read. "One hundred" rapidh- wrote jean Wolcott. "What is It that makes a noise like an engine, yet it is not an engine' ' "Art Possehl asleep" hurriedly wrote Walter Vaughn. "What are the makin's of a nation ■" continucLl the quiz. "K. C. cigarettes." Reed ^'orkey murmured and wrote with sweat standing on his tore- head. "Who was Falstaff?" "President of the Hoster Brewing Company," wrote Willard Swain in all sincerity. "Was Queen Elizabeth married'" "That page was torn out of m\ history," "Skeets" Werner recorded. "Is Mars close to Jupiter and if so hoW'" "Don't know, this is the farthest South We been." scrawled Edward Jacobs. "Time up — pencils in the air. " linalK after an hour of grim, silent "quick-think writing the men were dismissed and came pouring out of the Coliseum wiping the sweat from their eyes and vow- ing to go .A. W. O. if they had to go through another. The Battery marched back to camp where the different questions were cussec^ and discussed one by one. "If I get twent\' on the bloomin' thing. I'm lucky, " and "If I get fifty I'll fall dead" were common expressions. Howe\er when the grades came down it was found that B Battery ranked with the best. Jimmie Jameson leading with a grade of 370 points out of a possible 412. Joe the Minister A(X.(.)RD1NG to "HoK Joe ' .Atkinson chaplain of the 1 Uth Field Artillery. Battery B soldiers were ne\ er \ery steady churchmen in the armw Louis Isenman and Art Possehl were the onK two customers Chaplain .Atkinson couki rely upon to represent B Batter\- in the Sun^lax' morning services Ihe Battery Lised to fiom time to time line up in the Batter\ street at church call and march o\er tu the 'l', M (' ,\ where services were held It was a rule in the army that the chaplain cotild ha\e the men marched o\er to the building but could not ha\e them marched into the serxice. C^.hurch ser\ ice was one thing in the army on which the boys coLikl use their own judgment, and in ninel\-eight percent of the cases the judgment of the bo\s tokl them to stay in bed Sunday mornings. "Holy Joe " howe\er could always depend on Isenman and Possehl. He w-otild look over his flock and it he saw the pious faces of the two Batterymen he would start the hymns. .Al Borden and Rolland Herbert started to church one morning at Camp Sheridan but on the way o\er they heard the service lasted a half hour so they Llecided to go back and get in a half hour's more pinochle. The Red Guidon Page 131 B Battery's Pets IT was always characteristic of B Battery to ha\-e a pet * They varied at times from an antelope to a common trench rat. htit they answered the definition ot pet. On the trip to Texas the hoys found and lost their first pet. a beautiful white dog who was w ith them three days on the cross-country journey. After vainly trying to tame lizards, tarantulas an^l scorpions to be pets, for after awhile their entrance to border life, the Batterymen became discouraged and turned their attention elsewhere to find a mascot. About this time there was one of the usual street carni\als in the city of El Paso and it recei\ed its share of patronage from B Battery. It was at this affair that the boys finally landed a mascot. Don Scott and Howard Treat, returning from El Paso one night, proudly presented the bo>s with a i:luck It is of little importance that the fellows spent se\eral dollars trying to win the bird by ringing a cane. The big thing was — B Battery had a mascot. The "canvas-back" was christened "Akron" because, Al Borden .said, he had a rubber stomach. "Akron" was kept tied to Scotty's tent until the 'i'slcta (three day) hike, when the boys thotight that the pet must go with them to receive the proper attention. Many o( the Batterymen can tell the finish of the stor\'. How the ration wagon failed to keep up with the battalion one night and how hungry e\-eryone was. So htingry It was said at that time that C Battery had duck for supper. ProbabK the most unique pet the Battery e\er had. came the time f^reddy Seiberling struck a bargain with a "greaser" for a real antelope This gracclul little animal was with the Battery until they reachcLl bt. Sheridan, w here Ereddy sent it home. At Camp Perry, of course, no animal could have li\ed under the conditions. sa\e possibly poor ".Akron" the duck. The boys v.'ere still intent on ha\ mg a mascot howe\er. So intent were they that during the trip from Camp Perry to l"t. Benj. Harrison, Clyde Cje\eling stole a young pig ror that purpose No one but Cre\'cling will e\er tell what became of that animal though, lor a certain farmer in northern (^hi(.) woukl still like to know At IT. Benj. Harrison there was "Bill" the English bull terrier. Where he came from, no one seems to know, but it was rumored that Warren Scott an^l .Martin Cjlas- gow were seen alighting from an Indianapolis taxi one night with something white between them. 1 hereafter "Bill" was the Battery mascot tintil the outfit left lor Alabama. At that time some one boxed "Bill" tip and sent him to Akron, so he is probably killing cats in some Akron neighborhood today. Every organization in Camp Sheridan had a mascot of some sort and B Battery was there. There was no trouble experienced in finding a pet in this camp for there were animals of all sorts running around looking for homes with the soldiers. Everything from piccaninnies to cats, and the 134th bicld .Artillery had one of each. \i Battery confined their attention to dogs most of the time ha\-ing on different occasions. probabK' a dozen different species of canine "I-urlough" the little puppy that Stambaugh brought into camp, was so called because he never came when wanted. He was a nice little pet until he committed a terrible breach of "tent etiquette" one night. He left the Battery in disgrace and until Thanksgiving day there was no mascot. With the carloads of boxes that arrived at that time, came a crate containing a large Plymouth Rock rooster for George Harris. The bird was unpacked and tied to the forage shed, where oats and corn abounded. In the midst of plenty the rooster was not contented though and he tokl the world about it with his crowing. This early morning racket he created earned him the name of "Reveille." Jack Heimel insisted that "Reveille" was lonesome and sympathized with him so much that he procured a mate for him one dark night. L'nder the constant attention of Stable Sergeant Joe Kelh . the birds soon became tame and couldn't be forced to leave B Battery's stables. They could always be found somewhere nearby and could be approached by almost anyone in the outfit. Through her habit of laying an egg and publishing the news at five o'clock every evening, the lady bird gained the name of "Retreat." One could often find "Retreat" perched on the back of one of the horses, cackling, while "Reveille" stood guard below. What happened to "Re\eille" and "Retreat"^ Ask Kelly he knows. And we hope that "Rexeille" was as tough as he looked. In Erance there was little time to take care of any pets or mascots although the Batterymen did, from time to time, ha\e a dog or eat around trying to cultivate an English speaking friendship with them. It was rather a disappointment to the boys to find that e\ en the animals were I'rench, One could stand the people's not "comprez- ing " but when the dogs would ignore one s calls the matter became more serious. Of course, the best pets the Battery e\er had and the ones that the\ will remember the longest were those fine horses at Camp Sheridan. Dixie^Jimmie — Mollie — Jake- Why. one might name the entire one hundred fifty-eight horses lor they were each one somebody's pet. So really the others were only side issues and it was B Battery's horses who were the most favored pets. Page 138 The Red (iiiidon Dixie THE greatest horse that ever fell in for drill in B Battery was "Dixie" the bay mount the Battery drew from the Remount station on the Mexican border, "Dixie" was picked out of the Battery horses by the border stable sergeant Lylc McCormick who tied the horse in another Battery for three days so that none of the Battery officers would see "Dixie" and pick him for their mount. The horse was always a good looker. McCormick spent more time on "Dixie's" toilet and makeup than he did on the stables themsehes. The next man to ride "Dixie" was Abbott Kneff, who succeeded Lyle McCormick on the stable job. Then when Bill Leahy became a "looie" at Fort Ben Harrison he rode "Dixie." It was at Camp Sheridan, Ala . that "Dixie" reached the height of his glory. There Dick La\ery took hold of him for Lieutenant Leahy and made impro\ements in the horse's gait, appearance, etc., until "Dixie" was the talk of the brigade. Bill Leahy used to go out on "Dixie looking and feeling like King Alphonso. t hen one da\' the animals were taken to the Remount station at Sheridan an^l B Battcr\' went to L ranee. And that was the last an\bod\- e\er heard of "Dixie." Tub's Pack CL"\'DE Lamiell may forget t>ther abuses heaped upon him in the army but he will probably always re- member with bitterness the day Colonel Bush used him as a moclel to demonstrate the new cannoneers' pack that was introduced to B Battery down in Camp Sheridan ^^ 1 ub was called up from his quarters one morning an<.l made to strip to the waist 1 he "object of the game " was to strap one ot the packs on his back and see how long he could carry it w ithout grow ing fatigued Anothei thing, the colonel wanted to see where the straps of the pack ctit into the flesh most. That was why the subject was made to strip I he pack w eighed between thirty and forty pounds an^l 7 ub carried it all ciay w hile the boys from the Battery came up to see it and make inspections They were all to get one ol the new packs and it was the i^lea of the C. C. to show the men what would happen to them if the pack ^lid not nde properly. Tub was all in early in the after- noon. By four o'clock he was stone dead. He stood like a crumbling statLie while the boys tested the straps and snapped them against his ribs. When the show was o\er Lamiell resoKed he would throw awa\ most of his equipment and carr\ the rest under his arm. "Hairless H " BILL KelK's Mexican "Hairless" dog ""Roger" was the next Battery pet He was onh' "Hairless" for a mat- ter of days -then he startc^l to grow black fuzz and Bill found that he had only been sha\ed for commerical purposes. .\e\ ertheless ""Roger" was a cute little devil, and was the prime favorite until one of the horses in- advertantly stepped on his face. Exit "Roger,"" la mort pour la patric. .About this time Louis Isenman came along w ith ""Chiquita " a genuine Chihuahua bit ol clogdom weighing about half a pound. ""Chiquita '" was with the Batterv ^luring its entire career and never got too big to go into a blouse pocket. Do you remember the Ohio camp car for bt. Ben? The Red Guidon Page 1H9 "For Two Dollars' rf I 1 Pom MiMwres- Fwe. I-l/NUTtS TA'^'LOR Haller. jimmy Bennett and Stewart Hoben- sack were walking through a field near Camp Sheridan. Ala., one eiay and Taylor Haller was wishing he had two dollars to take care of expenses in Montgomery that night. "See that pig over there in the field," Hohensack saiel If \OLi catch that pig and hold him down for fi\-c minutes 111 lend you two dollars. Haller took Hohensack up in a minute and alter a wild chase dropped on the pig who had become winded. [ iolding the pork dow n was easy for the pig and its captor were both too tireel to get up. So "Hobby" had to come across. Now He Buys It 'T~'HE battery's tobacco chewing champion in France was old Alfred "Judge" Mason of Tennessee. The judge was Uncle Sam's best plug tobacco customer. .A few of the boys who thought they could chew tobacco tried to take the title from Mason, but nc\er succeeded. The judge used to tell the boys how he learned to chew, when he was a little fellow at home. 'My big brothers useel to gi\e me chew ing to get me to do fa\ors for them " judge Mason's best record for tobacco consumption was inaele just after the battery left Camp De Souge, in f-"rance. He left De Souge with 20 boxes of Piper Heid- sick and six bars of Horseshoe. Two weeks later he was "out " and was bothering the supply sergeant for the cook's tobacco ration. Hard Guys ONE of the things that used to surprise the l.ioys (.)! the Battery while the Battery was on the line m iM'anee was the indifference of the average soldier to the dangers of war on the front The Battery pulled into the line one night abo\e Landremont near the Moselle ri\er. I he officers had taken great precautions to get the Hatter\ m without observation No lights were allowed, the tracks maele in the road b\ the gun carriages had been eo\ cred, i he positions and dtigouts were ordered left exacth as the\ hael been founei and e\er\thing was done to impress the boys w ith the fact that the\- were on the battle line and within eas\' gtm range ol britn But the men failcLl to catch the significance of the occasion 1 he first question jimmy Bennett asked as day broke that morning was. "Where's the nearest town, and can >ou get something to eaf" And Edward Mc- Collum added. "Is there anything ^loing o\er in that \illage across the rixer^ " Christmas at Sheridan WITH few exceptions the boys who spent the ("hrist- mas of 1^17 at Camp Sheridan. .Ala . remember the day as a rather disappointing one Disappointing on account of the blowing up of the furlough story Re- member c\'eryone was to be gi\cn a furlough that Christmas but the\' ^lidn't get them. Among the few exceptions in Battery B were William Bowen. William Hoffman. John Hiemel. Elbert Cox !red Exner. Homer Eckert and Ralph Reddington. That w hole gang marched out of the street one afternoon a few da>s before Christmas and their furloughs read, _ is hereby granted lea\e to be marncel. " or something like that. The boN's had been policing themsehes up for more than a week before and their departure for Ohio that day was w itnessed by more than a hundred homesick Battery soldiers The intended benedicts were a happy expectant and rather ner\ous lot as they pulled away that day. Page liO The lied Guidon B Battery's Worst Trip A T the time it was made, the trip from Camp Sheridan -^ *- to Camp Upton, in passenger coaches, was consid- ered one of the hardships of the war. It was, no doubt a hardship, coming as it did, after expectations of a trip in Pullmans as the trip from Fort Ben Harrison to Camp Sheridan was made But, in view of subsequent trips made "a la cheveaux," in those never to be forgotten "40 Hommes et 8 Che\eaux" cars of France. It was a wonderful pleasure trip. It wasn't the most comfortable mode of travel to be sure, as "Casey" Price, Archie Murphy and some others, who landed in Camp Upton with stiff necks and "Charley- horses," will attest, but think of France. During the days (three of them) the trip was a \'ery pleasant one The Red Cross ladies at Athens, Ga., Raleigh, N. C, Richmond. Va., and numerous other places, along the line, of which North Philadelphia was not the least, made the trip as pleasant as candy, cigarettes and cakes are possible to do so. It was one of the most noteworthy trips the Battery c\er made and although sleeping was a little difficult, it being so crowded, the anticipation of another day of attention from the people along the line made the nights bearable. This trip, the first leg of the journey to F-'rance was completed at the very objectionable hour of one A. M., at which time the Battery had to unload and rush for billets. Roger TN nearly every camp where B Battery soldiered the ■^ boys owned pets. Sometimes it was a chicken and again it was a dog. The border Battery fed and mothered a dozen stray dogs during its stay in Texas. One of the border pets that was a big fa\orite was "Roger." Bill Kelly's "Mexican hairless" dog that wasn't hairless, Ihat dog was one of those cute little puppies that would play with anybody who had something for it to eat. Back in Akron Louis Isenman brought around a duck which the Battery soldiers adopted as a pet. The duck was a smart bird and got so it could understand the name "Louis. Don Scott brought home a duck from a carni\al in El Paso one time That duck waddled around the Battery camp, the pet of the boys until some Battery sniper got him George Harris brought a big Plymouth Rock rooster into camp one day at Camp Sheridan and tied the bird to the stables until Fred Exner went out and policed up a little brown hen for him. Then the boys tied up the hen for a few days and the rooster stayed around. Two old dogs that used to eat mess at B Battery were "Furlough " and "Reveille. " The "Furlough" dog was so named because of his habit of going on furlough every two or three days, coming back only when he got hungry. A dog always found a good home in B Battery camps. Archie's Joke A RCHIE Murphy and a half dorcn other of the Bat- tery soldiers were shoveling dirt one day in .Alabama ani.1 the bo\s were talking about their travels before thc\ joined the arm\-, Archie at the time was reputed to be the Battery's most traveled man. According to Mur- ph\' there was not a eit\' in .America he had not seen [■^ut C. I . Sharp was arguing he had seen just as much of the good old L'. S, A as anyone. And he told Archie that he had been in .American cities that .Archie didn't know existed. "Bo\'.' said Miuphv , alter the insult had sunk in, "do you know Ixe been out on a limb farther than you've I'leen awav from home.' [^ear L'ncle livb — Well, I'm on my way to France now at last; that is I think 1 am. ^'oii sec we are on a ship, but as I write this we are still in the harbor. I daresn't tell you what harbor it is for they told us this morning that when we got on the ship all our letters would be censored, which means that some doggone officer is going to read all my letters until 1 get home again. 1 don't care so much about what 1 write to you and mother but I'd like to sneak a few private lines to Clara — well 1 should say so. There are three thousand men on this old tub we're on. Maybe I should say twenty-eight hundred men and two hundred M. P's. 1 daresn't e\en tell the name of the boat and I haven't tried to get any sleep yet and it looks like it's going to be \ery hard to find any room. 'We're way down in the bottom of the ship anc^ it's awful hot here. They ga\e us some hammcx'ks to sleep in, but I don't know how we're going to do it, ^ ou remember Schnake, that big tall fellow in our outfit, and big Bill Schmok, Well how are they going to get into one of these things that are only about four and a half feet long'' Everybody is going to bed now and making so much noise that I can't write any more so I guess I'll go too. We can't mail any letters now until we get on the other side so I guess I'll just keep on writing on this same one till we get there an^l then mail it. I'm writing to mother, too, but she don't understand this soldier business like and old G. A. R. man like you so I don't write so much to her. June 30 — Well Uncle Bob I'm able to write again but for a while I thought that I would ne\er be — well I should say so. 1 his is a rotten old boat and 1 don't blame anybody for getting sick on it. It goes up and down and all the time you think it's going to turn clean o\er and you don't care much if it does either. We left that harbor that I daresn't tell you the name of, about eight o'clock the ne.xt morning and the first thing we knew the old Statue of Liberty was out of sight, Mike Slates said that she was waving the torch around her head and nodding to our ship, but I think that he was sick already. Before it was time to eat supper it was pretty rough and after the stuff we had for dinner, I didn't feel like eating anyhow. I felt like I was drunk. ihat IS, the wa\' 1 sLippose a Llrunk man must lee! if it s like you say it is. ^ ou know 1 wouldn t get drunk, don't you L'ncle^ — well I should say so. I went down in the bottom of the ship about eight o'clock to try to go to sleep but after 1 got m m\ hammock, 1 changed my mind, E\en if I had felt all C "• K, 1 couldn't have slept there. Sergeant Pat Lynch was making so much noise leaning o\er a bucket that nobody could sleep at all. They wouldn't let me go up on the deck so I had to stay down there. 1 got a bucket and joined the crowd cause there was only about four men in the whole place that didn't ha\e a bucket in front of them. 1 wo of our fellow s was lucky today. khey got put on a gun-crew on the ship, which means that they won't have to li\e wa>' down here where there ain t no air. The lucky guys was Tub Lamiell and Art Possehl. They sure are lucky guys — well I should say so. We've got a lot of ships handy now and they remind me of a lot of buzzards, ^'ou know how a buzzard hangs around an animal that's dead or w.ounded'' Well, that's lUSt what these ships look like to me. They seem to be just buzzing around waiting for this old tub to sink, and 1 think that they are going to be satisfied before the trip is o\'er. No matter how sick a fellow gets on this old scow they make him ha\e a life-boat drill which looks like they didn't ha\e much confidence in the thing either. They make us wear a big cork belt around us too and it don't feel \ery good either Ihey say it s so if a sub hits us we can Hoat, but I don't think they are worrying as much about the subs as they are about the bottom falling out of this raft. I didn't eat a blamed thing since the day we left till tonight for supper. We had some kind of preser\es with orange in them an^l they tasted mighty good I ate all I could hold and all the fellows crabbed "Well," 1 says, "I ain't been here for two days and 1 don't see how you guys ha\e got any kick coming." I hen Larry Fetch says, "Well, nobody's been here, but Bill Bass and Harold Moock and they been eating everything," See everybody else had been sick too. Uncle. I'm going to write a letter to Clara tonight, but I'm not going to give it to no officer to read and then tell the Page li2 The lied Guidon fellows about it. They put the lights out at eij^ht o'clock, and all I ha\e to see by is a little dim light, that you have to get right up close to, but 1 got to write something to the little girl too — well I should say so, I'll add some more to this tomorrow, maybe, July 3 — Well L'ncle, 1 must tell you about the big loke they puIIclI on the ship today. Somebody put a notice up on the board by the ^', M C, A. room that said, that there was going to be a dance on the ship that was next to us. It said that this ship was full of Red Cross nurses and the\ was gi\'ing a dance, ^'ou had to get a pass from your captain it said for they couldn't take everybody that wanted to go, just them that the captain woulci allow, ^'ou know mother didn't want me to dance. Uncle, but I asked the captain for a pass, just to help the thing along, see. Well the boats was to leave our ship at seven o'clock to take us o\ er to the other ship and there was a lot of guys hanging around at that time, but nothing happened. Edward Jacobs went up and aske(.l the \' . M C, A, man about the boat anel he laughed at him and then we all laughed because we knew that it was a joke all the time for they couldn't go from one boat to another while they were both mo\ ing, 1 only hope that they didn't tell the girls about it for they might of fell for it and expected us. Girls fall for that kind of stulf easy — well I should say so. I've been reading a lot lor the last few da\'s. The ^'. M. C, A, man has a lot of old magazines that he gi\-es out and some books too. I got a book called the "Scarlet Letter. ' and it's by Haw,thorne. but we didn't e\er study it in school when we studied about him It's all about a girl and a preacher and a baby, but he aint like our minister at all. That's the reason I didn't write an\- more in this letter before. All the fellows are reading something if they can find anything to read. Tomorrow is the Fourth and we're way out in the middle of the ocean and it cfon't look like we was going to have any fun at all. It's been pretty rough on the ocean today and some of the fellows got sick again, but not me. They say that we are more than half way there now, and I should hope so. I always thought that it only took six days to cross the ocean, but we've been on the way six days now, and only half way. Well that's v,hat they get for using such an old tub to take us on, I'll write some more tomorrow night — maybe. July 7 — I got hold of another book and a couple of magazines Uncle, and I've been reading every night instead of writing, but you don't care, 1 know. We had a pretty good time on the Fotirth. Every- body was up on the deck in the morning and the captain of the ship made a speech and the ship doctor too. Then our colonel, that the boys call the old "Caribou," made a speech and everybody sang when our captain said to. We sang a lot of songs and then it was time for dinner. They put the American flag up on the ship and everybody cheered. This is an English boat and ma>be that's why everybody cheered so lotid. It was a good thing that we had a holiday on this boat or we wouldn't never got anything to eat I guess. We had some pkim pudding for tiinner and it tasted real good. 1 can t eat the kind of meat these English cooks give us. It's either mutton or tripe all the time. I've been living on bread and tea and potatoes. There is a couple of Englishmen in the crew that work in the kitchen, and they ha\'e been selling the fellows pies and cakes all the time, 1 just found it out last night, and I went down to get some, I had to sneak around the ship for about a half an hour before I got past the M. P. on guard, I was hungry enough to eat anything for we had tripe for supper again, I got back to the galley, that's what they call the kitchen on this ship, and no wonder, either, but I didn't get any pie or cake. I've read about how the old Romans put the thieves in a "galley "and started them out to sea. but I didn't know that the English were still eloing it, 1 asked this guy for a cake and he got it for me and then I asked him how much It was, and what do you think he said, LIncle'' f-itty cents is all, the big robber. Well. I only had thirt\- cents to my name so I couldn't buy it, and I went away hungry. Honest Uncle, you can get a dozen cakes like that one at Kaase's for fifty cents. I went up on deck and found Cliff Schnake, Martin Shere and Russ Lothamer all eating pie or cake. I told them that I couldn't get in the place to buy any, and they each gave me a bite, so I didn't ha\e to go to bed hungry after all. The ocean has been just as smooth as Summit Lake for the last few days, and nobod\' is sick any more but X like Slates and Fish Moore. I saw Corporal \'ern Ritter The Red Guidon Page /« and Hcnr\' Bittinger get up last night and pLit their hammocks on the lloor to sleep on, so the\ wouldn t swiiT^ so miieh, anel I got up anel eliel the same It eliein t hurt m\' hack so much to sleep this \\a\' If we don t ha\e an> bad weather and our blamed pilot gets sober we ought to lanel in a couple o days. The wav we \e been dnlting around out heie m the middle of the ocean, 1 elon't think that the guy up at the wheel knows where he is going. We ought to be where we re going by this time. If they are trying to dodge subs like the captain says, I don't see why the\- don't try to get to shore as soon as they can instead of hanging around out here looking (cir them. The fellows on the crew say that if a sub c\er hits this old log she's a goner and we won't ha\e much chance either. Sergeant Hoffman has all the signal ^letail men on the look-out on both sides of the ship, night and da\ and the fellows on the gun-crews is watching too, but c\'en it the\ do see a sub, 1 elon't see how it's going to stop us from being drowned down here in this hole well I should say so. Well 1 hope we get there soon lor km getting ner\ous, and I don't want to get sick again 11 they'd only tell us where we're going, it might help li\erybody says a dilterent place II 1 ha\e time III write some more tomorrow night, Jul\- 10— We can see land at last, L'ncle Bob. and it sure looks good, Somebody woke me up eaii\- this morning and said that they could see land, and 1 went up and sure enough there it was. 1 daresn't tell you the name ol the land, but we can fool the officers this time Uncle for I've got an idea, 'l ou see 1 can tell you that this land we saw was your home countr\-. and nohocK will know the difference. None of the Cjcrmans that they are afraid of petting into the mail w ill know w hether you ere Scotch or not We're not going to land in this country though, but we're going on to the ne.xt countrv, and 1 don't know wh\ either because there ain't any war in that countr\. We had some excitement on board tcxiay, too. Some of the little boats that the\ call a con\oy started to fire then- guns at something and e\ervbody thought that it was a sub. Fellows stood around the rail ready to lump overboard if they had to Some of the officers got real excited and crowxled arounel the life-boats and it's a good thing that it turned out as it did. for one of them was right beside me ready to jump on our raft, and I wouldn t ha\e waited on him either fi\ery man for himself in a case like that — well 1 should say so. It happened that the\' was only firing for practice and there wasn't an\ danger at all, but e\en if there wasn't, I showed that officer where he could expect to find a raft and where not On one side of the ship we could see one countr\-, and on the other side another I'he countiw on the right siele was the one that the_\ alwa\s sa.\- is so beautiful, but 1 coukln't see an\ thing pretty about it for there was nothing but mountains in sight and not a shamrock at all Ross Kalaher and George Harris and the rest of the lellows that ha\e relatixes from this country said that It mu^t be prettier when nou are closer to it. but 1 don't know 1 here was two big balloons l]\ing o\er our boat all Lla\ anel the water was co\ered with ducks. 1 think the\- are real. C^ee' I wish \ou had of been here, for 1 know how \()u like to go duck-htinting ^'ou could of gotten plent\ here for the\- seemed to be almost tame. It looked awlul prett\ tonight when the sun went down ^ ou wouIlI of thought that the ocean was on fire. 1 here was abotit one thousand ol them little boats they call con\o\s around us all da\. but the> left us when we came into the harbor. We are in the harbor now waiting for the tide to come in so we can get to shore It looks aw ful pretty out on the water with all the boats lit up and sailing around. We won t get to land before noon tomorrow . but as long as 1 can see land so close I don't care. This is a big city we re going to land in, I guess, it's got lots of lights in it an\how, just before I started to write this they dropped the anchor and it made so much noise that it woke every- body up, so 1 elecided to w rite to \ou and finish my letter. It s two o'clock and there ain't much use trying to sleep an\ more, I'xe got to write another letter to Clara tonight so 1 can gi\e it to one of the fellows on the crew to take back to the U. S. A. when he goes again. 1 11 write to you again when we get on land someplace and get started to work, We'\e got a lot of work ahead ol us, but we're going to do as good a job as you old C. A, R. men did before we get back — well I should say so. '^'our nephew . Ralph. Do you remember the wa\'Tay Haller wore his pants? * * * * Do you remember "Four and lM\e to the trail "'■" * * + * Do you remember the Camp Sheridan laundry bills? nrcENSQDj UPON stcppintion H. \I, S.Ncstor. B Battery relinquished claim to one of their most cherished pri\ileges; that ol unrestricted and uncensored lettciw riting. Censorship of ail home- \\ari,l-b()und mail began as soon as the Battcrymen stepped on the deck ( 'n that memorable tiip across the Atlantic, the b()\'s, with time hca\'y on their hands, began writing huge \'olumes about their trip, intending to mail them as soon as they landed. Some of those letters were begun while the Statue of L^iberty was still in nght and continued until the ship docked in l-i\crpool. Lieutenant Lee Moore admitted one day that those "books" as he called them la\ed around the officers quarters for weeks after- wards with the entire staff of Battery officers working night and day on them m an effort to delete all objection- able matter from them. At Cestas, after the Battery got settled. Captain Carl Ka\enagh e\en thought ol gi\ing lessons in letter-writing to save himself some of the brain racking work of censor- ing so much Instead of cutting the letters all to pieces, and using the blue pencil on all the objectionable matter, he would send his share of letters back to the men to be corrected. I he most Irequent offense was the failure of the boN's to use the perscribed Llatc line "Somewhere in France." In answer to some ol those first letters written in Lrance and on the ship, there were many questions asked regarding the holes and the funny bkie pencil marks on the letters recei\ed at home. .\rt Possehl and George White recei\ed letters annotincing the receipt at home, of envelopes containing only a salutation ani.1 larcwell. The balance haci been deleted. When the first "blue enxclopes" arrned in camp the boys were happy for they thought that they could "get by" with more through the Base Censor than through the Battery officers. It surely mtist ha\e been a busy week at the Base Censor's office then, for the Batterymen wrote about things and places that were absolutely not to be mentioned and thc\' w rote \okimes too, 1 here were all sorts of plans de\isecl to beat the censor but none of them met with much success. Bill Summers figured out a code on the ship, but he forgot that the folks at home were not familiar with it, so, they must have been rather puzzled when Bill's first letter arrived. Instead of names of places, Craig Starn intended to give the geographical location of places, and let the folks at home figure it out for themsehcs, but he lorgot to bring a sextant with which to make his readings. After the Battery got busy on real work the letters assumed more reasonable proportions and numbers and e\eryone became quite accus- tomed to referring \aguely to "Some- where in Lrance." On reaching the front the desire to let the folks at home know the location of the Battery, almost got the best of some of the boys, and a good bit of the information written at that time died an ignoble death at the point of a blue pencil. After the affair at St. Genevieve, on the occasion ol the Battery's first firing of which more is written elsewhere Clyde "Tub " Lamiell, in his eagerness to report the engagement to Barberton, Ohio, forgot all about the existence of such a thing as censorship. He gave names, dates and in fact all the necessary information to w rite a history. 1 hat letter of "Tubs' got as far as the Base Censor, where most of it was either cut out or blue penciled. Said censor must ha\e been a rather human sort of fellow, too, for he exidentb regrcttei.1 the fact that he had nothing left to send to the Lamiell home but an envelope. So, he added a little note, it is stipposed Just to make the envelope worth mailing. It was quite evident that he ha^l created some excitement in Barberton, when, about three weeks later "Tub" received a cablegram from his father. "Omit all military information from letters, " the message read. Mr. Censor had no doubt given a few instructions in letter-writing. C-lydc even omitted letters for the next two weeks. At the camp on the hill near Benoitevaux. Camp du Chanois. after the "big show' was over and there was nothing to conceal, the censorship became less rigid, but w as not entircK' liftcLl The literary talents of the Battery was not entireh' liftetl 1 he literary talents of the Batterymen then came to the front and detailed histories of the great war were written, that is, in so far as B Battery was concerned. Some were received in the home towns of the fellows, but m the most of them there was scjme objectionable matter When "G. H. O " announced the "L^ael's Letter " elay. and suspended all censorship on the letters it was a busy day for the mail orderly. He left the Battery office every morning under sacks of mail that would have tired out one of Reed ^'orkey's wheel horses. Therewas a race (Continued on next page) SoDveiuRS SOUVENIR collecting is more or less a part of every one's life and after all it is pleasant to have trink- ets or objects around that in after years may conjure up memories of an almost forgotten period or place. The American soldier is one of the greatest little souvenir col- lectors going, and the members of B Battery were typical American soldiers. The Battery's collection started the first day it struck the border when Al Borden, Jimmie Snapp and some others filled a Mason jar with horned toads, tarantulas, scorpions and kindred animals and insects. This collection was soon discarded and its place taken by the topaz stones which Fred Clark and Tommy Thompson and the men occasionally found. The craze died down until the work on the range started at Camp Sheridan when e\'ery Saturday and Sunday founLl Bill Butcher, Bill Vaughn, Casey Price and Russ Lothamer out there looking for shrapnel noses and shell cases. When fotind, these articles were carefully polished an^l shippei.1. France is where the real souvenir craze hit the Battery, and the list of collectors included every man on the roster. While the Battery was on the front there weie any amount of German fiekl helmets laying around, btit it was not until "upres la Guerre" that the boys decided they wanted them. I hen they were v\orth "bcaucoup francs." Jimmie Hogue bought a German dress helmet from Walter Vaugh for two hundred fifty francs. Cliff Schnake and Earl Da\ idson raffed off a similar helmet selling one hundred chances on it at f"i\ e Irancs a chance. George Stagg and Harry Foust raffled a l.uger pistol for the same amount. TommN' Ihompson an^l Bill Summers had German gas masks, but fiill traded his for a "Gott Mit Uns" belt buckle. Along with German sou\enirs there were also plenty of French extraction. As a matter of fact many of the supposedly German helmets and "Gott Mit Uns" buckles were made in b'rance to be sold to the American soldier who was a "fish." Then there was the case from the first and last shell fired in the four gun sections. Duke ^'ork shipped two back to Pennsybania from "over there" and Don Scott and Pat Lynch trailed along with one each. The French- men decorated several cases which Tub f^amiell. Bob Wiener and Louis Moore promptly bought. Some of the boys decided they could do hammered brass work as well as the "frogs" and the decorated shell cases made by Walter Vaughn, Leo bitzpatrick and Bill Lenihan pro\'ed them to be right. Shell cases were being shipped to the States in stich quantities that it was necessary to forbid it or the regi- mental post ofiice would ha\e been swamped. War sou\ enirs were not the only ones shipped or carried home from France. There were all sorts of ribbons, laces, powders and perfumes. Dick Thomas, Verne Clark, Momer Eckert and Lieutenant Curtin almost got a corner of the fancy work of France. It seems that all things considered the sage struck it right when he said. "Irance is in the war for her life — England for an ideal, an^l America for sou\'enirs." The Censor (Continued from page 144) for a few days to see who could write and send, to dad the Battery's history in the best time. Earl ^'oungs, with a typewriter and all the official records at his desk in the Battery office, had his "book" written and on the way a few hours after the ban was lifted. Before they left France though, the Battery had helped to uphold the reputation of the 37th Di\ision in Camp Sheridan— the "Letter-Writing" Division. Camouflage Up at the first position from which the Battery fired on the front in France, two of the guns were ordered one morning into an open field. There was to be a day's firing from the field and Corporal Joe Kelly and a big detail were sent out to erect a camouflage screen o\er the gun positions. A combination of circumstances restilted in the boys putting up a disgraceftil job of camouflage. The camoufiage screen looked like a dilapidated carnival tent instead of a reproduction of the grassy field beneath it. And when Sergeant Pat Lynch and his crew moved into the position ne.xt morning with their piece. George Couchey's first surmise was. "If it wasn't for that camou- flage the Germans would probably not know we were here." VICTOR Cjiiinther sat on the edge of his hunk in 1- ranee and tried to make the two torn hahes of a five franc note fit together. F^inally he ga\e it up in dis- gust and threw them in the fire. "Do you know what I'm going to do as soon as I get home, and get out of this league^" Vic said, "Well. I'll just tell you, boy, I'm going to take a five franc note w ith me. and as soon as I hit Akron, I'm going to take it to a printer friend of mine and have him print up about six thousand of them. From the looks of the darn things, he can't make a worse job than the French government did, and he'll probably make 'em better. It'll cost him about four dollars and a half for ink and paper, then I'm coming back to brancc with "beaucoup" jack and hand them out to these robbers who charged me twenty francs for a cigarette-lighter. I'm going to ride all o\er France spending "made in U. S, A." francs. Vic wasn't alone in his sentiments either, for he was echoing the sentiments of the whole Battery, French paper money — how the boys used to cuss it! It was paper money in every sense of the word, and pretty poor paper at that. Reading from left to right, the one hundred franc note was the only one of the lot that was worth a nickel speaking purely from an artistic standpoint It was beautifully lithographed in seventeen colors like a Barnum and Bailey circus poster. Next in line was the "fifty." That had all the earmarks of a Larkin Company, soap wrapper, v.ith the exception of the fact that the Larkin Company use a much better grade of paper; the twenty and ten franc notes reminded the boys of the good old tobacco coupons that the United Cigar Stores hand out; and the five — well everybody admitted that the five didn't remind them of a darn thing they e\er saw before! The fi\e franc French note was the nearest thing in monetary value to our dollar bill. When last heard of, it was worth about ninety cents and going up all the time. They didn't stop there however, there were the paper franc and half franc notes, and they were the worst of all 1 hese notes were purely local, a franc note for instance issued by the Chamber of Commerce of Nancy was good in Nancy only; in Toul its only \'alue lay in the fact that they were nice and dry and easy to start fires with. Corporal Donald Northrup thoughtlessly left Bordeaux with a pocketful of them and like the little poem, "e\ery- where that Donald went, the notes were sure to go He couldn't spend them; shop-keepers all o\'er France shook their heads and said "No Monsieur, Ce papier n'est pas bon ici." Until finally Don got mad and used them up lighting his pipe with a Iranc an^l nine cents e\cr\time he Lised up lilts' centimes I he true test ot worth however, came when a game of "African billiards" was in progress; and if the designer of F'rench paper money could ha\'e been present when a crap-game was in progress in B flattery he would ha\'e hung his head in shame. For crap is the true test of the sterling worth of paper money; on the reputation acquired in a hard session of "rolling the bones, " it will stand or fall .And where the good old American dollar bill used to li\e through the strain of a four hour session and come up smiling, a fi\e franc note on the other hand, looked like the tail end of a hard winter after ten minutes — in a half an hour it resembles nothing so much as the "Wreck of the Hesperus," And e\en on a good pay-day game, with "beaucoup' francs in sight, from hundred franc notes down to fixes, with a few crumpled franc and fifty centime notes thrown in to make change — Boy Howdy! Four passes without "dragging" and the winner has a pile of scrap paper in front of him that looks like the floor of the stock exchange after a run of wheat. Many and many a night, after a session with the "bones " has seen a lone candle flickering against the darkness of the billet Close examination showed the winner sitting on his bunk w ith a pile of torn scraps in Iront of him. laboriously trying to fit pieces together. It was wcirsc than the best jig-saw puzzle e\er put to- gether, as evidence by his remarks "Let's see now Where's the other half of this ten'' 1 had It here a minute ago, and there's two more parts to this twenty somewhere, — wonder where they are^ If I e\'er find the pieces to go on these six fi\es, I" II ha\e "beaucoup " francs. Here's that ten. Nope, that don't fit either. Nope: — Im going to bed." COL H. M, BUSH He commanded the I 34th l\ A, in the .American training camps and in I- ranee. Do }ou remember "Going to Camp!" in Montgomery? MMAl lJbJUi:i 3> MB^DESBEVEWS AND HkES Tho El Pdso EoviQWs...'tlie Cdmp Sheriddii Pdrddes-dnd dl thp hikes we hdvp mdde in Aiiiericd...Iiiia]dii(l...d]i(l frdnce... Page I'lS The l\i'(l (iiiidon The Ysleta Hike ALONG about the first of \o\ ember rumors eoncern- ing a hike out into the mesa took preeecience o\er the question of "when do we go home''" Wild tales circulat- ed regarding other outfits which had been lost in the des- ert, horses and men dying of thirst, and most anything that soldiers will pass on. not believing, but telling and magnifying in the hope that some pooi- rookie will "fall for it." The outfit learned se\eral days ahead what was going to be pulled off and there was somewhat of a run on the canteen for chocolate and other food which was absolutely necessary when there are eight hour stretches between coffee and dear old "canned Charley." Things began to stir early on the morning of .-.-__ and after the feeding was done the street began to look as if it were being carpeted, but these small sections of carpet soon took the form of nice round rolls and became the important part of a pack. Mess o\'er. and shortly after the outfit tell in in the street w ith whips, spurs. sKle-arms, anci lull-pack. Grabbing a couple of nose bags from the rack, the dri\'ers soon had their horses off the line and tied to wheel. A few minutes more and harness and packs were on, pairs hitched in. ^Irixers standing to horse and cannoneers and drixers alike getting a last whiff at a cigarette before time to mount. It came before long, a few "woof- woofs" from some- where, then the okl familiar notes of "Drivers and can- noneers, prepare to mount — mount'" ani.1 the battalion rolled through Lynchville. crossing the railix)ad and the drill field, and swinging otit across mesa toward the silvery Rio Grande. The edge of the mesa was reached before noon and section after section rolled down the sharp grade of the bluffs — the brakes set and the whecl-dri\ers holding then- pairs back in the breeching in trtie style as only wheel drivers understand. When the Battalion had all reached the slope below, "B" had a little fun by way of trying to make that old heathen outlaw work in harness. When about half harnessed he pulled his usual stunt of falling over backward, but the harness was finally gotten on and he was hitched in. iiut that was all. He procccckxl to lie down antl remamcLl there. Sand was thrown m his mouth, good water was wasted by pouring it in his ears, Hollenbeck wore out a perfectly good whip on him, and everyone cussed him in good soldierly form, but he retired from the encotmter unconqLiere^l and continued to be led at the rear of the outfit, probabK- w ith the same satisfaction as that of an 1, W, W.. of course continuing to eat as much Go\ernment oats and hay as a real horse, if not a little more. But they went on in the usual st\le of "get there anyway," and soon after came onto the hard-surfaced road leading to ^'sleta. Meantime there was fun at the rear of the outfit -the mirth pro\oking spectacle of "Butch" L,imbach riding "Armotir" in the near wheel. When "Armour" was hooked to a carriage it looked like an elephant hitched to a go-cart, but with "Butch" rJLling him — holy mackerel! ^ sleta was reached rather early ani.1 camp was made just across the road from one of the troops of the Ohio ca\'alry sqtiadron who were doing their turn at l^order patrol duty. The gun park was formcLl an^l picket lines stretched, then horses were watered at the tanks across the road, the oats were fed. hay kicked in, a reasonable amotint of grooming done, and the first day was about done. Then came the Ime-up to form the Battery street, but the street sudLlenK became crooked when it came to pitching tents, by reason ol the e\er-present mesqLiite in large, tough bunches. Mess W'as nearly *^t,-^~ reach' by this time, with .\lcl\ee\er on the |ob, which is jtist another wa>' of sa\ ing that we ha^l just abotit the best that cotild be gotten 1 hen of course, e\erybody startei.1 lor a short walk into the village and proceeded in \arious ways, aside Irom the usual procedure in those tfiN's, to forget the ^lax' s lal^or Bright and earl\ the ne.xt morning, that is, it was early, but not honestK' l^right lIuc to the lact that the sun was still behintl the hills, things began to stir and soon alter in the earl\ gloom coukl be seen horses led to water, tents dropping, men grunting t)\er the making of rolls. sun^liA clanking ol pans an^l Cf I, cans from the Llirection ol the (lekl kitchen and isstiing Irom the dark came stich soulkil expressions as "D this san^l cacttis:" "Gimme a roll on this;' "Where m fl is that near horse of mine:' "Sa\'. who got m\' other nose-bag^" and many other enlightening statements about san^l, ornery horses and man\" seemmgh- tri\iaf but e\klentl\- \itall\' impor- tant subjects. E^Lit It all went w Ith snap, and soon breakfast was o\er, horses groomed. harnesscLl. packe^l. an^l hitchei.1 in. and the second clay's hike began. 1 he route was in a general north-easterl>' direction and led immediately up o\er the bluffs just back of the The Red Guidon Page 1¥J village. The graiile was much longer here than the descent of the ciay before although not so steep, and made a long hard pull on the horses. 1 he cannoneers hiked to lighten up the load and the top was made in good shape — wheie l^etore them la\' the long sweep oi the mesquite-co\ ered mesa, which manN' miles away met the hare slopes of the mountains l^n the afternoon of the second day out it looked like the battalion was just wandering around on a sort ol week-end tour or something ol the nature, but anyway, we w ere out lor a hike, and getting lost on the mesa was about like taking the wrong fork m the road and getting lost somewhere out in the "sticks." The line ol march contmucLl east lor what pro\"ed to be too long a time on a rather unbroken trail, then some scouts disappeared into the long roll of the mesa and on their report the column swung due north on w hat became at once a hard pull through unbroken sand. The outfit had taken a bite to eat at one of the rests, and nearly e\'cry drner pourcLl water into his hand and let his horses wet their mouths. They had their oats. too. and in lieu of water had the usual knick-knacks from their dri\ers. a handful of scrap tobacco, a lump of stigar. a piece of an apple, some cand\ (some of them would eat an\ thing) or whate\-er they had learned to e.xpect The well was sighted some miles away and soon the hardest march of the hike was over. It would not be tar wrong to sa\' that "[lixie" was probably the most relie\cd of all. "Lahl" (\irginian for Lyle) McC^ormick ha^l eoxered his beautilul hide an^l pride with a set of harness an^l hooke^l him m to help pull the Battery wagon through the hea\ w going. The park was soon formed and the performance of the night before repeated, with the exception that there was no \ illage to visit and the horses did not think much ol the alkali water They also needed a lot of grooming, 1 he happiest feature of the day was that the escort wagons took the right road and made camp ahead of the outfit Of cotirse mess was ready shortly after in the usual MeKee\er style, ol which everyone partook except l\a\enagh, whose stomach probably turned traitor being the recipient of too much "canned Charley," thereby breaking the rules for army stomachs. 1 he sleeping that night presented a variety of ideas on how to get a good night's "flop" on the mesa with the wind sweeping in stinging cold Some were under the harness and einerecl with paulins, others had paulins out m the open and man\' pitched tents with their tails to the wind, banking the sides with sand, and covering the open end with slickers Many a yuca palm dis- appeared in Hamcs and every fire had its bunch getting warm, enjoying a peaceftil smoke and fanning about the da\ s march. The morning came, the usual work was hastily done and the outfit was soon on the camp-bound lap of the hike. Maiden tried riding the outlaw lor a while and afforded a grinning cluersion. Much walking was done to keep warm against the chill morning, and at e\'ery rest fired ytica palms offered a little re\ i\ mg w armth, .'\bout noon Mason's Wells were reached and the whole otitfit "fed and watered,' Ihe march was resumed shortly and the final drag was soon o\er, camp being reached in the middle of the atternoon, and soon could be heard a general scraping of chins. The hardest to d\e was probably that beautiful, red, hall inch stubble ol Pat l,\nch's, and the "1 sleta hike became a relcrence noint. ri) The Red Guidon The Greenfield Hike THE first officers' traininf; camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison closed on August Inh The second was to open a month later, so that in the interim B Battery had the unrestricted use of its own horses and material. lo vary the monoton\' of "double sections right oblique," "pieces front," etc . a two day hike was planned toward the latter part of August, with Ciieenfielel. Ind , (about twenty miles from F-drt Ben) as the elestination The Battery was up early on the morning ot .August 27th. Breakfast was eaten, packs made up, and by 7 M) A. M. the entire first battalion was ready to lea\e the gun-park. With Major Williams in command, the battalion moved out with e\eiyone more or less excited. It was the first tiip of its kinel lor the new men, and to the border boys it was a relief from the monoton\-. Before a bunch of recruits, howe\er, they had to maintain more or less of a bored attitude, speak indifferently of the com- ing hike and tell of the three ekn hike we took on the border. The day was cloudy and the Battery had scarceh' reacheei the limits of the iort when slickers were un- strapped and used. Marshall Sheets, dri\ ing a team in the second section, soon found that he had piekeel a bad horse for the trip; the animal kicked, buckeel, laid down, and in fact, eliel e\er\thing that no self respecting horse would think of eloing. He was taken (lut of the team before the Battery had gone \ cry far anel replaced by a more sensible animal, btit Marshall's troubles were not yet o\er, for the new "goat" dcxclopcd a cinch sore and he too had to be taken out. It rained for the first hour or so of the trip, but by ten o'clock the weather had cleared and the rest of the day the sun shone. Shortly before noon the main high- way between Indianapolis and Columbus was reached, and the battalion stopped for an hour: the horses were watered and fed and the men had mess. .'At one o'clock they were on their way again. Two more accidents occurreei before Greenfield was reached; the first, when the near horse Jake Harris was driving fell, anel was so badly hurt it was necessary to lea\e him in a nearb\ barn. Homer Eckert and Skinny Bullard staying to fi.x up his cuts and lead him back to camp; second. Morgan Bright's team shied at a street-car and ran away, knocking down a mail-box and doing suni.lry other damages before it was stopped. Greenfield was reached about four in the afternoon The town's chief claim to distinction lay in the fact that it was the birthplace of James Whitcomb Riley anel Gunner-Corporal Alton \'. Ritter. As the battalion marched through the main street, the men found that the hike had risen to the prominence of a parade, at least it bore all the aspects of one. The street was packed and for two blocks in the main business district it was roped off to keep the packed humanity out of the right of way: it seemed as if the entire population of Greenfield and surrounding \ieinit\ hael turned out en masse. Clear out to the fairgrounds, at the edge of the town, where camp was to be made for the night the battalion made Its wa>' through narrow lanes of people The fairgrounds reached, camp was soon made; picket-lines were strung, horses unharnessed and cared lor, and once again the (.lei pup-tents sprang into being. After mess the people of the town presented the boys with cigars and cigarettes There were crowds of the \'isitors, and the bunch was kept pretty busy answering the thousand and one questions that were askeel them. In the e\ening e\'er\boel\- went to town, that is. all but Corporal Wilbur nunn. Car] 1 rub\ . and Art Faulkner, who were unfortunate enough to be on guarcf. anel it is supposed that e\en the\- managed to work in relav's and get awa>' for a time In the city t h e r e w a s plenty of amusement , as the towns- people were m o re than hosp I t a b 1 e anel they lit- eralK- pre- sented the first battalion with the keys to the city. All the clubs kept open house anel the men wearing the red hat-cords got pretty much of e\er\thing that they wanted. Most of the ofiicers and men attended the informal reception and dance gi\en b\' the Masonic Lodge in their attraetne club-house It was a great success and all those who attended enjoyed themsehes immensely. Apropos, the spurs worn by a good many of the mounted men proved somewhat troublesome during the dance, and to cap the climax, Horace Shaw- got tangled up in his and took a spill; they all took them oft' after a while and there was no more trouble The one man w ho will tineloubtcelK' retain the pleasant- est memory of the Greenfield hike and dance is Captain ). J. Johnston (for it was here he met his future wile). Colonel Bush, who hael been to Washington, returned to bort Ben while the Liatter\' was at Greenfield He motorcel o\er anel reached there in time to attend the lesti\ities, bringing se\eral sacks of mail. It was well after miel-night before all the bo\s were back in their pup-tents; it was eirizzling rain when the last few eraw Icel into their tents anel w hen re\ eille suunelcd at 4:30 /\. M, it was pouring. It was a tough job to make packs and saddle up m the downpour, after breakfast The Red Guidon Page 151 prepared by cooks and serx'ed by K. P. It would have been very good if it had not been diluted by rain water. The start back to camp was made at 7:30. Lieutenant Kavenagh, Pop Fetch antl lommx- Thompson tried to li\en things up with harmony but it failed to work; to add to the discomfort it was colcl and the men. wet and shi\ering, huddled up in their saddles or on the materiel. Jimm\' Bennett lost his slicker and used his shelter half in place of it. There was no delay getting back to the Fort, in fact many of the men never left the saddles on the return trip. It was a cold, weary and water soaked bunch that pulled into Fort Ben about two in the after- noon. Horses being attended to, everyone made a dive for his tent and dry clothes. A warm meal about an hour later restored things to normal and from then until now, and into the future, the Greenfield hike has, and will continue to be an interesting subject for con\'ersation. The Parade in Montgomery THE end ol the first year of war with L.ierman\' found B Battery forming one of the units ol the 37th Di- \ ision training at Camp Sheridan. Ala.. April b, IQhS. the first anniNcrsary of the war ani.1 the inauguration of the Thir^l Liberty Loan was celebrated by a parade of the entire 37th m the city of Montgomery. The di\ ision had been assembled at Sheridan for several months. The boys had all \ isited the city and many people from town had been otit to camp. The parade held on April b. however, was the first time the people of Montgomery had the opportunity of \ iewmg the Dixision as a whole .Added to this was the tact that the division was soon to leave for overseas. The line of march was packed. The town put on holiday garb: buildings were hung with flags and bunting and everyone turned out to give the Ohio boys a welcome and to wish "Ciodspeed ani.! Ciood Luck on their coming journey." bor days prior, the division was in a throe of cleaning up and making readv'. In the Battery the boys cleaned and oiIclI harness: materiel was scrubbed and polished. Then the process started all over again, a coat of paint being applied to the materiel as a finishing touch. The horses weie also receiving special care and attention. Manes and tails were carefullv' clipped and thev were groomed and brushed until thev glistened. The manes of one of the teams in the second section had not been trimmed properly. The eagle eye of the "'Old Caribou" noticed it, so that it was necessary for Sergeant C. T. Bowen to trim it on the way to town. The boys themselves took as much care with their toilet as a matinee idol. They scrubbed themselves Lintil It hurt and every hair was careftilly brushed and put in place. Shoes shone and uniforms were spotless and creased with razorlike edges. The Battery pulled out of the gun-park about nine A. M. and formed on the field back of the infirmary. Straub Jackson's horse became tired of waiting for things to start and laid down. With a little effort they got him on his feet and Atlee Wise took him. Alas, he was no respecter of persons for he pulled the same stunt on "At." L'inally Stable Sergeant joe Kelly led him back to the stables. The first battalion of the 134th Field Artillery was the only mounted outfit in the artillery brigade, the remainder of the brigade marching on foot. The line of march led through camp and into town by way of the upper Wetumpka road. As the Battery swung around the corner of the Exchange Hotel and up Dexter Avenue it presented a wonderful sight. The colors were at its head. 1 hey were carried by Color Sergeants John R. Friel and Miles Rubright. Corporals W. L. Fetch and R. C. Thompson were color guards. In the absence of Captain J. J. Johnston and Lieutenant Kavenagh who were at the F'ort Sill School for Artillery Fire, Lieutenant William E. Leahy was in command of the Battery. Cameras snapped and all along the line the people surged forward for a closer view. L'p Dexter Avenue, around the Capitol Building and past the reviewing stand went the Battery. The parade was reviewed by Major General Chas. G. Treat and Camp Officers, Governor Henderson of Alabama, Mav'or Gunter of Montgomery and many other men prominent in the affairs of the state and city. As the Battery passed the reviewing party, every head went up a little higher and every man sat up a little straighter, if it were possible for them to go any higher or any straighter. Page 152 The lied (hiidon The reviewing officials passed, the Battery turned to the left around the State House and thence back to camp. Apropos this parade was the remark made by Major General Treat, the Di\isional Commander to Colonel Bush: "I ha\e seen man\- artiller\' units but this bat- talion of the I ]4th IS the finest I have ever been priv- ileged to see." When it is reali:ei.l that Cjeneral 1 reat was himself an artillery officer, the true worth of this compliment is appreciated. The hike to Cestois OF all the hikes negotiated by B Battery in I- ranee, the one the boys will no doubt remember longest was that one from Pessac to Cestas in Southern b ranee. There was a hike to be remembered. The boys had just piled out of a train of "40 hommes 8 cheveaux" after a long ride from Ha\rc. Many of them had not eaten excepting for a little corned bill an^l hard-tack, and none of them had slept more than an hour or so the night before. Limbs were stift" and backs were sore. After the first kilometer on the road to Cestas, it was a real effort for the boys to keep their packs and them- selves in line. Mile after mile of winding French road stretched ahead of the Batterymen and there was not a dime's worth of water in the w hole column. Four-five-six-seven — no one ever found out just how far it was but it was close to ten kilometers. Toward the end of the last kilo. Lewis "Fish" Moore. Carl Schrank, "Jolly" Hull and Martin Shere stopped into a farm house for a drink of water and were invited to sit down to a little "vin blanc." The rest of the trip to Cestas was easy for the four boys. The Battery reached Cestas toward evening A billeting officer assigned them bunks and the boys went dead in the hay until the next afternoon. Cestas, France, will always bring fond recollec- tions to the men who went overseas with Batter\' B. It was at Cestas that the Batterymen received their first impressions of the French and of old France. Situated in Southern France close to the Spanish border, Cestas probably was as typically French as an)' other village or city the Batterymen ever saw. There was a little sort of a public square or park in the center of Cestas. Surrounding this square were the homes of the villagers, the mayor's office, the baker, the wineshops, and the little grocery where the boys met "Martha. " the Belgian refugee who became the friend of all of them. The boys were hot and tired the day they rcache^l Cestas. It was the peace and quiet of that little village that revived their falling spirits that July afternoon. 1 he nun w ere assigned to l.~iillets. barns, empty store builclings and to the little old dance hall that stood in one corner of the town. Fven the barns seemed clean and whiilesome as compared with jome places the Battery soldiers slept in later. As soon as the Battery reacheel Cestas that day the men threw off their packs, and went alter their toilet articles. There was a race for the little creek that flowed past the town and an hour later saw the men cleaned up and ready to look around. The little flat white cement houses, the little church where the villagers worshipped, and the v illage graveyard: the white roads coiling out among the vineyards and through the woods, all were wonderful to the Battery boys. In the little sheds along the creek the Battery soldiers first saw the f'reneh women beating the dirt out of the clothes with a stick, rinsing them in the creek. The Battery kitchen was located in the public square. 1 he town kiLklies were engrossed in its working. At first the people were distant. The Americans were strange to them. Thev' talked a strange language. Mess Sergeant Barkle. Orlund Outland, Harry Slater and others around the kitchen had ditficulty making inquiries. But the Batterymen were not strangers long. iMrst came the children, coaxed by American pennies and trinklets. and every man soon had his juvenile following. "Andrette," a little French girl, was the pet of the billet occupicLl by "\'ic" Guinther, Craig Starn, Percy Harris, George White, Dick Thomas and others of the signal detail and first and second sections. Little "Andrette's " father was in the French arm\ in Greece. As the train of little I'^rench box cars pulled into Pessac with its load of B Batterymen. it was thought that at last one could stretch out and rest In the lirst con- clusion one was right — they did stretch out. but they didn't rest! For just seven kilometers the boys stretched out through sand up to their ankles, expecting at each tiiin of the road to be halted and assigned places to camp. It was probably very beautiful country they passed through, but to the weary Batterymen, after their four davs in those box cars, it was a desert. Legs and feet The Red Guidon Page 1.'>.3 were sore, backs ached and throats were i.lry. It was a hot day and in fact, there wasn't much to he Jolly about After co\'ering about half of the Llistance. the B Batterymen saw here and there along the load a straggler from the battery ahead. It was \ei\' encouraging to the fellows to fall out and rest where the\ could ha\e company. Until they were within one kilo of their destination, though, B Battery didn't lose a man. When they did fall out, there was a question in Captain Ka\en- agh's mind as to the reason. Not that he didn't expect the fellows to be tired, but by some strange coincidence they all fell out in front of a wine room. Upon arriving in Cestas the boys all dropped their packs and fell on them. With shoes full of sand and throats parched. the\' were a sorely dejectCLl bunch The packs which were unusally hea\y on this occasion had cut the backs of many of the boys and not a few were suffering from a headache caused by the hot sun. The cool shade of the huge maples in the square of Cestas soon relie\'ed a large part of the discomfort and e\'eryone made for their billets. Every morning "Andrette" came to the l^illet with a little book. With her book on her lap she painstakingly gave the hoys their first brench lessons. She could speak English herself. Martha, the girl in the grocery store was the Battery's friend. .She talked English and in the beginning was the only person in the town who knew what the boys meant by a "e|Liarter's worth ot cookies.' The boys marvelled at the little "\ m blanc " shops with their sidewalk chairs and tables. B Battery soldiers that wouldn't ha\e gone into a l?ar-room in America by the back way sat otit in front of these places in Cestas. to be servcLl. i he brench war bread and the chiklren run- ning home from the bakers with the elas's ration made the boys realize they were in a country at war, Belore the Battery left Cestas the men had grown intimate with everyone in Cestas from the mayor down. ",'^li|^ ' Long, jimmy Jtidge and the rest of the bandsmen plave^l the "Star Spanglcel Banner " in Cestas lor the (ir.st time one night and the next night they plaved it to the villagers. Chiklren. old people and all stood bare-hcadeel. anel the Batterymen stood at salute tor the "Marseilles." To B Batterx's credit be it san^l that there were tewer men Irom that organization than Irom any other, that came the same wa\', to be fotind fallen by the waysiLle. .After all the hikes, both in the States and in f-rance. the hike to C'estas was \oted the "worst e\er " by the B Batterymen at Camp Sherman. Review at Newport News THE last review that B Battery participatcel in belore they were mustered out was at Newport News, just three days alter thev' lanLkxl m the V S A A delegation of Ohio people ha^l journeyed to the coast to welcome the boys home anLl lor their benefit a review was held at that time. On the morning of March 28th the or^ler came down to be ready for a review before the C\:)mmanding General and a committee of welcoming Ohioans. It was one of the most difficult orders that B Battery ever had to comply with for they were in no way prepared to be reviewed by anyone to say nothing of a partv' of this sort. After the trip to tb.e clelouser there wasn't a present- al^le unilorm m the entire outfit. .Ml morning the boys hustleel aroLinLl the camp m an ettort to make themselves look 111 lor inspection 1 he camp lauiiLlr^' v\as put at the (.lisposal ol the regiment and by one o'clock all the unilorms were again in ori.ler. I he re\ lew mg partv' consisted of .'\cting Brigadier C^eneial .Abeinathv, Ceneral Glenn and the Ohio party, heaeletl by Lieutenant Grj\ ernor Brown. I he entire brigade passed in review and lormed in front of the re\iewing stand. Speeches were made by General Cjlenn an^l Lieutenant Governor Brown, welcom- ing the bovs home Irom f-rance. in the behalf of the petiple of (Mho, P(ige y.ii The Red (riiidon Replacements UNTIL reaching Camp Sheridan. Ala,, B Battery had been almost entirely an Akron organization, for those not ha\ mg homes there had at least enlisted there and knew Akron and Akron people quite well. it was with a feeling of half wonder and half ini.lilfer- ence that the Batterymen greetCLl the airi\ al of the thiity- ninc men from Camp Taylor, I\y., who formed the first hunch of replacements for B Battery. Naturally these men coming from a diffeient, if adjoining, state seemed to he outside the pale of fellowship that existed among the Akron men. This state of affairs was not doomed to last long though. During the period of intensive training under Sergeant Hoffman. Corporal Truby. Jackson. Slates, "^ ork and Rubright, the I^attcrymen saw the recruits only at meal time when they would rush madly at the mess shack. Just before leaving for Camp Upton these men were turned into the Battery and assigned to sections. By the time the train pulled into Camp L'pton e\eryboely knew everybody and the new men really belonged to B Battery. They had stories that were interesting to the Battery- men — stories about Camp Taylor and their experience there. The methods of the National .Aimy C'.amp were new to the Akron fellows and it was with interest that they heard of how every man was ec|uipped with a rifle and started out as a doughboy, regarelless of his preference. 'Twas a ease of the sur\ ival of the fittest, they said, and only the best men with a rifle were kept as infantrymen. When the time came to transfer, however, the boys were given their preference as near as possible, but there being so many choosing artillery, some had to be dis- appointed. Before the Battery was mustered otit of the service, most of these thirty-nine fellows had pro\en themselves some of the best soldiers in it. Ihe next replacements came at Milley, France, while the firing Battery was on the front. They were a strangely assorted crowd, too, coming from e\cry corner of the U. S. A. L'nder the conditions at that time it was not difficult to become friendly and the strangers soon began to feel at home in B Battery. With this detachment came some \ery valuable men to the outfit There was a barber, Ray Albon, to replace "Jolly" Hull who had hurt his hand and left B Battery's hair neglected. Then there was Charles Paque, the butcher, just the man to replace "Nubbins ' Outland, who was too busy cooking to cut meat. Lee Carpenter and Rene Cordon filled a long felt \acanc>- in the Battery — that of interpreter. After the arrixal of these two men, "parly-\'ooing" was made easy. Surely when B Battery was mustered out, it was 200-B Batterymen in e\ery sense of the word who shook hands and partCLl. not one hundred and fifty Batterymen and fifty replacements as some organizations classify themselves. Desirable Extra Duty ' I 'HE idea seems preposterous to any man who was ever -1- in the army "desirable extra duty." but ask Freddie Clark or Martin Shere. After that long, tiresome hike to Cestas, during which so man\' fell by the w'a\'side, ("aptain Ka\-enagh handed out some extra eluty to those he thought eleserx mg of it. There were ten men in all and the\- were gnen alternate kitchen police. fi\e each day. for punishment On the first day's crew were I-'rcddie Clark, Martin Shere. "bish" Moore anel two others. The second day's crew came around next morning and breddie was again on the job, insisting on remaining, in fact, he wante^l the job permanently. Sergeant [darkle allowed this bLit was suspicious. When Shere and Moore returned to the job the next da>' the truth came out and the myster\- cleared. In lieu (}f an incinerator to burn the garbage the Battery had been giving it to the peasants nearby for their pigs and chickens and it had been noticed that Clark always insisted on handling the garbage, which was considered a \-ery undesirable job under most circum- stances. When it was time to dispose of the garbage on the third day Shere and Moore each started out with a pail and Clark put up a mighty howT He insisted that it was his job. Again Sergeant Barkle came to his aid and a fight was a\'oided. Curiosity led Sergeant Gene to follow r~reddie to ascertain the reason for his sudden desire to work. Into the backyard of one of the little tile-roofed houses went Clark An okl peasant woman met him at the door and Clark extended the two pails of garbage towards her saying in his newly acquired French, "Bon jour, K ladame. " "Bon jour. Monsieur, une minute." answered the old lady. Returning a moment later she handed breddie a bottle of wine, took the pails, emptied them and returned them to him. (Continued on next page) c^v MAIL incominL; anel oiitf^oinp,, was al\\a\s an important factor in army life. What soldier has not spent some lonesome hours, or e\'en days awaiting the arrix'al of the maiP In B Battery there were men who wrote and recei\ed mail in hunehes and men who neither wrote nor recei\-ed a letter from one week to another In all the Battery's histor\- it would he a Lliflieult matter though to find any one fellow to whom more letters and parcels were addressed than W. A (fiilly) L.enihan When Bilh- was not reading letters he was writing them. It was always an easy matter to find him during his early days in the Battery because he would in\ariahly be on his bunk writing or rewriting a letter. Over in France, where mail rarely arrixcLl more than once or twice a week, it was \ery seldom that liilly didn't collect Irom twcKe to fifteen letters Of course one couldn't do that unless one wrote in answer to them, so Billy usualK' ha^l an equal number for the mail orderly to take back with him When the fellows wouki lr\- to kii.1 him, Billy would tell them that he considered it his patriotic duty to write lots of letters. In so doing, he claimed, he was helping swell the treasury, "book at the amount of re\enue the gcnernment is collecting from the stamps used on these answers, " Billy would say, proudh' showing a big sheaf of stamped en\elopes "Enough to run the war another month. " he would add con\ incingly. Lenihan didn t ha\e a "walk-away" with the letter- recei\ing honors though, h\- any means. Percy Harris, Atlee Wise and Art Possehl aKva\s were closely behind the champion, and on se\eral occasions Gene Wolcott and Henr\ Bittinger were known to recene e\en more than Billy Ol the lellows who tliLln't get nuich mail antl i,ln.ln't send an\- at all, Lewis "bish" .\loore was without a doubt, the leader. To "bish ' mail meant nothing at all, and he ne\ er seemed to ha\e the time to write any letters. It wasn t because he had no one to write to nor because he coLildn't write, for some of the Batterymen knew his parents and too many of the fellows could ha\e xouchcLl for "bish's " ability to write — 1. O. U'S. after an all-night session ol poker. Moore once corresponded with the Firestone I ire 6, Rubl-'er Compan\ in regard to some stock he had left behin^l when he joined the army. When he failed to get an answer to that he ceased writing letters altogether. Once in a while there woLild be a paper addressed to Pri\ate Lewis Moore from his home town, but the Shamokin, (l-'a ) Courier didn t call for an answer. When asked why he ^lidn't write home to sort ol reassure his relatnes. 'bish ' would come back with the counter query, "1 he\ can read the paper cunt thc\^ "I told the folks not to worry, said Moore, "until they saw Lewis W. Moore in the casualty lists and then - well, — then something might ha\e happened to mc. Desirable Extra Duty (Continued from pase 154) One of the most discussed subjects in okl I3attery B was extra duty. 1^ Battery's extra dut>- list ne\er lead the regiments, but from time t'^ time there were a few of the Battery's soklieis markcLl up lor late after- noon or e\ening chore work. Some of the boys used to say the\- like^l extra dut\ better than Battery work. It is doubtful howe\er if they meant this, 1 he ' of Pittsburgh, Base Hospital L^nit No. 1 , during the Chateau-Thierry dri\e. Sergeant Barry Fetch — one of the handsomest and most elebonair men in the outfit, .A spot on his O D, trousers ga\e him h\sterics and mui_l on his blouse sent him into a howling rage When the outfit left Camp de Souge. with orders to get ritl ol e\er\ thing that was not absoluteK' necessar\'. his pack held a clothes brush anel a can of shoe polish. Lp i)n the front, with ci\iliiation left behind. German shells elropping arotinel the battery position, and tons and tons of f-rcnch mud around; when e\-eryone else was coxercel with it, ate it an^l slept m it. Pop Fetch strolled arotind in a clean uniform with his lace washed anel shoe-polish on his shoes, 1 hey say that, instead of sleeping between barrages, he polished his shoes and combed his hair m the middle. Hi>w did he manage^ "(^'uien Sabe, okl bo\". as the\- used to say. And, to recall the time he went rieling with some ladies from Highland Park, when the battery was at Fort Sheridan. 111. Boy' he looked like the Duke of Nought in the thnvl act of a problem pla\ — an\one who sat in the barracks and watcluxl him stroll out that ela\ will e\er forget him. Starting Irom the bottom up, it was russet shoes and leather leggings, that \(iu could see your face in, spotless khaki riding breeches with creases "and e\'erything," a blue serge Norfolk coat, belted, a white \est, a silk shut, a soft white cullar and flowing green tie. lopping off the whole elfeet. a sort of elemi- tasse to a sartorial banc|uct. was a checkered black and white cap and a riding crop NobiKK' kidelei.1 him that day — the whole barracks was stunneel into silence. Words were futile' L.et it be i->ut on record here, that Irom the time he came into the batteiw at Camp Perr\ . Harokl .\Ioock ran Fetch a close seconel, 1 here were sexeral times when the Beau Brtimmel championship between the two was elecielcel only b\- the thickness of shoe polish, the rakish tilt of the o\erseas "chapeau" or the neat wrapping of the spiral puttees. First ''Passes"" in France THE first real opportunity afforded B Batterymen to \isit a F-^rench city was at Cestas, when passes were is- sued lor the city of Bordeaux, At Fe Ha\ re some of the officers had \isited the cit\'. but no passes were issued to the Battery, It is doubtful if any one cared \ery much either for going to the city necessitated the climbing of that memorable hill. After a two days' rest in Cestas a regimental order came permitting the issuing of one day passes to Bordeau.x, which was about tvventy-fi\e kilometers from the \illage. 1 he trip to the city was through a \ery beautiful part of the countr\ where the little homes were untouched by the devastating hand of Mars. To the newly arrned B Batterymen the fact that the countr\ an^f buiklings were still beautiful, meant nothing, but ha^l they been able to \isit the same country two months later after seeing Northern b ranee, the\ wnuld ha\e appreciated the artistic worth of the beautilul landscapes. It seemed to be one continuous \ ineyarcl from Cestas to Bordeaux, each one presenting a new shade of green or purple and serving as a wonelcrful backgrounLi for the reel ani.1 white houses. P(t!ic /.kS' The I ted Guidon Machine Guns and Gunners THE first introduction of tlic macliinc-giin into B Bat- tery was as Camp Sheridan, Ala,, where the Lewis guns were given to the artillery organizations as anti- aircraft weapons. Sergeant Moose and si.x men studied this gun and its workings thoroughly for li\e weeks and then dropped it when the guns were ordered hack to the Ordnance Department The knowledge ol the Lewis gun was ne\er of use to the Batterymen in L ranee for another tvpe was issued there. At Camp de Souge. France, the Battery was issued a machine-gun of the Hotchkiss type, .A much heavier and more durable gun that the Lewis, Two guns were issued and two gun-crews formed from men in the caisson sections under Corporals Slates and Brewer. In these crews many of the newer men proved their efficiency, and during the entire course of training at the gunnery school B Battery's class were always leading or serving as runners-up in a close race. On one squad John Downev', Mack Sharp, licl. Krue, John Cjall and Jesse Hunter were soon able to take then- gun Llown and put it hack together again while hlinLl- folded while on the other Paul Jones, Ralph Lissel, Llewellyn Clark. Albert Chapman and Sam Bowman were setting a pace for the artillery brigade with then- firing. Archie Murphv'. George Rood, and George fries were extra men, and each of them were experts with the "suicide gun ' as thev' called it. With such good materiel for Llcfcnse. it is almost a shame that B flattery didn t have nee^l of their n-iachine- guns on the front but SLich was the case. In the first positions the machine-gun crews were given a position from which they commanded a view ol miles of enemy country. I heir orders were to (ire only at one thousanLl n-ieters, but it was a great temptation to the boys to fire at some of the Fokkers who went sailing over the hill at an altitude of about two miles. One man stood guard oyer each of the guns at all times and hardly a machine went over the Battery position that wasn't sighted over the sights of the B Battery machine-guns. This sighting proved to be very gooci practice for the hoys for w hen they arrived at Camp Quest for a rest after the first frtint, and set up a range, every man v\as an expert. Ammunition was abundant; all the fellows had to do was to go to the nearest salvage dump and pick up what thev' wanted, so there was lots of firing and many targets mutilated. On the trip to the f-'annes sector, the machine-guns were ordered Iron-i the caissons to w hich thev were attached for traveling. 1 he Battery was on the move when this order came down so Corporal Brewer removed them and lelt then-) Iv ing in a ditch for the order said there would be no turther use for them. These guns were not to be so easily lost though for along came old "eagle eye " Poling the policing Supply Sergeant an^l gathered up the Hotch- kisses and brought them along in his supply wagon. After the midnight party that Heinle had at the expense of the B Battervmcn, when he kickeci out his dash hoard and dumped his load of 'plane eggs ' near the gun positions. Poling probably thought that a machine- gun might come in handv'. so he sent one up Irom the echelon. It was very thoughtful, indeed, but he forgot to send a gun crew , Had there been any need of the gun the hovs on the 7'' s would ha\e had to knock it apart and throw the pieces at the f^oche for it took lots of practice to operate the "mitrailleuse" as the f-rench call them. Mechanics Good "Borrowers' HI'.RE'S hoping the next American army that goes to war will go ecjuipped with tools, quartermaster supplies, lumber and other things the A, E. b, in brance didn't have. Chief mechanic Earl Hageman. Mark Dreese. Straub, Jackson and other Battery soldiers who helped the mechanics from time to time will have to answer in Heaven for many a shovel and board stolen by them or at their instigation in the arn-iy, fhe mechanics used to be the "property" men for the Battery, It was their duty to get into a new camp early and steal evervthing that was loose in the way of lumber, tools, small buildings, etc,, and they did this The mechanics could convert a sn-iall building into anything from picketline posts into coal bins for the mess sergeant. Over in brance what the mechanics didn't steal the Battery soldiers did. At Camp Souge one day, the boys tore down half of one of the stables in order to get boards to make repairs on their bunks. The boys dismantled an old mill in Northern I ranee for firewood one time. They took awav everything hut the stone walls and foundation. In both cases the mechanics were ordered to replace the missing parts an^l i-nake repairs. Chief Hageman had one of the most dangerous jobs in the army from one standpoint. THE DOAD TOlVEDDUN IT is a pretty safe het that, every time the "Do ^'oii Remember" ckih f^ets into session in the years to come; in the library of the Elk's buiklinij, in winter, or at one of the numerous cottages by the lake in summer, the meeting will not have been in session more than an hour before some hardy A. E. V . veteran will come across with: "Say. Were any of you fellows on the horse trip to Verdun^" There are lots of things to remember about the Battery's sojourn in f- ranee, but still another safe bet will be that that trip will be fresh in the minds of the men who took it, after most of their ca- reer in [■ ranee is an indistinct and haz\' memory. It was while the 1 34ih Regiment was billeted around Laimont, just after they hai:l come up from Camp de Souge in the south of b ranee. The l^th Ca\'alry had brought in a big string of horses, and the afternoon of October ^ri.1, a reg- imental detail was picked to go to Re- vigny after more. If the\' had been distributed, on their return. R Battcr\ would ha\e had close to one hundred head of horses, counting the ones they got from the 1 Hh Cavalry, but they ne\- er were. The returning detail, in charge of a C Battery officer and stable Sergeant Dick La\'ery, were ordered to take the horses to a big field north of camp and tie them there. Here it was found that these horses were to start tra\eling again that night, along w ith the 1 5th Cavalry horses, that another regimental detail was to be picked, and that the mounts were to be deli\ered "somewhere near Verdun." For once in his troublesome career. lop Sergeant Mike Green had little or no trouble picking a detail. ""Verdun" was the magic word that brought out the volunteers, and some of the men who were picked to go actually ga\e up their chance to (jthers who wanted to go very badly, and most of the Battery looked at the final twenty men an^l calkxl them lucky, lucky. After an early mess at fi\e o'clock, the detail under the leadership of Lieutenant Myers and Sergeant "Duke" ^ork made their way to the stables. Here they began to ha\"e a vague presentiment that "all was not well. " and that the trip was not exactly going to be a pleasure jaunt. First, there were no saddles, they had nothing to ride on except a couple of blankets strapped on with a surcingle; second, each man hatl to lea^l three horses beside the one he was riding, making lour in all : an^l third, the horses that hai.i just been brotight in from Re\igny were hungr\'. They had apparently not been fed on the trip, an^l on account of the scarcit>' of oats, the\ were not going to be led before the start. It was e\ ideiit, right off _ the jump, that the l^rutes \astl\- preferred eating grass than tra\eling all night, anti when a horse wants to eat, when he IS hungr\'. ani.! <.loes not want to tra\- ~ ■" el, well, "he is generalK considered i^lamn hari.1 to hani,lle, ' as jim Graham US0.1 to say. liach BatteiA m the regiment fur- ni^hcLl about forty heai.1 of horses, sothat. when the\ lincLl m the field there wasap- proxiniateK two hundrei.1 hea^l for the regiment .After a wait of alx>ut an hour. the\' were joined l-i>' Lletails from the fi'ith and Hhth Regiments, anel when the o2nd Briga^le detail mo\ ed out along the road at se\en o clock in the e\ening. kxl b\ Lieutenants Ciriffin and Myers, there were some six hundrci;! head of horses in line, four abreast, with about one htini-lred and eight\ men including the Sergeants in charge who ix.kIc single- mounted, l'he\- ha^l a long trip as they had some sixty kilometers to cover, and as the long col- umn nio\"ed out in the gathering twilight, it was an awe-inspiring sight to the men who watched them go o\'er the crest of the hill, horses anel riders silhouetted against the setting sun. It was an\thing but awe-inspiring to the men them- sehes, as just about that time they began to l-^e \ ery x'cry, busy. Came darkness, and with it came trouble. As had been said before, the "chevatix " were hungry; it is hard enough to take care of one hungry horse, but manag- ing fotir of them is praeticalh' impo.ssible. E\ery time the column slow eel tip the animals thought it was a stop, and they bolted for the nearest grass. The column moxed along, suddenly, an unlucky rider (without quite knowing how or when) founel himself clear of the roael in a held, his four horses calmly munching grass with the \ery evident intention of staying there all night. He cussed, using all the ee|Liine threats he hael e\er heaivl, and some invented especially lor the occasion; he called down maledictions on those horses and said unkind things Pityt' mo The l\('(l (iiiidoii that rcllectCLl on their families: lie kicked them m the ribs, and the horses kept on eating. Llsually, just about this time a sergeant came along and the two of them together got the horses back in the road anel up to the rear of the column. The night wore on. The first half of it was a night- mare, and the air was filled w ith curses and imprecations against these particular horses, and all horses in general, and every once in awhile, off the road in the blackness of an adjoining field, came a \oiee. It was ne\er a gentle voice, on the contrary, it was always high-pitched, and very, \ery, angry. "Oh, you blankety-blank blank' ^ oti blank excuses foi- horses you' Get those heads up, and let s get gojng oi' I'll knock them back in your blank, blank, shoulders' What do you think this is, a picnic, or a free lunch or sum'pin"^ Don't \ou know we're going some place^ Oh-h-h-h damn!" ( 1 hen a despairing wail.) "Hey, Lootn't, won't you gi\e me permission to kill a couple of these blankety-blank "ehevaux^" I'd do it too sweet and I'm not kidding a bit about that!" Then came the usual amount of advice and s\nipath\' from his more fortunate brothers in the column. ■"What's a matter ;' ^'ou're not mad, are you""" "Why don't you talk Irench to em. Buddy ^'' "Tut-tut, Harold, — you swore' " "Give them 'column left" and then "lorwaivl march.' ^'oLi gotta be militar\ in this League, " etc.. etc Through some kind of an o\ersight, jim Bennett only had three horses when he started out, anel at ten o'clock he only had one. He had lost two in the interim and he didn't gi\e a darn who knew it He was perfectly happy; as jim said, " They can shoot me in the morning, but I'm not going to be miserable tonight" Howe\er. his happiness was shnrt-lncel for one-hall hour later "Duke" ^ ork found him. "Duke" was leaeling lim's lost two horses, and another that so nebody else had lost, and for the rest of the night, Bennett tia\elcd w ith four Tweh'e o'clock came, then one, then two B\- two o'clock, things had steaelieel tlow n pretty well, and the supposition was that the horses, like the men. were too tireel to eat. I hey pliKkleel on anel on. co\ering the kilometers that lay between them and their goal. Tall Lombardy poplars shaded the roav-l now and then the way lay between a ruined, shell-torn \illage. an^l on the western horizon, the red dicker grew bnghiei and brighter. and the rumble of guns grew more audible, as they neared Verdun. On the road, as far as one could see were mo\ing black masses — horses an>.l men The echo of hools came from far up the line Here anel there a cigarette butt glowed in the ^larkness or a match flared, and h'oni somewhere came a \oiee raised in song: "I dont want anv more army, Lordy, but I want to go home." Dawn came at last on the road to Verdun. Dawn of a night that seemed a million \ears lonii. and the morninu sun found a weary bunch of men and horses pulling into Auzeville. A stop was made in a big field here, the horses v\ere tied and the men had breakfast. It was only bread, jam, corned-beef anci cold water, but it tasted like manna from the Gods. One hour afterwards they were on the way again. To use an army term, "the convoy was split"" here and half the horses under Lieutenant Grif'fin and detail went to ,Autreville, and the other half, under Lieutenant Nhcrs, went to Dombasle. The B Battery contingent w ent w ith Lieutenant Myers. The boys were still dead tired, although they felt better, and they had a chance to look around them. It was very interesting, the road lay along what had been the front up until a lew short weeks before. L\erywhere were trenches and barbed-wire entanglements. At one place the sahage department had not had a chance to \isit and the fiekls were thick with gas-masks, steel helmets, hob-nails, packs and pack carriers, everything and anything that the doughboy discards when going "o\er the top." They descended a long hill into a terribly shell-torn \illage. It was Recicourt, and here they saw the onl\- tmit of the 37th Di\ision that thc\' were to come across during the war — the 112th Military Police. The meeting was not as hearty as it would have been had they been the infantry or engineers, for it must be admitted that there was ne\er any great amount of lo\e lost between B Battery and the Gamp Sheridan M. P, There is a funny story connected w ith the descent of that hill. When they reached their destination later in the day. Lieutenant Myers had dinner w ith the officers of the Engineei' outfit he turned the horses o\er to. Talking to one of these officers he casually mentioned the descent, "Do you mean to tell me,"" that officer asked, '"that you came down that hill into Recicotirt in broad daylight^"" "Stire' " Lieutenant Myers grinned, "Why not?" "Hell, man! That hill is exposed and in direct observa- tion of the German lines. They are shelling it about half the time, and they hit it too! " Dombasle. their destination, was reached at noon, and here they got the cheeiiul ( ?) information that C Gompany ol the 21rd Engineers who were to take the horses over, were up around Verdun somewhere, and would not return till (j\e o'clock: so there was nothing to do hut wait. This was the crowning catastrophe of all — the gang were so tired they could hardly stand, they had no more rations, and they had to hang on to those horses for four more hours. Art Faulkner bit huge chunks out of his saddlebags in his rage, and Stambaugh leaned against his horse and almost wept, btit there was no help for it, so they led the horses into a nearby field and waited, and it was a long wait for the field was full of shell-holes covered over with brush and the animals haei to be watched e\'ery minute; as it was, two of them plunged into a hole up to their necks, and it was an hour's work extricating them. Below the field was the Verdun road (Continued on next page) B'Battcry's Z ost MLCH puhlicit\- has Ix-en aixen a certain Battalion in the A. E, I" whiclT lost itself, Lluim.a the acti\itics in the Argonne. but little il an\thin.c has been saiel of B Battery s lost eietaehment, uhieh w ill call a battalion for the purpose of a simile The beinch that strayed from the Batter\' on the trip Irom Camp (\iest to Apremont There were perhaps t\venty-fi\e men m the bunch that by mistake got on the trucks of the I3nh bieki Artillery and failed to stop at Apremont when the Batter\- did. They went about eight miles further and finalh stopped at Heudicourt about fi\e A. M, "Chief" Hage- man, Mark Dreese, Cjeorge White, Bill Lenihan. Thur- man Staudt. Bill .\lurph\-, Harry Moore, George Miller, and Russ Lathomer were but a few of the men who composed the group All were dead tireel anel famished when the\- tumbleel off the trucks and many were suffer- ing from the effects of gasoline fumes. Alter \ainly trying to get something to eat the fellows rolled up in their blankets anel went to sleep Those who were not sleep\' enough to sleep till noon were able to get a bite to eat from a rolling kitchen, belonging to a Coast Artillery Corps outfit that went b\' about ten o'clock, khe majority of the fellows elieln't get up for this treat and so when they c\entuall\ did arise they iounel themscKes facing temporary star\ation, B Battery's rolling kitchen was miles away and the only thing left ol Heuelicourt was a water-trough and huge piles oi stone that had once been buiklings. Alter searching \ainl\- e\crywhere for food some of the boys \olunteered to go back to Buxerulles a little village four miles away in which they learned from a French soldier, food could be ptirchased. It was late in the afternoon when this scouting party rettirned bringing w ith them all the available food, si.x cans of sardines and two loaves ol breael. I he (^oast Artillery Corps bunch that had feel some of the earlier risers had gi\en them a large bone to which a few shreels ol meat still clung .X bucket miraculously appeared anel with the aiel of some cabbage and turnips taken from what had a short time ago been a German "war garelen, " a soup was soon being brewcel o\er the ffre. It took an awfully longtime to prepare that bucket-full of slum, but when it was finall\- ready and the fellows do\ e in. It was surel\- one of the most appreciated dishes the\' hael e\er eaten in the army. When, on the following day. the Batter\- came along and pickcel the lost ones up, it was somewhat of a surprise to Cooks Se^lberr) anel Mason to ha\e the "lost battalion" fall on their necks anel ask il the> were still friends, B Battery s lost battalion hai.1 no casualties, but it was onl\ elue to the i^rompt arrival of the flattery cooks that aboLit twent\-lf\e were not found reael\ for the hospital. The Road to Verdun iCi>ntinued With a ne\ er-eneling procession of trucks, camions. Reel Cross ambulances, motorcycles and wagons. C Company came at last, and B Battery was so glad to see them that they almost fell on their necks and wept. It was such a relief that the\' forgot to be miserable when they found that it was still three kilos to C Company's stables, and that they had to go there to get their halters back. The horses were finally delivered, and the whole gang from Lieutenant Myers to the lowest buck-private heaved a sigh of relief anel breathed a fervent " I hank Cjod'' .\nother long wait till the trucks came, a long jolting si.x hour ride in trucks, and one o'clock in the morning found the Battery back in L.aimont I en minutes later George Couchey crawling into bed, woke up f lowarel Miller. "Was it a good trip, George^" he asked. trom page loOi '^ eah swell trip'" George said in a voice bitter w ith sarcasm, "Do \()U want to get up for breakfast^" "Do 1 — what^ He\' Btiddv-. 1 elon't want to get up till this time next week' " Beside Lieutenant Mvers anel Sergeant ^'ork. the men who were luckv' enough to go on the trip were Art kaulkner. C'raig Starn. jim Bennett. Mcrvi Stambaugh. Dick I homas. 1 ommy Thompson. Skeets Werner. Joe Sehnitzler. Henrv' Peters. A. B. Clark, Earl Davidson. Shorty Beckleheimer, Warren Scott, j, B, Michael and George C, Couchey, And Duke ^'ork voiced the senti- ments of the whole crowi.1 when he saiel later, "I wouldn't have missed it for a hundred dollars, but 1 wouldn't go on It again for a thousand I " P(I- near •L' j.^casLialty in the 134th regiment's war history. , Lieutenant 1 ratitman of Batter\- C with se\eral carriages and men from A, B ani.1 C Batteries pullei-l up across No-Man's Land one dark night and was halted by the iVl. P. guarding the cross roads. "Where's C Battery^' asked Trautman. after he ha^l Llisco\ered he had gone too far forward. "How the hell do 1 know," yelled the \I. P. "Say. do you know where you are^ ' "No," 'Well, you're damned near up to the German lines." "My Lord. m\' Lord,'" exclaimcLl I rautman. "It'll be vour Lord if vou don't get out of here, " the M. P id. 1 iciutman I tightened and excitci.1 beyond description, turned to his soldiers. "Forward men," he commanded, "[■orward L'rom the time B [battery went into the lield until she returned from b ranee there was always more or less close friendship between the B Batterymen and the men of A and C Batteries of the 1 34th Field Artillery. Nothing in the line of scraps, athletic or otherwise in which one of these batteries e\er became mi.xed up in e\er went by unnoticed in B Battery. At Camp Willis, Ohio, there was some ri\alr\- between the three batteries of the 1st Battalion, probal?ly because there were no other artillery outfits to pick quarrels with. brom the time the Clhio batteries reached the border ho\ve\er it was always the old 1st Battalion that engaged in the differences with other outfits. The 1st Battalion stood oil the Georgia artillerymen on the border one day, on one or two occasions took issue w ith other National Guard or regular army outfits. It was at Camp Sheridan that the old ties began really to bind together the men of the 1st Battalion. The men of Batteries A, B and C were \eterans in the Ohio Artillerv Brigade at that camp and their common aims and ambitions were to keep before the soldier public at Sheridan the fact that the other fifteen batteries were made up of recruits. The men of the three batteries were all pretty well acquainted with one another and even in France the old 1st Battalion pullctl together against the 2nd [battalion and the rest of the brigade, B flattery was always "for" Batteries A and C^, Scene, -~B Battery billet at i-laml^luzin. France. Ross Kalaher — Say, Meledor, don't you like the Irish? Melecior — Sure I like the Irish, Ross — I worked where there were three-hunLlred of them once and I wished at the time there had been three-hundred more, Kalaher — Where was that ■ \ IcLxlor — In a gra\evard. Why is a Cigar Lighter? AN eager, expectant looking crowd was gathered around the sto\e, in the big billet at Camp Du Chanois (The I Iill). [-"reddy Clark, Nick Carson and Martin Shere came crowding up to the gathering trying to edge into what they supposed to be a game of African billiards. "Natural," "shoot it again" and "a franc you can't " were some of the expressions which attracted crap- shooters. Closer in\estigation showed that it was something much more interesting than a common crap game, for Fish Moore was exhibiting a cigarette lighter- -which lighted "And 1 onl\ paid twenty francs for it too. " said bish "I got one for fifteen, but there isn t an>' gas in it. said I ul:) Lamiell furiously turning the little wheel "I just can't keep it filled" "Mine's got something the matter with the little carbon thing it i^lon't feed right " chimcLl in Pete Hirleman, "Well, in all m\' experience w ith sparks, " said George Couchy, Battery B's celebrated spark plug artist. "I've ne\er seen such stubborn sparks as these in French cigarette lighters " No matter how much they cost or how good looking thc\' were, these lighters in\'ariably balked at the touch of an\' Batter\man On the other han^l, no one ever saw a Poilu with an intractible allermeur dc cigarette. The alibis ad\anced for the failure of these lighters to work were numerous but e\ cry man had his stock of excuses After numerous purchases of all sizes and description of lighters. Lieutenant Myers, at last found a good one. I hen he ha^l the trouble of picking the good one from his collection when he wanted a light. Bill Owens intended fastening a box of matches on the bottom of his lighter and furnish the necessar\- spark from a match Since the Poilu assured all the fellows that these lighters were made from Boche shells they were nice souvenirs although as cigarette lighters the>- made good soap boxes. ''ID^' {^olly," sa L' cookinji lor 5r this bunch if they would onl> show some appreciation ' "J^ure that's the \\a\ I feel about it, said (-)rland DLitlanel, "(.Ji\e em oatmeal and the\' \ell for hotcakes and gi\e them hotcakes and they squawk for oatmeal." "Those bnvls forj^et they're in France," said George ('apron, "and the\ forget there isn't as much oatmeal and milk over here as there was in Cami^ SheiKlan or bort Ben Harrison A couple ol kitchen police offered something in tlie \Ka\ of criticism ol the Batter\men s attitu^le ti)\\ard the mess and in a moment the entire Battery from the biggest jungle l-iu::;ai\l to the lightest eater in the Batter\- was on the carpet The kitchen force that fed the Batter\ in brance hacf probably iTiore difficult\ getting food and fecLling the bo\s than an\' other crew of cooks in the Battery's history. Mess Sergeant George Curry, George Capron, Orland Outland, Albert "Jucige" Mason and Sidney Sedberry undertook to nourish the [^atter\ while the bo\s were in France, and they did, but often wished that the\ had remained dri\ers or cannoneers instead The cooks would pan the Battery un^l the Batter\ would pan the cooks, [discussions like the one abo\e were commonplace. "'^"ou can t e\er please them, ' judge Mason wouki say. "Remen^ber the time we ga\e them oatmeal lor one-hundred eighteen clays at Camp Sheridan. I he\ got tired ol oatmeal and said th.y were going to ask the captain lor nosebags Sidney Sedberi\' would calm the boys when the\' got workei-l up about the Battery's lunn\ appetites."F"orgct it,' he d sa\, "somebody is sure to howl about the chow no matter what you gi\e them. Either they dont like the grub, there's not enough of it or there's too much. Somebody's always beefing " Mess Sergeant CAiir\' used tt) make a stucK- ol the Battery appetite. He knew the food capacity of every man in the Battery in I^Tance. "Take C. T, Sharp or Ste\e Mar\in."" Curr\" would sa\ , "those la^ls could eat a lard pail of slum and still feel hungry. .'Xn^l how old Steve used to crab. He e\ en kicked about the Christmas dinner." "".And old "Coffee" John Downe\ ."" continued George. "John came to B Battery from the Hhth regiment and they must ha\e been starx'ing him up there because he was all run i^low n when he came to us. It was a long time before we got the wrinkles out of "coffee John" and got liim weather-boarded up. " I )kl William "Galloping' Gulick was the most effiLient buzzarel in the Battery, accorciing to the cooks. I he galloping jungler was the first man in the messline for breakfast, dinner and supper and he was the first man in the seconds line from the time he joined the Battery until he left l^ut William was a good natured lellow. He tliLln't mini-l seeing the next lellow buzz a little Another reliable seconds man was .Archie Murphy, the Battery bindle. .\it Possehl, Jesse "Izzy" Sayre, Don Cochran, Harry Slater, bay Haller, Howard Miller, (.jeorge Coujhe\ . Ike Spicer and a lew more ne\er were d\spjptics around the Battery in brance either —not that the cooks knew about. Harry Moore. Don Scott, Louis Isenman, l^ill Bass, Harold Moock, Karl Molodore and one or two others were the only men who could eat heartily on the ship that brought the Batter\- to ['Vance I'ub l.amiell used to sa\ that Earl "Youngs and Red Hogue e\en ate their tripe on board ship and then asked for his. '["hose boys were dependable buzzari-ls if there e\er were any. Sergeant Curry used to tell a good story about Archie Murphy. The one in which Archie pealed onions until he couldnt see, lor a pan ol beans. Currie can tell tlie story best The way he tells about gning Archie three bottles of catsup to help rinse down the beans was funny. Page Ki'i The lied (iiiidon Friendship in ''A B and C " Combination FROM the timeB Battery went into the field until she returned from France there was always more or less close friendship between the B Batterymen and the men of A and C Batteries of the 134th Field Artillery. Nothmi; in the line of scraps, athletics or otherwise in which one of these batteries e\er became mixed up in e\er v\ent by unnoticed in B Battery. At Camp Willis Ohio, there was some rivalry between the three batteries of the 1st Battalion, probably because there were no other artillery outfits to pick cjuarrels with. From the time the Ohio batteries reached the border however it was always the old 1st Battalion that engaged in the differences with other outfits. The 1st Battalion stood off the Georgia artillerymen on the border one day. on one or two occasions it took issue with other National Guard or regular army outfits. It was at Camp Sheridan that the old ties began realh' to bind together the men of the 1st Battalion. The men of Batteries A B and C^ were \eterans in the Ohio Artillery Brigade at that camp and their common aims an^l ambitions were to keep before the sokiier public at Sheridan the fact that the other filteen batteries were made up of recruits I he men of the three batteries were all pretty well acciuamtcd w ith one another and e\'en in France the old 1st Battalion pulled together against the 2nd Battalion and the rest of the brigade: B Battery was always "for" Batteries A and (~.. Do you remember the Wheel L^rners Ball at Mont- gomery ' * * * + Do you remember the pig Cre\eling swiped at Belle- lontaine, Ohio'' * 1: * :i4 Do you remember the hike up the mountains in lexas^ Do you remember when "Fish" Moore was buying dol- lar bills in f^-ance^ Do you remember the time 'I wo Ckin Jones ' eaptLiretl the desperadoes'" Do you remember Harry Greenberg's ride on f^i.xic in front ol the liring battery at Camp Sheridan ^ * * * Do you remember the "Rest Camps" in l^ngland an^ France^ * * * * Do you remember the last night in the army' Do you remember the Hamliurg Show song' * ^: * ^ Do you remember "the thirel hole'" Rumors. Do you remember Carl lrub\'s ticrman telephone' Do you remember xour first experience with the "Cari- bou'" * * * * Do you remember Inez anel Marie Antoinette at the Gate lIc la Gare. m Le L.ion d Angers' TSHOT Al-TLiR two \cars ol drill and preparation m a dozen different eamps it is doubtful if B Battery could ha\e fotind in all their tra\els a more picturesque setlinii; lor their first engagement against a real enem\\ On a hill o\erlooking the "petit" \illages, snuggling in the \erdant meadows helow , the guns of B Battery were first laid on the enem\ boche Behind the protecting barrier formed by the hill on which the Battery s guns were placed, la\ the peaceful looking \illages of Bauzemont and \illea Val. while in the distance, hazih' descried, the beautiful Moselle n\er wende^l its wa>' In front ol the Battery's position and under "Meinic s observation lay Port stir Seillc. and the remains ot the one- time beautiftil Chateau du Dombasle. while on the left flank of the Batter\ the remaining roofs of St Gene\ ie\e, flashed defiance to the several t]erman (Observation Posts. Although almost devastated by lour vears of war, these little clusters of ixxl thatched buiklings sccmcLl to have been placed there onlv to ad^l to the attractiveness ol the landscape, IndeCi.! the beautiful scenerv around this first position almost made the artillci v men lorget the circumstances which h;Kl brought them there In the beautiful foot-hills of the Vosges, it was very easv to dream —had it not been for the offending boom ol the guns brom this vantage point the Batterv might have pounded away for weeks at the boche without great Iv' endangering themselves, 1 he guns being on such high ground offered a poor target to the cncmv , an^l thev were so well dug in and camouflaged that it is i:loubtlul if they could have been spotted at all No firing was done Irom these positions however, it being figured that they were too important to give awa\ tintil time l(ir the"big drive ' that one heard of on all skIcs It was from hastih' constructed pits in the \ alley ahea^l of the regular positions that B Battery eventually launched into "Lc CM'an^le (aierre " It was a very melo^lramatic entrv that B L5atterv made intri those first positions Coming up Irom the echelon at Millerv, unLler cov er ol elarkness, they formallv' relievei.1 the 2 32nLl brench .Artillcrv, and took over a sector on the fighting front V'erv melodramaticalh' too did two of the guns and gun crews move back down the hill into the valley, under cover of a heavy mist and over roads that were, on clear davs. un^ler Llirect observation of the tjcrmans "ASIDE I-ROM THE L'SUAL ARTILLERY' ACTIVITIES ON THIS ERONT. THERE IS NOTHING OEAN^' IMPORTANCE TO REPORT." The above statement familiar to every newspaper reacler as the common report, in the American com- muniques, of activ ities w ithout anv loss or gain ol ground may have been true, so far as the world at large was concerned, but there were men in B Battery who at one time wx)ukl have vouched for its being a gross mis-state- ment of facts 1 here was, in their opinion much more th m the usual thing to report. It should have mentioned the fact that there were no casualties, and that B Battery was a very thanf;ful outfit. The trip from the permanent positions to the tempor- aiv ones took the little parade across an open field, broken onlv by a few wagon tracks. This stretch of meadow lay at right angles to Heinle's Observation Posts, and within range of his artillerv'. So long as the heavv mist hung over all, the movement was entirely screene^l from the enemv .Although the sun had risen, It had not vet broken through the mist, and it was the object of the Battery to reach their gun-pits before this happened. Owing to the lack of gootl emplacements, an^l to the nature of the job ahead, onlv two of the gtms were to be used forward at a time, bor the first excursion toward Germany, the first and thir>.l sections, under Sergeants E^ob Newman and Pat Lynch were calkxl tipon lust as Winfield "Red" McCracken pulled his lead pair of horses to the right to start across the open field — Old Sol, as though controlkxl bv the boche for a spotlight, sent his rays beaming through the mist revealing the moving carriages in broad ^lav-light, f-rom his Observa- tion Posts on the opposite hill "britz could see the whole parade [lieutenant Leah\'. m charge of the platoon. gave the order to doubly increase the gait and the boys did I'hev whipped their horses into a gallop, and it IS doubtful if the enemy could have followed the column after that I he old training the men ha^l experienced, on going into action at a trot and gallop helped in this emergency. The drivers felt a thrill that it is the priv ilege of few to feel as they galloped their horses across the field, Page 166 The Red (iiiidon swunf; the j^iins into position. anJ dashed away with the limbers. As the trail ol the thud section ,t;Lin hit the diit and buried itself, a mighty howl went up h'om the gun-crew. "Hold up there," cried George Couchey to the rest ot the crew as he stood looking (irst at the gun position and then in the elirection of Cjermany. "This aint a position, it's a target," continued George. "Hey, do we have to clean up all this burlap and w iie here before we begin to fire''" inquired Guy "Casey" Price. ■'Ah, how do you get that way," yelled Sergeant Pat Lynch, "that aint to be policed up, that s KelK s camou- flage, " True enough the third section gun seemed to be marked rather than concealed by the camouflage screen over it. Vari-colored burlap and raffia supported on a wire net si.x feet from the ground, covered the area of the gun position, r^om lateral observation the screen looked just like a weather beaten Hat top tent in an open field, but it was not from such observation that Camoufleur Joe had endeavored to conceal With a detail of six men. Corporal Kell\ had spent the night before screening this little area, and for the purpose that it was intended, he claimed it to be a master- piece. "Just like a continuation of the field beneath it." is what Joe said it looked like from the aeroplanes from which he was hiding the position. The first section seemed to be in a better position. The gun was also under camouflage, but on the edge of a bit of woods into which the camouflage seemed to blend making the gun concealed even from lateral observation It was just a short distance to the right of the third section. After the guns were placed the telephone communica- tion was established. Corporal P)on Cochran, Bill Murphv and Mike Shepherd running wires in two or three direc- tions from the guns. The telephones were tested and communication established with the forward observation post in the trenches ahead. Then came the long wait for the order from headquarters to fire. It was deemed necessary to wait for the mist to clear up so the results of the Battery's work might be better observed. Cook Sidney Sedberry with his impromptu kitchen in the woods had started a nice fire with the aid of some B. S. P. ( powder) , and while the coffee boiled some of the boys held a council of war, around the fire. Others went on little tours of investigation out towards the trenches, at that time occupied by the Q2nd Division (colored) i hey told some very funny stories upon their return, of what they had seen the elark complected boys doing up there. Later in the afternoon, when the dinner (such as it was) had been finished; that is, after Corporal Bill Hovis had finished his "seconds" — the order to get "set" came down. Old Sol had again made his appearance, this time permanentiv , All men were called to their posts and the ammLinition prepared for a problem, B Battery's first shot in the war was fired at two thirty-five in the afternoon of that day by Gunner Larry ketch, just a fraction of a second before the "crack " of the third section gun was heard announcing Gunner Cjeorge Nvcamp's entrance into the hostilities. At last the war between B Battery and Germany was on. The firing orders had been "Battery three rounds," and the three shells trom each ol the guns were on their way in record time. In less than two minutes it was evident that they had stirred up something too, lor the Batterymen saw Heinle's shells bursting with thunderous reports on the American Observation Post. This Observa- tion Post was located on a high hill to the left and in front of the Battery it was known as Mousson and served as a barrier between a part of the town of Pont a .Mousson and the enemy. On the topmost pinnacle of this hill was a statue of Joan of Arc and a shrine which haeH at one time been a pilgrimage. Four years of war had torn this hill up pretty well, but, although somewhat scarred by the fragments of high explosives that had struck It, the statue had never had a direct hit scored on It The Germans evidentiv thought that the Ameri- cans were observ ing fire from this place, and were continu- ally trying to demolish it After about fifteen minutes of Boche bombardment on the hill the order came to fire, "Eighteen rounds, as fast as possible" was considered the necessary dose to st(.)p the obnoxious German battery's fire As last as Mike Shepherd and Bill Mtirphy could throw the shells into the guns, those eighteen rounds went flying over into Heinle's territory The 77s became silent almost at once, but where the 77s had stopped, the heav les took it up and from the number of 21()s that dropped on cither flank, ani-1 in the rear of the Battery it was ev iclent that they were trying to return B Battery's compliment but ^lidn't know just where to return it. In coming to this lorward position it had been the intention to merely harass Frit:, and then, under cover of darkness, sneak back to the permanent position on the hill. So far the harassing hac^ seemed to be quite a success but only twenty-four rounds of ammunition remained; the Battery having brought only tort\'-five in all. Dusk was descending by the time Lieutenant Leahy had another problem to fire Communication with the forward Observation Post had fx'en destroyed in some manner, anel nfuv the observing was being done from St. Genevieve in the rear of the Battery. The gun-crews were told that the next target was a German billet, and that knowledge added a thrill to the engagement that the boys had never felt before. The orders had said, for this problem, "twentv' rounds as last as possible." The order was complied with in a hurry, but since each gtin had only four rotincls left after The Red Guidon Page 161 that, they all decided to let them go on the samr target, for it was unknown just when they would ha\e another target, so worthy of their sei'ap-iron It was a \'ery beautiful sight to see th; landscape light up as each of the guns belched forth their flame into the fast gathering dusk. It surely must ha\e been \ery attracti\e to Heinie too. for he had e\idently been watching it Just as "Mutt" Bausman and " Tub" L^amiell had packed the last of the remaining fuses and empty shell- cases and all the fellows were waiting for the limbers to put in their appearance — WHIZZ-BANG' Not more than one hundred yards in front of the guns one of Heinle's tsching-bums landed and burst. There was a mad rush for shelter, for orders had been given to leave the guns in case of any return of fire. It was quite evident that the Boche had almost the proper range and dellection so no one was taking any chances. Led by the able gas expert Corporal Cjcorge Miller, with his nose close to the ground, trying to scent gas. they sped towards the woods. George was going some, but Larry Fetch was pressing him for position while he in turn was being crowded by Corporal N'ycamp anLl How ard Miller, just as the fellows were about to stop another shell dropped in the woods ahead, and the course of the race was turned. Rather than rush into the wooi^ls towards which they were headed the boys all Icll at the edge of the little gro\'e and tried to conceal themselves behind the little saplings that grew there. It certainly was funny to see Larry, liil-" and about three others all trying to hide behind one little tree The shells con- tinued to fall at about the same i.listance. but no one knew when britz might decide to increase his range and no one was willing to gamble their $101)0(1 insurance that he w^ouldn't. Corporal Bill Hovis fotmd a deserted dug-out and called to the fellows to follow him. In this place, then, the gun-crews stayed until the rain of .scrap-iron was o\ er. Corporal (Cochran and his detail were out in the lielel reeling up the telephone wire, when the first shell lancleci close. 1 hey were too far from the dug-out to gain its entrance so were compelled to drop into the edge of the woods for protection. Harold Moock had been helping Cook Sid to get his kitchen torn down and ready to move when that first memorable shell burst close by and it was with great elifficulty that Harokl con\ inced Sidney that the shot had not hit him. About a half hour later the limbers which had been waiting under co\ er a few kilos away, came up. The drivers. Reed ^'orkey. Art Possehl and Carl Schrank of the third section anel "Red" McCracken. Carl Moledor and "Ike" Spicer of the first section were surpriscLl to find no one at the guns to greet them, for firing had stopped fifteen minutes before and it was quite dark by this time. Sergeant Newman soon rounded up the gun-crews, and as soon as the last man crawled out of the dug-out, the little parade of B Batterv' harassers started eagerly lor their home on the hill. It was unanimously voted that the business of harassing Fritz was exciting enough but interest lagged when one ran out of ammunition and had to pla\' target lor the other fellow. At eleven-thirty that night B Battery was again to- gether on the top of the hill and at least one platoon ready lor sleep. Thus endcLl the first da>"S firing at an enemy, for B fiattery. THE GQNIOMETEli MEN: Oui- IniSftfument Detail In finance LFI us not. m reading about the experiences of the Battery o\ eriook that part of the organization known as the Instrument Detail, and often alluded to as the ■'Brains of the Batterv," It is lamentable that in at least one instance this was taken seriously, but a member of this detail was on the job to set the erring one aright in this regard. It is difficult to determine the true deri\ation of the title "Instrument Detail. but perhaps the name is derived from the fact that in their work various fire control instruments were useel. namelv': the Batterv Commander's Telescope, the Range binder, the Gonio- meter and others The range finder is used exactly for the purpose which the name implies, anel is a mechanical arrangement of prisms which reflect two images ol an object upon a mirror, one above the other anel upside down. These images are brought to coincide and the range is read from an indicator at the left of the eye piece. The Battery Commander's telescope and goniometer are simply instruments fur measuring angles, but the latter differs slightlv' m that it also has a magnetized needle and is uscel in lav mg the guns. In the overseas Instrument Detail were Sergeant j, N, Shere, Corporals William Hovis. Glen Spade. Myron Craver and Homer Eckert: Percv' Harris. Jesse Sayre and John Jameson. If these boys, like the rest of the Batterymen were disappointed in not seeing more of the war they always got as much if not more out oi Page 768 The Red Guidon the army life than the rest of the soldiers, for they lived together like a big family, pooling their tobacco, jam and other kixiiries of the arm\-, I he Instrument [Retail originally comprise^l hut three men and was combined with the signal men into one detail then known as the Battery Commanvjicr's lOetail, ShortK after the Battery reached Camp Sheri- dan, howexer, a new order created two details. Instru- ment and Signal, each entireK' separate, in its lunetions. Thereafter each specializei.1 in its vocation and mu.h work was done at Sheridan w ith the range finder an^.! the B. C. telescope, previously descnbed In addition, some terrain work was done, maps were drawn and the men were taught the use of the plane table After going to France, and while at Camp de Souge, se\eral new instruments were recei\ed among which were the goniometer, an obserxation telescope and two scissors telescopes, the latter replacing the old st\ le B C telescope. In a^ldition to work with the above named instruments, this detail undertook the mastery of the French range tables, problems in probabilities and Irench methods ol fire control, for the most part digging it out for themselves from the books that were available Camp De Souge being left behind an^l the front and action becoming something more than an imagination for the detail men, there was much discussion as to Just what would be expected ol the instrument detail, for although the tables of organization prescribed each member's work, there had never appeared an\' circumstance to justify the use of all of them. The time spent at Laimont. just before the Batterv went on the line although partially devoted to problems and some work with the instruments, shed no further light on the subject and it was not until the middle of Dctober when the Battery took up its first position that there was an\ ^lefinites Klea of what their work would consist 1 he Battery moved to Pompev', then known as "Pneumonia Hollow, " and about October 10th left for the Iront in earnest, accompanied by the entire detail, but upon their arrival at the positions, it developed that but three men of the Instrument Detail would be needed anei Sergeant J, N. Shere, and Corporals Mvron, Craver ani.! William Hovis remained with the Battery, the others returning with the limbers to echelon. Now there was real work to be done, assisting in reconnaissance, making up barrage tables, laying the pieces and so on, but as a w hole, the front was disappoint- ingly inactive, or so it seemed However, their stay there was short and after spending a lew days in Camp Quest and later in Apremont, the detail accompanied the Battery to \ igneulles and on into the positions in which the Battery spent the last dav's before the armistice was signed fdere the instrument Lletail's woi'k varied but little liom that done on the Xlarbache Iront, except that there was more ol it. and the signing ot the armistice brought the end of the war and left the detail little better off than before as regards a thorough experience m their duties in actual engagement In conclusion little mav be saii.1 concerning this detail mens actiNitv', but no one may L|uestion their ability, anLl had eircLimstances demanded their ser\ ice, the Battery woLild have found them fully capable, ani.1 prepared and the Batterv' never would have found it necessary to condemn their Instrument Detail, B Battery Almost Went to Germany "D BATTER")' didn't enter tiermanv with the A. hi b •L- ' Armv' of Occupation, but it ^lid not miss the trip by a whole lot On two occasions the [battery was among the "troops ot occupation, " but both times, bv' some stroke ol luck, good or ill, whichever you wish, the orders were changed and the Battery was permitted to remain in brance Whether or not the men wished to go into Cermanv with the Army of Occupation is a debated question 1 here was onlv' one thing the bovs wished for an^l longei.1 lor sincerely after the armistice That was to go home as quickly as possible As the long as the light lasted the men were wrapped up in It heart and soul I'hev alwavs thought of home and vearncLl lor it but not until after the Hun was beaten, di'J the thoLights ol home become poignant to them. I hen the c|uickest wav there was the wav' they wanted to go If bv .!J.<)ing to Ck-rman\ with the .-Xrmv of Occupation they could reach the States sooner than by staying in brance, then that was the way they wished to go. If it was a liltv-IJItv chance the maioritv wouki have chosen to go to Ck-rmanv' for it would have been an opportunity lor travel and sight-seeing and a chance to see the enemy m his natural haunts 1 he fact remains thev dKi not go In course of time they reached the States and whether they might have reached them sooner via the Rhine and Colben: was. alter all. a hard e|i.iestion to decide. Do you remember the refreshments at the New '^'ear's Party in France? Do you remember "Now. when 1 was down on the Bor- der. " Mary ^^ Meo-ie '^ chxxsc Mary every ttuxe WHO of LIS who were with the A E F in !• ranee were not at sometime aske^l this question "How elo you like the I-reneh girls^" It is quite a puzzle as to what leelinti prompted tins query from the (oiks at home whether of en\ \ of them because the\' could he near their boys or just plain curiosity. At least it woukl appear that the "maelamoi- selles" were eleemed attraetixe enough to be worth the consideration of the bo\s. Now, France is France, anel America is three thousanel miles awa\ anel in spite oi a ntimber of Franco-American conjugal alliances, it is maintamcel that "nc\er the twain shall meet " Howe\er, we must coneeele to the Mamselles ol France, beauty, lor they ha\e it. peculiar to their race though It may be. It is \ery striking. \et there are beautilul girls everywhere I he\- are attraeti\e. but the same may be said ol their sisters m other countries The French girls are charming of manner; quiet and demure or '"full of pep " 1 he\ are intelligent: the\ are possessed w ith a delightful courtes\ which is as e\ KJentK natural and spontaneous, as their latighing ga\ety Their hie is one of lo\c and laughter because the\ are a pleasure loving race. In all, they are \er\ fine girls, but- In .Xmerica there arc beautiful girls too. because in them IS combinei.1 the beauty ol all races, so closely intermingled as to ha\e brought out a bloom of feminine beauty, equalled only in splendor by that most perfect member of the llower king^lom the American beauty rose. — typical as it were of the fresh, red-blooded beauty of Americas \oung womanhoc)d, .Americas girls are attractive, even in the absence of striking beautv 1 hat thev are charming is merely a matter ol course and that we are all charmed sooner or later puts H bevonel lurther question .American girls ma\ not be quiet, demure, self-effacing individuals nor the xivaeiotis coquette, but the\ are just a rare combination with the proper propor- tions of lun. good nature, hie an^l convention that makes them what they are-the 0\L^' e]IRL.S 1\ THE WORLD lor .America s men For some of vou, there mav have l^een disappoint- ments, but if she turned vou elown while vou were "over there" unable to defend vour eau^e remember that "one bad egg in the basket does not spoil the lot. and besides she was not the kind nf a (^irl we are talking about ^ ou see, the lelea is to convince these girb ot ours that we wei'e alwavs thinking of them (k-t the idea^ Then, when thev" ask us how manv" hrench girls we made love U>. we may just show them this little book, on this page, in this column and sav'. " 1 hat's what the bov s all think The French dames are all right, but 1 want mine A lade in .America" " Now. if V'ou tlon t let them get wise to vou vou will be "Jake." but we may leave it to the boys of Battcrv' B to put that across ,'\nvhow. m a ntitshell. it all amounts to this, lor: There are beautiful girls in England. (.harming Ma>.lamoisellcs in France. The Senontas of Sunnv Spain, .And their charming Spanish dance But you mav seek the wide world over. Or search where ere vou mav , ^'et the girl you want anel will some day find, Is rmht in the U. S. A Hoffman's Rats SERGE.AN I Bill Holffnan used to pav more attention to the rats in the elugouts on the west front than anvone else in the Battery. A rat running across Bills chest m the middle of the night positively disturbed him He useel to set traps lor the rats but the rodents were okl timers with three or four years' service on the front and none of them ever walked into Bill's traps, Hoffman save some of his bacon anel beans to put into his rat trap at night One night at the stiggestion ol Oeorge White he laid a nice big cheese sandwich in the trap. .\nel as soon as Bill went to bei.1 George got up anel ate the san^lw ich "What you otight to lIo, " saiel Martin Shere one elay. "is set a candle out beside the trap I don't believe the rats can fin^l the trap at night," Famous Sayings of B Battery men "Scissors" Hall — "Where's my kitclien police ■" * * * + M L-. ("lark — 'just a little bit more." * * * * Boh Newman — "l,et"s go gang'" + + * * Straucl Jackson- "Cjimme some, what is that?" + * * * Harry Harris — "Spare George'" * * * * McKee\er — "! "> — ! * — Gi\c 'em duck!" Duck in and Duck out. * * + * Sidney Seciberry — "By CjoIIv' " * * * * Bruce Newkirk — "Plaggone it!" * * * * Roland Thompson — "Little old girl, you jtist don't know." * + + * Roscoe Poling — "Period! Check! Next man!" * * * + Charles Lange — "Ck-t on your wheels and start rolling!" * * * * Bob Riden--"Welli Here 1 am. Colonel!" * * * * Col. Bush — "Bite 'im in the tail, Shafter!" James Hogue — "It's just like this, when a horse is sick, he aint feelin' well " * * * * Pat Lynch--"\Vhat's the big delay. 01i\er?" Geo. Couchey — "Get the paulin out' " * * + * Warren Edwards — "Easy lad. one hand" * * * * .Abbott Kneff — "Come and get it' " F-|arry Cjreenberg — "Achance to be inxestigated!" * * * :i: Lieut. Myers — "^ ou w in the brown derby." Harry Moore — "Got me a piece of bread?" * * * * [3an. Boone — "Bet you fi\e." * * * * Dick Thomas- "Oh' Boy." Art Taulkner -"Slip me the old fi\e." Pop 1-Y'tch -"Well, well' ^es. Sir!" * * * * liob Wiener — "How big arc the bottles^" Ka\'y — "I gi\e you five minutes and if you don't get out I'll give you something else." Capt. Leahy — "Sidney, got any jam^" Carl Schrank — "There's a kiss for you." * * * * Gerald Gru\er- "Got the dope sergeant?" * * * * Joe I\elly — "Get those brooms and go down that aisle." Ralph Curry — "The General's coming this morning lads." + * * + "Nick " Carson — "Mm-mm— " Lieut. Geo. Curtin — "Now, let's see!" * * + + Lieut. Howard Myers — "Gunners to muh! " * * * * M. M. Shere — "Crap shooters front and center." * ^ * * Wilbur Dunn — "Wipe that smile!" * * * * Stewart Hobensack — "Give me that ball!" * * * * Myron Graver — "Wait till 1 get my map!" + * * * "Mike" Greene — "Battery, Fall in!" Tlie Over»sed5f ^^\ T^ERANDA speaking' H«\\ oltcn J\J thet.e words V sound (Alt the telephone wiies wliile the E5atter\ was on the front. "Veranda ' heing the code telephone call lor B Battery during its operations against Hcinie, The Battery s Telephone Detail in France pla\ ei.1 an important part in all Battery operations on the line. The guns would pull into position, camouflage would be thrown up and things set to fire Not until the telephones were installed and data had come down o\er the wires could any firing he done. Through endless miles of woods and fields, swamps uni.1 thickets. uni;ler roa^ls an^l cuKerts: from regimental to battalion, battalion to batter\. from battery to obser\ation post and up to the \ery front line trenches the lines must be run Ihis despite all the obstacles ol nature and the Hun. L'nder the most trying conditions communication had to be established, for without it the batter\ was helpless, or to use a common expression — bl i nt:l To Sergeant W illiam Hoffman. Corporals Don Coch- ran. Carl r ruby and Privates "Dick" Thomas, brank Werner. Ralph Scott. "Tom" Michael. "Bill" Summers Earl Da\ idson. .\ I L Clark. Steve Mar\ in. Morgan Bright, Harry Slater and Craig Starn go the credit lor this work. Bright. ,\lar\ in anel Slater transferred to the telephone detail from other sections soon after the Battery's arrival in France Fhe others had been in it in the States The entire Detail was given a five weeks course in tele- phone work, as use^l on the Iront. while the Batterv was at Camp de Souge I he instructors at the C^amp de Souge school were pieke^l men from the French. English and American armies: men who were experts in the work and who had gained their know ledge and experience in actual warfare. Examinations were held every week by the instructors at Souge, and it is worthy of note that the av erage grades made by the men in B Battery's Telephone Detail, for the five weeks course was ninety-four percent, approxi- mately ten percent higher than the average made bv anv other telephone detail, and the second highest mark ever made in Camp de Souge. Captain Leahy speaks in strongest terms of the excellent work done on the front by the telephone men and commends them highly. The telephone work was divided into two parts, stringing the lines and operating the telephones and sw itchl^oards. C^orporal I rui^v . I^riv ates Starn. .Marvin. Bright. Clark and Slater w ere linesmen : Corporal Cochran Thomas. Werner, Scott. Michael, Davidson and Summers operators, but the men usuallv' took turns at operating the boards and at laving and repairing lines. Sergeant Hoffman was in direct charge of the Signal Detail, floffman. Fruby. Cochran and l^ick I homas bore the brunt of the work on the first front above St. Genevieve: Cochran. I ruby, Werner, Michael and Thomas on the second front above \'igneulles had control of the work. I hey v\ere at the sw itchl^iiKUvl or carrving messages ^lav ani.! night The short rest which they might have ha^l was broken b\- going out with members of the gun crew and helping in the hanelling of ammunition. They worked to the verv limit of human endurance and at times they seemed even to pass this The above named men were relieved from time to time by other members of the I elephone Detail so that all had their share of work So far. mention has been made only of these men for their work with the telephone. Besides knowing tele- phone work, they were also experts in wig-wag. sema- phore, signal-rocket, projector and telegraph work. However, as ninetv-two percent of all communication in the war was carried on by telephone, these other methods of communication were not very often tised by the men of the Detail. It was in training camps in the States that the Signal Detail laid the foundation for their excellent work in [■ranee. On the range at Camp Sheridan and on various problems in which the Battery took part, the signal detail i^lave^l its part as an integral and efiicient part of the Battery machine. Captain Leahy's praise of the men in the Telephone Detail was not flattery — it was credit justly due them and hard-earned Do you remember Bennv' [fewman's spurs on the bor- der^ + * + * Do you remember B Battery's "only front" at Laimont .' * * * * Do you remember "Soldier rise and shine^" * * * + Do you remember Louise ■ Page 112 The Red Guidon Bar- le- Due ONE of the few pleasures tlie batterymen enjoyed while in Camp du Chanois above Rambluzin. France, was an occasional trip to the city of Bar-le-Duc. The scenery along the road to that quaint little city will be remem- bered as some of the most picturesque seen in France, From the start of the trip at Heippes to the end at [Boulevard de la Roehelle in the city, it was a continuous panorama of beautiful landscapes. The rolling hills, w ith their exenh planted rows of trees, the e\cr w milling road whose route defied all surveys and covered three kilometers in going one in any general direction, and the little \xd thatched foresters' huts sitting snuglv m the hillsieles. It must be that the brench people in building that road, built it in such a manner that none of the beauty of the landscape should escape the notice ol the traveler. Although the little railroai.1 that connected liar-lc-L5uc and Verdun was in running order at the time, none of the hoys ever depended on it as a means of transporta- tion, relying, rather on the American motor trucks that were so numerous on the wini-ling macai.lam road. It was always possible to hop on a truck bound for, or in the general direction of Bar-lc-Duc and Just as easy to get one boun^l for \ erdun on the journey back to camp, L'pon the arrival in the cit\' the usual rendezvous was the ^ . M, (", A, headquarters in the main street. There the bovs could get hot chocolate and sandwiches, cigar- ettes and occasionalK' .some canLlv 1 here also, they could be ciirected to all the places ol interest m the city and after the stores were all closed ani-l the city went to sleep the ^', M. C, A, furnishcel a cot for the weary tourist soldiers. The Chateau du Bar was one of the most notable places in this city. Surrounded h\ a moat of the 1 3th century type, it occupied a very conspicuous place on the city's topography. It had been the home of all the old Dukes of Bar before that Duchy became a part of the Republic of 1" ranee (.")ther interesting places were the Military School and the Seminary on the top of the hill in what is known as the "Le Vieu.x Bar le Due." 1 he canal of the factories (Canal des Usines) too, was an oijidity to the B Battery tourists whose idea of canals was limiteel to the Ohio canal that runs so freely through Akron. O. This canal of the factories seemed to be forced from one side of the city to the other as if no one wantCLl it and the struggling stream was pushed between houses, under buildings ani.1 in one instance at least, over a building. Of course the stores of the city oflered an opportunity for the bo\s to spend some of the francs that had been accumulating while they were up in the woods. No doubt there are many articles in the citv' of Akron today that were bought in Bar-le-Duc during B Battery's stay in that district. (In fact it is due to the stores of Bar- le-Duc that this book got its start in f-rance, for it was there that the first manuscript paper was purchased, ) The people and merchants of Bar-le-Duc were of a much higher class than those of anv' other citv' the batterymen hai.1 V isited up to that time. The 15th century cathedral of Notre Dame, where some of the boys attended Mass when on a Sunday pass, also attracted attention. Indeed, anything that was old was a sight for the Americans whose native land haLl not been thought of, when most of the chateau.x and cathcLlrals of Irancc were bein'i built. Informal Target Praetiee ' I 'HFRE were two men in the Battery who, if they had -^ been permitted to continue their practice, might have become expert pistol shots Ihev' were Corporal J. B. Kelly and Sergeant j. N, Shere. On the front above St. Genevieve these two begged, borrowed and swiped all the lortidci-l ammunition in the neighborhood and every da\' lound them out at target practice. Orders had been issLied forbieiding the discharging of firearms unless there were Heinies in the neighborhooLl But what were orcfers compared to much needed target practice'' There had been rumors that German patrols had slipped past the Iront lines ani.1 were hiding near the Battery positions so that it is possible that the two "joes " were after them. One day Captain Leahy found the duet at their daily pastime and straightway confiscated their pistols They were eventually returned to them but their vision of becoming pistol experts were, for the time, ciispellc^l Do you remember "Extra Duty^' Do you remember guard duty in the tree at the front ' Mjm ^'T)ROBABL'^' the hardest fighting being done hy any -L Americans m the final hour was that which en- gaged the troops of the 2Sth, ^~>2nd, Slst and 7th Di\isions with the Second Army who launched a fire eating attack above Vigneuiles just at dawn on the 1 1th . _ .," The abo\e is a quotation from the Stars and Stripes, the official paper of the A, E. F., issue of No\ember 1\ 1918, and is gi\en here because the 28th Di\ision haid- fighting and hard-hitting Penns>l\ania National Guard, was at that time minus its own artiller\men anel their places were being taken by the 134th f-'ield Artillery, of Ohio. The Ohio men had been there since October 28th when they moved up by way of Apremont in the St. Mihiel salient. Regimental Headquarters and Battery B Echel- ons were established at Vigneuiles anel on the night of the 28th the first platoon of the Batter\ mox ed into position, followed on the night of the 2'-")th by the third and fourth sections. [^a>break of the lOth lotind all four guns in position in the woods abo\e the St. f,ouis farm, four kilometers north of Vigneuiles and one kilo- meter from the N'erdun road. Then followed days of heart-breaking w(.)rk, days of hurling "beaucoup" scrap-iron over to I'lit: and days of listening to the "whee-e-e-e bang" of high-e,\plosi\es sent back at us with his compliments. Ihere was one stretch of ninety-six hours in which the firing batter\- had less than ten hours sleep: most of it spent in carrying tons and tons of ammunition, stumbling thrcuigh the dark- ness into shell holes, and out of 'em, and walking miles ol duck-board ; dragging the pieces out of their positions a halt a mile or so through F-rench mud firing a barrage and pulling 'em back again, stumbling otit of a warm dug-otit at four in the morning into the cold and drizzling ram to fire a barrage that lasted well into the morning. Days so busy that no one knew when the ne.xt meal was coming: nights spent on a little platform high up in a tree with eyes straining at a spot thirty degrees from Magnetic North, watching for the red rocket that meant that the doughboys were "going o\er " anel wanteel otir rain of high explosi\es in front of them: nights when the drivers slept "full-pack" m the stables, not knowing when they had to get otit and sling harness on a pair of horses in the dark, hitch into the limbers and dri\e out after ammuni- tion, days when the e\er-present query, "When is the mail coming up." ga\e way to a whole-hearted, "When do we eat," which brings us tip to the morning of the Kith of Noxember Something big was imi^endmg that morning, every- Ixxly knew it anel lelt it. l{\er since ela\ break, long before the gra\' mist was out of the woixls, long lines of dough- boys had miuched full-pack past the Battery position up to the front. Regiment after regiment, a seemingly unending procession of them \laehine-gun battalions with their i.lump\' little carts, ^Irawn by mules, ration wagons. tra\ cling kitchens anel trtiek loa^ls of ammunition : two batteries of "hea\ les" one of six inch rifles, the other a SIX inch howitzer battery of the >()?rd I-ield Artillery tractor-elrawn, rumbled past; tanks, lour of them, huge, grey-souled monsters Itimbered into the ^listance .All day long they came throunh the huilI infantr\\ artillerv, tanks, etc B BatteiN adjusteLl that afternoon, on a new target. After exening mess. |ust as night was falling the section- chief were or>.lereel to re|iort to "Veranda — Captain Leahy's dug-out khey came back, each of them with a huge barrage sheet that Bill wotikl ha\e said. "Is \ ery intrikatc. Mable'" "Two shots a minute, sweeping — and an increase in range for every minute — to last two hours at least — further duration and zero hour to come down later from Regimental Headquarters. The night of the Iflth — the e\ening before the day for which armies of the world had been waiting and fighting; the end of the war only fifteen hours away and B flattery stiblimeK tinconsciotis of it. khe men knew that Austria was "fjnee" that a group of Germany s representati\es were to confer with General f'och in regarel to an armistice, but the>' were okl-timers and rather leary, so many, many times hael the>' heard that "stuff " before. The boys knew the\ hael a big barrage to lire in the morning and that it woiikl probably come oil at fi\e () clock, so they descended into their several dug-otits an^l pulled their blankets o\ er their several hob- nails antl nuiLldv shirts, and went to sleep 1 he morning of the ele\ enth came w ith sunshine streaming past the gas-blanket into the doorway of the first section ekig-out A vawn from someone: "Hey, 1 tib, what time is it ' Another yawn, a grunt and then — The Red Guidon Page 175 "Half-past se\en. What in thunder liappencd to the barrage!"" Eight o'clock and breakfast broLight a little light on the subject, but not much. All that the telephone detail knew was that the zero hour had ne\'er been sent from Regimental Headqtiarters. and that it might be down later in the day. Nine o'clock, nine-thirty and ten and still no intimation that our job was so nearly finished: in a little patch of sunlight near the second section gun. Bill Owens was washing out a shirt; the third section was digging a trail hole, trying to get a new range of thirty-two degrees; a wisp of smoke came from the kitchen : At ten-fort\- the telephone biizzed in the detail dug- out. Carl Truby was on duty and he plugged m to receive a message from Regimental Headquarters: "At ten fifty-fi\e — Cease firing." the order said. "At ten fifty-nine — All batteries will open for fifty seconds. Separate target for each battery." The message was taken to Captain L^eahy and five minutes later the Battery had it in the shape of data for each gun, the deflection, high-e.xplosive, normal. 1. A. L. fuse and the range, six shots for each section. 1 he guns were laid, bubbles leveled, si.x shells IlisclI ani.1 greased breeches opened anei four reports went back from as many sergeants. "Ready to fire. Sir " At ten fifty-three the telephone buzzed again. 1 rub\ plugged in an^l heard a \oice from Regimental Head- quarters . "Message old boy' And i;ne that will knock \our eye out. Take this down. Ready' Here goes —Wireless Communique \ia Eiffel tower. Hostilities will cease upon the whole front from ele\ en o clock Erench time. November II. I'-''KS The Allied troops will not cross the lines reached on that date and that hour until further orders. Signed — Marshal f'^och." Ten fifty-fi\e and pandemonium reigned' The chiefs of sections were already at the phone, waiting for the commani.1 to fire antl it was onl\' a matter of half a minute before the news was Hashed to them o\er the wire. Si.x shots in fifty seconds and the end of the war at eleven o'clock. Could the\- get them off, couki the\ ' l.^oy. Howdy! What it took those si.x shots off they were "all broke out with." Ten fifty-si.x. the telephone detail men were scrambling out of the dtigoLit and running toward the fourth section, the nearest piece to them rhe\- wanted to be in at the finish. Ten fifty-se\en, all the Batterymen hai.1 their eyes glueel to their watches "Load" came Llown o\er the phone and four shells slid into four guns and lour breech-blocks were slammed. Every ten seconds a \oice somewhere "What time is it now^" Ten fifty-eight- Fen fift\-eight and a half — Ten fifty-nine'" "Bang! " .And the\ were olf. A crash an^l a re\er- berating roar and the air-splitting din started. The noi.se filled the woods, and the ground trembled, it was as if all the artillery in the world were firing at once, and since nearly every Battery in every regiment, in e\ery brigade was doing the same thing, they were. Wa\e after wave of sound, it was ear-splitting. And then, all of a sudden, it died away as suddenly as it started; the last shot of the Battery went off, "a hea\y" got the last shot in a second late; the "put-put-put ' of a machine gunner finishing up his career, a few,' faint rifie cracks as the doughboys woun^l up in a burst of glory an^l then — silence. Silence' After four years of the mutter and rumble of big guns on the front ; a silence so strange after the weeks of far-away firing and nearer crashes that it was almost unbeliexable and uncanny. It hung heavy and oppres- sive. The front, and nothing but the sighing of the wind as it swept through the bare trees, the rustle of autumn lea\'es as they fluttered to the ground; the drip of water on brush and the rattle of wheels on a distant road. Silence, that, please God, will last through all Eternity! And for B Battery and the A. E. E. and their Allies — "Einis la Guerre." f-irst Section — Sergeant R. B. Newman, was at the phone when the last shots went off C'orporal R. C Thompson, was gunner, and Corporal "Mutt" Bausman acted as No. 1. "Mike" Shepherd, No. 2. slammed them into the breech, and "Tub" L^amiell put in the fuses, and was assisted in these last sad rites b\ Bob Wiener and \'ic Cjuinther. Harold .\loock missed out, he was back at echelon taking a bath,— he said he was sorry, but he certainly needed it. Second Section — Sergeant "Duke ^ orks gang the\ weren t satisfied with six shots; they had to go ahead and fire ten. "Tres Bien'" Corporal Verne Ritter laid the gun, t icxjrge White liiei.1 the first shot. Don C.ochran euit ol the telephone detail, the second. \Vhite\ sent the third, fourth antl fifth awa>'. Sergeant ^'ork pLilled the string on the si.xth and \\ hite\ firei.1 the last foLir ( )ther men on the gun-crew were Bill Mui|^h\, Martin Shere, Harry .Moore and L3ill Owens Thnxl Section — Sergeant "Pat' Lynch, tjunner ('or- poral Cjcorge N\camp, the\ used to call this bir^l "Par- ahsis" until the day at the Camp de Sougc range when he knockei.1 o\ er lour trees in as man\ shots, m as many seconds. 1 hen he was known as "Speed Little old George Couchey one of the best No. Is that e\er pLilled a lanyard, sent all six shots to 1 ieinic ( )n the louith shot they raised the range ti) thirt\-two i.legrees. which explains the mystery of the lone shot that fell on the outskirts ol Berlin Gerald Gru\er was No. 2, Johnn>' bunk, who only lorgets Art when the\' start to fire was .No, 3 and jim Liennett and Howard Miller worked in the ammunition pit. Cjlix Price, best known as "Case\ also a member of this crew w as helping .\ looek take a bath on the last day. f-'ourth Section — Sergeant Don Scott. Corporal U.d. .McCollum was gunner. Ihis gun was the nearest to the (Continued on Next Pagel HAVE u look at C.lilT Schnakc, I hurman Stai.ii.lt and (jeori;e Miller, sole agents of and distributors ot mtistardgas talk while the Battery was in [Tance prepar- ing to go to the front. The old gas non-coms, the boys who made "one hour of gas" famous. Corporals Schnake and Staudt useel to make the boys play drop the paddle and pass the buck. and Corporal Miller talked to them about the scientific gas re- searches he had made at school in Paris. '1 he gas non-coms had their time at hat at Camp 1.I e Souge when the whole Batter\' marched and pla\ed games behind gas masks that nearK' pincheel their laces out of shape. After the Batter\ went into position on the front, the gas situation impro\ei.l l~>()wn m the sector where the Battery first located its guns Heinie seemed to ha\e run out of gas just before the Akron outfit got there On the front e\ery Battery soldier was cc|uipped with a new gas-mask and had the Battery ran into a dozen gas attacks it is doubtful if anyone would ha\e been gassed, 1 hose gas days at Camp SheriLlan and de Souge were disagreeable ones for the Batterymen as well as the gas experts, but it was pretty generally conceded Battery B was ready when it reached the Iront. to weather the worst gas attack Fritz might put across. There was a time when the bo\ s wouki point w ith glee to the lact that ( "orporal StauLit was the first man in the Battery to be gassed. He was in fact one of the first. Thurman and about twent\' others inhaled gasolene lumes on a truck rielc one night antl were nearK' under when the trip was o\er The truck in which the boys tra\eled was co\ered. and the lumes escaped from the exhaust through the floor of the truck. The story was a good one tor a while in brance. Now that the war is over and the Battery is home again it might be sale to disclose a few of the military secrets regarding delensive gas warfare as studied anel practiced b>- the Battery s non-coms in France. Corporal Staudt in gning the scientific reasons for the selection of Corporals Schnake and Miller for gas non-coms said that in the first place Schnake's extreme height wiis considered, in a gas cloud ;ittaek Schnake being tall anel traineel to keep his head up for gas, would be first to detect the gas in a cloud attack. He could sense the first high wa\'es and by the time the gas begun to settle to the le\ el of the rest of the men he had warned them C]eorge Miller on the other hanel was picked because he was one of the shortest men in the Battery. George was built more like a "Happy" Williams, was picked to watch lor gas shells. The persistency of gas and its inclination to hang close to the ground made George indispensable for the gas shell job. On the front there used to be trouble between the gas non-coms and the camouflage men. Corporal Joe lvell\- and Norman I-uchs, The gas men said Fuchs and Kelly used their gas curtains in the dug-outs for bed blankets. I he camoufiage men made counter charges to the effect the gas men used camoufiage material from gun positions to fill their bcel ticks. Corporal Schnake used to accuse some ol the second section cannoneers of using tubes of "sag," a gas antidote for the body, to wash their teeth, 1 he gas department of the Battery in France was one the bo\s will long remember — Corporals Schnake, Staudt and Miller "11 11 11" and B Battery (Continued From Page 175) iletail and telephone elug-out anel the\ were all there lighting for a chance to pull the lanyard like a bunch of school kids. Old man Lee. acting No. I got the first one away, and Tommy Michael the second, I he third went to "Skeets Werner ol the same out lit and Sergeant "Scotty" co\ered one car anel lircd the loLirth. Tom Michael fired the filth and the sixth and last went to a member of the regular gun-crew. "Mishawaka" Fxlwarcls. Ralph Reddington eoxered himself w ith glory by inserting the fuses: the two other members of the fmurth section gun-crew "Red Hogue anv.1 "Spooks Fulmer, were not there It was saiel they fotind a rille that morning and were up with the ■.loLighboys, trying to get themseh'es a German b\ the direct mcthoeP Captain Leahy ani.1 Lietitcnant .Myers were the ofTicers who sent down the i.lata lor the last "big show." Do you remember French cigar and cigarette lighters'? The Red Guidon Page 177 The Munitions Man THh Ammunition Corporal in peace times may have been a prett\- soft job, but on the Iront in France with the big show on it was an\thing but a snap. Russell Lathomar took care of the Battery's supply of ammu- nition, and to his credit, be it saiLl, the battery ne\er ran out, Russ supplied the guns with "beaucoup" scrap-iron and the guns supplied it to brit:. Day after day. Russ and his note book would be around checking shells, "Normal and O, E."; "fuses black, white, red and I. A, L," Night after night when a long line of ammunition trucks came lumbering up the road, Russ and a detail wotild be on the job to unload them. How the men lIkI dread a \oice coming down into a dug-out on a cold black night. "Two men for ammunition detail," for they knew it meant seseral hours work in the rain and mud, hauling ammunition boxes. But, whereas the men could always take turns in going, Russ always had to be there. Corporal Lathomar was assisted by R, W, Scott, and when Russ left the Battery to become a sergeant at Brigade Headquarters, Scotty became Corporal Scott and took care of the Battery's ammunition. A. Murphy, Private ARCHIE \V, Murphy, B Battery's well known can- noneer, e.x-railroader, doughlxay, sailor, and philos- opher, said he was going to settle in Akron after e\ery- thing was o\er. He promised this a few days before the battery reached America from brance. Private Archie Murphy, There was a magic name in the old battery. The most interesting figure that e\er stood re\eille in Batter\' B, .Xrehie was always mis- understood, he used to sa\' to the boys. He used to wish he'd joined the infantry, where his brother was a soldier, "The regular arm\ alwa\s appealed to me," Murphy always told the non-coms of Battery B when after drill details came around. Archie made a pretty good soldier according to his superiors. Accustomed to life in the open amongst cowboys of Montana, the harvest hands of Iowa, and the railroad men ol PennsyKania. he was fitted phy- sically for the strenuous life of the soldier. He liked army chow. He never complained like other soldiers about the quality of the food or about the st\ie in which it was handled. ■Archie was the first man in Batter\- B to introduce the use ol the spur at monkey drill. A reliable workman was Archie. He was the soldier who. while digging a ditch one day at Camp Sheridan, steppei.1 out ol a boot without noticing it. He had been too bus\' to miss the boot. To yuu, men of Battery B, there is no neeessity to speak of the joy that came w ith a letter from home. Whether you were on the Border, in a traininf^ eamp or in France — you know. But, to those who wrote those letters and to whom this little volume is dedicated, thei'e should he a word ol appreciation and gratitude lor those legular missnes which were so eagerly anticipated anel so happiK' receixed, "Mail is in!" To the hoys in the army and in hrancc in particular, this announcement carried prol'ouHLl signih- cance. .'\ letter from home, was of course to he expected an^l while many often failed to come as hoped for. there were always those letters from home, trom mothers, dads, sisters, wixes, sweethearts and friends, all letters Irom h( ime ^ ou who were "those at home" know the great longing for mail, the eager way you watched the plcxl^ling postman, hoping he would leave you a letter from the one who had gone across, the pang of disappointment if he passed hy, or the joyous excitement of tearing open the envelope to read "his" words, his commonplaces becoming gems of literature in your appreciation of his e\ery line, \(>u experienccLl that, but you did not experience or appreciate: A gun position just a few kilometers from "Heinie." dimly lighted dug-outs for homes, the men of the other gun-crews \our onl\ neighbors, your 75's your onh' pets. Black nights of waiting. King in your bunks, whilst listening to the bursting "H. Es" abo\e, or crawling out in the mist of early morning to lay a barrage in front of your own infantry. The quiet of the diiy the waiting, waiting, waiting for the word that mail hai.1 come and then — the reading of that letter from home, m the ^lug-out l^y a flickering candle, or alxne. the sun feebK streaming through the lea\es or rain dripping from the branches o\'erhead. l^he eager questions of your comrades, the disappoint- ment if \'ou dn.1 not ha\e a reply to make, or the little exchanges of confidence and greetings from mutual acquaintances "I'ou i.lidn't experience: The undercurrent of pleasure that was still in the air, the rest of the day: the noticeable impro\ement in spirits pre\ailing among the bo\s. the general feeling that settles down upon e\er>one and then the wait of two weeks for the next letter. That's what mail meant to the Battery boys "o\er there." Pay day and mess-call paled into insignificance when mail call was soun^led an^l a letter from home marked the beginning of u new period, everything dating Irom "mail day. To you then, who were responsible tor these bits of joy, is due and is here expressed the appreciation and gratitude of the bo\s of Battery B and to those letters from home ma\ be attributcLl much of the io\ of li\ ing, the satisfaction of being in the A B, [■'. and the content- ment of your l^oys in I ranee "Finis'' OXLi thing B [Jattery is grateful for since its return from I -ranee is that all its members are finished with the word "finis." Of all the French words the A. F. F. heard und understooi.1 in F-rance "fini " was the greatest hoodoo to the boys. The Battery learned "oui and "finis" the first day it landed in France. "I he word seemed to be a wieldy one in France It couki be used in a negative sense for an\thing the [•"renehman wantetl to tell a Liatteryman. If a soldier wandered into a brenchman's garden or accidentb' walked into his house the brenchman shouted "fini." .And if a soldier asked for \in blanc. or grapes, or candles, or tobacco or cognac or anything else and the storekeeper didn't ha\e the article he would say "fini." Fhe bo\s alwa\s supposed the word meant "finish." .A wineroom barkeep who was not allowed to open her place until ftvc o'clock tokl the soldiers "fini as thotigh she had just sold out Many a hungr\ B Battcr\man in 1 ranee cursed the I'rench for using tlu- worLl 'linr on them Fish Mcl^celey when he returned a lost purse containin;; 2000 francs for a 5 franc reward. Fish joe Schnitrler when he lost the train at Limoges, b ranee. YOV who ma\' reai.1 this hook will lia\ e loiini-l the praises sunt; ol those men who were with the firing Battery at the front, hut what ot the Heheloners — the hoys who stayeel hchind waitinfj;, hoping, reach' for a chanee to {:;o loi'warel —eager to get on an ammunition detail and surfeited with idleness, chafing under the monotony of lile in echelon'' These hoys did not handle the ammunition, pull a lanyard, nor sight a piece, but their part was far liom pleasant To sit idh' by is perhaps more trying than the most fatiguing labor so a worel ol what the>' were doing, while their comrades were throwing scrap-iron Heinie- v,'ards. 1 he first echelon went down m the duiries ol those who stayed there, as Pneumonia Hollow number one, and It well befitted the name. It lay in a narrow \alle\'. hemmeLl in on either side b\ high wooeled hills where the sun cIkI not appear until mid-lorenoon. an^l where hea\> mists lay like a blanket among the trees until near noon. Situated as it was. in spite ol a perioLl ol excellent weather, the miiLl ne\er dried, and shelter tents were perforce pitched on the steep hillside where it was necessary to dig a shell out ol the side of the slope in order to pre\ent rolling or slitling clown hill, when asleep Ifere the\' stayed lor perhaps a week, eating ani-1 sleeping their onl\ occupation: occasional hikes to Pompe\ their onl\' amusement. Nightfall meant no lights, and fires out, which left nothing to lIo but turn in for a tweKe hour sleep, which was an\thing but restful after one or two nights L',\ery undtihilion in the grotmcl became a ra\ine or mountain before da\'light would warn them of the approach ol breaklast time ( )nl\ the occasional Boche plane and the consequent anti-aircralt barrage pro\ided relief I rum the tedious and tiresome routine ol eat and sleep, I here w ere guarels to do. — and w ho of those w ho stood a watch there will forget that impenetrable wall ol darkness which settled i^low n o\cr those wooels at sunset; a gloom so intense that it was oppressne and seemeel to bear one dow n w ith its weight Howe\er, as in all things else, there was an enel ol this, and on the Monday following the Batter\'s arn\al. the echelon was mo\ed to Millery. .\lillery was a small, quiet and cxcecLlingly tlirty \illage situated on the Moselle ii\er 1 he rner flowing sw iftly by and the hills beyond. I\ ing peaceful and shining in the rare intervals of sunshine, lent a strange contrast to the muLieK' streets anel unkept cotii t-\arLls abf)ut the \ illage i he Battery kitchen was installeel in a former grain ele\ator. and here George Curr\' and his squad of culinary artists passed out copious quantities of dehydrated soup, \ aried at inter\als by less generous portions of steak and "frog " fries. I he men were billeted here and there in attics and other rooms that were a\ailable. as man>' as could be comlortabh' taken care of in each place. Their beds to a large extent make-shifts ol e\ er\ character, brought into use without thought or fear ol what species of insect the\ might contain Small wonkier then that a number ol the boys acloptcel souxenirs in the way ol cooties or similar li\e stock Fo aeld to the charms of the place, there was a persis- tent determination on the part of ) Plu\ itis to remo\ e the htulI Irom the streets, since the natnes were \ ei \ indiffer- ent about It. but e\en a week of rain a\ailei.l little except to make the slime a little more slimy, if that were possible. It ma\ ha\e been the weather or a combination of all these things that lIcn eloped the "crabbers" society, for such It most assureell\ was I-ach day, in the billet occupie^l by the "Li C" tletails, the first. Seconal anel third sections, a number ol \ery accomplisheel crab artists congregated about the impro\ ised stoxe and Irom breakfast to dinner, from ^fmner to supper an^l from supper to bcel time, beast, man and inanimate object suflered alike uni.ler the eliscussions that took place. I he end ol the week lounel another mo\ e m progress, ani-l on Sunelay trucks rolle^l in. were loaelcel antl pulleel out lor C'amp Quest, near I oul Due to a misun^ler- standing on this occasion, man\ of the men had thrown their packs upon the trucks, onh' to fini^l themsehes left behind, "sans" mess kit, "sans blankets anel thereby hangs a tale In the afternoon a part\ was lormecl of these un- fortunates and about one o'clock they set forth in a elrizzling rain to fmef their equipment FhcN' plodded through the thin mud on the road until they reached Marbache. knowing \ery little of their destination except Page lS(i The Red (iiiidon that it was Camp Quest and somewhcic ncai' Rozicres. At \Iarhachc, ha\ing located the Toul road they sought the shelter of the Y M. C. A. where they refreshed them- selves with those delicaeies which the '"i" could furnish, and again took up the journey. On this busy Toul road, hovve\er, it was not difficult to get a lift and soon all but a few haLl caught passing trucks an^l rode until the road sign pointed to Rozieres. Alighting as best they coukl from the mo\ing truck, their forces were remustered anel they adxanced on Roricres, onl\ to fmel that there was no Camp Quest known of thereabouts. Here was a dilemma. Supply Sergeant "Bob" Berrington came along Just then with a wagon train, also searching for the camp. so. ha\ ing explored the one road without success, there was nothing left to do, but to take the Toul road again, and try their kick, kortune smiled here howexer. for soon it was learned from a passing truck that they were on the right road, and motor trucks being plentiful, it was possible for a number of the men to get another lift which carried them on toward, and beyond their goal. Howe\'er, acting on a hunch they clambered out, and walking back half a mile were sent along the right roaLl, through the advice of two men from A E-^atter\- who ha^l come earlier in the day. Nighttime, therefore, found the majoiitN' of them sale in the harbor, but se\eral, too tired to go further had the good fortune to get supper from the colored cooks at Jaillon, and then maele themseKes comfortable lor the night in \acant buildings nearby an^l came o\er to the camp in the morning. Qn Monday the rest of the Battery arrixeel, an^l soon they had settled themseKes comfortably; prepared to stay. 1 his was not to be, for late in the w eek, when the first drill schcelule was put into effect. mo\ mg orelers were recei\ed. That w as on Saturday and packs w ere hurriedly made, and after a great deal of confusion they got away to the rendez\C)US near .'\\rain\ille, where the trucks were to pick them up. Their arrival there occasioned con- siderable an.xiety on the part of Lieutenant Kaichen, owing to the ^lillicLilty he encountered in getting all the men assigned, but finally a sort of order was realized out of the chaos, and after a long wait, the trucks rolled up and took on their loads of human freight. Apremont, the Battery's destination was reached late at night, and here was established the third echelon. Sunday morning Llawncel clear and frostv', an^l there was the music of clinking mess-kits to warn late sleepers that breakfast was soon to be ser\ei.l Apremont. a mass of ruins. Ia\' nestkxl among se\eral \ery high and \ery steep hills — hills lined with trenches and barbed wire, dotted with concrete dugouts and ma- chine-gun nests, a \ei'itable fortress Here was something new, and alter the firing battery had gone forward to their positions, the bo\s left behinel found pleasure and adventure in exploring the systems of entrenchments, while the more adventurous amused themscK es by throw- ing hanel grenades found therein Qthers caught passing trucks for explorations into unknown country, to St. Mihiel, Lerouxille or Commercy. In a few days however, there was another move, and taking the road through Womville, Buxieres, Buxerulles. Heudicourt and up and arounel that steep camouflaged German road thev again pitched camp; this time in "Pneumonia Hollow No. 2 Billets were at a premium here, an^l again the boys lounel It necessary to flop uneler the canopv' of mother nature, but by that time, open air beds had become the custom anel no one mindcel in the least. Ihe next morning evervone was bus\' seeking or buikling sheltei'. Salvage parties thoroughly policed the ruins left by the tk'rmans, when they made their htirried departure during the St. .\lihiel elrive. and were rewardeel with stoves and other comfort-proviciing material. Homes having been built, the okl wanderlust took hold ol the bov's, and thev set out to explore their surroundings. Iin^ling manv interesting ofijccts which had been built by the Cjcrmans Qne of these was an observation post, built high in the top of a tree, anel commanding a \iew of the surrounding countrv for many miles. 1 here many went to watch the air duels, and on one occasion a party of three witnessed the destruction (.il a krench balloon. These three were in the tower examining the land- scape through field glasses when suddenly out of a clear sky a German plane dove nose down for a krench observa- tion balloon w hich caught unawares was hanging innocent- ly about a thousand feet up .As the Cjerman opened lire upon the balloon, two white specks appeared falling from the basket denoting the hurricel departure ol the two observers and as Jesse Sayre remarked, "They didn t stop to make their rolls." 1 he i inn was unsuccessful, but swinging around anel climbing above the balloon again, seemingly without regaivl for the "ptit-put" of the machine-guns below him, he i.k)v e again, and as he swung around again in a graceful curve anel climbeci heavenwards, a rei.1 llame darted from one en^l ol the hLige bag. anel soon it was entirelv' envelope^l leaving a trail of thick black smoke as it settlcel to the grounel 1 he plane hid behind the smoke, to escape the fire Irom below. TJ}c Iicd (iiiidon Page 181 but out of the blue, four allied planes appeared, and ga\e him a merry chase, which, lasting perhaps half an hour, was finally gi\en up as he was lost in the distance and to all appearances, safely o\er his own lines. That e\ent was perhaps the only ad\enture of this camp, and earl\- the following week, the echelon was again moved to VigneuUes. Vigneulles. where Colonel Bush's Post Command v. as located, was the ruins of what max well ha\e been a beautiful little village, and which yet allnivlevl plenty of comfortable billets an^l plenty of sto\es an^l lirewood. Again the air acti\ it\' proxidecl excitement, and in aLkliiion each morning served to bring the war a little nearer to them because Heinie took acKantage of his long range guns to drop a lew o\ er each morning before breakfast, as an appetizer. The "wheowr bang" of the l^i's or the "swdosh blooe\' ' of the 22(J's however was a welcome, though perhaps hazardous diversion, an^l at least pro\ ideel a topic of conversation. \ ignetilles was the last echelon ol the Battery an^l perhaps the one that left the best impressions. There were interesting places to \ isit, the regimental obser\ ation post where a view of the country for miles in all directions was to be had. The "chow " too. was rather better than it ha^l l.^een, and theie was little grumbling except on accoLint of the inaction Irom the foregoing, it is not to be understood that life in echelon was a bed of thorns, for like every other phase of warfare, it haJ its redeeming features. Echelons are a necessar\- e\il, not to be scorned by those up front, for it was those behind who were responsible for the sup- plies going forward on time, ammunition was available when needed and from those men in echelon all relicts and replacements were drawn. W ar IS hell, in any phase, but idleness is a curse and more to be shunned than the most intense activity on the front. To the boys l^ack there, echelon meant nothing, but (.lissatisfaction, because it seemed to them that they were so useless, so unnecessar\' to the w inning ol the war -yet that they were back there ser\ clI to gi\ e confi- ^lence to those forwarel because they knew the\' were being backed up by men w ho were eager and desirous of taking their places il necessar\'. Let It not be said then, that the men who were com- pelkxl to remain in echelon serNc^l no purpose except to consume rations — for trtih' '"they also serxe who only wait " Ob all the heroes we ha\e known, and you can take \our pick, there's none who's better known to fame than our own "Bathhotise L~)ick, \\ hen the boys came back from ^Inlling. a sandy, dusty mob; the\ found the bathhouse water hot. and "Vincent on the |ob He gathered wood and kept the (ire an^l watchetl the steam gauge rise; and chuckled gleefully when Shrank, got soap into his eyes. When the fire crackled merrily, when show- ers let off steam: the launch saiLl ""good lor Richard, he surely is the cream ' l-5ut when the wood suppU ran low while Dick lay in a doze, the water would grow icy eokl. Fed Richards nearh Iroze. 1 his alwa\s brought an aw lul howl. "Doggone that big gold-brick, Ictshold a Unchmg party and murder Bathhouse Dick,' Another border lad who worked throtigh rain and snow and sleet, and burned up all otir garbage, was Incinerator Pete. He didn't know the meaning of "caissons right about," but showed a \ast ability when Cook Mcl\ee\er'd shout, "Hey Sprigle, here's a pail of stuff that you can start to boil; if that green wood wont make a fire, \ou better get some oil " Perhaps his pants were greas\- and his hands all smeared with dirt; his heart was surely in his work and not upon his shirt ,\nd when the bugler bugled and "mess call" filled the street, the (irst man in the mess-lmc was Incinerator Pete With .\pologies to Walt .Mason Page 182 The Red Guidon Hattonchatel A TYPICAL little I->ench \ illage with its remnants of -^»- quaint and almost ancient architecture, stands paunt today in the Pannes region, some few kilometers from HeudicoLirt, the former headquarters of the Keystone Division hom Penns>l\ania Hattonchatel has with- stood terrific shell lire Liurint; the wai', its inhabitants lleein.n IVom time to time to escape the onslaught of the 1 lun until a \ er\' lew remaincLl, to standi with sa'.klcning gaze at the awkil destruction wrought upon then homes hy the enemy. Hattonchatel is onl\ a stone's throw from 1 latton\ illc and Vigneulles. both towns lamous for their continue^l occupancy hy troops during the war anti the many stragetic points carried out in their near \icinit\ \ ig- neulles was oecupietl during the I^annes offensixe h\' Regimental Headquarters of the I Uth l-'ieki .ArtillerN , 37th Division. (Ohio) and remained as such until the armistice was signed on the ele\-enth day of November, 1018. It was my good fortune to be able some few months after the signing of the armistice to pay a visit to the scenes of our last engagement at Hattonchatel, Vigneulles an^l Hatton\ille and the countr\' thereabouts, and to stand in the old gun positions once more, where our 75's unloaded plenty ol freight into Heinie s backyard near Metz during the siege and where the 1 34th Field Artillery won a name lor themselves in the support of the famous 2Sih Division, composed of National Guard units Irom the State of PeniT-ylxania .As I stood on the hill aboxe Vigneulles that day. I experienced a queer feeling, one ol melancholy and a case ol real okl .\merican blues, to see for miles around nothing hut ^lest ruction. Spring in Cjod's country and here desola- tion 1 lere and there a tree stood making a feeble attempt to blossom forth, with its searcit\' of bocK'. the ma|orit\ of which had been blown awa\ b\ shell fire .\ pra\er came to m\ lips as I turned awa\ from Hattonchatel lor otir comrades who laid at rest there in the fields ol sunny France, who died heroically for the cause, who had come thousands of miles from their natixe home tcj make the world sale tor democracy, who dn-ln't experience that glorious thrill as we, who had been luck\ enough U> sur\i\e, when we gazed on the shores of .America after a long absence Those scenes will alwa\s linger, some though 1 wouki like to forget; others can ne\er be forjzotten. B Battery s Prisoners TT is, perhaps, not known to all that on one occasion B -»- Battery had eight prisoners of war, but such was the case, The\- were not Germans, but nevertheless they were prisoners and had been such so long that they were professionals at it. These prisoners were taken single hanLlcd by a B Batteryman — David Berson, That they were taken after the armistice was signed is of little importance It happened like this: The firing Batter\' had just returned from the front, November 12, and the carriages were standing along the shell torn road in Vigneulles with the men awaiting orders to move, [^own the road came a motley crew of dis- reputable looking mortals in uniforms of three different armies, led by Dave Berson. As he passed the Liatter\- the bo\s naturally inc|iiired what he had, to which Da\e replieel, "Oh, I just found some Russian prisoners that's hungry So Da\'e took them, indeed, he took them e\ery place until he had them fed and on their way to a f'rench camp from which they could get back to Russia. Da\e. who spoke Russian. Cierman an^l a couple other languages fluentK'. told the bo\'s that these Russians had been German prisoners. For three \ears they had been held and forced to do work of the most dangerous nature, such as digging trenches under shell fire. 'When the armistice was signed, the Cjcrmans started for home and left the l\ans to look out for themselves Luckily they found Da\"e and were able to explain their predicament to him. The Red Guidon Page 183 "Judge" Chapman's Court DURING the early days of the creation of the Red Gui- don. Gorporal Youngs, the Battery clerk, chanced to find one of the stories written for this book, in which he was alluded to as a "Jungle Buzzard, ' which to Earl's esthetic sense constituted grounds for suit for slander Accordingly he instituted proceedings and on the night of December 4. in the big barracks at Camp Chanois, the case was heard before Judge Chapman The court's proceedings are here gi\ en in detail as the \ arious w itnesses testified during the course of the evening. Court con\ened at b IV Judge Chapman opened court, "In the court this exening. keep quiet and as the witnesses testify, do not testify rapidly. Speak plainly so that the reporter can take this down. All e\ idence submitted here this e\ening will be placed in the Rei.1 Guiefcn and e\ery member of the Batter\' if he is a li\e wire will want a cop\' of it Let us please comph with this request ; be quiet, listen to the e\ Klence and remember what I ha\ c told the witnesses " "Mr. Sheriff. >'ou may open the court.' " 1 he case which will be taken up at this time is the case of the Plaintiff. Earl G. Youngs \s, the defendant, the Red Guidon Publishing Company. Incorporated, for the following slanderous remark, allegeei to ha\e been made concerning the plaintiff. Earl G ^'otings on or about the fourth of December. I'^IH f'lrst — 1 he said defendant companN is allegcil to ha\e used the following language "Earl G Votings is a Jungle Buzzard.' Second — The plaintiff. Earl G Youngs asks for hft\- ''O) cartons of Camel cigarettes as damages. Attorneys for the plaintiff. John A Faulkner and William H. Summers. Defendant sa\s he is not guilt\- .Attorneys for the defeni.lant are R. C. Thompson and J. B. Kelly. "Mr. Sheriff, you may fill the jury box with jurors at this time.' Sheriff Arthur Possehl thereupon named the following jurors who took their place in the jury bo.\ anti were accordingly sworn L. 'W'. Deselms. J. N. Shere. Morgan Robertson. M. S. Rubright, M W. Bright. P M Lynch and L. D. Clark. Examination of jurors by plaintiff. Plea of defense "Not Guilty. " Jur\' examined b\ Mr Thompson for the defense 1 he jury was sworn in by Judge Chapman, after which Attorne\ Summers takes up his plea and examination of w Itnesses "^our honor and gentlemen of the jury, the plaintiff. Earl G Youngs, clerk, B Battery, 1 34th E. A.. — plaintiff kindly arise — has come into possession of a certain docu- ment which has direct bearing on his high character." Objection sustained. Defense — "His idea of what constitutes slander is a little mixed up. This case applies to his eating capacity alone." Judge — "The jury will determine that question." Plaintiff resumes— "Ihis document, your honor, was soon to be publishcLl b\- the Red Guidon and this docu- ment which Mr. Youngs came into possession of alludes to him as being a Jungle Buzzard, which, your honor and gentlemen of the jury, is detrimental to his reputation, as the gentlemen of Battery B will testify, whereas the plaintiff demands the destruction of the document, and Iffty cartons of cigarettes. That you may fully realize the heinousness of this accusation, we quote Daniel Webster. With your permission 1 will quote for you: '.•\ jungle buzzard is one who when gi\en his first rations, wrangles with the K I^. atxl with those in authority in the kitchen, complaining about the quantity and ciuality of the rations gi\en; who continually endeaxors to capture the elusi\e seconds to satisf>- his ra\enous appetite; who further grumbles and makes sarcastic remarks concerning the fairness of dealing out the rations.' It is our earnest tlesire to completely exonerate this man. "With the permission of the court. 1 will now rea^l the slaULlerous document as mentioned Exhibit .A). And this, gentlemen. 1 ma\- sa\'. just while I ha\e it here, this IS the heading of the story in the Red Guielon as I under- stand It -""khe Massacre of the Battery Mess and Who L')idit." by the Battery Cooks. Gentlemen of the jury. I ha\e here the ^locument wherein the plaintiff was alluded to as the worst of jungle buzzards, and I will now call to the standi. Mr. Gutlan^l." All witnesses being present, stood and were sworn simLiltaneously. "Mr. Outland. in all statements that >ou make, please be clear and concise. Mr. Outland. is it true that you are employed in the kitchen of Battery B?" "It is. sir."' "L^o your duties include cooking and the handling of the 1\. P.^" ■"'t'es." "While Llistributing rations to the boys of Battery B, did you at any time see the plaintiff. Mr, Youngs, come through the line for seconds^"" "No." "Did you e\er hear Mr. Youngs complain. Mr. Out- land, about the quality or quantity of food^" "No." '"DrI you e\er hear him swear at the K. P. or ask for more ' ' "No. sir. " "Mr ('>Litlani.l. in \our candid opinion, as you see it. do you think Mr Youngs a buzzard^ " "No. " Page 18i The lied (hiidon Plaintiff: "Mr. Mason, is it not true that you are employed as a cook in Battery B^" '"^'es, sir." "While working in the kitchen or assisting the K. P. with the rations, did Mr. ^'oungs ever complain^" "No, sir." "Is it not true that one Sunday night the Battery had rice and slum^" "Yes, sir." "Mr. Mason, is it not true that on last Sunday night you offered the plaintiff, Mr. ^'oungs. any amount of doughnuts he wanted''" "I did." "Tell the court just how many doughnuts the plain- tiff took." "He took only two. 1 offercLl him more, but he would not take them." "Mr. Mason, is it not true that on many occasions while Mr. "^'oungs stood in the line you noticed the small amount on his mess-kit and offered him more^'" "1 did, hut he would not accept." Defense : "1 understand you offered Mr. Youngs any amount ol doughnuts. How many did he take^" "He took two." "Are doughnuts, Mr. Mason, considered a delicacy in the army'" "I do not know," "They are not made very often'" "No, sir." "How many times in France?" "Twice." "Are they a delicacy in ci\il lilV" "I don't know, sir." "Mr. Mason, do you stand there am.! tell these men that an>- sane man in the United States Army after spending three months in this league, would only take two of them''" "i es, sir." "Well, I rest my case." (With considerable irony.) Plaintiff: "Will the plaintiff. Mr. "I'oungs, please take the stand' Mr. Youngs, on the night that you were offered any amount of doughnuts that you wished, how many did you take'" "1 took two." "Describe how big the doughnuts were." "They were of average sire. Ordinary si:c hole." "Were they thin and puffy'" "I do not remember." Defense : "Mr. Youngs, do you ever feel like you could eat more than two doughnuts in the army'" "The occasion might arise when I could cat more than two." "Were you not feeling well'" "Perfectly healthy." "But you could ha\e eaten more''" "I cared for no more," "Do you take your mess with the rest of the men in the line or from the inside of the mess-hall'" "On the night mentioned— in the kitchen," "Early or late'" "Neither." "Why not lust'" "Because it is not my habit." "Ha\'e vou an\ particular a\ersion to doughnuts''" "No." "But \ou'd rather have doughnuts than a dish of beans'" ""^'es, sir," "^'ou were entirch' all right when you turned down the doughnuts'" "^'es, sir," "N'ir. Truby will now take the stand." "How long have you known the plaintiff, \ Ir. ''I'oungs'" "E\'er since he has been in the Battery " "To your knowledge, Mr. 1 ruby, and being associated with him as closely as you are, did you ever see Mr. ^'oungs o\ereat himself or take more than ordinary rations'" "No, sir." "At the State F-arm, will \ou kniLlK tell the court just how much Mr. Votings ate'" "Very little — an ordinary meal," (E.xhibit B) — offerei.:! for inspection and recognized as belonging to Mr. Youngs. "Mr. Truby. when did Mr 'I'oungs gi\e you this belt'" "At inspection at Souge " "He gave you that belt at Souge' Wh\- did you not wear it'" "Too small." "Why too small ''" "Couldn't get it on." "Do you think an\ man that was a buzzard could get into that belt '" "I 6o not" "There is a belt worn b\- a jungle buzzard. Will you kindly compare the size of the two belts' " Belt again as long as (E.xhibit B) brought forth and handed to jury. Defense : "What jungle buzzard wears that ix'lt' " "Stephen Marvin." (Laughter.) Plaintiff: ""^'our honor, the judge and gentlemen of the jury, you saw the length of these belts, that is a belt worn by Mr, Votings: this b\' a jungle buzzard I hat will do" Defense: "Does that belt seem to be in good condition' " "Fairly good," "Do vou know anv reason wh\' he ga\-e vou that belt'" The Red Guidon Page 18.') "He loaned it to me and I never ga\e it hack." "How far was it to the State Farm^" "Three and one-hail miles" "1 understand you ran out there^ ' "No, we walked " "^'ou ate when you ^ot there ^" "Yes, sir." "You went three and one-hall miles lor lood!'" "^'es, sir," "That's all." "Mr. Schnitzlcr. is it not true that ynu ha\e heen connected with the canteen^" Court here interrupted b\' witness inquiring as to witness fee and demanding same at once. Quieted with assurance that he wouki i'ecei\e his fee. "Were you not acti\elv connected with the canteen at Camp Perry ^" "^'es, sir." "Did you at any time see the plaintiff, Mr ^'oungs, purchase anything from you""" "No, he was a bad customer, 1 don't kmiw what was the matter with him " "Did \ Ir. "^ oungs c\ er come to you ani.1 puichase cakes, candy, etc, at the canteen at Fort Benjamin 1 larnson''" "No, sir. 1 think the son-of-a-gtin star\ed. He never bought anything and 1 had good goods, too." "What was youi" capacity at Camp Sheiii.lan^" "In the canteen " "Tell the court, if \ou please, just what \ou sokl at Camp Sheridan in the line of eats." "Cakes, candy, nuts — most an\thing. fine goods, good quality — cheap!" "Did you e\er see the plaintiff in your establishment at Camp Sheridan to biiy eats as the other members of the Battery did'" "No, sir. He was a tight wad Here. Mr, (!lark, how about the two trancs \c)u owe me' "When you came to f- ranee at Camp (^hanoi.s, did Mr, ^'oungs e\er patronize NotF ' "No, sir " "Mr, Kalaher, arc you not president ol the .Ancient Order of Jungle Buzrarcls'' ' "No, sir. Not president, but a member " "Ha\e you not at times endeaxored to get .\lr. 'l oungs to join^" "^'es, sir, but he relused," (E.xhibit C) — Cigarette butt badly battercxi Witness: — "There is a bribe that wotild inlluence any great jungle buzzard like me, a cigarette butt. As exhibit is passed to jur\', witness exclaimed — "Don't forget, 1 want that back" "As a member of the organization ol l~iuzzai\ls, did you at any time e\er see .Mr 'l oungs in Nour ranks'" "No, sir." Defense did not cross question and Plaintill rested case. Witness for the Lielense: "What is your name''" "Lamiell." "When tlid >ou join the [battery' " "F'lfteen months ago." '"^'oti were in the Battery at Camp Sheridan' ' ""^'es, sir. " '"i'ou came across when the Batter\- saik\l for France''" "Yes, on H, M, S. Nestor." "In that connection, you acted in what capacity, Mr. Lamiell'"' "On the gun-crew. " "Can \ou tell the jliia where the gtin was located'" "In the rear of the ship, on the back porch, just behind the Chinese galle\ "DilI these Chinese run an\ kind ol a canteen here' " "1 hey sold cakes. ' "Anything else'" "No, sir." "'foil were in a position to know just w Ikt came up to the canteen' " "Yes," "lell the jur\' who frequentci.1 the place the most." "('nl\ one m particular, Mr Youngs " "^ ou ne\ er thought that his attitude was such that he wanteel the rest of the Batter\ to know '" "No, sir He was \er\' sneaking " ">'ou ate with the Batter> m the hold'" "The first two da\s I ^lidn't eat much — onl\ stipposed to eat" ".Ani.1 was Mr Youngs there' ' '"^ es, when they serxecl tripe " "DilI Mr ^ oungs eat tripe'" "All of It," "Do you think an\ man who wdliIcI eat tripe on board ship a jtingle buzzard' " ""\'es, sir." Plaintiff "How man\- times tli^l \ou see the plamtill. .Mr. "Youngs, go down into this galle\' to ptirchase such lood' "He diLln't go lIowu there he freqtienteei it almost contmualK "How man>' times' " rwent\-two times perhaps " "Were ndu e\er down there' "No," ' "In what manner tliel he go lIow n ' ' "Didn't go dow n, he came on the eleek, kneeled i.lown ^o no one coukl see him, slipped mone\ in and cakes came out. "Mr, Jameson, do \'ou know the plaintiff. Earl G. ^ 'oungs''' "CertainK "Where ^IilI \ou last see him'" "I see him e\ er\- Lla\- Ihe last time that 1 noticed him m partictilar was last .Sunda\ "Where \ou on K, P, in the Battery last Sunday'" '"^'es, sir. I was. " Page 186 The Red Guidon "Did you i^i\c him any doughnuts \oursclf'" "No. sir." "Did you sec anyone gi\c the plaintiff. Mr Youngs, any doughnuts'"" "No. sir. He was where he eouLI get them himself." "Did you see him take some^ ' (Hesitated) — "He took some doughnuts." ^'es, sir. He was over there eating w hen I was through sei\ing and I only saw him take four I imagine he took more." "Gentlemen, a former witness sai^l he diel not see him take any. We ha\e the statement of this witness who says he saw him take four." "Mr. Stagg. you know the plaintiff. Mr Youngs'"" "'l es. sir." "How long^ ' "Nineteen months." . "When you were bugling, did Mr. "l oungs eome up to you at any time and ask you a question^" "He did." "What was the question'" "One day on or before )ul\ P at bort Ben. he asked me to blow mess eall so that he eouki hear what it sounded like." "He askeel nou no more ealls'" "No. sir d he onK eall he wanted was mess call." Plaint I IT Mr. Jackson, when were yoLi m charge of quarters last'" "Noxember 27." Do >'Ou remember, was there st)me military corres- pondence on the desk'" "(^uite a l^it," Some stull pertaining to your duties as Charge of Quarters'" "^'es. sir," What did >()u find there not applying to military correspondence'" 'Mr Youngs asked me U) help out and passed me a pa\nill ol the [5attery and had me read off the names, numbers of the men in the Battery. 1 found a letter and before know ing what it w as read part of it w hich described the meal tor 1 hanksgn mg that he expected to ha\e and that he hoped to fill up He also maele the remark that he didn't think he would get enough " Mr Bailsman, when were \'oung mans parents bowed down in shame at the degradation brought upon their offspring and in a last appeal asked that the jury consider his future and that in the name of the great American Standard of justice, they clear him of that shameful name- a Jungle Buzzard .At 8 20 the judge chargCLl the jur\ with prolound gravity, striving to impress upon them the seriousness of th.e charge and the effect of then I'lnLlings He asked them to consider the evidence as given verv' carefully, the honestv' and integritv of the plaintiff and above all. give careful attention to the L-!xhibits which had been shown before the court The jury remained out but a short time, returning at 8 30 finding the defendant ""Not Guiltv . Court adjourned. THE CHtll/TnA/ THAT CAME TO B BATTEEY J F ■ ■■ DECEMt^IiR 17th, lOlS, lound 1^ Battery located in muddy Irench billets, hiL;h upon a hillslele aho\e the \illage of Ramhluzin. about fifteen miles south of X'erdun, The holiday season of 1Q18 was at hand an^l apparently C.hrrstmas was to be no different from an\' other ela\ in the Battery Turkey ani.1 cranberry sauce an^l shows might be possifile for the men in the S. O. S . but as for the men m the Ixitterx, these were but a memory of other years. On the afternoon of the ITth, Captain lAahy spoke to tile members of the Red Guielon staff, suggesting they get busy and see "what could be done" to make Christ- mas of 1^18 one that wouL! be worth while A meeting was hekl that e\ening with the result it was clceideel to tr\- and arrange a Christmas show using Batterv talent. There was no theatre, no stage, no costumes and talent was ol an unf.nown e|ualit\- anel c|uantity, 1 here was. how e\ er, an abunelanee of hope an^l ambition. Committees were appointed: one to look after a hall, another for stage scenery, costumes, etc , and a third for talent for the entertainment The next da> e\er\()ne got bus\ , joe Schnitzler an^l Bill .\lLirph\ got a truck d'om the stipply compan\' anel went to a "l " headquarters at Ippecourt. about twehe miles awa\. There the\- managed to police up four tent lloors for a stage, about fifty yards of green burlap camouflage foi- wings, flics and drapes, and a few oekls and ends. At the loot of the hill, below the Batter\''s camp, la\' a group of \aeant hospital buildings, guarded by f^rench soldiers. Lieutenant Howard Myers, Sergeant Larry fetch anel the [battery interpreter, Rene Corelon, aielcel by bribes ol cigarettes, succeeeieLl in securing the use of one ol these buildings as a theatre 1 he stage was erected. Coi'poral 1 rub\ got busy anel put up drapes, wings and llies with the green burlap. A can\as paulin was used for a back drop and Corporal V erne Ritter, getting OLit his paints and brushes, proceedeel to paint thereon a Lrench \illage. From carh' morning tintil late afternoon, Ritter laboreel e\ en missing noon- mess in orelei- to finish tip the joi^ in time. In the meantime "Mutt" Bailsman an^l Tommy Thompson of the talent committee ha^l been busy Ele\en (11) feature acts hael been lined up an^l the bulle- tin hoard was used to gi\ e these pul^licity anel, believe you CAHP CHAMOIS.. .rRAHCS DCCCHDER ?5 I9ia ■at me' it did. 1 hompson as a publicitv man and press agent was a knockout. A hurried trip was made to Bar-le-Duc for supplies anel costumes. Black cambric, red and yellow- satin, pink silk stockings, purple garters, lip-stick and eye-lash pencil, were but a lew of the articles that came back. Bill Summers hunted the villages of Benoitevaux and Rambluzin o\er and succeeded in securing a French solelier's uniform, anel a Lrench farmer's Sunday suit for a waiter's outfit. Then came rehearsal and things started to look bright for a Merry Christmas. By the distribution of more cigarettes and more parley-\'ooing the French guards at the hospital were persuaded to furnish electric lights for the evening. Harolel Moock was made chief electrician and wired the place, putting in foot-lights and borders, assisted by (jcorge White, Gerald Gru\er and Billy Lenihan, S. B. Jackson was stage carpenter. Vic Caiinther. warelrobe mistress; Corporal Carl Truby and Joe Schnitzler. propertymen. The afternoons Just pre\ ious to (Tiristmas w ere gi\ en o\er to rehearsals. The e\enings were spent in polishing up the lines, learning cues and making costumes. John Ltink was especialK' acti\e in the last named. Faking the part of a French madamoiselle, it was necessary for him to use all his ingenuity in designing his costume. Just a word about that costume, — hospital slippers on w hich the saddler put high heels came first, then the pink silk stockings. The black cambric formed the skirt, six inches from the bottom of which John painted llowers. Red satin for a girdle and an O. D. raincoat lining, in which pink Chiffon slee\'es were inserted, made up the lacket. .An O. D turban trimmed in black topped off the whole Ihc afternoon of f^eccmber 24th saw the final re- hearsal, e\ cryone in make-up and the show promised bi; for the following e\ening. .\ ntimber of the I?atter\mcn went to mielnight mass in Rambkirin, Farly Christmas morning there was a hea\ >• fall of snow so that w hen the men awoke, e\erything was fairly white. Breakfast about eight and from then until elinner the time passe^l t|Uietl\ Man\- ol the men attended chtirch ser\ ices in the morning anel at abc>ut ten-thirty, the Christmas boxes which had arrixecl were ciistributcel. About one P. M, chocolates, cigarettes and chewing gum. The Red Guidon Page 189 donated by the Red Cross, K. of C. and '^'. M. C. A., were given out. Two o'clock and the first really big e\ent of the day came off — Christmas dinner. It was the culmination of days oi preparation and work by the Mess Sergeant and Cooks Sedberry, Capron. Outland and Mason. Roast beef, that "was." mashed "pomme de terre," corn. peas. gra\y. dressing, coffee, grapes and cake made up the meal and e\ery one enjoyed and appreciated it, Christmas dinner was the onl\ meal of b'tlS foi- which no one came back for seconds. Among the distinguishes! elinner guests were Major Carl l\a\enagh; Sergeant Lathomar from Brigade Head- quarters and Mr. William b>tch, father of Sergeant "Pop" f'etch, Mr. f-etch was engaged in ^'. M. C^. A. work in I'rance. f-'ollowing mess the actors and stage han^ls hustled to the theatre to prepare lor the show. 1 he show was booked to start at six P. M., and by five o'clock the house was crowdei-l, M -\I. Shere, who was punching tickets was forccel to turn many away. Art Possehl ant:! C^corge White were ushers and detecti\es and were kept busy rounding up ticket speculators. hollowing the show, speeches were ma^le by Major I\a\enagh. Mr, ketch. Captain Leahy, Lieutenants Myers ant! ('urtin. Sergeant Major Creenburg. L'irst Sergeant (.jreenc and Sergeants La\ery and Curry. They were all cheered and cheered again by the boys. Sandwiches, cand\ and cigarettes and other refresh- ments were served both during and alter the show, "jolly" 1 kill, joe Stoneberger and Marshall Sheets and Spooks kulmei" were m charge of the refreshments. By ele\en P, \! e\er\one was back in the billets talking the e\enis of the day i)\er and by common consent It was \()tcd die best Christmas the Batter\' ever hael. Doughnuts THE delectable doughnuts doled out by the doty dieti- tian of B Battery were deserving of all the compli- ments paid them for the\' were far from being elebilitating. These delicacies were devoured and digested with little strain on the digastric muscles and were doubly delightful coming as they did in devastated elistricts of Lrance. Although B Battery never were close enough to a Salvation Army kitchen to enjoy the doughnuts given out by the lassies there the\' were near enough to a certain army kitchen to enjoy the ones maele by Mess Sergeant Curry and his able crew of cooks. The only objection to George's sinkers was that they didn't happen often enough. It was computed by the Battery mess statistician, Archie Murphy, that the Salva- tion Army gave away more doughnuts in one day than B Battery ate during their entire stay in Lrance, and that the holes from those same doughnuts would have filled the mess-kits of the entire Battery with enough leftover to furnish "seconds" for the statistician, "Shanty" Kalaher and "Galloping" GLilick. Archie claimed that the kitchen police ate all the holes thus elcpriv mg the Batterymen of their just rights and doughnuts. Doughnuts made their first appearance in the B Battery mess in f- ranee on Thanksgiving dav" when Sergeant Currv" and his crew ably assisted by the pastry expert. "Red " Hogue made about four hundred of the deglutable delicacies. The next appearance was on Christmas clay when it was reported that there were doughnuts on every mess-kit, but masniLich as every mess-kit was so full some of the boys never got down to them before they were full. Then the New ^'ear's day dinner was also topped off by a doughnut, but again the fellows were so full of the big ^linnei- that thcv couldn't fully appreciate them 1 he most unique objection to the serving of i.lough- nuts was offered by Howard "Punk " Miller one elay when he hai.1 to shut his eyes to fullv' enjov' one of Curry's priele "Lv erv' time 1 look at one of those round things, " said "Punk," "1 think of an 'O anel that naturalK' reminds me of the zero hour. " Some Kicker (")ne of the colored soldiers who used to v isit Ike ."spicer an^i Bob RkIcit in their stables on the front near the Moselle river startei.1 to pat one ol the horses on the hips one dav and the nag let one fly at him. "Good Lord. " saiel the Alabama boy " 1 hass a bad boss, that there boss IS awful J-iael. That boss, white boy, woukl kick at his own tail." CHRISTMAS in the army, at best, always tends to ha a very dull affair. What, with home and family usually hundreds of miles away, is there left for rejoiein^ o\'er or eelehrating, ( 'f eourse there is alwa\s some sort ot party, entertainment or banquet, to help brighten up the ^'ule- tide season, these being gi\en or furnished by the organ- ization or by the men themsehes. Then the paekages from home" All those good things that mother, sister and "she" make so well Oh' how those boxes were appreciated, indeed, the prospect of a Christmas without a lot of boxes from home was not a bright one. Christmas on the border found every man in the Battery in possession of at least one box. '1 hey \ aried in size, from a cigar box to those large dry-goods boxes that held enough for the entire Battery. Sergeant Oscar Hollenbeck with his store-box full of cakes, etc.. and Wilbur Dunn with his box of "perfectos" were among the happiest Batterymen that day. In Alabama. Christmas found the fellows equally well treated. The boxes and packages came rolling into the office for a week before Christmas day. With Christmas e\e came that wonderful "Ohio Special" bringing a host of friends and relatn es and another be\\' of presents. In France, of course, the fellows knew that the possi- bility of recei%ing any amount of packages was out ol the question, inasmuch as they couldn't e\cn get their letters, ani.1 the memor^ of other Christmases in the army was indeed one to haunt the boys. Stuck away up there on a hill, in the land that Homer Eckert used to say, "the good L.,ord forgot and the Germans didn't want" no one anticipated a very Merry Christmas. The government had issued an edict to the effect that the only packages that could be sent to the A. E. F. were the prescribed Red Cross boxes. TheQx4x3. In their wildest dreams the Batterymen couldn't imagine getting anything of any size or importance in such a small box. What a happ\ awakening that Christmas morning though' Captain Leahy had held the boxes that had arrived early, and on Christmas morning they were all given out. And such an array of candy, cigarettes, wrist- watches and kniek-nacks' After unpacking the boxes, the rest of the day was spent in trying to get the stuff back in the same "0x4x3" from which it came. Bill Owens, George Nycamp and "Tub" Lamiell de- clared that they would have to sleep on the floor that night, their bunks were so full of the contents of their "petit boites " It has always been a myster\- to the fellows how the mothers, sisters and sweethearts managed to get so much stuff in so little space. There was enough fudge in B Battery that Christmas morning to make the most prosperous cand\' kitchen proprietor en\ lous So. after all, the "'-' x 4 x 3's furnishcLl a big part of B Battery's o\erseas Christmas, chiefly because they were so surprising in the \olume of their contents. Ld Vie Pdxiisienne BATTERY never took French, or the study the language seriously until t had been in Cestas about a week and At lee Wise and oe Schnitzler, the first men to make a trip to the city of Bordeaux, brought back a copy of "La Vie Parisienne," They tossed it on a table, the men in the billet trxik one look at the magazine. took another look, and then made a di\e for "French Lessons for Beginners" Ooh-la-la' Here was a real reason to learn the Lrench language, "La Vie Parisienne" a magazine published weekly in Paris, corresponds to Life and judge in being a humorous publication, otherwise, it differs just as largely as Paris, L"rance, differs from Mishawaka, Ind. It's like the little \erse "Oh pity the poor Hindu, He i,loes the best he kin do. The Red Guidon Page 191 To add to liis woes, He has no clothes. So he has to make his skin Jo'" Which was apparenth" the great trouble with the ladies of "La Vie." They had clothes, hut the\' were so darned careless about the wa\' they left them lying around. Merci! They wandered around through page after page of the book with nothing on but a bracelet and a pink ribbon, anel they elidn t gi\e a hoot who saw them, and the coldest winter da>' found Mignon out skating, clad only in a scarf and a pair of shoes, and the poor little thing didn't mind it a bit. In America, she w'ouldn t ha\e lasted fi\e minutes — the park policeman would ha\e chased her home to get some clothes, and asked her if she wasn't ashamcel of herself, but this was La Belle France, so again we say — Ooh-la-la. And there's the difference. In France, "La Vie Parisienne " is a staid, perfectly respectable fun-making magazine, and the tired business man stops b\ the news- stand on his way from work, lays down one franc for his copy and takes it home where he reads the jokes and looks at the pictures over the "fromage et cafe au lait," then turns it o\'er to his wife to ha\ e a good laugh together. While on the other hand, if it were published in America, the land of the brave and the home of Anthony Comstock, the mob scene at the news stanels would make the first battle of the Marne look like a peace con\'ention at The Hague. Hence, when the Battery mo\ed to Camp de Souge, and some one or other of the boys made a trip to Bordeaux e\'ery Saturda\ , he didn't elare come back without the current issue of "La \ le Parisienne," anel this explains the complaint of the "1' .\I, C A man "What's getting in to yoti Icllows' I'xc ha^l the biggest run of "French lor Beginners " that I've had since I've been in L ranee 1 Ic didn t ask the right parties or the\" could ha\e told him "toute d suite ' 1 here ma\ ha\e been lots of men satisfied to look at the pictures, but not in B Battery. When the\- saw a picture ol "jcune ("ille Jeanne " sitting before her Liressin.g-table all dresscel tip in a ribbon and two diamond rings, the\ wanted to kixiw what she was saying as indicatcel in the L'rench text beneath What couki she sa>'' And there nou were So almost any night in the billet. \'ou cotild ha\e hearel "He\ . Punk, what docs, loi, mon pati\ re eheri, mean'" .An^l l^tink .Miller \ells back, "How the ^lickcns i.lo 1 know ' What elo \ou think 1 am- a frog' What do \ou want to know tor'" "( 'h, 1 got a "I-'arisienne " here with a picttireofa Irench elame and it says that underneath " Silence lor a moment, then, 'He\ , Bennett'" "What'" "Cumme seconels on it, will you'" "(V)h-la-la' " Names of Guns THE first American artilleryman arming in L ranee, found that it was a tradition among the English and French artillery to gi\e names to their guns. Passing a battery of French 75's along the road, they found each gun with a nickname painted on the top-shield. There was "Mignon, " "Marionette," "Alsace" and "Ninette," and it seemed to gi\e them indniduality. Naturally the yanks took the tradition to themsehes and when B Battery arrived at Camp de Souge for their first training in the use of the French gun, they found gun-parks with guns and caissons in orderh' arra\' and each gun had an American nickname. As a consequence when the materiel arrived for the Battery some three weeks later one of the first eitiestions that arose in the gun sections was, "What are wc going to name her' " Lor qtiite a while this was the favorite topic for disctission, anel the men sat around the billets and argued the respective merits of their favorite nick- names, and at times the argument waxed hot. One by one, however, the four sections came to an agreement and after it was all over and the painters had finished up the job with black paint, the first section gun ceased being a mere thing ol steel ani.! Irom that time on she was toni^llv known as "C^alamity lane," As Mike Shepard said. "She's going to be a ealamitv for the Boche. if we ever get a crack at them." 1 he second section gun blossomcLl out as the "Buz- zard, I he best explanation coming from the second section in regaixl to this name was that it was a shortening ol the army nickname for a hearty eater "jungle Buzzard, " and the title probablv' referred to her capacitv' for eating "beaucoup scrap-iron ' The thnxl section lx)re the proud title "Peace Terms. ' As Ceorge CoLichy very affably explained she was to bring "peace throtigh violence. " and mtich high explosive in the vicinity of Berlin The totirth section, when naming their gun, thought of their own state, and without a moments hesitation named the lady the "Buckeye Girl " 1 he guns carriCLl these names for the rcmaini.ler of the war. and the morning of Novemfx-r I >, F'>LS, as they left the front, bound for the long stav on the hill above Rambluzin, each one of them bore, written in chalk underneath the name, thrs legentl. "Il-ll-ll, Finis la Ckierre.' Page 192 The Red (iuidon New Year's Eve CHRISTMAS had gone and it appeared that the Bat- tery was to settle back into the humdrum routine w lien George White haijl an idea — a New ^'ear's E\e party and thereby hangs this tale. Following another busy week the last da\' found George and his co-workers well satisfied. Athletic talent had been secured as well as one or two other features to round out the program and all was in readiness for a grand New dear's party -a pait\' ne\ei- before ecjualled — in kind and spirit, il not in splendor. It was a bad night, raining as usual, yet long before nine, the time set for Walter \ aughn and .Art Possehl to do their mat work, the little theatre was comfortably filled with an eagerly expectant throng. There was the buzz of conversation and checrlul banalit\' or an occasional cry at the entrance of some late arrival and the atmos- phere was charged with the spirit of good fellowship. Smokes were plentikil and a thick, blue haze drifted lazily back and forth w ith the motion of the air Shortly before nine. Tommy Thompson took the floor and beseeching quiet, introduced the officials of the eve- ning while from all sides came the cry of "Lets go ' as some more impatient than the rest became annoyed at even this slight delay. He began, "Laches and Gentlemen we are now ready to start anel as he introduced Sergeant Don Scott as the announcer for the evening, some greete^l him with "ta-ta-ta as others cried "Look him over," "Throw him out" and other hospitable remarks, just to prove to Scotty that he was among friends. Attention is next directed to timekeeper Spade wh' C|uintette. They're headed by Corporal R. W. Scott, and John Jackson, Art Possehl, L. D. Clark and Earl Davidson make up the rest of the party. The gloom of the night is positively impenetrable, the cokl numbing and the footing up hill and down is rough, but it doesn't daunt their stout hearts. The lust of the trail is theirs. Three miles away lies a small pond; and it is their destination. Here the boars come for a drink, The\- had dope on this from the best authority . Three o'clock finds them at the pond. Scott\- assembles them for final instructions, cautions them to be absolutely quiet and e\er on the alert. Then the\' are posted, Jackson takes one end of the pond, f^ossehl the other. Clark and Davidson are on either side and Scotty places himself in reserve. They lie in wait for their prey. Orders are strict, no smoking, absolute Cjuiet and caution. Abo\e all they are not to fire at the first sight of a boar. They must wait, constrain themselves e\en though their fingers be Itching on the trigger. Wait until the boar has started to drink, wait until the boar is lapping the water — then Ah! The great moment — fill his dirty hide with lead Four o'clock comes but no boars. ( )nl\ the grit of a pioneer holds them to their task. J. M. Jackson's feet are nearl\- frozen and he must re- move his boots to ease the pain. Once he believed he saw an animal go for a drink. Possehl and Scotty are called into conference and the trio investigate, but alas, it was only a vision. Five o'clock finds their patience wavering. Consulta- tion was held and a stragetic retreat to the camp was decided upon. Possehl hekl that they had come too early. Scotty said not earlv' enotigh, that a wild boar drank arotind midnight. They returned foot-sore, weary and hungry, but a good breakfast of oatmeal, coffee and bacon put them all in better spirits. For more than a week though, they were subjected to a continuous annoyance by the rest of the Batterymen who insisted on making a noise resembling a wild boar. 1 his was onlv' one of the many boar hunts that the men of the Battery engaged in after the war in l-rance. Fred Clark, f-'red Robinson, Carl Schrank, \1. \1. Shere. J D Cochran. A. D, L-^orelen, E, S, Sanders, and Miles Rubright were some who engaged in this kingly sport, "Sleuth" Nick C^arson, got the dope from a Frenchman as to the best method of hunting boars. The iM-ench go out in parties of about twenty-five, with as manv' dogs and beat the brush. The Battery didn't have dogs but. they did go out twentv-five strong, armed with rifles, pistols and clubs. On one occasion, Ross Kalaher and Dick Favery went out, f-loss did see a wild boar, but one look was enough, Ross started back for camp double time, and the boar started in the other direction, f-'red Robinson, while on a hunt, one day, caught sight of three deers and became so excited he forgot to shoot. To "Sleuth" Carson and Lewis "bish " Moore goes the honor of being the first Batterymen to ever see a boar. To "Fish " goes the highest honor of all. He was the only man to kill one and lor one meal the flattery had fresh pork. A welcome change from beef. All hail to the mightiest hunter of them all — "I-'ish" Moore Christian "Shortv" Morgensen. "L'ncle" Joe Stone- berger and "f-'ish" started on a hunt one clav'. and for hours without success they pursued the elusive wild pig. Shortv and Joe returned to camp, but not "f'lsh." His determination as a hunter was worthy of Daniel Boone, "f-'ish" is plodding silently along, his rifle in the crook of his arm. A slight rustle in the bushes causes him to turn, and there running through the undergrowth IS his C|uarry. In less time than it takes to tell a bead is drawn and a bullet spee^is on its way and finds a lodging in the brain of the boar Moore had killed the Battery's first hoar. It weighed about two hundred and fifty pounds and it was necessary to summon help from the Battery to bring it in. Robinson. Rubright, Reynolds, Shepherd, Charley Brewer, Red Hogue and Rogers The Red Guidon Page 195 volunteered and between them they managed to drag it in. The entire Battery vieued the remains and Moore was hailed as a conquering hero. "Jolly" Hull and "Ike" Spicer skinned and dressed it. The Battery ate and relished it. and in liaston. Pa., in the home of I.. W. Moore is a pelt — a trophy attesting the prowess of Lewis. Shortly after this an order was posted, saying that the French hunting season had closed, so that boar hunting became a lost art. Information ttT TH'l . ^'oungs. w hen's pa>' day'' An\' mail today'' -n. Did I get a letter' No'— Well I don't see where my mail is; they sa\' they are writing at home ' (Goes away grumbling, thinking he is a \'ery unfortunate chap.) — next man : "How about that Liberty bond ol mine, mother says she hasn't receiveel it Net"" What' She wilP Well when. I'd like to know . I finished paying for it last month'' ^ ou lIoh t need to get pee\ ed about it. 1 was only askin' you. (In a modified tone) — I'd forgotten it takes so darned long for mail to come across." "When am I i^lue for guard' Tonight'' I was just on about seven days ago. How often is guard coming nov\'. e\ery week' Is Tom on tonight, too' That's funny, he was on with me the last time How many men are standin' guard now' Don't seem to me we should catch guard so often then, ^'es and 1 know a couple of fellows right in m\ tent that haven't stood a guard since they ha\'e been in this camp " (Walks away satisfied he has shown the clerk up) "What's the chance of get tin' a pass to town tomorrow' Why not ' The other batteries are gettin' them whenever the\' want em. That's always m\' luck, — S. O L. This is the damndest battery 1 ever saw, regular boy scout outfit. Bet il 1 could get a transfer I'd get into a regular organization. When are we goin' to move, Corp' They say we are goin to the Iront to back up our own doughboys, is that so' Do we get all new American harness and horses' Wonder when we'll turn in our French stuff' Is there a "^ " in the ne.\t town' What can you get there' Wonder if they ha\e any chocolate' What kind, U, S. or French' Don't like that French chocolate." "When will we get our furloughs' We'\e been o\er here four months now. How'll you run that anyway' L's old fellows will get them first won t we' Anyhow I didn't have one at Sheridan, you know, and some of the fellows had one at Ft. Ben and there too. Don't see how the deuce they pull it, — I ne\er could, ^'ou won't forget to ptit me at the head of the list will you' Oui, merci' " (Walks away with \isions of a trip to Paris or Ai.x les Bains within the ne.xt week.) "Well, what do you think ol the war, ^ oungs' Think the Kaiser's about done, don't you' What do you think of this peace talk, anything to it' Suppose they'll sign that armistice' ' Later — (11:15 A. M., the armistice effecti\-e from 11:00 A. M.) ".Any news as to what they are going to do with us' Suppose we'll be home by Christmas' Won't that be great' When you goin' to start to make out discharges' I'll take mine now. Wonder when Poling's goin' to call in the gas masks and tin hats, we i.lon t need the blamed things an\' more ' "U'onder what boat we'll go back on' Suppose we'll sail from Marseilles or is that just a rumor' 'I'ou say you heard lickert sa\' that he heard Captain Snow tell some of the fellov^s that Major Ka\enagh had phoned to him that we might' That sounds pretty good, guess I'll go down and spread that to the bo\s. B\ the way, there didn't a package come in for me today, did there' Wonder where that is' 1 he last time I heard from Bess she said she was going to try to send me one. Ihere goes soup call, wonder what Curry's got for mess'" Which Way B BATTERS' boys were in bo.K cars on the way from La Ha\'re. F^rance to Bordeaux. They were tired of the army ani;l war in France when the train pulled in along side a train load ol cattle cars. The cows were moaning about the army too. Martin Shcre looked out ol the siele door of the car in which he was traveling and shouted o\er to the cows. "Hello fellows, which way are you going? " Captain Kinsell /■""^APTAIN Kinsell of Battery C was in command of ^'-^ the 1st Battalion lUth regiment while 13 Battery was on the Iront abo\e N'lgneulles. Here's to Captain Kinsell. He was out there e\er>- day and he helped a whole lot in the work of the different batteries, their fire and so on. Kinsell was continually going forward to the doughboy trenches and beyond to observe fire, etc. Page I'.m The Red Guidon Furloughs BBATTER"^' was in France Just six months when the first men were given furloughs. That was at Christ- mas time while the Battery lay up in a woods south of \'er- dun waiting to go home. Sergeant Roscoe Poling, and Boh Newman, Corporals Joe Kelly and Don Northrup, jimmie Bennett. jimmieHogue. Henry Bittinger and Gust 1 rekal were the lucky birds to go on the first leaves. The names were picked out of a hat and the boys were started off one night in trucks for a se\en da\ sta\' at Aix Les Bains m the French Alps. They went to St. Mihiel in a truck and from there to the famous French l?oiling out resort by train. All but one of them went. Joe Kelly got off the train at St. Mihiel and went to Paris and 1-e Mans where the Akron Infantry companies were reported in camp. Roscoe Poling was the star of that picnic. He climbed mountains, went skiing and took baths in the same pools where ancient kings and queens had once splashed about. "1 had a bath in the same pool where Diana bathed," Roscoe told the rest of the boys alter he got back. Bob Newman, Hogue, Lk'nnett and the rest got acquainted with one of the hotel men there who had been in America for a long time in the restaurant business. 1 he boys succeedeel in interesting the ex-American in affairs at home so much they were able to eat an^l Llrink around the hotel on their faces. They left Aix Les Bains with the good will of e\ erybody around the resort anei told the ex-American they would pay him for the feeds he had pro\ided after they returned to the States. Captain Norton A CONSIDERATE old timer of the officers' row whom B Batterymen alwa\shad a warm spot for was Cap- tain Norton, adjutant of the 1st Battalion of the n4th F. A. when the war ended. Captain Norton went into the field a second lieutenant when the National Guard went to Mexico in l^lb. He stuck to the old layout through all the fat and lean days of the border. Camp Sheridan and "o\er there." The Batterymen got their first close-up impression of him at Cestas. fM-ance, when he was given charge ol Batteries A and B in that place, 'i'here was a drill program OLit there, but its application and enforcement by Captain Norton was not such as to prevent the bo\s from having a little fun and from seeing Bordeaux and other neighboring towns. The men prospered at Cestas under Captain Norton. Shortly after the armistice while the Battery was awaiting sailing orc^ers in France. Captain Norton was given charge of Battery B while the flattery Commander William Leahy attended school in another camp. Here the men got better acquainted w ith Captain Norton and when he left nearly e\ery man in the Batter\ was his personal friend Norton at least made them feel that way. A Close Cal THE old border soldiers of B liattery once the\ were sure that Ck'neral Villa was not in Northern Mexico usclI to feel safe in going over tojaurer. the famous .\ lex- ican race track town lying across the Rio Granule ri\er from El Paso. 1 exas. (~)ne Sunday shortly after [i Battery arrived in fexas. Clarence R. I"oiist and Bill Kelly went o\er to Jaure: and finding the town an easy one to get around in decided to take a few pictures. Despite a strict or^ler against the carrying of cameras into Mexico the two Battery soldiers had taken some pictures and were about to start home when two Mexican soldiers arrested them. Foust was the lawyer and Bill Kelly the business man in that situation and Ix-tween them the> argued the ".\Iex" into releasing them on payment ol a bril.^e of twenty-five cents. The incident happened a few yards from the front of the notorious Jaure: jail where at that time no foreigner i.onlinci.1 e\er came out m the same health he went in. Do you remember the first night Lieut. M\crs stood Retreat" Do you remember when Art Faulkner looked through the wrong end of the panoramic sight ■" The Red Guidon Page 191 Le Lion de Angers THE morning of February 4. found B Battery cocked and primed for the mo\e westward. They knew not where the\ were going, hut the rumor had been going round that Le Lion de Angers was to he the destination Maps were consulted to ascertain iiow near it was to the coast and it was tbund that it was a disappointingly long distance from the little town of Le l^ion to that longed- for shoreline from which they were to depart for home. At nine o clock the cokimn was under way and as they passed the band they heard "Home Sweet Home" played for the first time since lea\ ing the States The Colonel stood by to see the boys off and it was said b>' man> that he had the widest grin on his face that morning that had e\-er been seen. Eighteen long, slippery kilometers and the scattered buildings of Bannoncourt ho\ e m \ lew and upon halting packs were deposited with alacrit\ an^l the inevitable mess line was formed It was with i.lif"iiculty that "Mike" Green restrained the boys, so eager were the>' to get their mess kits underneath the sciup ladle, but exentually George Curry passed the high sign and the fun was on. No one knows who ate all the beans that day, but twent\' gallons disappeared in an incredibly short time. About two o'clock the 135th pulled out and the train for the 134th was spotted. With their customary facility, baggage and other impediments were loaded and by four o'clock all was set. straw was scattered about the car lloors and as many as could find room had settled themsehes in as comfortal.'ile positions as was possible with thirty-fi\e to lort\' in the historic "40 hommes, 8 chevaux After what seemed an interminable long time a sense of motion was telt and it became evident that at last they were moving, but there was so much backing and bucking and switching around that it was hard to tell whether the train was moving forward or backward. As darkness fell shortly afterward there was no sense of location or direction and as early in the evening as 7 30, many of the lellows had tucked their knees under their chins in an endeavor to sleep and at the same time allow room for his neighbor. It was a miserable night and was followed by three miserable days and three more uncomfortable nights, but on Saturday, I'ebruarv' 8, after a night spent on a siding in Segre. the train rolled into the little v illage of Le Lion and the tired anci dirty bunch detrained. On the platform Mr. Stinson, who many of the bovs remem- bered from Camp Sheridan, had with the aid of two young ladies set up a few cocoa boilers and as the boys piled out of the ears, they quickly spied the forming line and hastilv getting out their mess-cups took their places in the ever-lengthening line. If the ^'. M ever did any- thing for B Battery or the 1 34th, it v^as on this morning, for hungry after a fast of practically four days during which some of the boys had not tasted anything warm except coffee, the cocoa ani.1 cakes were indeed welcome. As quickly as possible the detachments were formed according to their assignments to billets and under the gLiidance of the men who had been sent ahead to assist the town major, were taken to their respective dwellings. To B Batterv' fell the Chateau du Mas of which more is said in another part ol this book. That night, although wearv' and worn from the trip, the town was full of boys who were down to test the village's \in blanc, and stroll about on tours of inspection. The streets were cleared earlv'. however, and the W. P. stationed there had little •*, trouble with loiterers after iiy nine o'clock. '"":' Now while the boys are taking adv antage o( the op- portunity to sleep in on Sun- day morning, it may be well , ,, ., to slip out and look about i: BM 3^^lL J^^^ ^^^ town. It is found to be very clean and well ordered, a con^lition apparently pe- culiar to this section of I -ranee; at least it had never been experienced in the por- .. tion that had just been left. _.__ ,. ^ The town may be said to have been bounded on one side by the railroad and the other side by the Mayenne river. The railroad was a part of the P. L. 6' M. system w hich led in one direction to Segre and to Chateau Gontier and in the other direction to the city of Angers. Radiating from the village were the roads to Chateau Gontier and to Angers. Excellent macadamired highways they were, the former absolutely straight leading into Chateau Gontier without a single turn. The other made one bend of about fifteen degrees, but was perfectly smooth and led through some very beautiful country. The river apparently was at high water, but flowed lazily along as though in C|uiet accord with the other surroundings. As has been said, the town was clean the buildings were well kept and those streets that were not paved with cobble stone were macadamized or in an improved condition. Shops lined the main thoroughfare and strangelv' enough, there were to be found in these little stores, articles at prices which had not been inllated on account of the presence of the A, E. [•. The people were iTOspitable ani.1 manv strong trienLl- ships were formed Ixtween them and the boys during their stay there. It was not uncommon for members of the Battery to go out to spend the evening with a Page 198 The Red Guidon French famih and many pleasant times ha\c been recounted by those who were fortunate enoLip;h to form these acquaintances On Sunday morninii the town's people were to be seen going to church, clad in their native costume, which to many was \ery quaint and unusual : the women wearing their small lace caps and the men clad in their Sunda\- best down to their highly polished wooden shoes About the time church ser\ ices were o\'er, small groups of men from the Battery and regiment had begun to congregate on the corners or in front of the shops and it was a motley- throng that was to be seen on the street as the church people assembled in little groups discussing perhaps the weather, or politics, or any subject under the sun. This was but a replica of the Sundays that followed except that as time went on, some of the bo>s attende^l the church and during the last days of the Batter\'s stay there, some of the boys sang in the choir With the approach of Monday drill schedules appearei.1 and hikes and clean-up campaigns were the order of the day. Following a da>' of the ordinary routine the boys would all assemble in the town at night where they would \isit the Hotel de Les \'o\- ageurs and Iced up on pomme de terre or eggs and other delicacies which they had been unable to get during the past four or ff\e months. |§^R*^ Aj " ' ^^■ On [->iday the regular market took place, which pro\ ided another interesting sight. Along a side street which proxided considerable space between the curbing and the buildings, numerous stalls were erected each week where wares of all descriptions were displayed. Shoes from the very tiniest up to the largest possible sizes, both leather and wooden; shawls, knitted goods, in fact, e\erything in the dry goods line was to be had. The people of the \ illage assembled on market day and in the place of money, the tisual medium of exchange, produce or whatever the respecti\e individual had was bartered in exchange for the wares for sale at the market On Sundays the band ga\e concerts before the Hotel de Ville whenever the weather was faxorable and they were enthusiastically received b>' the natives of the village. It may not be said how the men of the regiment felt about these concerts and it is left to the reader to consult an acquaintance who was there for information on this point. It did. howe\'er. ser\e to break the monotony and provided a method whereby to while away an otherwise unoccupied Sunday afternoon. As time went on inspections became practicalK' habittial and later decootieizing became the popular topic for conxersation. Trucks were secured from brigade and as many as possible were taken to Angers where they went through the process of being scoured while their clothing from socks to overseas cap was boiled in li\e steam. At last Major Collins was satisfied that all the li\e stock had been annihilated and area inspectors arrixe^l with the a\owed purpose of locating e\'ery lurking cootie that might ha\e escaped the \ulcanizer through which the clothing had been put. At the same time inspectors came down to assure themsehes that the boys had enough luggage and there was considerable activity in proLlucing the required amount of shirts, socks, etc., to satisfy the eagle eye of some "sha\e-tail.' Suffice it to say that they got by and the momentous day arri\'ed when the announcement was made that the Battery with the rest of the regiment was to leave for Brest. On Thursday night, March P, the boys \-isited the town to bid farewell to their numerous friends and incidentally to partake of their last portion of \in blanc and pomme de terre served by the French, At the Cafe ^le la Care, I-'itzpatrick's Jazz band held lorth and inspired l''\ liL|Uid refreshments at the expense of the proprietor at regular fifteen minute intervals, they waxed exceedingb' voluminous il not harmonious, but the curfew rings early in the army and at nine o'clock the concert was over, and those who had no place to get under cover had but to return to their bil- lets and rest up for the hike which was to take them to Chateau t^on- tier, and the train On the morning of the 7th, rev- eille was earh and breakfasts were eaten belore ^lavlight. Packs were rolled, billets were swept and carefullv' policed, and at seven o'clock the entire regiment was assembled along the road between the river and the billets in which the second battalion had been lo- cated. All packs had been loaded onto trucks and the band precei.led the regiment by truck in order to meet the boys at Chateau Cjontier and escort them in triumphal pro- cession from the edge of the village to the railway. The hike was a long one. twenty-two kilometers, bi.it without packs ani.1 with the knowledge that it was another step toward home, it was anything, but a hardship and as thev- were met on the outskirts of Contier bv' the Colonel an his host ol musicians, thev' swLing into the characteristic stride of the American soldier and reached the station, a little tired perhaps, but a happ\- bunch' This IS to Lx' no eulogy on the village of I.e Lion, but il there was any village in brance in which the Battery was billeted where things approximated what they were accustomed to at home, and which provided the atmos- sphere ol content as nearly as it was possible to be realized in France, it was the little village of Le I. ion de Angers, Maine et Loire. The Red Guidon Page 199 The Army of Occupation IT may ha\e been just a coincidence, but it is worthy ol note that three of the four former B Batterymen who were known to ha\e i^een left in f' ranee on i.lut\ when the regiment left for America, wei'e married men. In justice to the disappointed wi\cs it might be said that it is not known that they all elected to stay away a little longer, but-- well, there were single men who but that s getting away from the subiect. In one case, that of Lieutenant Lee Moore, the trip to German\' and the subsequent sojourn in that country was made at his own request. Oh' no, he i.lidn t specil\' m his application for a commission in the regular army, that he wished to go to Germany. The lieutenant was probably thinking of a place in the Army of (Vcupation that occupied C'amp Taylor or some other camp near Cincinnati, (.^hio. The application was approved and the applicant assigned to the .Army of Occupation before he realized that he ha^l been grossly misunLlerstood. When Jack Hiemel was told that the homecijming of his regiment would in no way affect his continuing to serve his countr\', it could hardly be said that he was greatly enthused. ;\n order retaining all veterinarians for dut\- with the .Army of Occupation came too late to allow jack to send his regrets and claim exemption. Harr\- Williams, who left B Batters' at Camp Sheridan to go overseas with a detachment of mechanics, was still boring cylinders and cutting shafts in some shop near Is.soudun. I-'rancc. when his former "playmates" came home. Down in Barbcrton. Ohio. Harry Jr. was an.xiously awaiting the arrival of the Papa that he had never seen. Of course the single men might possibly be excused if they had easy jobs and elected to stay "over there" a little longer, for it must be admitted that if one had the time there were plenty of amusements to be enjoyed in some cities the "mai-lamoisclles" were not at all hard to look at. Whistling Jake ALTHOUGH B Battery had its share of singers, the musical talent of the outfit was not entirely conffned to singing. There were the famous ukelele plavers, Holton Ford and L'reddie Lxner who could be heard quite olten strumming some Hawaiian tune I hen the piano players too, furnished music whenever a piano could be found to play upon. In this line Percy Harris. "Tub" Lamiell and "Bunker-Bean" Tor^l furnished most of the amusement The most unique entertainment though, was furnished by the famous whistler. L^lwar^l Jacobs. For silver- throated, triple-tongucLl whistling Jake ha^l the \ aLitle- V illian Kellog souneling like a one-lungcel recruit \\ hist- ling was Jakes one hobby; a sort of an accomplishment with him Although he no doubt enjtfyeLl the singing of the other boys, he never broke into song himsell. Jake couki be heard whistling as he got out ol his bunk in the morning, on his wa\ to mess and on some occasions even while he was eating. In lact it was seldom that one saw Lddic when he wasn't whistling. His extensive repertoire included such masterpieces as: "I he Rosary." "Poet and Peasant." and selections from such operas as "II Trovatorc" and "fiigoletto." These latter selections were among his favorites, but Jake was able to whistle the latest popular just as well as some ol the okl lavorites. Since he would whistle under any and all circumstances he often heard sarcastic remarks regarding his efforts but undatinted. Jake whistled on. only changing his tune m tin effort to soothe the dissatisfied ones. The jotirnev' home was a heart-breaker lor Jacobs, (".oming. as he did, on a battle-ship, he was forbiLlden, by a stan>.ling or^ler in the nav y. from w histling. I hat was one orcler that Jake said was a elisgrace to the service. .After arriving m the L'. S. A. though. Jake gav e vent to his pent-up feelings an^l such whistling as was hear^l in B Battery at Camp Stuart is seldom heard anywhere. Curry's Way ONE of the Ohio papers earned a story one time about Ralph Cxirry and his B Battery kitchen. The story quoted Curry as saying his cooks could make six-hundred doughnuts from a bucketful of sweet dough. Some yap from a I'oletlo hotel read the storv' anel w rote to ask Curry how it could be done. Ralph answered the Toledo cook an^l told him he could do it by getting a big enough bucket of dough and by making the doughnuts smaller. Page 200 The Red (iiiidon Delousing "\ yiUCH was printed in the newspapers during the war ^^ i- and the subsequent denidl^ilization. of the famous and erstwhile troublesome Coolie — his haunts and habits, but. of the processes of elimination too little has been brought to the public attention. There were men in "B ' Battery who were ready to sv\ear that the eradica- tion was much worse than the occupation. B Battery's first experience with one of these ■'infernal machines" came while the fellows were enjoyin.g the hospitality of Baron Chalet at Chateau du Mas, (")rders came from General Headquarters that e\ery man before loading on a ship had to undergo the "delousing' process. The nearest delousing outfit being on the outskirts of Angers, arrangements were made to haul the men to that place to undergo the ordeal. Everything in a man's possession, with the exception of leather and metal, was supposed to enter the steam chamber while the man himself took a hot hath using kerosene soap. Section b>- section the hatter\ journeyed to Angers and returned looking like Rip \an Winkle after his mem- orable sojourn into the Cats- kills. Truly the old ex- press i o n. "Somet hing that the cat dragged in" c o u 1 l1 w e 1 1 h a \ e b e e n applied to B Battery when all were through. Blouses w ere shrunken out of all pro- portion; breeches and caps were wrinkled and discolored beyond recognition while o\ercoats were impossible. The only things that e\er came through the operation w ith any semblance of their former condition were the blank- ets and packs. Had the friends and relatives of Steve Marvin. Percy Harris, Oda Reynolds, Frank (Skeets) Werner and Bill Murphy seen them after their return from Angers that day. it is doubtful if the\' would ha\e recognized them. Of course, these were only a few of the worst but the entire battery bore the semblance of a saK'age dump on the front. Personal prKJe and a few orders soon brightened up the uniforms again. Roscoe. the able (,). M. Sergeant, soon had a few new outfits which he issued out with his Lisual reser\e, A pressing establishment was installed in the basement of the chateau and the wrinkled uni- forms were soon pressed into shape again. Again at Brest a few were subjected, quite \oluntarily. to the decootieizing process, for while it was not made compulsory, some felt the need of an elimination of the obnoxious "tickling " sensation on their anatomy. Lea\'ing the ship at Newport News no one thought of cooties. In fact, had e\ery man been co\ered w ith them he wouIlI ha\e forgotten them in th.- joy of being Home. About the third day in Camp Stuart though, the battery again recei\'ed orders to ha\e their belongings "par boiled." V)\ this time most of the fellows had learned ways of e\ading the worst of the consequences of the trip to the steam chamber. By carefully folding the clothing before placing it on the hangers much of the w rinkling could be avoided. The second compulsory ex- cursion through the "clothes butchery" left the battery m a little better shape than the prc\ious trip. Fred Robinson. Fred Cunningham and Carl Schrank may take exceptions to the foregoing statement but the battery as a whole made a more presentable appearance. The huge laundry and pressing establishment of the camp was at the battery's disposal for the reju\enation of the uniforms and so with the aid of a few articles issued b\' the genial Quartermaster Sergeant the battery assumed a fair appearance for the trip and subsequent parades in Cle\eland. Akron and Columbus. Cooties sureK' must be classed as one of the greatest expenses of the war, for the eradication of them cost the government countless thousands ol dollars for new uniforms, to say nothing of the gasoline used to operate the delouser and the kerosene used for bathing. English and French A GREAT many times in I Vance when a B Bat- ■^»- tery soldier met a French soldier and opened a conversation in A. E. V. French, the brenchman would answer him back in good English, This always embar- rassed the boys. One day Howard Miller saw a Frenchman with a sou\enir he wanted and proceeded to inc|Uire about it. Howari.1 employeel a mixture ol hatl Ir.nghsh antl worse I'rench m his conversation while the f'renchman stood listening, stupid looking. /M'ter Miller finished, the b'renchman said. "Sure son. you can have it. \\ hat the hell do you want it for^" The Red (iiiidon Page 201 "Louise' Camp Pontenazen TME Battery may forget Lion cle An- f;crs, but w ho cannot picture on the instant the charming little ri{i,Liie and saucy eyes of "petite madamoi- selle Louise" of the "Hotel de la Gare " [3o \()U fail to recall tile little pLihlic room with tile lon.Lj table down the center anel the row of small lables on one side broken to allow space lor the t inkl inji, a ti torn at ic piano. Anel Lotiise! f^id wc not lall in love with her at Inst sight. Louise' She had smiles for all, an^l kisses for a fa\orei-l few. 'twas a good thing she was not a grown-tip young la^ly. How- many broken heads and black eyes might haw resulted from our rivalry. As it was, we went to an\' lengths to w in her atlection. We stood for hours in the ^'. M. C. A. canteen-Hne to bu\' a cake of chocolate or a box of cakes, and straight-way marched up to the cafe and presented them to Louise, with our most courtK manners. Our Irench was A. E. L.. but we all learned to say "L-ouise. tres joli: je \ous aime; je \ous aLlore," AITER all that had been published in the newspapers ab.out the unsanitar\ con^litions at Brest, B Battery- men were somewhat stirprise^l to find things as good as they were there, f'or months the newspapers had been printing stories about the mud and filth abounding in the embarkation camps there When, after the long wear\ hike, the Battery finalh' landed at the Pontenazen (lamp. the\ found the streets all boarded with "duck" walks and the mess-halls all coxered. True, it was all new lumber that appeared in these two utilities, thus giving e\ Klence that thc>' were recent improvements, but. as far as B Battery was concerned, f-^rest was an agreeable surprise No doubt lile in that camp lor anv' length of time would have become very monotonous. The tents that the Battcrv lived in were not of the best quality and in several sections it was necessarv for the fellows to sleep under their cots to avoid the incessant rain, but ha^l they remained for any lengtfi of time in the camp, that couLl have easily been adjusted, .Although the stav' in Gamp Pontenazen was not a lengthv' one, it was long enough to allow most of the Batterymen the privilege G) of serving on one of the famous Brest details. Iliese details worked day and night in keeping the camp in condition and those who escaped one of them were lucky indeed. During B Battery s four-Llav' sojourn there, it was very few who escaped a detail ol some kind. The iourney from Camp Pontenaren to the docks — although m realty somewhat longer — seemed much shorter, than the hike from the train to the camp, to the homeward bound B Batterymen. Brest AFTER the last short ride on F-rench railroads that landed B Batterv in Forest and after that memorable first meal in that citv' the men were ready to drop into the billets located nearby close both to the railroad and the docks, but such was not for them. .About noon the packs were again siting an^l a hike started that might have been pleasing to a Cook tourist wIto had all the time he wanted, but to the Batterymen v^ho were supposed to keep going in absolute ignorance of the quaint surroundings, it was an awful strain. Through the narrow streets of Brest where the continuous rain kept a steady stream of water (lowing over the cobble- stone paving ani.1 where the children with their funnv wooden shoes rattled over the rough side walks. In and out around the high, narrow buildings the column went always upward. In some cases the streets were at an .ingle of as much as fjfty degrees. Past Camp l^incoln they kept on their wav', now on board-walk, now in mud, but alwavs upward until at last after a five mile hike with lew rests the top was reached and by ^.lescending a slope mtich more gradual that the one just ascended the embarkation camp was reached. Past hundreds of billets the Battery kept going expecting at each turn to be assigned to one of them, but not until all the wooden barracks were passed did the commani.! "Halt" come in iront of several sciuare miles of tents. Page 202 The Red Guidon U. S. S. New Hampshire A r-TER the impressions of ocean ti"a\'el formed by the ■^^- B [iatterymcn on the trip to France on board the cat- tle ship "Nestor," it was not with the fondest anticipation that they awaited the announcement of the name of the ship which was to bring them home. All felt confident that it could not be the same ship, the "Nestor," that would be the carrier on this journey, for it was estimated that in the nine months that had elapsed since the tiip from the U. S. A., surely the old tub had fallen apart. On the morning of March 1 2th. then, when the Battei\ finally left Brest on board the little lighter, boLind for the majestic looking fieet of American battleships about a mile out in the harbor it was in a \ery happy mood. And why not ^ Were they not homewaid bounci and destined to make the trip on one of those graceful looking \essels just ahead, rather than one of the clumsy looking freighters anchored back in the harbor^ It was not definitely known which ol the huge iron "sea wagons" was to be honored l->y B Battery's company to America, and for that matter it was of little importance. But when the lighter pulled up alongside the V. S. S. New Hampshire, it was seen at once that a different journey was in store. I he lighter had no sooner thrown out its "small line." than shouts of "Howdy" and welcoming jibes from the neatly clad "Cjobs" assured the Batterymen that they were to meet a genial crew. Some difficulty in making the lighter last caused a delay of about a half hour in unloading during which time the Batterymen amused themselves and the sailors by throwing their Red Cross sox. containing jam and tobacco, on deck, trying to ring a "gobbles" neck with them. I he men were friends before they ever stepped on the plank of the New Hampshire. In fact some were e\en calling each other by their first names before the gang-plank was fi.xcd and Boatswain loley yelled "Come on." After coming on board and storing their packs in what seemed to them the bottom of the ocean, the homewaivl bouni.1 soldiers were gi\en hammocks and ^ !' ^|il|i'^' ! i\ assigned hooks on which to hang them. By this time the anchor was up an^l the ship under way. It was about three P. M. ani.1 the receding shores of France presented a beautiful aspect in the golden rays of the afternoon sun. Of course the first da\' found some of the liatterymen, victims of the dreaded "mal de mer," but it was a small "some," and with a \ery few exceptions all were up and going on the second day out. On the thir^l da\' the "Range binder," of which more anon, announced an entertainment for the soldiers and crew aboard, thus, further proving the spirit ol "cama- radiere" existing between the soldiers and "Gobbles." Some of the Batterymen took part in this entertain- ment which consisted of boxing, singing and speaking and a \ery appreciati\e audience pronounced it a great success. Ihe "Range binLler." the little paper which announced the smoker, as the entertainment was called, made its first appearance the second day out. It was a little two- page paper about six inches scjuare printed on the ship's press. For six da>s it published the. "up to the minute" news- taken from the w ireless, and therealter, kept the men interested w.'ith its yarns of the sea and gi\'ing the ship's position in the Atlantic, e\ery day. To the B Batterymen and other soldiers on the ship to whom the opportunity of "touring " (used acKisedly) the ship was presented the New Hampshire was one of the wonders of the age. None of the men e\cr thought there w as so much machinery on a ship. I he entire bottom of the crLiiser was full of motors, dynamos and machinery. Ihe huge guns, which almost everyone inspected were also a cause for wonderment. The artillerymen so used to their 75's guns cotikl hardly fathom these huge twehe inch rifles. The Red Guidon Page 203 The meals were beyond reproaeh an^l the sleeping quarters, although somewhat erowxlei.!, weie mueh hettei' than those iised in the trip to lianee. :::p^ %^r^'^ r^ I he mo\ ing pietures e\ery afternoon and evening were a treat to the fellows and the canteen which sold the most appetizing apples and candy was much patron- ized. 1 he second hriday out, and another, a farewell Smoker was announced, but inclement weather caused its postponement until Saturday afternoon. It, also, was a grani.1 success and w as \ery heartily rccei\ ed by the enthusiastic audience ot soldiers and sailors. Another affair was given by the Chief Petty Officers for the Sergeants on board that same night and those attending pronounceel it, as everything else on the New Hampshire. Lin beau icleal. When the "Range binLlcr announced on the eleventh dav that It was only about two huntlixd anel filtv miles to "Gods Count i\',' cver\' soldier on boar^l would have been glad to reassure Captain Mcl.ean, the genial skipper, upon his hope, vouchsaletl m the first issue of the "Range Finder." Surely their homecoming dated from the time they arrived on board the New Hampshire. A crew of gentlemen on a good old ship — we salute them always. America UF-'ON landing at the pier in Newport News the feeling of being absolutely at home had not vet struck the re- turning B Battervmen, but by the time thc\- ha^l walked through the "Welcome" arch and out on the streets of the citv', the inhabitants had reassurcLl them. It was hartllv' to be expectCLl that the people ol that city would go to any trouble to w elcome anyone so common as the homecoming ^'anks must have been to them. Ships arriv ing every ^lav' brought in another detachment of the A. 11. F. and one would think that they would have become ver\- tired of cheering a bunch of strange boys every clay, but such was not the case by any means. The people of Newport News, the first Americans to see the returning B Batterymen, tenelercel them a very hearty welcome an^l helpeel wonderfully to shorten the long hike to Camp Stuart, about four miles away The delegation of Ohio folks who were in tlie East to welcome the homecoming 37th Division were the aiiLlicncc for a review of the h2nd Brigade on the third day at the camp. Lieutenant Cjovernor [irown who was the chair- man of the delegation spoke on behalf of the C3hio people, welcoming the men back to their lormcr homes. Newport News was favorci,! by visits from a great manv of the Batterymen who almost exhausted the supplv of ice cream and other tlelicacies not louni.1 in Irance. The theatres too, olTcreel a means ol amusement that had been elenied them lor a long time and every night would find some of the fellows in the ticket line of some theatre. Ihc most noteworthy thing of the entire stay at Camp Stuart was the mess It was the most luxurious and extravagant that it hael ever been B Battery's privilege to partake of, anv where. In a vain effort to spend the mess-fund that had aeeumulatCLl in brance. Mess Sergeant Outlani.1 served ice cream several times an'.l no meal was prcpareel without some sort of Iruit lor clcsert Camp Stuart was pronounccLl by li Battery as one of the best thev' hael ever been privileged to v isit. ''A Cross de Sea' THE Cthio artillery batteries backed up a ^livision of .American negroes during the first davs on the line. I he colored boys were good fighters hut thev' were liet- ter at plav' and the batterymen heartl more funnv' com- ments on the war and the soldiers than the\- had heard any place before. A big Tennessee negro was telling Don Scott and 1 arry I-'etch one day about the cross of war an^l the rest of the hero medals "Brother," he said, "you can keep \o' Cross o' War and yo' \'ictor' Cross; what ah wants is across the sea." We're bdck t^rom France W[:'RE home. Our O.D's are laid aside and for- ,Li.otten. The old gas mask that used to drag at our necks and the tin elerby that hael so many uses — where are they'' A mess kit is nothing now hut a mem- ory, and a pair of hob nails aie worthy of a place in the Smithsonian Institute. We think of fort Ben, hut mostly of Indianapolis. 1 houghts ol Camp Sheridan are lost in thoughts of friends made in Montgomery. Mem- ories of the good ship "Nestor" are sweetene^l b\' me- mories of the rettirn trip on the L'. S. S. "New Hamp- shire." At times when we meet some of the "okl sweats" we think ol those times we worked together and played together during the months in training but more often our "Do you rcmember's" take us across the Atlantic to 1 "ranee. It isn't the hardships we think of now. One forgets the pett\' things that used to bother us ani:l we remember only the places and incidents that we choose to remember. Do you remember the trip through England, with its beautiful hedged fields and the lazy ri\ers^ Can you forget the first experiences with "40 Hommes — 8 Chev- aux"" ' W ho IS there that would forget Cestas — the won- ^lerful weather and the prnileges we enjoycLl there — the first \in blanc an^l the struggle with the new language'' W hen NOLI think ol Camp lIc Souge \ou almost forgot the sand and the grim\- dust ani.1 the long days of drill. Martignas, the little \ illage below the balloon school holcis memories for some of us that we would not want to forget. Remember the walk into St. McLlari.! through the hamlets with their pink and laxencler and blue stucco houses: fancy, musical comecK' houses that would look out of place o\er here'' Back there in la belle France they are in their proper setting amid acres of vineyards in the \alleys between the hills of France. ^ oil ha\en't forgotten your first impressions of war scarred France'' Rexigny, and the cellars in ruined l^aimont where we lay in reserve before going to the front'' And oh. the number of just such villages we saw afterward^ Do you still remember the camp beyond Pompey in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, where we slept a couple nights on shehcs cut into the hillsK.les'' Do you remember our first position on the Marbache sector near St. Gene\ lexe'' At our feet spread one of the characteristic panoramas of France. The tile roofs of Ville-a-Val showing rose colored in the sunlight and the stone of the church spire rising out of the autumn trees'' Off to our right the poplar lined Moselle unwotind itself like a siher thread. I^arther to our right lay Mont St. Jeanne, with Pont a Mousson at the foot, and on the crest the monument to Jeanne d.Aic. Millery. our first echelon, brings back to mind the beautiful refugee from \lelr. Surely there is nothing one wouki rather think of m connection with Millery than the bloni-l beaut \ who was held a prisoner m Metz for six months. C^amp Quest, where we rested after leaving the Mar- bache sector — beautiful with its red and yellow autumn woods — brings back the memory of the night ride to .Apremont ani.1 its rums ani.1 the okl German dugouts on the hill. The Red Guidon Page 205 La Ferme St. Louis in the Pannes sector above Vig- neuUes holds the best memories of the war for those who were there. The long uncertain iiours and the hard work; the mud and the inconxeniences were all tempered by the excitement and the feeling of satisfaction that goes with a job well done. But always yoLi will think of the eleventh day of November, when the armistice was signed, when you think of our positions in the woods of the St. Louis Farm. Possibly our time spent on the front was neither as long nor as spectacular as some other outfits, but our work was efficiently done an^l our most sincere com- mendations came neither from Division nor Corps Com- manders, but were gi\en freely and verbally by the doughboys as they returned back from the lines after we had fired a barrage. And they hollered in to us where we were cleaning our guns, "^'ou placed em right where we wanted em, Buddy. Good work'" L^idn't it always make you a little more than proud of your outfit, your officers and yourself, that you could "place 'em right where they wanted 'em^" Crowning a period of work and excitement came the order one midnight to mo\e. Do you remember^ We were going to parade in Washington on Christmas Day then, and we all felt in mighty good spirits that night as wc followed our guns hack o\er the road to Vignculles, where our echelon was. When the men m echelon were not busy hauling ammunition up to the positions or doing other work which was necessary behind the line, there were always interesting things to see and interesting places to go — Hattonchattcl and the German camp near Heudicourt "Wilhelmstrausse." Next came the time of waiting. First Camp \ lanaux, and then Camp du (lianois, on the opposite hill. Days, weeks, nearly three months passed. Three months of riunors. Three months of monoton\-. broken onl\- now and then by such things as Judge Chaptnan's Court or the Buck Pri\ates Association and the Christmas Show. Not so bad, were they!' Those days back on the hill that God forgot. If we had not been anxious to mo\c, we would have enjoyed our time spent on the hill al?ove Rambluzin. It was a beautiful time of the year when we got there. I he trees across the \alley were all manner of purples — red purple and a beautiful rich purple with a blue cast lor the shadows. Ihc occasional splotches of Van Dyke brown were lined decoratixely by the forms of the trunks of the trees. At our feet Rambluzin look- ing e\er so picturesque against the backgroLintl ol the hills and the woods. Rumors finally began to materialize. Our horses were turned in and our materiel lollowcel. We were turned o\er to the SOS and finally back to our own division. I hat really was one of our proudest moments. Denied the chance to fight behinel our own infantry time after time, we were at last privileged to join our division to go home and every man was proud to see the Divisional Insignia on his left slecxe abo\c his serxice stripe. At last came mo\ing orders anel another riele a la "40 Hommes — 8 Che\aux." Who will forget that ride and the "Battle of Bourges^" The end of our journey lound us at Le Lion de Angers — near Angers in the Le Mans district. The time spent at the Chateau elu Mas with inspec- tions of all sorts and nightly excursions into Le Lion de Angers when we dined on pomme ele terre and vin blanc. and where some of us made \ lolent lo\e to petite Louise at the Hotel de la Gare — good times those, which came to an end b\ our short sta\- at Forest, where we were inspected again and again. k^inally came that da\- of i.lays. when on the twelfth of March we loaded onto the L'. S. S. "New Hampshire" from the lighter; then followed twehe wonderful days and twelve crowded nights, when we slept in three tiers of packed humanity only to be awakened by the mentors morning song — "Rise and shine, soldier. Up all ham- mocks." True, it was with fine feeling we boarded the boat on the twelfth of March, but it was finer — a much finer one, when we elisembarked shorth' after mess on the twenty- fourth of .March. Remember those paraeles through Cleveland, .Akron and Columbus, after our short stay at Camp Stuart^ Remember them!' Those last long miles — helmets, gas masks and packs ^ Don't you wish you could forget them^ Alter satisfying the \anity of "the powers that be" came Camp Sherman. The last fi\e days. finall\- the last Llay, the last sleep on an arm\- cot, the last meal, the last formation, the wonderful leel of the paper our discharges were written on, and then — free men! civilians' We belongei.1 to oursehes once more. L^o you still remember how your trousers flapped around your ankles those first few days, and how funny it seemed to be m "ci\ ies ' once more^ And now we're a long time out. ^'ou'll admit that was a wonderful bunch to soldier with — a fine loyal set ol men. knendships made as those were made — under conditions that bring out the worst as well as the best in a man — are frienelships never to be forgotten. We belong to a fraternitv with no secret codes or signs, but always on the honor of a gentleman and it will do well to remember that we are still members of "B" Battery. Fish Clilf Schnake trying to make a watch crystal out of a beer bottle on the first front. * * * * Fish Geo. Fox when he got measured for a saeldle at Souge. + * * * Do you remember Kavenagh's birthday party? Page 'JlXi The Red (liiidon Camp Sherman CAMP Sherman at last, and a tired and worn crowd it was that piled so eagerly off the tourist sleepers at five A. M. that morning, v\elcoming a promise ol rest after the series of parades that had just been completed. Packs were made and soon the boys were on their \\a\ , whither no one knew, but each hael \ isions ol a good breaklast at the end of the last lull pack hike And then the barracks, tine familiar, long, t\\()-stor\, wooden buildings with room for o\ er a hundrei.1 men each. The barracks were quickly assignei.1 and withm were iron cots with well filled ticks atop of them, an in\iting sight to be SLire, Packs, belts and oxcrcoats were quickb- disposed of and mess-kits began to rattle as the cr\- ol ■'When do we eaf" passed from mouth to mouth. L^reakfast, in regular style, was soon dispatchc^l anLl long before noon the Battery clerks were becoming acquaintecl with the task of demobilization which con- frontCLl them 1 lere was the beginning ol the ciilI, What a mess of papers there was; physical examination slips, transportation slips, insurance slips, certificates ol discharges — ani.1 the discharges themseKes, each rc^|uiring the signature of the man lor whom it was made; while there were other records to be filled out besides, in orelei that the usual amount of red tape might be use^l, loo, there were the pa>roll5, buit these were haiiLllcd by Regimental 1 le.i^L|i.iarteis, an^l the Batlerymen had but to sign 'l Oungs impresseel man\ into ser\ ice an^l as a result Monday night a lull twehe hours ahead of the time limit, the papers ol the Balter\ were ready lor the final inspection, ("In Monday came the physical examination antl that e\'cning nothing remaine^l to be done but to await the time when the worci should be given to fall in, in payroll forma- tion, for the last time. There ensueel a seemingK interminable period of waiting, but Wednesday brought definite ad\ ice that on the morrow, was the reckoning and along with it came the worel to turn in ticks and blankets, leaving only the mess-kits an^l personal prr)perty ol the men, as all other equipment haLl been lurnei.1 in to Poling two days prior to this time. Wednesday night was spent "lull-pack ' with only cnercoats lor covering, but no one seemed to mind — for It was the last night in the army. 1 hurselay morning gave promise ol rain, which was fulfilled later but it woukl have taken something more than rain to dampen the spirits of the boys that morning. Breakfast was C|uicklv finished, mess-kits were given up and the fellows fell to, to police u.p the barracks. Floors were swept, stoves were cleaneel out anel everything left spick and span, as things always were when the Battery left them. .'\t eight-thirtv the Batterv' fell in pavroll formation, and shoitiv' thereafter thev' "squads righted ' and were off, Arriv ed abotit nine o'clock at the indicated building, there occLirred a wait and during this time advantage was taken of the army's last hand-out Sandwiches and coffee were being served nearby and a line soon formed as the bovs learned of the "free eats " It was not long, however, in actual time at least--although to most of them It seemei.1 an age — before the Battery's turn came, and filing into the building each man receiv ed his final pay, plus sixtv dollars bonus an^l travel pav to place of en- listment, and his discharge, and then into the open air — free men again. Civilians! Harry the Joker LIBL'TENANT Harry Hosback and another officer watched an air battle in b ranee one day. They saw the German plane finally beaten and watched it as it rolled over and started downward. Something fell out of the machine as it turned over and the other officer re- marked that the I'ord engine was falling out of the plane. "Nope, " said Hosback, "if it was a Ford you could hear it rattle," The Red Guidon Page 207 The Last Day WHEN the order came to B Battery to separate the organization into units w hich were to he discharged at ditferent camps in America there was a busy da\- ahead for the men in charge of the paper work of the Battery. This order came at Le Lion cle Angers and for two nights and two days Earl Votings, Bill Summers and any one else that could he impressed into ser\ ice worked diligently in getting the different sailing lists and pa\rolls made up. There were fi\e of each of these so there was little rest for the boys on the job from the time they started until two days before the Batterv left for Brest when the lists were completed and taken to regimental headquarters about three o'clock in the morning. Upon arri\'ing at Brest the detachments were sej^arated and each one was handled as a unit. It was the intention to ha\e every man discharged as near to his hom.e as possible. Hence, the men li\ing in the eastern part of the states were assigned to an eastern camp. Camp Upton or Camp Dix; the men from the south to Camp Green, S. C. while the western men were to go to Camp Taylor to spend their last days in the army. These four detach- ments took only about thirty percent of the Batterymen which left about one-hundred tw.enty-fhe men to be discharged in the Ohio Camp — Camp Sherman. The history of the Battery from Brest until they reached ci\ilian life concerns only this Ohio detachment. When the Camp Sherman detachment was called out, on the morning of March 12th to embark for America, there were about se\enty-fi\e B Batterymen who would have been willing to claim Ohio as their home, whereas they Ii\ed either in the east, south, or west, and were bound for the demobilization camp nearest their homes, Ihe thought of B Battery being split up before leaving 1- ranee did not appeal to them for these unlucky fellows were doomed to wait for another ship to carry them back to God's country, and the date of its lea\ing was quite un- known to them. For seven more days of rain, mud and details the re- maining detachments navigated around the Brest camp, every morning expecting to recei\e worcl to embark for home. After weathering all the "flu" epidemics and infantile paralysis scares it remained for this camp to boost the hospital list for B Liattery. Before the C,amp Green and Camp la\lor detachments were started on their way, Da\-e Smith, J. N. Shere, Sam Bowman and about four others were sent to the "base" for treatment. The dampness pro\ed too much for them anel grip germs found a home. The President Grant cleared Brest on the afternoon ol the l^^th ol March carrxing about fort\-eight hun^lred soldiers, homeward bound and among these were B Battery's Camp Green and Camp Taylor detachments. After fourteen da\s of ocean tra\el. two of which were days of storms and squalls, the transport landed at Newport News. The journey across had been an enjoy- able one on a comfortable ship and everyone greeted the faithful Newport News welcomers with smiles. 1- rom April 2nd to 1 1 th these men enjo\ed and endured the same privileges and routine as the Camp Sherman detachment that had but recently left Camp Stuart. It was discovered, as soon as they arrived in the Newport News Camp, that it was impossible to carry out the original plan and be discharged near their home, so the Batterymen were quite disgusted for on the 11th they climbed on a train bound for Camp Sherman. A detachment was formed of all men living in Illinois but B Battery's contingency could hardly be classed as a ^letachment for it onlv' contained one man — M. M. Shere He left Camp Stuart at the same time as the other Camp I aylor and Green detachments and was discharged from the service on the same da\ . Alter the usual "red tape " and paper work these detachments were all sent happily on their way as civilians .April 17th, just seven davs alter the Camp Sherman detachment. Ihe fortv odd men in the Camp lavlor detachment were the only ones to eventually arrive at and be eiis- charged from the camp to which they had been assigned, The\- arrived in Camp Taylor on the same day as the Camp Green boys did in Camp Sherman anLl were dis- charged on the same day but nearer home. I hree days after the Camp Taylor and Camp Green detachments left Brest, orders were received for the remaining detachments of B Battery to embark, so, more than three weeks after the first Battervmen had Page WH The Red Guidon lelt France the last detachment sailed. This last con- tingency contained the men hound lor Camps Dix and L'pton. iliese men had the honor ol returning on one of the largest transports afloat, the Ac|uatania. Ihese detachments too, had a very enjoyable trip across the .'\tlantic. The big ship carried o\er fixe thou- sand soldiers and fne hundred civilians on this trip and among the civilians were many notables including Sir Thomas Lipton and Mrs. E. H. Southern (Julia Marlow). During the journey two smokers were held on board for the men, and. as they say in the Owen County Mullen Leaf — Mike Green's favorite paper — "a good time was had by all. " just seven days after leaving France these men were in Camp Mills awaiting orders to go to their separate camps for demohiliration. Orders to that effect never came however, and so, after sixteen davs of anxietv spent in the New jersey camp, these detachments were also sent to Camp Sherman to be mustered out. It will alwavs be a regret to the men of B Battery that they could not have been together during the last days of its career, inasmuch as they were all eventually sent to the same camp for demobilisation. It is only another story of a break in the rei.1 tape that marked evcrv' movement of the liatterv', April 24th saw the last physically fit B Batterymen dischargee! from the service, and with the exception of about ten men, the old organization was again in civilian clothes. The unlucky boys, who had contracted slight cases of pneumonia or bronchitis were held in f'rance, and returned one by one until the middle of June when the return of ,\liles Rubright marked the last uniformed B Battervman's entrance to Akron. B Battery's Citations A Ll HOUGH they were included in the citations given to the regiment as a whole, it is none of these that will be the most cherished by the Battervmen in their memories of the activities in France. Llneier this same cover there is a citation that all in the entire regiment should be proud of. It is an official looking affair and can be kept for reference, in the years to come, but to some of the Batterymen such a document is entirely unnecessary. lo the men on the gun-crews at the last front in b ranee, memory will serve to recall B Battery's citation. It was from the doughboys of the 3 3rd and the 28th Divisions that this citation came. It wasn't a lengthy treatise on the merits of the organization, but it meant more to the men at the gtms than a dozen official papers from some general. It was a sincere and earnest state- ment of their opinion of the work of B Battery and who is in a better position to deal out citations to a Battery of light artillery th^in the men who go over the top under their ftre^ In the early morning, after a barrage had been thrown over, sometimes for two or three hours or more, the fellows would see a column of men coming down the road past the gun positions. This was always a signal to cease work on cleaning the gun and assemble on the edge ol the road. As the marching column came nearer the Batterymen could see just what the morning's catch had been — in Huns. In passing the Battery position, the infantrvmen in charge of the prisoners would invariably shout some such thing as: "Nice work, fellows " "Good barrage." "Best we ever went over under." "We can count on you." or some such highlv complimentary expression. Those doughboys didn t know how much those good- natured remarks meant to the fellows working on the guns. To them, whose slightest mistake might mean the lives of a dozen men in the trenches this was indeed a citation and it ofttimes lifted a weight from the minds of the artillerymen. The Red Guidon Page 209 Contentment AN'"^' one familiar with the arm\ will naturall\' scoff at the idea of the existence of such a thing as a con- tented military organization unless they were with B Battery on the front It was an exception to be sure, for as a rule B Battery was never content with anything. In the face of momen- tary danger it may seem rather strange that the fellows were so well satisfied, but therein lies a tale and not a "detail" either. With so many things around that they could ha\'e easily complained ol, they seemed to forget them in the contentment o\er what wasn't there. There were no buglers so therefore no calls. There were no formations to stand and there was no Colonel to issue orders. What more couki the hoys ha\e asked'' What more could ha\e added to the absolute contentment •of the Batterymen'' Back at the echelon there were a few calls, but after the first day the formations were dispensed with. If there were any complaints thought of, they were forgotten in the excitement of dodging "whizz-bangs" and watching for enemy aircraft. There was surely plent\' of excitement for all in those days, from the Battery commander to the man who dro\e the ration cart there were thrillers enough to satisfy the most enthusiastic "dare-de\ir' mo\ ie fan. The charm of battle carried the boys from the old formal army life to a regular carni\al oi thrills. At the gun positions the gun-crews would get up at all hours to fire a barrage while the fellows from the echelon carried the ammunition o\er the shell-torn roads to the dumps lor the cannoneers to take to their respec- ti\e guns. E\'ery man would ha\c balked and squawked at any other time in their career, but at the front amul all the excitement of the battle. Most of the Batterymen can and will look back to the days on the late western front as their best in the army. Those days were not numerous enough. Thanks to Cooks Sedberry, Capron and Mason and to Mess Sergeant Curr\-. the eats were all that could be expected under the conditions. On several occasions they brought hot coffee and bacon sandw iches to the men. who were doggedly serving their guns for a long period of time. When a barrage was being thrown over in the early morning and the order "Cease firing" seemed a long way oft, the old kitchen crew certainly made themselves solid with the boys by the serving of the two above- named army delicacies. I he quarters, too, were as good as the fellows had expected to find after the stories they had heard of the living conditions at the front. Of course at the gun positions there was a certain amount of water and rats to contend with, but the boys managed to get some sleep now and then. At the echelon the quarters were good and there was a general feeling of content there, too. In one of the nearby towns there was a "^'. M. C. A. canteen and since there were no general orders prohibiting it, many ot the Batterymen paid this place a \ isit on several occasions. There were no officers save the Battery's own staff, and they were too busy to bother about issuing the sort of disciplinary orders that go to make a discontented organization. Considering the absence of so many of the obnoxious elements of the usual army life, it is not so strange after all that B Batterv was content on the front. Home SEARCH this book from cover to cover and you will find that if one idea, one subiect predominates, it is— "HOME." Learned men have said that "Home " is an abode, the place where one lives, but it is more than that. .Men — soldiers, have lived in camps lor months, have camped in pup tents on a steep hillside, have slept in cellars or cootie-infested billets which they were wont to call "HOME"— -but that was not home. It were better then to say that "Home" is where the heart is; that bodily occupation alone means nothing. And B Batterymen have come to know, as never before, the true significance of "Home." In France, in camps, in billets and in the trenches. "Home" came to mean more to them than a place to "hang their hats," They learned that instead of being the commonplace, the orclinarv', the matter-of-fact habitat it was once con- sidered, it hael become a place of beauty, dreamed of. longed tor and pictured in a million ways in contrast to the cheerless, lightless and fireless places many of them knew through long months of hard gruelling work, on the front or back of the lines. lo these men. "Home" meant all that there is in life to wish for — to them going "Home" meant the realization oi the greatest desire of their lives and "Home" to them meant the k'nite^l States of America. Each man, of course pictured his home, some village, some city, but to all "Home" was the good old L'. S. A. which meant everything that seemed to be worth while, and in them awakened a new patriotism and a new pride in the greatest nation extant — the L'nited States — THEIR HOME. Page 210 The Red Guidon The Medics THE Hospital Corps of the First Ohio Field Artillery was organized in Noxember. 1Q15, by Dr. EdwarLl W. Barton, the Bn. Surgeon. The original members were Sergeant Earl Briggs, Sergeant H. W. Barton. Privates Alspach. L.uce, Banker. Pinkerton, Case, Timmis. Free- man, Willtord, Rafeld, Bexington. ^'ontz, Weiss, King, Berry and Mauross. From this number the ones who answered the border call were Sergeant Briggs, Sergeant Barton, Privates Alspach, Weiss, Rafeld, Willford, King, Berry, ^'ontz, Be\ ington and Mauross and from these, L. L. King, J no. Berry, Earl Willford and Mauross were discharged after the physical examination at Columbus, joining the famous Grand Army of the Rejected. Dr. E. W. Barton, holding commission as 1st Lieu- tenant in the Medical Corps, left Akron, June 25, with most of his corps for Columbus and they were the first contingent of Ohio troops to mo\e toward Columbus, the state center of mobilization in answer to the Mexican call, preceding the Infantry and Artillery, joined B Battery and Brigade Headquarters at Briggsdale — the Bn. Hq. This ga\e them an opportunity to stock up thoroughly with iodine and C C pills in readiness tor the achent ot the Akron bunch ten days later. The hospital was placed in the center at one side of the camp at the edge of the golf grounds. Dr. H. Barton and Eldon Bevington were detailed by Lieutenant Barton to stay with Battery B and examine recruits taken on during that interval at Battery B's armory, rejoining the Hospital Corps when Battery B left for Camp Willis on July 4. The two months following, at Camp Willis, were busy ones for the corps — small pox. \accinations, injecting typhoid serum, and the taking care of the sick artillerymen resulting from these, kept all busy, so busy that all the Hospital Corps men felt they had little time to groom their own horses on the picket line, which worried the Head- quarter men terribly. Caring for Nolly's bruisecl leg, handsome Dan Carroll's knee. Hoi Jay's broken leg helped fill in time and gave practice to the men. The most common episode was the bringing in of an artillery- man, bruised on the picket line, by a restive steed Among the chief thrills of camp life was the breaking in of young horses from the farms and making good artillery horses of them. The hospital also suppled the elements of an embryonic ^'. M. C. A., relieving the artillerymen who felt the need of it, of the arduousness of drill. 1 hey would limp over to the hospital with one hand o\er their stomach and if iodine was not forthcoming, a spoonful of castor oil was. George Wright would ask for heart-balm in the shape of a CC pill. Fred Seiberling specialized on epsom salts in a tincup. Eddie Romily would come o\er to see if we had any medicine to make him last longer. One of the big events to the Hospital Corps was the tonsil party, when Dr. F3arton had his nurse. Miss Nold, come from Akron and they relievccf about two score of artillerymen of their tonsils and adenoids, thus rem.oving many sore throats from future sick calls. It might be related here at the assistance rendered by Miss Nold at these operations was the only instance of Battery B having a young lady member. (Shafter and the tonsils. The CO still declares, etc.) Ihe Hospital Corps was frequently consulted at Camp Willis by Bat- ter\- B men as to how they could increase weight or height in order to pass the final exam, to go to the border. They were also questioned as to how they could camouflage a w eak heart in order to be discharged anci not go to the border. These, how- e\er, were in the great minority, because Battery V> men were practically unanimous in being pro\ed that they were physically lit and all were anxious for actixe ser\ice. After arrival at Camp Pershing the work of making camp consisted of grubbing out cactus, Spanish bayonets and mesquite hushes. This stirred up a horde of \icious insects as Texas is noted even in song as being fa\'ored — "Horns on the fiowers, and horns on the toads, and hell fire in the tail of the scorpion. " and opened up a new and unknown danger to the tenderfeet from Ohio. Many casualties were each day brought to the hospital and following the casualty would come a second Battery B man bearing the insect responsible, between two sticks, or in an empty "gold fish " can. Among the notable cases was Roland Thompson, who exhibited a beautiful sample of what a strong and husky scorpion could do, o\er his right eye. This con- fined him to the camp hospital at L'ort Bliss for several weeks, until Tommy figured all the cactus was cleared away. Do you remember the Mexican who sang "Oh! Marie" in El Paso'' Do you remember the guard-mount music at Camp Sherician? P(iye 1^/2 ' The Red Guidon Army Lines When you joined the army say, do you recall that earlv day. When you lined up for inspection physical, And Doc Barton took your size, from \our arches to your eyes And pronounced you fit for ser\ice. 'twas hard lines. And the next day after that, bet you'd rather faced a gat. Than that anti-toxin needle terrifying;. And the anti-smallpox germ, made your left arm quite infirm And you got them both by waitmg in a line. 1 hen you lined up to be mustered and old woof woof got you flustered, With his basso and his military bearing But you were getting just a taste, of the time you d ha\e to waste While you doggedly stood waiting in a line. For from reveille to taps, often cutting short your naps. ^'ou'd fall in and answer 'here" with hesitation. Whether drill call or retreat, the whistle brot you to your feet. And you'd shuffle slowly out to fall in line. In mess line you'd sprightly step, getting there with snap and pep b^or the first ones through the line would cop the seconds. And then line up near a tub, while some rookie'd slowly rub. His mess-kit while you stood there in the line. How those Saturday inspections hurried you to make connections To be ready for the C. O's. eagle eye. Then the Colonel came along, quick to single out each wrong And Doc Barton paid his usual respects. Or the R. A. Poling line, where you drew dog tag twine A hea\y pair of hobnails or some laces, Or to the canteen you'd go. spending all your hard earned dough But you'd ha\e to wait your turn there in a line. ^'ou'll recall the picket line, often muddy, never fine And those ugly brutes' propensities for kicking. And most popular of sports — Marshall Sheets and his cohorts, The fistic bouts staged on the picket line. Often ^'. M. C. A. lines found you planning awful crimes When some sha\etail went ahead to buy supplies. Took advantage of his bars, buying candy and cigars While enlisted men stood waiting in the line. Many miles on railroad lines, in a dozen different climes Tourist sleepers or the ft)rty hommes per. While Montgomery street car lines, ninety years behinLJ the times Had forty hommes per beat by a mile. Phone lines too corralled a share of funds of the fiappers there, As they pulled the old, old stall and got it by. Told that little girl in town, "I'm on guard and can't come down," What a blessing, then, there were those blooming lines. The Red Guidon Page 213 There were other lines as well, that you've often wished in h_. Where you fell in to get half an hour gas practice But why explain, for you who did it shall always have the credit And leave the tale for you to do the telling. 'I here were sick lines e\ery morning; lor the men who'd taken warning, Of a detail they had heard wouLl he forthcoming. So they drew their C. C. pills, cure for any human ills, And light duty saved them blisters many times. I here were lines one found amusing, lines of shelter tents confusing. On a dark night one's own tent was hard to find. In the wrong tent you'd blunder, cuss-words greet you and you 'd pondc On the uselessness of all these blasted lines. 0\er there on all the roads, lines of trucks with hea\y loads Where on the front in terms quite military, One con\ersed of lines of guns, lines of fire towarel the Huns And \ou ne\er could escape them if you tried. Oh' 1 he lines from home that came, nothing else was quite the same. Idling you of "check enclosed" or "package sent" And the lines that you returned, for you knew that they were earned, Here for once >-ou found some merit in a "line." There's a line we 'most forgot, our good fortune that we thought 01 the line that calls us once each month, no more, Tis the pay line we would mention, vou'll admit it needs attention Re\i\ing games of poker and crap galore. So we found lines to the last, some were slow and some were fast. There w ere short ones, and some extremely long. But we forget the lines bemoaned, many times where'er we roamed They're lost in memory of that "B" line home. Page 21 ^ The Red Guidon The Battery ''Hymn" On the trip to France on the Nestor when everyone was singing to try to forfjet their sickness. Captain KaNenagh introduced the song that was destined to J-iecome the fa\orite of the [battery and regiment He had heard it wiiile at F^ort Sill. Okla., and had consitlerei,! it the sort ol song that B Battery needed. Ihe captain remembered only two \erses at the time, but the remainder came to him later and as fast as he remembered them the quartette memorized and sang them It was known as the ".Artillery " song and when or where\er the boys got together for a little song-fest. the old fa\orite was always called lor by some one in the crowd Captain Kavenagh's memory pro\ed so efficient in this case that owing to lack of space only a small number of the verses he thought of can be printed here. To the tune "When the Roll is Called Up ^ onder." When you're lying in the rain With some shrapnel in your brain. Then you'll never see your sweetheart anymore. When the red gap in your jacket Shows that Heinie has your bracket. Then you'll ne\er see vour sweetheart anxmore. Chorus- When the guns are roaring Nonder When the guns are roaring xon^ler. When the guns are roaring yonder When the guns are roaring yonder we'll be there When the Huns ha\ e your deflection And you've lost your old first section Then you'll never see the gun-crew anymore When the mustard gas is lurking And your gas-mask isn't working Then voti'll ne\er need a gas mask an\more. Chorus — \\ hen the guns are roaring yonder When the guns are roaring yonder When the guns are roaring yonder (Base)— Fall in. Call off: (Lead) One; (Tenor) — Two: (Baritone) — Three; (Base) — Four. When the guns are roaring yonder we'll be there. The Red Guidon p^,^^ 215 When your ammunition train Is shot to hell and back again Then you'll ne\er see your caissons anymore When the shells that burst like thunder Shoot the old wheel team from under 1 hen you'll nc\ cr sec the dri\er anymore. Chorus — (Base)— Cease firing; (Lead)— Break station; (Tenor) — March order; (Baritone) — Good-bye; When the guns are roaring yonder we'll be there. "When we'\-e drunk our last French booze And we're on our homeward cruise To our sweethearts waiting there upon the shore, When we each have our discharge And they turn us loose at large Then we'll ne\er join the army anymore. Chorus — (Lead)— Train for; ( Tenor)- -Cle\eland, .Akron; (Baritone)— Canton. Barberton; (Base)— .All aboard. While the guns were roaring yonder we were there. On the ship — \\ hen the ship begins to roll And you're lying in the hole And your bunk commences dancing o'er the (loor When the fish ha\e got your dinner .And your stomach's getting thinner Then you'll nc\er eat that mutton anvmore. Chorus- When the waves start rolling higher, — etc. (Lead)— All out life-boat drill; (Tenor)— Adjust belts- (Baritone)— Stand in line: (Base)— Details report. Page 216 The Red Guidon Madelon ['our le repose, le plasir du militaire 11 est la has, a deu.x pas de la foret, Line maison au\ miirs tout co\erts de lierre, Aux Tourlourous c'est le nom de cabaret. La ser\-ante est jeunc ct gentille, Legere comme u|t papillon, Comme son \ in son oeil petiUe, Nous I'appelons la Madelon: Nous en re\ons la nuit, nous y pcnsons le jour, Ce n'est que Madelon, mais pour nous c'est ramour. Chorus — (Juand Madelon \ lent nous ser\ ir a hoire. Sous la tonnclle on frole son jupon, Et chacun lui raconte unc histoire, Une histoire a sa facon. La Madelon pour nous c'est pas se\erc, Quand on lui prencl la taillc ou le menton — Elle rit, c'est tout I'mal qu ell' sait ia:rc, Madelon — Madelon — Madelon. Thus was the now famous French popular war song heard by the Batterymen when they first landed in that land of war and wine. It could be heard on all sides, sung by all classes of people, exidenth' for the benefit of the Americans who were known to be lo\ers of music. "Madelon " was practically the first attempt at anything singable in the ragtime tempo and the French who had so long listened to the creations of Ir\ing Berlin without knowing what the\' were about were more than proud of their countryman's accomplishment For a long time the words and meaning of the song were mysteries to the fellows and they were content to whistle the \ery catchy tune. The popularity' of the song with the .Americans grew to such an extent that there were English \ersions written by e\ery prestiming interpreter in the A. E. F. The publishers adopted one of these and had it printed to the same music, but it was a sad disappointment for the song did not sound half so catch\' with the P^nglish words. When the soldiers are to take some days of rest. And between friends enjoy a little Chopin. Where do they go^ To that place near a forest "Sammies' Resort ' is the name of the Inn. 1 he servant is young and \ery nice. She's quick like a little demon. Her eyes are l^right and full of malice And we all call her Madelon; We dream of her at night, all day we think of her: For us it's Madelon, Madelon, forever. Chorus — When N ladelon comes out to serve us wine Soon all the Ixiys lo\e the sight of her skirt ; E\-eryone wants to tell her how she's fine; And at once begin to (lirt. Dear Madelon with us is not sc\'ere. She never tries to preach us a sermon ; No, she smiles, she's always full of cheer, Madelon — Madelon — K'ladelon. The lied Giiidon p^^^ 2/7 '^o say that it was a liberal translation would be no more than fair to the French author tor accordma to B Battery linguists the American xersion loses the trend of the little story alto.'ether at times. I here are four % erses to the song and to hear a Frenchman sing them all is indeed a treat for they sing just as they would tell a story. When out on hikes through the little French towns it was always a pleasure to start whistling or singing Madelon and watch the smiling faces of the people who were delighted to think that their favorite song was liked by the Americans. The English xersion as printed by the publishers, aside from being a liberal and therefore very poor translation, even lost the meter and made it xery difficult for the singer to get all the \sords in xMthout changing the music: a liberty that uas taken b> all entertainers xv ho sang it. Another verse tells of the liberality of -Madelon- uith her kisses and of the innocence of them inasmuch as the boys shut their eyes and imagine that they are kissing the -girl back home. ' ^tlll another stanza tell ol the fate of those xxho VMsh to become serious XMth the voun- lady of the song who cannot marry one soldier for she knes -tout le regiment.- the entire regiment. Had there been any possible uay for the Batter>men to learn the French words v^ithout missing any meals there is no doubt that -Madelon- would haxe been the most popular son" the Battery ever sang. As it was everybody knew the music and xvhistled it but the words in French included some very difficult ahbrexiations and the English version was considered unmusical so there was nothing left to do but whistle it and B Battery did that. Oh lO Ohio— Ohio— The hills send back the cry. -We're here to do or die," Ohio— Ohio— We'll win the war Or know the reason why. And when we w in the war We'll buy a keg of booze, And we'll drink to old Ohio I ill we wobble in our shoes. "Ohio — Ohio — we'll win the war Or knov\- the reason why." Third x-erse was added when the "sad news" arrived overseas in Nox-ember. All other claims to the authorship of this verse notwithstanding: the Red Guidon stands readv to prove that it was originated in B Battery. And since we'\-e won the war. We'll buy a case of pop. For the slackers \oted Ohio dry While we went o\er the top. Awake! before it yet is light — The bugle's blast has scattered into flight Our slumbers — and banished All hope of rest until another night. A book of regulations 'neath the bough A canteen full of water, hard-tack, chow — And thou, oh, my Commander, To tell me what to do — and how? Some for the training at the schools; and some Sigh for the all-absorbing task to come. Ah! take the training that they gave you — It will help to total up the sum. Ah, Love! If you were here — but to inspire, When nought in life ere seems complete entire — To talk to me — to let me press you close — There's nothing, nothing nearer heart's desire. A million men — A momentary taste Of Prussianism and Kultur gone to waste. And. lo! the crippled monarch has now reached Limitless atrocities. Enlist! make haste!' Titne Enough When the last "H.E." has exploded And the command "march order's ' gone down; When the last "seventy-five" has been limbered And we've passed through our last French town- When the last guard's been done and forgotten And the last scur\'y horse has been groomed. When the last "barrage C " has been sounded And the very last "heavy" has boomed — When we've had our last mess of hot bean soup And the very last mess kit is washed ; When we'\'e heard our last army rumor And France has been purged of the Boche — When the sea is all purple and copper, And the sun rides the waves in the west When the stern of the boat's in a shadow And the salt and the spray add a zest — Then it's time to start thinking of home folks And time to start thinking of her ; When you've laid down your O.D. for blue serge And time starts from "Apres la guerre." A drizzling rain is falling, little pools of water dance, It's such a rain as only falls upon the roads of France, With tall Lomhardy poplars looming black against the sk\- The cobblestones are rattling, for artillery's passing by. I'm sitting in the saddle, and I'm tired, and wet and cold; There's twehe more kilos still to go — the night is ages old. And as I sit aswaying, waiting the break of day, I'm onlv there in body, for my thoughts are far awav To— The library is cozy, the fire is gleaming red, I'm sitting on a pillow and there's one behind my head; And playing the piano, the while my fancies roam, The lamp-light gleaming in her hair — I he girl back home. A tallow candle flickers and the dim half-light re\eals A dug-out far below the ground where daylight ne\er steals. A German "H. E." bursts close by and somewhere o\erhead A huge rat scampers on a beam, there's another on m\ bed, A gas gong in the corner and a blanket on the door. With helmets hung along the walls, and hob-nails on the Hoor, I'm sitting in a corner with my feet propped on a chair, 1 ^lon't hear my bunkie snoring lor m\ thoughts are o\er. Where — A yellow moon is hanging in a clouLlless summer sky, And tiny lights are bobbing as canoes go drifting by. And sitting by me on the pier where the water turns to foam. While the orchestra is throbbing — Is^ The girl back home. Page 220 The Red Guidon Those Y. M. C. A. Song Books IN almost every camp that B Battery e\'er inhabited they put in their appearance, those "^"' song books. From the border camp at El Paso to France and hack again to the good old V. S. A., they were to be found wherever there was a "!'. M. C. A., within walking distance. Chaplain Atkinson tended to that. He always had a few in his pockets. They were most profuse on the transports and o\er- seas. Hardly had the boys stepped on the "Nestor" than the "^ " man on board, with the able assistance of the chaplain, was passing out the little pamphlets con- taining such thrillers as "Over There." "Liberty Bell," "Pack Up ^'our 'iroubles," and a few others. That first issue went for the purpose of mess-kit towels which were very scarce at the time. Subsequent issues served no better purpose for truly the song book failed to make the desired impression on B Battery. It must ha\c been rather discouraging to the Major to in\ariably hear the fellows singing such things as "Boom- boom, that's the Latrine R-a-a-g," and "When we get back from Germany," from between the covers of his cherished song book, v,hen he knew that "Keep the Home Fires Burning" and "Onward Christian Soldiers" were printed there instead. .Although \ery good for community gatherings, etc., the songs in the "^ " book were not expressix'e enough for the Batterymen Then those songs were common too, and if there was any one thing that B Battery insisted on more than another, it was individuality. When the "Y" men overseas would offer "Skeets" Werner, "Tub" Lamiell. "Mutt" Bausman and the rest of the Battery songsters a song book they would politely request their share of books in writing paper. It might be interesting to note that the last "Y" song book to appear in the Battery came on the last day at Camp Sherman, just before B Battery became "civil- ianized." MUSIC — Oh! How 1 hate to get up in the morning — What is the use of holding the Battery buglers for all the morning's sleep we didn't get in the army. There wasn't a soldier who e\er stood muster in B Battery who loved his morning's nap better than Glen "Rakestraw" Helsel of the bugle corps of B Battery. Helsel explains something we might ha\e suspected all along. "Thc\' made us blow first call in the morning, " said Helsel, one day. "We never would have blown a call before breakfast if the Old Man would have left us alone. If we'd had our way we'd ha\'e blown just three calls, mess call, recall and payday, " insisted "Rakestraw." George Stagg. Harry Fouts and Glenn Helsel probably blew the Battery out of bed more times than any other Batter\- buglers. Wendell Norris, Babe Hunsicker and Bill Sn\der the Battery's border buglers were next in rank in reference to long serxice. Stagg, according to the overseas Battery was the best musician of them all. Stagg, the boys used to say couldn't do anything right around the Battery until he closed his fist around his bugle and began blowing. There he was in his element, and while some of the boys could always tell at night who was blowing "taps." e\'erybod>- knew when Stagg blew it. B Battery ne\er had a poor bugler. All the boys could play when their turn came. For little fellows, Harry Fouts and Glenn Helsel got away nicely with their work. So did Babe Hunsicker on the border. The buglers always had to get up first in B Battery, but they were always first in the mess-line as well as in other lines. B Battery couldn't ha\e won the war without her buglers. Oh, how I hate to get up in the morning. Gee! How I hate to get out of bed; But the saddest blow of all is to hear the bugle call, ^'ou got to get up, you got to get up ; "^'ou got to get up this morning. Some day we're going to murder the bugler. Some day they're going to find him dead. We will steal into his tent some night. And blow him up with dynamite And spend the rest of our lives in bed. The Red Guidon Page 221 Quartettes THERE was always a good supply of singers in B Battery, but not all of them could sing together. In most of the song-fests somebody was sure to be "sour" and spoil the song. For real harmony on the border the prize-winners were the quartette, at that time composed of Sergeant Kavenagh, Homer Da\is, Russ Baer and Tommy Thomp- son. There were plenty of other singers at Camp Pershing and in almost e\ery section one could hear some of the boys harmonizing on the old favorite, "When we get back from Me.xico," in the evenings. Of course. Fort Sheridan was the scene of many song- fests, for a little while. Until the sorrowful news that B Battery was not going to be mustered out e\eryone awoke with a song and everyone seemed to be in harmony. After the announcement of this bit of news the songsters seemed to forget their songs and no one felt in harmony with anybody or anything. It's funny how a song expresses the mood or temperament. Who ever heard any of the Battery quartettes sing any better than on, or just before, pay-day? And surely nobody ever heard any of the boys burst into song on such occasions as. going out on a "pick and sho\el ' detail or the first few days on the ship bound for France. The affair put such a damper on the musical efforts of the boys from Texas that there was little or no singing until the Battery arrived at Fort Benjamin Harrison where some new blood was instilled. With the arri\al of the launch of recruits from SiKer Lake came Tub Lamiell, Skeets Werner and "Mutt" Bailsman, who, with Larry Fetch were destined to compose the old favorite o\erseas quartette. Tommy Thompson would, at times when he was not too busy trying to "parley" with some "madamoiselle," assist in the singing either replacing Skeets or making one of a quintette. From Camp Sheridan to France and hack these fellows sang on the least provocation. All the old favorites were dug up by Thompson and Fetch and as many as possible oi the new songs were learned from time to time. On the ship, bound for France there was always plenty of singing, after all the boys had gained their sea- legs and from that time on there were few occasions when these fellows got together that there wasn t some singing. At Camp de Souge, as part of a regimental show they sang at all the hospitals and ^'. M. C, A. huts nearby, doing their practicing in the billets where there was always an enthusiastic audience. At the first front there used to be little song-fests down in the first section dug-out. to the accompaniment of Heinle's "tching-bumms." At the second front, when there was the least bit of time the boys used to congregate in the shanty occupied by some of the fellows — during the day. On one occasion when the second section was firing a problem by themsehes, the quartette gathered around the gun and to the music of the 75's explosion they sang the Artillery song. After the armistice was signed and the Battery mo\'ed back to await sailing orders, there was plenty of harmony. The Christmas show was the start of a regular season for the song birds. 1 he regiment organized a minstrel show and B Battery s quartette was asked to join. They did. Aside from escaping a lot of details and the monotony of waiting, the boys had a wonderful opportunity to see some of f^rance. They were gone until the mo\ ing orders came. Singing in the wine-rooms of Le Lion de Angers and on the boat coming home the quartette made a host of friends. The last time the bo\s were together, in the sersice was at Camp Sherman where they sang at the hospital. Some day it is hoped that this overseas quartette and all the others who ever entertained B Battery with their singing will get together and, as an octette or even a double octette, sing the old favorites — ^just for old times sake. ^1 ) KcJr Page 'JTJ The Red Guidon B Battery's Own Show TV^lTH all the opportunities for amateur theatricals VV that were afforded the Batterymen in the camps in the U. S. A., it w as not until they w ere a\\a\- ox er in h'rance where there seemed to be no opportunit\- \\hate\er lor such a thinj:; that the B flattery talent came to lipht. just to pro\e that Stewart W'alkei' wasn t the onK one who could make a theatre out o( nothmt^ an^l that f-'rank Finney wasn't the only one who could make actors out of soldiers; the committee produced elexen acts of \'aude\ille that Marcus Loew would ha\e paid thousancis of dollars for — on a stage that woLild ha\e made any Bakst creation look like a Ben C^reet Shake- sperian setting. The audience too. was one that the management ol the Palace 1 heatre would enjoy ha\ ing in their house e\ery night, lor they certainly were appreciati\e. From the time "Pig" Owens stepped before the footlights until the curtain went elown on the "BLicke>'e I-"our," the old billet was in an uproar of applause. The show opened with a bang at si.\ o'clock sharp. Art b^aulkner acting as announcer in place of programs. The first number, Wm. Owens, billed as "La Piguc Owens" Juggler Supreme, so simple yet so perlect. La Pigue's act consisted of juggling eight grains nl nee. As a juggler William is "Nux Vomica." He wound up his act with an exhibition of his four trainei.1 cooties, Jim, Elizabeth, Ann and Bill, Holton Lord and L'red Exncr as the "Melody Murder- ers " were next on the bill. ThcN' played ukelele an^l mandolins matlc from cigai boxes with toothbitish handles as keys. Despite this the\- pla\ed several airs and furnished good music. Morgan Bright "Senorita Morganita Bright" as a Spanish dancer put o\er the third number. "Senorita" looked and acted like a regular Spanish dancer and danced like one. The music lor the dance was by Loixl an^l Exner. The fourth number was Norman Luchs m a series ot cartoons or chalk talks depiciting incidents and characters in the Battery. One cartoon ot a can ol jam recened especial applause from the boys. L\:illowing the "C~.halk Talks' came Corporal J. P>. Michaels and Harry Harris as "Dixie DanLlies" a black face act that would ha\e made good in big time. "Back in Berlin Center" featuring George Couchy, Howard Miller nnd Carl Moledor was the next ollering. The above trio as rubes in Berlin Center (U. S. A.) receiv- ing letters from soldiers' sons in France, was good and gave them the opportunity lor much "hick " comedy. The seventh number was the mystery act of the evening. "The Greek Players " with Corporal C. W. Schnake, C. E. Lamiell and "Shorty" Rogers as the exponents of the famous Greek arts. Ncjne ol the above would do as models for union suits neither would they take any prizes for physical pulchritude, but by the liberal padding of the muscles, chest and stomachs they made ideal subjects for their parts. Army underwear and socks, flour for their faces and bandages for their heads, completed the costumes. The poses shown were: "The Dying Gladiator," "The Storm," "The Wrestlers," "The Hunt," "Aphrodite at the Bath," "The Ruins of Verdun, " and '"Ihc Spirit cjf F")F' or Homeward Bound." Schnake posed as the "Goddess of Liberty, " holding a candle in a beer bottle. Shorty Rogers posed rowing a boat with "Tub" lamiell looking through a champagne bottle lor shore. Edward Jacobs as the "Whistling Nightingale" came next. His act consisted of whistling a programme of classics and imitations. Lhe three encores that Jake received showed his talent was appreciated. Verne Ritter, William Summers and John L'unk in the playet, "Come Wis Me" was next, Ritter had evidently been a waiter in Atlantic City or l^aris, other- wise he would not have been able to handle his part the way he did. His technicitie was perfect. Summers as an American soldier was typical of the American soldiers in France, both in speech and action. John Lunk as a French Maelamoiselle was "Tres bonne" — Ooh-la-la' She was "beaucoLip tres bonne " a regular knockout and she held the audience spellbouni.1. When it comes to makeup as a .Madamoisellc, lohnny had Julian Eltinge cheated a thousand ways. In act number ten-Sergeant "Pat " L\nch. Art Laulkner and Roland Tomm\- Thompson, put on the sketch, "The General's Orderly." "Pat" Lynch should have been a general in the army instead of a sergeant for he played his part to perfection, the part of a grouchy General suffering from dyspepsia and unable to appreciate jokes. Art L'aulkner as Divisional Sergeant Major also approached perfection and his disposition was a counter- part of the Generals Tommy Thompson as a Buck Private, engaged in the difficult task of trying to make the General laugh within ten minutes or being shot, played his part in a manner that would have done justice to Ed, Wvnne. In the last thirtv seconds. Tommy by earnest whispering in the Cjcneral's ears brought the long-sought smile. The final number was a programme by the famous Batterv' C|uartette, Lamiell, Bausman, Fetch and Werner, billed as the "Buckeye 4" A few lines of comcLJy helped to complete their act, Lamiell was a fat grumpy cook, Bausman a harel-boiled .Xmeiican colored soldier. Letch an "Anti Swearing League" representative and Werner a French soldier. They were one of the big hits of the evening and w ere forced to ansvver to many encores. A symphony of a million guns Blats out a challenge to an outraged civilization And a million men Fall forward upon their faces. Dead eyes hang in rows, Upon Nieteche's breast And Nero, swathed in blood-red vapors. Moves a step toward sanctity. Rivers of the red blood of gallant men Flow sluggishly on Past the peaceful meadows Of northern France. Piles of dead men Lie on the battlefield of Verdun. Is this the price of civilization? War piles the piles higher. I Dont Want Anymore Army One of the sweet old lullabies the boys were wont to hum during the lean days in France, was "I Don't Want Anymore Army." Everybody below the rank of colonel in the 134th regiment liked that song. The boys liked to sing it and the officers who didnt dare sing it enjoyed listening to it. The overseas quartette in the Battery introduced "I Don't Want Anymore Army " on the boat on the way to F'rance. They knew only one \erse and the two line chorus. Words for a dozen or more were written by Farry Fetch, "Skeets " Werner, Tommy 1 hompson, "Mutt " Bausman, "Tub" Lamiell, and the rest of the warblers. Here's the way the piece ran: 1. Details here and details there Nothing to eat and nothing to wear. Chor I don't want anymore army Lorcly how I want to go home. 2. On Saturday morning when inspection is through, The top sergeant says e.xtra duty for you — Chorus. 3. I had lots of ckithes when I started for f^rance -Now' I ha\e only one pair of pants — Chorus. 4. I joined the artillery so 1 could ride But r\e walked 'round the world with a thiity inch stride — Chorus. 5. They ga\e me a horse and told me to ride I didn't see the shovel on the other side — Chorus. Page 224 The Red Guidon B Battery Youngsters WITH the airi\al of the recruits at Camp Perry came the \oungest artiller\man who e\er soldiered with B Battery — Robert Wiener. By special permission of Captain Albrecht and with the consent of his par- ents. Bob joined the battery with a bunch of fellows almost ten years older than himself. He celebrated his seventeenth birthday in the arm\' after reaching Ft. Ben- jamin Harrison. Although young in years, Bob soon acquired a bearing that would cause the casual observer to take him for twenty-two at least. Especially in the ring with a pair of boxing gloves did Bob prove that he was no baby. Another youngster who joined the battery at Camp Sheridan was Winfield McCracken. Red was trans- ferred from Company B, 14bth Infantry, so he could be "around the horses" as he worded it. He was senior to Wiener by about a month and a half, hut like Bob soon proved himself a man in action, if not in years. Given a pair of horses to drive and care for. Red was right in his element and there were few horses looked any better than McCrackens. Just before the battery left for France, both of these boys were gi\'en the opportunity to get an honorable discharge because of their age and both refused, although encouraged to accept, from home. There were several other B Batterymen who were still m their teens, among whom were "Pete" Hirleman, who joined at Sheridan, and Roy Shreve who joined at Perry and was discharged at Sheridan. Although there were several who joined the battery while under twenty years of age, Wiener and .McCracken were the only ones to be discharged that young. Fish ^ ■y Fish Bill boltz when he bought his own shoes for $4 in Texas, * + * * Fish Archie Murph\- when he went after the skirmish line. Fish Carl Schrank when he went after a jar stretcher. * * * * Fish Thurman Staudt trying to light a candle from a cigarette. * * * * Fish Norman buchs when he tried to get a size 4 Pistol Holster at Camp de Souge. Fish "Fish" Moore when he gave Bob Wiener forty-five francs for a decorated shell. Fish Tub Lamiell when he bought a no-good French cigarette lighter from F-'etch. * * + * Fish Abe b'reelancler w hen he went around the corner in El Paso and lost $8.00. + * * * Fish Bill Summers when a girl took his watch-chain at Bar le Due, f-rance. * * * * Fish George Cunningham when he went A,W,0,L. the day before he got his furlough, * * * + Fish F)on Scott when he came from Omaha to join the battery. The Red Guidon Page 22.1 Medics AFTER Bevington left the detachment at Camp Perry in his search for a higher standing in Uncle Sam's or- ganization, the two border \eterans, Briggs and Weiss, remained alone. Captain Barton thought it was alto- gether too lonely for these two men, so he sent out a call for volunteers. The first to respond was Ed Stuart who was followed in few days by Dutch Cramer, then came along Delos Martin. The organization of fne men battled along through the mud and rain for about two weeks when a very heavy shower on the 1st of June washed "Sophie" Ltitz, "Susie" Steffensen and Ernest Drake into the organization. Drake did not seem very well pleased with his reception, so decided that he had better try a difterent branch of the serxice. so returned to Akron with the expectation of getting into ^'. i\I. C. A. service. This left the detachment with se\ en men to carry out the Pill-Roller work through the remaining days at Camp Perry. How did the raw/ recruits enjoy their entrance into the service, did 1 hear somebody ask^ 1 he\ did not do very much real kicking, although they all had sweet dreams of their little white beds at home, as they lay shivering in their cokl and partially wet army blankets, after a day's work of mud-skidding was o\er. It was not uncommon to hear the happy expression utterei.1 by one of the recruits. "Home was nc\er like this,' alter he had eaten his mess of slum, dry bread and black coffee in mud almost knee deep. Regardless of the dislike of the first taste of army lile. they were all eager to take their first trip at the army's expense to Fort Benjamin Harrison lort Benjamin Harrison met with approval of all men. lor any spot on earth looked good for them after their experiences in Camp Perry's sea of mud Shortly after the arrival at bort Benjamin Harrison new men started to come forth to add to the list ol "iodine swabbers;" first came Drake who decided that he might as well be a wearer of the "khaki" as a seller of stamps in a ^'. M. C, .'\, hut, then the rest drifted in. in groups of two and three at a time. "Duke " Evans and Howard Miller came sneaking in one hot day and de- manded entrance The "Duke " was admittCLJ withotit any argument for he looked like a very promising orderlv' for Captain Barton, but Miller was only forttinate enough to have nine fingers, having left the tenth one back in Cambridge, Ohio, so a waiver had to be passei.1 on hnn by the surgeon general at Washington before he was admitted. "Buzzy" Havre and jack Rose were next and were left in on their merits; "Buzzy " was Canton's leading cigar salesman and Jack was Kenmore's best soda dispenser and was acquaintetl with Lieutenant Alspach who was to join us later. Captain Snow was doing some recruiting at Silver Lake at this time and evidentlv' hael the Mealies in mind when he was trying to swell the numbers of the Head- quarter Company for he sent "Bob" Bond, George Ischumi and Leonard Hanson to the organization. Now Bond had been a steam fitter in civ ilian life and gtiaranteed his abilitv- at painting and wrapping joints, so he qualified Isehumi saiLl he had been a boy scout in civilian lite and was young and eager to learn the art of administering first aid, so he passed all the entrance barriers but Hanson was more or less undecided at the last moment, lor he did not know whether he wanted to become a brother "pill pusher" or try out for the position of "crap-shooter sergeant " in one of the other organizations. Time at b^ort Ben passed rather quickly, the daily routine of litter drill, exercising horses and search lor a good time at Indianapolis, made up the daily work. There was only one little diversion from the daily menu ol work and that was the time when the fellows assembled and came to the conckision that Ed Sttiart needed a bath and needed it badly. So the aforesaid Stuart was rounded up and made to disrobe. He was then carried on a litter to the showers He took the ordeal in fine shape tor it was surmised that he recognized the fact that he needei.1 a bath himself. After this operation was complete^l. Weiss was con- sidered for a similar dose. It cannot be said that Weiss really needed a bath but his domineering actions did not meet with the approval of the men When Weiss was accosted, he proceeded to give an argtiment which was of no avail for he was otitntimberecl by abotit ten to one. W hen rec|uesteLl to disrobe he cIkI not ^leem it adv isable so he was bound, clothes and all, to a litter and placed tinkler three cold showers and allowed to lav there tintil It was thought he hai-l enough water to soak his olive colored skin. Rumors became very prevalent regari.ling the move to Camp Sheridan. AlaL^ama Rumors these davs were taken verv' seriously, so seriouslv in fact, that Medics packed up three different times before the trip was finally started. Sergeant Briggs had been working verv' hard to get a discharge so that he might return to O. S, L'. an^.1 com- plete his cotirse in mcLlicine Briggs did not work alone m his attempt lie had the hearty co-operation ol all the Briggs family, who pulled every political string m Columbus before he finally succeeded. The official order came that a trip to the Southland was to take place 1 he detachment was then split for the first time, for the battalion was t^) move in two sections Sergeant Briggs was to take seven men and go with the first section, Weiss was to bring the remain- ing eight men w ith the seconci section, but alas! Sergeant Page 226 The Red Guidon Briggs who was so desirous to see Alabama at the go\ern- ment's expense, received his discharge on the day we were to leave. Hard luck for Briggs' Stuart was then given charge of the first group of men. The trip was an enjoyable one tor all the men. for it was the longest and most scenic trip they had ever made in their youthful lives. A big surprise awaited them when the\' lancied at Camp Sheridan. Instead of ha\ ing to pitch a hospital tent as they had formerK' done, a big fourteen room infirmary awaited them. Instead of having to clear brush and trample down weeds in order to make a space for their li\ing tents, they found well laid-out company streets, also mess halls, bath houses and latiines. Major Gordon, the new commanding officer, and Lieutenant Alspach. the former private Alspach who was with the tletachment on the border, awaited the detach- ment's arrival. Wade Koplin made the trip to Camp Sheridan with Head- quarter Company and was Camp Sheridan s first offering to our de- tachment. During the time spent at Fort Ben Harrison the 1st Battalion Ohio Field Artillery became the First Battalion of the 134th bield Artil- lery. 1 his necessitated further enlargements ot the Medical Corps to twenty-three men. No time was lost along this line tor Sergeant Bran- field. "Bull" Durham and "Herb" Woodling were the first to attempt a transfer from the 145th Ambulance Company to Major Gordon's detachment. In the course of a week all three of the men became part of the detach- ment. The old 2nd Ohio Infantry was split up and Dewey Gast and Edgar Eisley were added to the swelling ntimbers. The Y. M. C. A. could not use men of the draft age in their overseas work so Hubert Kimmel, Luther Evans and Ed Ruehrwein who were desirous of seeing ['ranee and parts unknown, were admitted to the organization The Medics have always been more or less the subject of humor and tun for the Batterymen, because they were in an entirely different class of work than that of the combatant soldiers, but nevertheless, they were kept busy all the time, taking instructions trom medical officers, in the form of lectures in Materia Medica. Camp Sanita- tion and First Aid ; a c4rill schedule was also closely follow-ed in litter and ambulance drills. The men of the organiza- tion were kept busy almost day and night at the time the la grippe epidemic spread throughout the regiment. 1 he batteries never went to the range for firing practice with- out men from the detachment in attendance. Perhaps the hardest work ever encountered in this connection was at the time of the lightning disaster, when the men were on the job and administered F'irst Aid to the stricken ones Inoculation and vaccination periods always meant hard and tedious work until late hours at night for the medical man. These duties perhaps seem very slight in comparison w ith the hard manual work of the Batterymen but it all meant work that was absolutely necessary, nevertheless. The Medical Corps decreased in number almost as fast us it increased when Herb Woodling received an S. C. D,. Drake left for Division Headquarters, Branfield received a discharge so that he might resume his course in dentistry. This decrease took place in less than two months' time About this same time Martin was getting more or less tired of army life and being spurred on by the changes which were taking place abotit him, found that he had a knee joint that was in very bad condition, which was the result of a horse kick some three months before. Now Martin limped around with a cane for some five or six weeks and finally was sent to the Base Hospital for examination. Nobody will ever know but Martin just what the ckjctors at the hospital tt)ld him about his leg. but on his return, he had the aforesaid leg in working condition within two weeks time. After the sudden decrease in the numbers of the organization, work was started to bring the c|UOta back to Its former strength, Happv' Cjillen got wind of the nee^l of men and kept the telegraph wires hot between Akron and Camp Sheridan, with messages to Captain Barton. One day Gillen reported at Camp Sheridan and joined the organization on the strength of his happy dis- positicjn and broad smile. Karl Grismer was inducted into service about one week later, but was not accepted 1-iy the examining board at the base hospital, 1 his was a great blow to ivarl for he was very desirous to get into the service by other means than that of the draft. During the month of April the Medics were kept busy day and night trying to check the la grippe epidemic which swept down through the batteries. Doc E. Z. had charge of the thermometer and the pill detail and after a few doses of his favorite prescription of sodii sal. iodine and castor oil. everyboLlv' pulled through the ordeal O. K, With the arrival of fivc-htindred replacements from Camp 1 aylor. the major was able to bring his corps up to war strength. The four new men chosen were Ralph A. Donham. Harry G Walden, little Zeke Leippert. Orla Price and last but not least. Clarence j. Becker, better known as "Beck " Zeke and Beck were turned over to Doctors Aufderheide and Kishler to be used as dental assistants, but Zeke's hands were too big and Beck having the best line of S, B for pulling teeth and also a natural "yes. sir! all right, sir' " disposition around the The lied (iiiidon Page 227 office, poor little Zeke had to fall hack to the humble ranks of pill roller, first class. The happiest Ja\" arri\ed when it was learned that the regiment would be read\' to mo\e in three days, for our fast brush wielders, Sophie Lut: and Wade 1, Koplin had finally finisheel their apparentK' hie lob of painting overseas boxes anel beeleiing rolls 1 hus eneleel our days at old Sheridan Our ne.xt jump took us toCampLlpton where man\- of us suddenly lounel out we had \ er\ near relati\es in "lil ole New ^'ork" that we reall\- ought to see before sailing. Of course, man>^ were called but few were chosen' On the trip o\er the Medics were gi\en one more chance to make good in the eyes of the Batterymen, They were detailed around to the da\ its, so in case of emergency such as "abondon ship call," or "all off here comes a stib," they could play the hero part by calmly assisting the crew in lowering the life boats until all on board cleared the ship. Then anel not before the said Medics were supposed to take a gambler's plunge for their own miserable li\es, Althotigh we did ha\'e a battle in the Irish sea, no "abondon ship" call was sounded and the good old tripe scow "Nestor" (.locked safely at Liverpool on the 10th day of July. When Camp cle Souge below Bordeau.x was reached, the Medics were really put to work, C^.amp sanitation kept nine of them busy hustling prisoners around with the aid ot hip artillery anel the other si.xteen were detailed to the camp hospital to help take care of the fi\e hundred badly wounded Irom Chateau Thierry, It was here that the pill rollers got their first real work, from si.x to six, handling the worst cases of mustard gas, 11 [i shrapnel and machine-gun wounds. Owing to the s\stem in whieh the artiller\ went into position by Batteries and often only sections at a time, the Medical Corps was necessarily di\idee1 when in the ad\ance area. On the trip trom Camp ele Souge to the lines, Sergeant Ed Stuart, Buzzy Ha\'re and Hap Gillen tra\eled w ith B Batter\', but after the battle of Pneumonia Hollow , this combination was broken up and the whole detachment hit the long trail together, pulling into the dirge stronghold of St. Gene\ie\e (eighty-se\en thousand feet abo\e sea le\el accorcHing to e\ery one who has climbed it full-pack) about midnight October lOth In passing might state as a fond recollection that in this bombarded town most every one got cootieized for the first time As the Batteries went out from St, Gene\ ie\e for the first trial on the front, the Medics were again divided, Herbert Kimmel and Luther Evans accompanied B Bat- tery, Dutch Cramer and Hap Gillen left with A Battery, Bob Bond and Orla Price went forth to experience then- first try-out as I^^irst Aid men with C Battery. According to all accounts. Hap Gillen was the only man that had any real taste of bombardment by the Germans, The Akron newspapers were busy relating his flirtations with death. It was at Camp Ouest where the regiment was sent to rest up after its first experience on the front that crap- shooter first class Hanson got the scare of his young life The Spick thought he could shoot American 30-30s in a German small bore' Ask him the rest of the story' Need- less to say. when the oLI Bochc piece blew out, Hans got an eye full of powder and a belly full of experimenting. During the few days stop over at Apremont, Doc Bond was able to make quite an elaborate collection of F-rench and German skulls. He claimed that the German was a real flat head with a frontal plate fully an inch thick I he dav' the armistice was signed, Kop and Donham were guests of the Boche, A trip across Lake La Chaussee to an old German town where many Rhinish wines and brews were quafed in real fashion was the main feature ot the day. It might also be stated that on this particular occasion, Ralph lost his army raincoat and suspiciously enough came back with manv' fine souvenirs which he claimed were given to him. During the winter's sojourn around Recourt anel Rambluzin, a few important changes took place in the Medical Corps, Major Gordon. Captain ivishler and Lieutenant Wright of the Vets went into the army of Occupation by request In return we were assigned Major Collins of the ^''th Army Corps whom the older men gladly remembered from Eort Ben days. The dental surgeon was replaced by Captain f^ristow of the '-XJth [division ol the Army of (.)ccupation and Lieutenant \\ right s successor was Lieutenant Bowman, also from the %th But when the regiment reached Le Lion the Vets suffering the fate of all Vet and dental units of the A- E, b, were jerked out as were also Captain Bristow and poor Beck, thus ending their fonel and lingering hopes of going home w ith the brigade At Brest, L3onham, Walden, Leippert and Price were also left behind only to follow a week later w ith a special Camp Taylor detachment A big disappointment came when it was learned that Captain Barton would not sail with his boys, but woukl remain indefinitely at the Brest hospital for eye treatment 1 his w as particularly hard to take for the regiment realizcel that its home-coming could not be complete without Its lavorite "family Doc, On the ship back the saddest sight of all the sick ones was poor Sophie Lutz, as on the trip to Li\ erpool Raymonel would have six meals a dav', three elown and three up He woulel elrag himself into a corner earlv in the morning and stay hidden all dav' until time for hammocks. Rose and .^kscl were also enjoving the trip with Lutz in the same fashion Herbert Kimmel ha^l the hardest luck taking sick at Brest anel being lorccel to spend the whole trip in the sick-bay, I he twelv e da\' voyage on the Lf S, S, New Hampshire was a pleasant and interesting one, but a happier bunch never set foot on good L', S. soil, than the Medics on the 24th of March, a dav- never to be forgotten Page TJ8 The Red Guidon llie hike from the docks to Camp Stuart, Va., al- though four miles in length was made with a quick step and a hroaci smile for the morale of the men was at its highest notch, Fhe stay of eight days at Camp Stuart was comparatively short, for each Pill Roller knew that time was near at hand when each and e\er>- man would get three sc^uare meals a day, prepared by mother, and a fond embrace by some other loved one On the first day of April the regiment entrameel lor its trip to dear old Ohio, The first jump from Camp Stuart to Cleveland was exceedingly short, for the number of miles covered. The reason for this can he gi\'en \'ery easily. On this trip each man coukl comlortabK' sit down and enjoy himself during the day and comfortably lay down and sleep during the night. Such luxuries could not be enjoyed when tra\eling o\erland in brance, in the "40 homines. 8 che\au\" st\le ol transporta- tion, which necessitated taking \our turn in sitting down during the day and laying down during the night The parade schedule for the 134th Field Artillery called for a parade at Cle\eland on April 3rd. but the outfit arrived a day ahead of schedule freedom was granted all men until midnight It was surprising to see how well acquainted the Medics were in the city. Those that were not acquainted lost no time in making new acquaintances. Even Eddie Ruehrwein. that piotis ^', M, C, A, worker, was seen walking through the Public Sqtiarc w ith a lady friend on each arm and nobody knows exactly how many were following, waiting for an opening to grab one of the long, lean wings of the Cincinnati hero The parade in Cle\elani.l was a big success. Each Medic was on the job. regardless of the fact that Akron was only 37 miles away and street cars run to the rubber city e\ery hour After the parade it was made know n that all men living in Akron might go home and join the organ- ization the following day in Akron, It was not neeessar\ for a second oreler on this question, E\ery X ledic but four whose homes were in southern Ohio, got lost from Cleveland in twenty minutes' time — they were homewardbound. Another big surprise occurreel when the roll was called on the following morning. Each man answered "pre- sent." although some of the answers were \ery feeble, lor all night engagements had been \ery prevalent the night before. It ne\er was satisfactorily explained how it happened, but not a single Pill Roller fell out of line, from exhaustion or other reasons, but it must be admitted after all the handshaking at the Armory was o\er. many felt a great deal weaker than they had e\-er experienced before in army lile. De Martin was heard to say. after his arm had been almost shaken off and perspiration trickled down his face from exhaustion. "Say, Bob. I ne\er knew 1 had so many friends in Akron, but they all seem to know me," There was some excitement that night, aftei- the troop train started for Columbus, the place of the last parading event, A rumor was started among the Medics that Bob Bond was not on the train, A search through the car was made but Bond could not be found. After fifteen or twenty miles of the trip had been passed, smiling Bob broke in on the scene and related how he managed to catch the last ear on the train after a sprint of se\eral hundred yards, "Why so late. Bob''" somebody asked. Grinning from ear to ear. he answered, "1 had a few friends that I had to bid good-bye. train or no train " This caused some suspicion, but no one said a word, Columbus ga\e the men of the "Buckeye Division" a \ery hearty welcome, T he streets were thronged with enthusiastic crowds, as the wearers of the "khaki" paraded by, all of them much fatigueel and weary from travel and late nights which were not marked by the sounding ol taps at ten P .\ I When the train pulled into Camp Sherman on the following morning, e\er\'one was glad the "big show" was o\er and parading a thing of the past. The fi\ e days spent at Camp Sherman passed quickly, f-inal inspections were taken with delight, for every man knew that they were the last. Regardless of the time that was spent along this line, pills and iodine were dis- pensed with tmtil the last moment. They were gi\en out in the same spirit that the inspections were taken. With every dose, the hospital man smiled and said to himself, "that is the last dose that fellow will get for nothing." The final day of reckoning came at last, the 10th of April, Regardless of w hether or not the men of the regiment recognized the \alue of the Medics to Uncle Sam's service, there was one organization at Camp Sherman that did, and hated to see them leave. It was none other than the Camp Quartermaster Corps, The Pill Pushers were, according to schedule, to be discharged second in line, following Headquarters Company which was first. The line moved along quite rapidly until the Medics were reached, then the word was sent out that their payroll and discharge papers were lost 1 hese glad tidings landed upon the once happy Medics like a ton of hard tack. After a two and a half-hour search the papers were found at the Camp Quartermaster's office. The excuse was given that there was a mistake, but this caused some doubt in the mmels of all concerned. After the rest of the regiment had gone bearing much cherished papers and a broael smile, the Medics were given their final statements and they also hastened awav into civ ilian lile for better or for worse. Good Soldiers The Battery was lined up lor an inspection one day and Colonel Bush was about to look over the Iront rank. "Has the rear rank been ptit at ease, Sir." asked one of the officers present, "Ease nothing, let em stand at attention." roared the C, O, "Give them at ease and they take rest, give them rest and you can't find 'em. " he added. The Red (hiidon Page 229 The Medical Men Major Gordon Captain Barton Akron, Ohio Lieutenant E, J. Alspaugh Kenmorc, Ohio Sergeant E. G. Stuart 57 Adolph A\enue Akron, Ohio Sergeant F-". [-*. Rose .-. . Kenmore, Ohio Sergeant H. B. [Durham 2^"i5 Buchtel A\enue Akron, Ohio Privates — R. G. Lutz 1278 Collinwood A\enue Akron, Ohio D. H Miller 37 Belvidere Way Akron. Ohio A. Steftansen Kling Street Akron, Ohio P. M. Cramer 441 Buchtel A\enue Akron. Ohio I lancis Gillen 31 Fay Street Akron, Ohio \1 1 Ha\re 82 Conger Ax'enue Akron, Ohio L, ,\. Hanson II E. North Street Akron, Ohio R. K. Bond 575 E. Exchange Street Akron, Ohio D. G. Gast 1425 North Street Lima, Ohio L J. E\ans Cambridge, Ohio D. L. E\ ans 17th Street Columbus, Ohio \-\ C, Kimmel 431 Forest A\ enue Dayton, Ohio W 1, Koplin R, F. D. II Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Cj, I-*. I schumi 2nd Street Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio H, E. Miller Cambridge, Ohio E, W. Ruehrwein 2000 Western Cincinnati. Ohio ("irla Price Greenup. Illinois R. A. Donham _.. .. Terre Haute, Indiana Elmer Lippert bl 5 Washington Street ._ _ _ H. G. Walden . Franklin. Indiana These are the men to whom the health of B Battery was intrusted, .Although they were classed as a detach- ment, there is little doubt but that they would ha\e been members of B Battery in preference to an\- other in the regiment hai.1 it been necessary to belong to one in order to dish out quinine and C. C, pills. The majority of the fellows came from Akron or near there and so were naturally attracted to the Akron organization. In camps in this country the medical detachment was attached to Headquarters Company for rations and quarters, but that didn't confine them to that outfit for friends. Although they never met a great many of the B Batterymen in a professional way. there was alwa\'s a spirit of friendship between these pill-rollers and the wag on soldiers. Possibly the infrequence of the visits of B Battery to the hospital was responsible for this friend- ship — who knows '' According to the boys who know. B Battery's health record was very good; there having been few serious cases during the entire Battery career. Credit is due the hospital unit for their prompt attention to every minor detail in the care of the health. No cold was too slight to recei\e its dose of C, C's. and quinine and no sprain or bump too small to get its coat of iodine. There were many witticisms passed between the Batterymen and the M. D s in regard to the relative healing c|ualities of iodine and C. C's., the two army hospital stand bys. Sergeant Myron Weiss who was with the outfit on the border and at FortBenj. Harrison, claimed that he could do more to perfect a cure on a B Batteryman by using a good line of sympathy talk than he could with all the medicine in the hospital. In Alabama when the wicked hard cic^er. coca-cola and ice cream threatened to cause a lot ot casualties in B Battery, it was the C. C's. of the M, D's. that pulled them through. A sprain, a kick by a horse, a toothache. a bad corn or a lacerated scalp — all recei\ed the same treatment; a dose of iodine. If the ailment was where It couldn't be seen the prescription was quinine or C. C's. These were taken and developments awaited If nothing happened the patient was sent to the base hospital and the dose repeated. Page 230 The Red Guidon If the hospital men Jidn t have what was needed to perfect a cure they either tried one of the old stand hys or told where the desired compound could be found. In event of a had "charley-horse" after a rough football or baseball game the bo\s would be gi\'en a tip to go to the stable sergeant and get some horse liniment as an application. The time spent in b ranee was marked by the extra- ordinary good health of the Battery. Considering the amount of sickness in the different camps in this country it was remarkable how well B Battery kept themsehes. and it is partially due to the attenti\e hospital unit who were always on the job: ne\er allowing the suggestion of ■' .old to get past the suggesting stage. On the front too there was always a man in attendance with his belt full of iodine and bandages ready to dress a wound at any time. It is probably a lucky thing that there were no casualties during that time too. for most of the bo\'s w ho came up to the gun positions forgot all they knew about bandages in their mad rush for the German souvenirs lying around After the time spent in the army there are \ery few men now who w ill not hand it to the hospital men for one thing at least. Through their persistence they pro\'ed that o\'er half of the medical practice of today is fake, for didn't they keep B Battery well on three remedies, quinine, iodine and C. C's. Tom Kelly T^OM Kelly and ■*■ "Shorty" Rogers were the kids of the Akron battery at I't. Ben Harrison and Camp Sheridan. Tom landedin the oldNinth section w hen he joined the battery and nc\ er got out of It until one da\ when he got a Summary Court Mar- tial for talking another soldier into taking his rebel on guard one night It was tough sledding for Tom for several months. But one night Tom packed his barracks bag, left Camp Sheridan by the back way, went toHoboken, turned in, got fi\e days in the kitchen for A. W, O, L. went to France and was assigned for dutv with the brench artiller\ . He began to show the French what he had learned in the ninth section about artillery and the first thing he knew he was in the Field hospital at X'euilly. France, w ith gas on the chest, f-our other American lads gassed with him died and three more recovered. He got out ot the hospital shortly ofter the .Armistice, got assigned to a job tracing railroad cars in the R. T. O. as a corporal, and finally come back home a sergeant. Do you remember the drunk scene tron-i ElCuspidoro.' * * * * Fish "rwo-gun" Jones looking lor the second floor oi a French billet. * + * * Do you remember the rush for home w ith your dis- charge ^ Do you remember the canteen on the ship'' Grandpa Joe BBAITER^' during the last few months of its stay in France was one of the few A, E. F. outfits to be able to ad\ertise a grani.lfather as a meml?er of the organiza- tion. Crand-pop Joseph Stoneberger joined the battery one day o\'er in France and became a hostler under the wing of Stable Sergeant Dick Lavery. The boys called Grand-pop "Uncle Joe. ' While Uncle Joe was soldiering with the battery, a little sha\'er of a grandson back in Colorado was just learning to sa\' grand-pop. Uncle Joe was .3Q, a married daughter was \^ and the little fellow was something over a year old, "1 thought 1 could stand a campaign or two, and so 1 decided to enlist, Joe used to tell the boys in the battery. He joined the army at Idaho Falls, Idaho, and was subsequently transferred from place to place in France until he reached B Battery, where he stayed. The Red Guidon Page 231 Headquarters, 164th F. A. Brigade. AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. 13th November, 1918. From: Commanding General. To; Commanding General, 62nd Brigade. Subject: Report of Operations of 134th Field Artillery. 1. Orders have been received relieving the 134th Field Artillery from duty in this sector and with the 164th Field Artillery Brigade, and di- recting its return to its own command. 2. I feel it only proper to inform you that this regiment, during its service in this sector, has occupied its appropriate part of the front; that it has at all times executed its missions efficiently and with a display of cheerfulness and promptness that indicates a very high morale and state of training. The regiment has been placed in difficult posi- tions and has always conducted itself in a way to reflect credit on itself, its own brigade, and the one v/ith which, at the time being, it was serving. 3. I shall appreciate it as a favor to me if you will make such record of this letter as you may desire, and then either transmit it or make known its contents to the Regimental Commander for such use as he may de- sire to make of it. hcb Brigadier General. / Page 232 The Red Guidon 1st. Ind. Commanding General, 62nd Field Artillery Brigade, American E. F. , 28th December, 1918- To Commanding Officer, 134th Field Artillery. 1. The Commanding General takes great pleasure in transmitting this letter to the Commanding Officer, 134th Field Artillery, and desires at this time to express his appreciation of the same high morale and ef- ficiency noted by General Donnelly of the 164th F. A. Brigade, which has been characteristic of this regiment throughout the period of my command of the 62nd F. A. Brigade. l^n^ /?^v— w-^ Brigadier General, U. S. A. K/CH Commanding, The Red Guidon Page 233 TO MY FRIENDS, THE MEN OF B BATTERY: We have always accepted the belief that the 134th was the best regiment in the 62nd Field Artillery Brigade. And with every man in B Battery it has been tradition that this battery was unequalled in per- sonnel and efficiency as a unit. Within the battery itself there was always a keen rivalry between the sections. Even between members of a section there was continual competition. Drivers upheld the merits of their respective pairs against all comers. And any cannoneer can tell you who was the best gunner, or number one man in the battery (ask him). But as a unit, they worked together. They attained in the highest degree that quality which is essential to success of any organi- zation - team play. Battery B believed in itself. Although apparently slack at times, they always came through when it was necessary. Fortunate indeed is the Battery Commander who is connected with such an outfit. Military discipline is merely individual efficiency. I do not claim the credit for the discipline of B Battery, nor can I give the credit to any one man or group of men. The non-coms were highly effi- cient and absolutely reliable-however , any one of them would have had a much harder job in any other outfit-and they had the finest group of men in the army back of them. Any man in the battery could have taken a section and run it as smoothly. Ask a buck-private. The secret of the whole thing was in the battery spirit as a whole, and in the individual pride of each man in his outfit. While in the army, B Battery meant "home" to everyman. The men who transferred to other outfits and later rejoined us fully appreciated this. Dissention and dissatisfaction were little known. Not that orders were always blindly and willingly obeyed, but the men accepted even the most disagreeable task with the confidence that it was necessary and their duty. Each man used his head to good advantage and believed in his own ability and in that of his associates. Another thing that was a great factor in the successful management of the battery was in the ability of the men to take care of themselves under even the most adverse conditions. After the signing of the Armistice, if they had been freed from all restraint, half of France would have been "policed" up to build a castle on the hill above Ram- bluzin. What they did in one week just to make Christmas more enjoyable is a good example. I know we would all give a good deal too be back there again just for a night or two. Wouln't you like to plow through that mud on the Hill going down to the "Theatre Comique?" Everyone knows that we made good on the front. We are too modest to tell just how good we were. But every man did his bit thor- oughly and efficiently: the cooks, the gun crews, the drivers, the camouflage men, the gas non-coms, and even the officers. Whether it was firing barrages, hauling ammunition, moving the guns forward at night, getting supplies up to the firing battery, or making slum, you were all "All there !" Sincerely, ]/\jXjl^d^ Page 234- The Red (iiiidon TO ALL MY GOOD FRIENDS OF B BATTERY: Having finished the course of training at Saumur , the pertinent question of the hour was "Where do I go from here?" Finally we were ordered to report "without delay" (meaning not to stop over in Paris) to the commanding general 62nd F. A. Brigade at Camp de Souge. ■ Knowing Souge as the "Country that God forgot," I attempted to transfer. But "soldiers propose; generals dispose . " Major Bartell, heading the reception committee at brigade head- quarters, dispensed with the customary finger-prints and herded eight of us to the 134th. The "Old man," in his well known manner, told us, without the slightest hesitation, what he expected of us and just what we were in for. Learning that B Battery was to te honored with my second lieuten- ancy, I hastened to report to the battery commander. The B. C. was found gracefully reclining upon his bunk with the Post in one hand and the other affectionately caressing a beautifully bound copy of Artillery Drill Regulations. At the conclusion of the usual preliminaries, delivered with the utmost military courtesy, the captain casually glanced my way and in- formed me that I was to be battery 0. D. on the following day. Stop! There was one thing more — he was very particular about this. His dark eyes flashed and I trembled at the tone of his voice "Can you play bridge?" The next morning I stood my first formation with the battery. At retreat that evening the Top and I had a little difficulty understanding each other, and I was a little nervous standing cut in front there all alone before all you old-timers, but after that everything was "jake." Observing that the reconnaissance officer lived a dog's-life of hard work, I decided that I cound be the reconnaissance officer, or noth- ing. When I did snag on to it, there remained only two lieutenants to do the work of four; so that my downy couch of ease became noticeable only by its absence. I always pulled as hard for "recall" to blow as any buck-private. When we left Souge for the front I considered myself no longer an outsider, and B Battery was always "home" to me. My association with Captain Leahy and Lieutenant Curtis will always remain an enjoyable memory. I cannot give too much praise to 1st Sergeant Greene and his splendid body of non-coms. They were soldiers. I cannot properly express my regard for the men of the battery. They were the finest group of men with whom I have ever been associated. It was a privilege to be with B Battery and I regret only that I was not with them sooner. Sincerely /^y^ru^^^^^"^^^^^ P. S. I wish to apologize to some of the men for apparently hard treatment during gas-drill, but I wasn't nearly so rough on them as I was on some of our horses. H. E. M. CONTENTS Page I'a^c Deilicatiuii— Tliompsoti. Preface. Officers Oiilv 1"--^- Obituary 23 ^'^"'V nr Marie-Kckert 1. Ked (niidon Association— Hitter mid Funk 24-25 I'aniuus Saying— Staff riu- I'ii si SIkiI llausnian ' 1 fj^ I'lu- ( ioiiKinictcr Men — Eckert ■• 1 6/ History — Thompson, Murphy, ilansnian 27-102 Thirty- Seventh Division - Kell\- a 103 Sign;i| Detail— Murphy 171 liar If i->nc — llausnian 1 7_' A Letter from the Editors-Funk 104 ••11-11 II" :m,\ 1! Ilattery -Thumpson 17.! li Uattery Spirit — Eckert - 105 They're Off to the Races — Thompson AOb Kuit Miiniti.iiis Men .\lnr]ihy Canteens— Murphy - 107 l.etleis from Home Eckert 17S 'I'he Top Sergeant's I )ream — Thfjiiipson UtS I Inr Echelons -Eeckerl 17 The lloMl. ricks— Thompson 109 I iKincr.ito, IVte Ihompson Isl, l; llatterv Aless— Kellv 110 I 1..11..th iKitel- l;;n roiylon I8J The Top -Earl VounK ...Ill ■''"'""• ' ''-'I""'"- > ourt- Eckert lS.i McKcever— Thompson Ill Christmas. PMs -Murphy ISS I'erio.l Check— Thompson 113 ■"' .\ 4 x .!'■ n.uism.ni I'ill The I'-our Sergeants— Muri.hy IKS '■' ^' "■' I'.in^ienne Thompson I'Ml The (;encral — Kellv 117 ^'" '' ' ■" '■"• '''"'' i;ckert I'O l-"uel--l;ansnian US I '"' I'"'" NnniMurpln I'M .\rmv Hopes— Eckert 11') I nl,,rm.,t ion |.;.o I ^onn^;, l'',S Sp..rts-Staff lJl-130 '-'■ '■' •.\"Hers Kckert I"7 Dick I.avery— Thompson 132 He'-iiMiit; ll.iiiMiian JDO I'sychological I'~.\aminalion -Summers 135 l.oinse Kitlci Jill K llattery I'ets— fiausnian 137 I S ^ \. « II; „lnre Uausmaii JDJ CoiiiH liver— Ilausman • 141 Wi'ic. Il.ak hoiii Eraiice— Ennk . JIM riie Censor -P.ausman 144 lluCi-l I l.i> li.uisman Jll7 Soinenrrs Murphy 145 I ..nleiil im in Ihinsman Jll" "I he ^■sleta llike-Don Scott 149 MoIh- Kelly Jill I he Ineellfiel.l H ike-.M ur|.lly 1511 ^i"i> li"'^ l-ck.rl JIJ The Parade in Montgomery .Murphy 151 -^ ^oldni s Kiili.nv.il I.'iiuk JIS Mail - Ilausman ' 155 I niic haiough Funk JIS Shoe Polish ami ,\Ind - -'I liomp„,n 157 ,'''"■',.''",' ';■"■'':' "'".'"' I liompson \" .M. C. .\, SoiiK Hook .Machine (inns and Cinmeis Ilausman 15S ,, ,, .,,, „ , ,■ , .,., IJuarU-ttes llansinan JJl I lie Koad to \ erdnn— I lunnpson 159 |; ||,|i|,.,y's lluii Sli.iu .\liii|.liy JJJ Lost natlalion— I'.ansman Ihl Kiillin Funk ' JJJ Massacre of llic Mess -- M urphy Ifi3 Medicos 1-: W Parlon, M 11 JJ5 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Pag Page ICx Lilius — Rhoades Ammunition Detail — Kitter 6 I iicinei ,iloi l',ir Kelly ISI Sketches— Kelly 72-90 CInislm.is. PMS l-'unk ISS Sketch — Rhoades lOJ '' -"' "• ■■« ■' Rhoades Ion I'oliced Cazzette — Kelly 120 '•■■» ^ '•■ Parisieiine — Funk HHI Going Over — Funk _ 141 Sketch Kelly 1<)J Censor — Funk 144 ""•"■ 'Iniil Kelly 194 Parades, Hikes, Reviews— Funk 147 V'lick from Ir.inci — Kitter 204 Vsleta Hike — Rhoades 149 .Music ( onnlc i kell> 211 Shoe Polish and Mud — Funk 157 <'irl Pack llomi. Innk Jp) lioa.l to Verdun— Funk 159 Sketch— Uhna.hs _'_>! Massacre of the .Mess— Kelly 163 Kultur- l-'niik JJ3 First Shot — I-'unk 166 Sketch - Kelly _ 224 Mary and Marie — Funk , __ 169 iMaps II. P. Scott SO II II II and V, Battery (decoralionl I'mik 173 I'lo.logr.iphs collected hy Kitter. II llll and I! Pattery ( Illustration ) —Ritlcr 173 tartoons l,v Fuchs The cover design for the Red Quidon was painted b^ A. V. RITTER \ ■re: ■;'^,;f.> ■ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ,0 020 915 370 1 Ui^'j^^y ^;V%t\--'.i!l^'^ ■;