'f THE 55th artillery Col. James F. Howell Col. John L. Roberts .Capt. L. C. Mitchell Col. G. Sevier AT Maison Forestiere Signal Corps Photo Capt. W. L. Smith THE 55TH ARTILLERY (C. A. C.) IN THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES, FRANCE, 1918 By Frederick Morse Cutler, B. D. CHAPLAIN AUTHOR OF THE " OLD FIRST " WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS COMMONWEALTH PRESS 1920 X)57D eg COPYRIGHT 1920 BY FREDERICK MORSE CUTLER • • -• 4 . . . , , • • • • • • ■ ••" TO FERDINAND FOCH MARSHAL OF FRANCE OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 894871 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/55thartillerycac00cutlrich CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I Beginnings 3 II The Voyage on H. M. S. "Mauretania" .... 26 III In England and Into France 45 IV Training 61 V Into the "Aisne-Marne Offensive" '. 91 VI With the 3d Corps in the ''Oise-Aisne Offensive" . 104 VII To the "Meuse-Argonne" Front 137 VIII Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German . . 150 IX Americans Great Halloween Party 181 X The Armistice 205 XI HomewardBound— H. M. S. ''Cretic" ..... 222 XII The End 245 XIII The "Old First" Massachusetts Regiment ... 257 ROSTER 277 NECROLOGY 406 THE WOUNDED 408 INDEX 411 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Col. James F. Howell— Col. John L. Roberts— Capt. L. C. Mitchell- Col. G. Sevier— Capt. W. L. Smith Frontispiece The Author — Capt. Edward A. Kircher — The Chaplain in Action — Quartermaster Steamer at Fort Warren — Fort Warren — Mary- Howell and Color of 55th — Maj. Gen. Walter E. Lombard ... 8 Parade at Fort Andrews — 55th and Their Safe, Fort Andrews — Merritt Hall— At Camp Merritt 9 Map of Boston Harbor . 12 H. M. S. "Mauretania" 26 The " Mauretania's " War Paint — American Destroyer and British Dirigible — On the "Mauretania" 32 Y. M. C. A. Apple-Distribution — Battery F, Romsey 33 Band Giving Concert at Aubiere — Battery C at Aubiere 48 Trembley Funeral — Street Slaughter House — Kitchen, Aubiere ... 49 The Trail of the 55th in France 51 Censor Stamp 66 Friends 67 Royat and Puy de Dome — Village Square, Cebazat — Fire Drill — Street Cleaning, Cebazat 72 Beaumont — Battery E at Chateau, Beaumont — Band-Concert at Beau- mont — Clermont Ferrand — 55th at Clermont 73 Training Area 75 Gas-mask Drill — Gas-Alarm — Coupling Gun to Holt Tractor ... 80 Renault Tractor Hauhng Gun — A 75 Holt Tractor on the Road — Getting off the Road 81 Chateau Chavagniac — Our Band at Chavagniac— Traveling Across Country 88 The Christening — The Christening Reenacted — The Christening Party — A G. P. F. Regiment Parked — Enjoying a Rail Move .... 89 Battery in Position — Tractor and Crew — Approaching Position — Laying Gun 96 Cleaning Romeny — Cleaning up After Cleaning up Town — Band Billet — Passing Thru Jaulgonne 97 General Orders No. 318 102 The French Glad to See American G. P. F.'s at the Front — Ordnance Repair Truck 104 Pete Shea's Kitchen — American Graves, Romeny — French Artillery- man's House, Passy — Quentin Roosevelt's Grave — Dangerous Corner at Coulonges 105 Map, Operations on Vesle — Our Projectiles — Orienting the Battery — PoUshing the Breech 112 Ramming Home a G. P. F. Shell 113 Kitchen, Maison Forestiere — Office of Headquarters Co. — Dravegny — Firing While Wearing Gas-masks 120 Reading the Shirt — Bathing at Abbaye D'Igny 121 PAGE The "Cootie" 132 Entrance of B. C. Station, Arcis le Ponsart — Battery C Firing at Night — Searching German Prisoners 136 Peaceful Appearance of the 55th — Motor Transport Park — Comfort- ably placed at Charmontois I'Abbe — Battery F on Road — A Glimpse of Battery F 137 Corking the Bottle 155 Enemy Planes — Entrance to Rest-Camp — Cripples off the Road . . 160 P. C. Sevier — Regimental Telephone Central 161 Map, First Half of Meuse-Argonne 165 Barbed- Wire Entanglements — A German Trench — Germans with Hel- mets and Breastplates — The Evening of "Der Tag" 168 Road Congestion at Esnes — Convoy of Camions 169 Brig. Gen. W. C. Davis — Wagons Going to Front — Pulling Horse out of Ditch 176 Montfaucon — 55th's P. C, Montfaucon— Wine-Cellar Used as P. C. 177 Outside First Battalion Headquarters — Taking It Easy — First Battalion Headquarters, Gesnes 184 Gesnes — Bat. B Digging Shelters — Hit by a German Shell — Kitchen at Epinonville 185 Observation Post at Montfaucon 192 Montfaucon from Ivoiry — Montfaucon 193 Romagne 196 Second Battalion at Romagne 197 Mess Line, Epinonville — Epinonville — Balloon on Fire — Parachute FalUng — Bombs from German Plane — Balloon 200 A "Good Morning" Salvo — German Dug-Outs — "Beaucoup Prisoners" 201 Map, Nov. 1, 1918 202 Ready for the Move to Sedan — B at Gesnes 204 A Gun and Crew— Bat. D 205 Battery E— Battery F 216 French Peasants Recover Buried Treasure — The German Retreat — Hardcourt — Champcourt 217 Main Street in Argentolles — Rest Billets, Champcourt — On the Road — Chateau Rolland — En Route to Brest and Home 232 Open- Air Messing at Camp Pontanezen — Messing at Brest — The "Duck- board Brigade" — Headquarters Company at Brest 233 H. M.S. "Cretic"— On the "Cretic"— Camp Mills 240 55th upon Arrival at Fort Scott 241 First State Camp of Old First — South Armory, Boston — Col. George F. Quinby 256 Mortar Battery Night Practice — Our Gettysburg Monument — Fort Monroe — How the Regiment Looked 257 Supply Co. at Yorktown in 1862— Battery B in 1844— The Train-Band, 1832— Maj. Poore Pays His Bet 264 Artillery in 1918— Artillery in the World War— Artillery in 1784— Bat- tery F in 1835— Battery F in 1848 265 Design of the Gettysburg Monument 268 The White Diamond Flag— The White Diamond since 1888 .... 269 THE 55th artillery Tf THE 55TH ARTILLERY CHAPTER I Beginnings DURING the spring of 1919, Boston and Providence news- papers contained articles similar to the following ; it is re- produced, if one may employ a musical metaphor, as the "overture*' to our story: THE 55th artillery " These Yanks came back because 'it's over over there.' On the field of battle the 55th Artillery, C. A. C, were leaders; and after the battle, when home-coming was in order, they still led. Their song expresses the situation, *We hit the trail of the Kaiser, We are Yankees thru and thru. We showed the sons of Germany What the U. S. A. can do; Now our mothc.-s, wives and sweethearts Will be some proud to say That the boys from Massachusetts Were the first to lead the way.' "A part of the U. S. Army, the 55th Artillery, C. A. C, was made up of eight companies from the Coast Defenses of Boston and was given regimental organization on Dec. 1, 1917. Three of its bat- teries and the Supply Co. came originally from the historic old First Massachusetts Coast Artillery and included a large fraction of that regiment's former personnel. Amongst them were the Boston Fusiliers (Bat. F, 55th) whose red coats had gleamed from 1787 onward as a scarlet thread in the civic fabric of Boston. Two batteries and the Headquarters Co. were Boston Harbor regulars of long standing; while one battery (Bat. E, 55th) came originally from Rhode Island. With all eight units directly from Boston Harbor and seven of them previously localized there during many years, it is fair to claim that the 55th was 'the Boston Artillery.' Its regimental funds were contributed by friends in Boston and /::: ■■• 4 4.:r : /v : The Fifty-fifth Artillery vicinity — in Cambridge, Chelsea, Winthrop, Hull, Taunton, New Bedford and Providence; its colors were presented by Jordan Marsh Company and by women of Winthrop — May 1, 1919, there was a 'return of the colors' so that citizens and friends might view the silken emblems of heroic service in the Hall of Flags of the Boston State House; its Chaplain was equipped by Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and his supplies were kept up by the Old South Congregational Church, both of Boston. 'The Hub' was the mother of the 55th Artillery — and she has no occasion to blush for her offspring. ''The 55th served as part of the Army Artillery, First Army, American Expeditionary Forces, France. The regiment was in the 31st Heavy Artillery Brigade, whose other members were the 56th (from Connecticut) and the 57th (the 9th New York); the 54th (from Maine), the 146th Field Artillery (from the Rocky Moun- tains) and the 52d Ammunition Train (from Los Angeles, Cali- fornia) were also at times attached to the brigade. Seventy-one officers and 1,716 men represented the aggregate strength of the regiment; Col. James F. Howell, Col. Granville Sevier and Col. John L. Roberts were the successive Commanding Officers. "A 'fighting regiment' was the 55th Artillery. From New York City whence they sailed Mch. 25, 1918, in the giant Cunarder 'Mauretania,' from Liverpool where on Apr. 2 they landed, Rom- sey and Havre where they 'rested,' Clermont Ferrand where they 'trained,' Randanne where amid the heather-clad peaks of Puy de Dome they 'practised,' even to Champcourt where they 'deloused,' to Brest where they injured their clothing, dispositions and health and whence finally, on Jan. 10, 1919, aboard the comfortable White Star liner 'Cretic' they sailed homeward, to New York City where on Jan. 22 they arrived in 'God's country,' to Camp Mills where they took their final baths, and to Fort Wright, they made a record of 'energy and bravery,' 'determination and briUiant success.' They came to the battle-field at the crucial hour of the Allied cause, and they continued until the enemy was crushingly defeated. They trod the path of battle during thirteen continuous weeks, and it led them thru the shell-torn and bloody fields of Abbaye d'Igny, Arcis le Ponsart, Dravegny, Courville and Serzy, and then, after a long hike, of Recicourt, Avocourt, Very, Mont- faucon, Epinonville, Gesnes, Romagne to Beaufort; they were constantly in action day and night (to quote from the citation), Beginnings 5 Responding with self-sacrificing devotion to duty and superb effi- ciency,' and their 'accurate and powerful support was one of the main factors in opening the way for the infantry to advance' ; the 'tremendous volume of fire, the skilful arrangement of all objectives and the perfect coordination with the infantry and machine-guns were a model of completeness'; finally they occupied positions from which the Metz-Mezieres railroad was brought under interdiction fire, and so helped to 'win the greatest battle in history.' "The first shot was fired by gun No. 1 (the 'AlUe') of Bat. A, at Arcis le Ponsart, 12.03 p. m., Aug. 9, and Sgt. Mark M. Damon, the gun commander, was subsequently 'recommended' for a decoration because of bravery under fire. The 'AUie' distinguished itself a few weeks afterward by breaking thru a bridge across the railroad line at Dombasle. Lt. Adolph F. Youngberg, at Mont- faucon, with great personal risk moved several valuable trucks from their position of dangerous proximity to a burning ammuni- tion dump, and was recommended for his gallantry. Pvt. James F. Lally of Bat. C was killed in a bombing raid under circum- stances of distinguished heroism; as telephone operator it was his duty to stand by the tree on which his instrument hung, and he continued on duty after the approach of the enemy plane had been heard and all his comrades had taken cover. A controversy existed as to who fired the final shot; it was agreed that 10.42 a. m. on Nov. 11 was the time and Beaufort the place, but both Sgt. Ralph Eaton of No. 3 gun (the 'Ella G'), Bat. E, and Sgt. Fred A. Jordan of No. 3 gun (the 'Alky'), Bat. F, claimed to have performed the historic deed. Maj. Nestor, the battalion commander, in- clined to support the Bat. F claim. ''The regiment had a share in three distinct 'major operations,' the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the Oise-Aisne Offensive and the great Meuse-Argonne Offensive; they were in action on the Aisne, Aug. 9 to Sept. 9, and between the Meuse and the Argonne thereafter until Nov. 11. They were armed with twenty-four 155 mm. high- power motorized Filloux rifles, all duly and properly christened; and altogether they fired 32,678 rounds. Each separate projectile was sufficiently destructive to wreck a house — Bat. F on the Aisne actually demoHshed a large distillery, miles away, by five well-directed shots. "American and French commanding officers issued general orders praising and citing the regiment for gallant conduct in both 6 The Fifty-fifth Artillery of their battles. Telephone wires were continual victims of enemy shell-fire, so that on one occasion thirty-nine distinct breaks were found in a single line; special praise was meted out to the ofiicers and men in charge of communications, the oflBcers being Capt. T. J. Leary and Lts. J. C. Bates, R. D. Pierce, F. Camm and W. A. Hodge. Montfaucon possesses most tragic memories for members of the 55th, as there they were part of the army's exposed center bulge or salient and there consequently they lost six of those who constituted their total of 'killed or died of wounds.' The regiment's losses were thirteen killed in action, twenty-two or more who died from sickness or accident and forty-eight wounded who did not die; and the figures would have been far higher except for the admirable discipline of the command and the tactical skill manifested in its handhng. "On Jan. 29, 1919, the War Department announced the adoption of a plan for perpetuating the names and service records of National Guard and National Army units which had distinguished themselves overseas, and continuing them as regiments or divisions of the Regular Army; and the 55th Artillery was the very first such unit to be thus honored. While fully appreciating the distinction con- ferred, the regiment did not equally enjoy the assignment which accompanied it — namely, to Fort Winfield Scott in the Coast Defenses of San Francisco; the regimental heart yearned for Boston. All discharges having been granted to which men were entitled, on Feb. 17 the regiment started for its new station with a strength of 170 men and 9 officers; after a marvelous scenic journey via Chicago, Colorado Springs (where they indulged in a street parade as their expression of appreciation for the many courtesies extended by the local Red Cross), Salt Lake City and the Feather River, they were welcomed by the San Francisco Red Cross at Oakland, Feb. 23, and were transported in the Government steamer to Fort Scott. Every- one who could devise a reasonable pretext proceeded to apply for transfer back to Boston or for discharge, with the immediate result of a considerable diminution of even the existing reduced numbers. The regiment was promptly equipped with twenty-four 155 mm. G. P. F. rifles." The "overture" endeth. Despondency was beginning to grip the hearts of Boston Harbor's coast artillery garrison in the late autumn of 1917; it appeared that Beginnings 7 nothing short of a miracle could ever bring a German warship over to attack the Massachusetts coast, and it seemed equally improb- able that anything would happen to secure overseas service for the defenders of the coast. They were all volunteers, as the draft was not to send its first man into the harbor until Christmas time ; and they had volunteered with the idea that the sea-coast would be the very first active front for American troops. Not only were they disappointed in this expectation but they were also compelled to remain quiet while their numbers were depleted and their organiza- tions gave up detachment after detachment to increase the strength of more fortunate units. The July previous, five entire companies of Regular Army coast artillery left Boston, three to become incorpo- rated in the new 30th Heavy Artillery Brigade, Railway Artillery Re- serve, and two in the 39th Brigade, Army Artillery, and all presently disappeared "somewhere in France." In August, Gen. Clarence R. Edwards awoke to the possibilities of his position wherein he was simultaneously commanding both the new 26th Division and also the Northeastern Department and stripped the department in order to build up the division. When several hundred coast artil- lerymen had been transferred from Boston Harbor to the 51st Field Artillery Brigade and the 101st Ammunition Train, their unfortunate comrades who were not chosen eased their ruffled feel- ings by making ungracious remarks as to the need existing in the 26th Division for coast artillerymen to "tone up" the overseas organization. Other companies departed to do guard duty at Boston, Watertown and Springfield. Reports came that the first Yankee shot against the Germans had been fired by Bat. C, 6th F. Arty., on Oct. 23; and yet no gleam of dawning hope brightened any quarter of the horizon for the disconsolate garrison of the Boston forts. Altho they had not yet learned the deep significance attaching to the letters "s.o.l.," they were beginning to feel the bitter truth of the expression as applicable to themselves. When the gloom was deepest, appeared Bulletin 45 from the Headquarters of the Coast Defenses of Boston at Fort Warren, dated Dec. 1, 1917, with the cheering announcement that "the 55th Artillery, C. A. C, is organized in this coast defense com- mand." Both interest and hope revived. Dec. 1, 1917, was the regimental birthday; to be sure, the Ad- jutant GeneraFs Office of the War Department had written a letter Nov. 20, 1917, containing instructions which looked toward the 8 The Fifty-fifth Artillery regimental advent, and the aforesaid instructions had been com- municated to the coast defense command by a letter ("No. 322.05") from the Commanding Officer of the North Atlantic Coast Artillery- District dated Nov. 22, but it was Bulletin 45 which actually put these instructions into effect and produced the new regiment. Certain companies were named in the Bulletin as constituting the regiment. At once the other companies began to inquire whether they could not secure the detail and be substituted for those originally named; and one such exchange did actually take place when the 16th Co. (the old Roxbury City Guard) had to give way, much against their will, to the more fortunate 19th Co. Evi- dently a large number of individuals would be transferred to the new regiment in order to bring up the membership of the batteries from 109 to the new figure, 219; and almost everyone became eager to go. While subsequent regiments consisted of newly created units made up for the purpose by transferring men from older companies, the 55th comprized eight actually existing organizations from the harbor, eight units of long standing and honorable record; so that the departure of the 55th overseas left eight vacancies in the coast defense command. As soon as one says " eight," one becomes aware of objection from the bandsmen, and with good reason; the 10th Band, C. A. C, came into the 55th as a distinct unit; and altho it merged in the Headquarters Co., its incorporation with the 55th created a ninth vacancy in the harbor. According to Bulletin 45 the composition of the 55th was as follows: Headquarters Co. — the 13th Co., Boston, formerly the 152d Co., C. A. C, organized Aug. 5, 1907. The Band, which became part of Hq. Co. — the 10th Band, C. A. C, organized June 6, 1901. Battery A — the 1st Co., Boston, formerly the 96th Co., C. A. C, organized June 13, 1901. Battery B — the 26th Co., Boston, formerly the 11th Co., Mass. C. A. N. G., organized Sept. 21, 1821, and subsequently reorganized. Originally known as the Boston City Guard, it had revived as the Maverick Rifles. Battery C— the 8th Co., Boston, formerly the 83d Co., C. A. C, organized Apr. 6, 1901. Battery D— the 19th Co., Boston, formerly the 4th Co., Mass. C. A. N. G., organized July 22, 1852. It was known as the New Bedford City Guards. The Author Capt. Edward A. Kircher Thk Chaplain in Action, Fort Warren Quartermaster Steamer at Fort Warren Fort Warren Copyright International Mary Howell and Color of 55th Maj. Gen. Walter E. Lombard Parade at Fort Andrews 55th and Their Safe, Fort Andrews Merritt Hall J At Camp Merkitt Beginnings 9 Battery E— the 29th Co., Boston, formerly the 9th Co., R. I. C. A. N. G., organized 1893. Battery F — the 18tb Co., Boston, formerly the 3d Co., Mass. C. A. N. G., organized May 11, 1787, and known as the Independent Boston Fusiliers. Supply Co. — the 20th Co., Boston, formerly the 5th Co., Mass. C. A. N. G., organized Oct. 5, 1852, and known as the Chelsea Rifles. According to the official report, "All Coast Artillery units in the Coast Defenses of Boston contributed to the membership of the 55th; far more than half of the members of the former Mass. C. A. N. G. passed into the new regiment; the 16th Co., Boston (formerly the 1st Mass. C. A. N. G.), 17th (2d Mass. or Tigers), 24th (9th Mass.) and 31st (13th R. I.) gave up practically their entire per- sonnel to the 55th, while the 21st Co. (6th Mass. or Washington Light Guards) was heavily drawn upon." Altho the Mass. C. A. N. G. had taken 53 officers and 1,437 men into Federal service, after the mustering officer had finished with them and Gen. Edwards had appropriated all he needed for the 26th Division they had only 45 officers and 955 men left in the harbor when the 55th was formed; of the latter, 21 officers and 638 men entered the new regiment. From the five companies of R. I. C. A. N. G. in the harbor also a large proportion were transferred to the 55th, the figures being 10 officers and some 300 men. Six ex-Massachusetts coast artillery- men, who had previously entered training-school from the N. G. and received Reserve commissions, became officers in the new regi- ment. Figures are not available to show exactly what proportion of drafted men were eventually added to the regiment nor how com- pletely it consisted of volunteers, but certainly the latter were always in huge preponderance; at the time of the armistice, when the batteries had received many National Army men thru replace- ment drafts, there were only 24 such in Bat. B and 28 in Bat. C. Officers were assigned to the 55th by Special Order 282, War Department, dated Dec. 4, 1917; and immediately everyone who had not been named, endeavored to effect substitution and get himself included. It appeared that the formation of the regiment was not a new plan on the part of the Washington authorities, that indeed they must have prepared the list of officers at least four months previously; for they included amongst those to serve with the 55th three who had gone overseas with the 26th Divi- 10 The Fifty-fifth Artillery sion long before. Now these three places were filled by additional officers, a few were made happy, and the unsuccessful ones became more disappointed than ever. As the regiment was ultimately constituted, the roster of officers comprized 16 Regulars (of whom 5 were West Point graduates), 26 National Guardsmen, 44 Reserv- ists, and 2 National Army. Officers were assigned to duty by Special Order 1, Headquarters 55th Artillery, Fort Andrews, Mass., Dec. 15, 1917. One captain had anticipated continuing with a company which he had commanded during pre-war days. Human nature being as it is, one inevitably ''gets along" better with certain men than with others, and this "centurion" had been quietly requesting the transfer of his non-affinities into another company; judge therefore of his dismay when he found himself assigned to the command of the very unit into which his ''trans- ferred" men had gone. There was a general shortage of various equipment. But the worst troubles were caused by the terrific winter of 1917-18. Not since 1844 had the harbor been so frozen that it was possible to walk ashore from islands half a dozen miles out; the Quartermaster boats at times were unable to call at a post like Fort Andrews for several days. Bat. E at Fort Standish lived from hand to mouth for weeks in the matter of coal and wood due to the shortage of fuel in New England and the difficulty and uncertainty of harbor transportation. The boats ran so irregularly, if they ran at all, that the wise ones, after an experience or two of famine, never went aboard without taking luncheons along. The ice drove the "Gen. Anderson" and the Navy boat for Bumpkin's Island on the rocks of Peddock's Island, fortunately, however, not wrecking them. Once when the rudder of the "Gen. Jessup" had been smashed by ice off Nix's Mate, a large party of officers and men of the regiment spent an entire night on board; the accident was re- peated a little later, and it is said that the skipper, Capt. Learson, actually climbed down on the ice and walked around to inspect damages. Harbor barracks were crowded to at least twice their normal capacity, and it was necessary to keep all windows open in order to prevent disease; so the batteries had a taste of winter rigor while still at home in the United States. Bat. D was housed in flimsy wooden barracks where the stoves, on account of the ex- treme cold, would not give sufficient heat to cook food; and thru- Beginnings 11 out the battery there were six men to every available mess-kit. As the regimental units were on different islands in the harbor and depended upon telephone service for the communication neces- sary in organizing, it was a real calamity when, one night, an anchored vessel, caught in the ice-pack, dragged anchor and broke the cable giving telephonic connection with Boston. To draw supplies was quite an adventure in itself. One could go to Fort Warren only when a boat succeeded in running, and a disaster to the vessel meant no supplies; equally uncertain was the return voyage, and yet one must get off George's Island, where every cranny was filled and no temporary quarters could possibly be found. When, one day. Bat. F's supply party were returning from Fort Warren, they narrowly missed spending the night in the ice floe, and extricated themselves only by following a narrow crack, twenty minutes before the ''Gen. Jessup," a much more powerful boat, became stuck for the whole night. Arrived at the Fort Strong pier, ice conditions made it impossible to land except with the prow pointed directly toward the dock; moreover, the tide was at lowest ebb. To get the boxes of supplies off the boat it was necessary for the men to climb up the dock on swaying boards while lashed fast with ropes to keep from falling; a big case containing some eighty pairs of field shoes broke open in the pro- cess of landing and the contents fell out, luckily, however, drop- ping back into the boat. While the work of organization went forward and with it instruc- tion in the mysteries of field artillery, the routine coast artillery duties had also to be performed, both drill and instruction; for we stood in dual relationship — we were training for overseas service at the same time that we constituted Boston's principal defense against naval attack. Owing to the vast amount of work, it was found necessary to relieve subsequent regiments of this double duty, and free them from coast defense responsibilities. With four hours of school for officers in the afternoon and classes for non-commissioned officers each evening and the never ending paper and administrative work arising from divided authority, everyone was saved from the perils of idleness. Constant reports must be made to the Coast Defense Headquarters, the regimental Headquarters of the 55th, the North Atlantic District and the Northeastern Department, while the regiment itself maintained three centers of administration — at Fort Andrews where Head- 12 The Fifty-fifth Artillery quarters was located, Fort Warren where transfers were recorded and at Fort Banks where the Colonel resided. Insurance and allot- ment began to claim attention during the winter months; and as the regulations governing them changed from hour to hour, ^AHANT^ FORT HEATH BATTEur C. RT 3^^lKS BATTERY U. MAP OF BOSTON HARBOR. SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OP UNITS OF 55"" ARTILLERr, CAC. »N WINTER I9n-(a, IFORT STANDI5H;TjJ«^*^ ATLM^TIC OCEAN eoSTON SHIP GEoteEi^FORT WARREN RWNJFO«» ' COAST OEFE^SE HOST., AmO RC«r. aoPPLt PEPOT. .LLtRTOH HINGHAtl BAT. •'''^- E. A. KIRCHER they came to be regarded as twin abominations of the devil; a battery of three typewriters and a platoon of clerks commanded by two Ueutenants were busy for a month keeping these papers written and rewritten, half a dozen times, in compliance with fluctuating rules and interpretations — all this in a single battery. Beginnings 13 Work was not permitted entirely to exclude enjoyment. When- ever the weather became semi-moderate and the men could assemble sufficient equipment, outdoor drills were held in artillery or infan- try, often assuming the form of long hikes ("collecting kilometers," we used to call the sport, afterwards, in France.) On one such occasion, the journey being made in heavy marching order. Bat. D manifested great interest in Capt. Stitt's physical welfare and took care that he should not suffer for lack of proper exercise. Unknown to the Captain, a pair of iron dumb-bells and other heavy junk were rolled into his pack; and he innocently wore it thruout the entire distance. So mighty a man was the pack-bearer that he never noticed the slight increment; and when he had returned to quarters without having "tumbled," he caused the men to wonder whether the joke was not on them after all. Boston began to take a lively interest in her "own" artillery and honored the 55th with a succession of entertainments and dances, aiming incidentally to accumulate a fund of $18,000 wherewith the regiment could estabhsh a regimental exchange. Each battery undertook to raise a smaller fund for its own use. On Jan. 19, 1918, the ladies of Winthrop manifested their interest in the 55th and their friendliness for Col. Howell by presenting a silken regi- mental color; Mrs. Anthony F. Holahan, Mrs. Charles E. Cowan and others arranged a concert in the Elks' Home with numbers by Bernice Fisher Butler, soprano, Edna Sheppard, pianist, Ser- gei Adamsky, tenor, and Ralph Smalley, 'cellist, and Ida McCar- thy and James A. Ecker at the piano, and followed with presenta- tion speeches and an informal reception and dancing. A week later (Jan. 26) a large concourse of friends assembled in the South Armory under the auspices of the Massachusetts Coast Artillery Auxiliary to witness the presentation of a National color. Gen. Walter E. Lom- bard presided; and the flag, which had been given by Jordan Marsh Company in honor of the thirty employees of their firm who be- longed to the 55th Artillery, was delivered to the regiment by Speaker Channing H. Cox of the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives and by Mr. Wilson of the firm. Col. Howell's beau- tiful daughter, Mary, "daughter of the regiment," stepped for- ward here, as she had done at Winthrop, and received the gift in behalf of the men; alas, that she was not permitted to live thru- out the ensuing months so as to lend the brightness and cheer of her smile when the colors were returned and welcomed in the spring 14 The Fifiy-fifih Artillery of 1919! Gen. J. A. Johnston, commanding the Northeastern De- partment, Brig. Gen. R. A. Howze, Chief of Staff, Col. C. A. Ben- nett, commanding the North Atlantic Coast Artillery District, Col. Thomas Ridgway, commander of the Coast Defenses of Bos- ton, and Mr. Robert Newcomb also spoke. While a large propor- tion of the regimental fund was successfully accumulated thru the generosity of friends in Boston and Providence and suburban centers, the regimental exchange had an ill-omened career; start- ing without accurate compUance with regulations and presently running foul of the new rule which made the Y. M. C. A. sole dispensatory of small stores, it ran a gantlet of criticism and oppo- sition from the start, and eventually its funds were apportioned amongst the batteries. Upon arrival home in the spring of 1919, some $2,000 remained in the treasury of the exchange and was then finally divided up. A dupUcate stand of colors was received from the Government; the regiment carried both sets to France. No guidons were issued, and battery seamstresses had to improvize in order to meet this need. As a solemn setting to these festivities stood the fact that on Jan. 19, in a sector of the Allied line northwest of Toul, American troops, amongst them men of the C. A. C. in the 1st Trench Mor- tar Battery, 1st Division, for the first time occupied and held trenches face to face with the enemy; what a contrast France afforded, where the weather on the day in question was reported to be "as warm as ApriF^! Col. James F. Howell left the regiment Feb. 9, and transferred to the General Staff Corps, becoming Chief of Staff in the newly formed Army Artillery; he was succeeded by Col. Granville Sevier. The new Commanding Officer was a native of Tennessee, a descend- ant of John Sevier, the hero of King's Mountain; he had been an officer in the Regular Army since the time of the Spanish War, having entered service with the Tennessee volunteers. "A Day with the 55th," on Monday evening, Feb. 11, again drew crowds of friends to the South Armory to manifest interest in the "Boston artillery.'' Batteries C and D gave gun drills and illustrated the routine of a soldier's life from reveille to taps, in- cluding "mess," and a concert was given by the Bat. B glee club; while the program ended with general dancing which was far from being part of the every-day regimental routine. Jordan Marsh Company provided the decorations; and the Band, under the leader- Beginnings 15 ship of Eric H. F. Svensson, as on the former occasions, furnished fine music. Mrs. Harry Converse and Mrs. James J. Storrow, prominent in Boston society, were in general charge. Tickets to "A Day with the 55th" sold at $2 and $5, and a num- ber were sent to each fort for sale amongst the soldiers. As the men already had all they could swing in supporting their own battery dances, they did not respond enthusiastically to this larger opportunity. Maj. Holbrook, who was both Fort Commander at Strong and also Major of the 3d Batl., desired to help in market- ing the tickets and asked his Post Adjutant for suggestions. *' Leave it to me, I'll fix it," said the latter. So before long an order issued, that on Feb. 11 no passes would be granted, but anyone buying a ticket and showing the same to his first sergeant would be put on a special pass list, available that morning and the privilege good for twenty-four hours. As the extremely cold weather made it doubtful whether boats could run that day, one of the men inquired what they would do in that case and was told, **Get there any way you can; I don't care how." About 11 o'clock the special list was sent to the Post Adjutant bearing about seventy names; and two minutes later the telephone rang in the office of a battery commander, to demand what was meant by sending in seventy names when only nine tickets had been sold by the Ad- jutant. Assurance was given that every man who asked for a pass had produced a ticket; but this failed to mollify the irate Adjutant. So orders came out that at 12.30 p. m., one-half hour prior to boat time, all men on the pass list were to form in front of the barracks and have their tickets checked up; the storming Adjutant calculated that, rather than get themselves into trouble, the men would avail themselves of a final opportunity and buy tickets. Twelve-thirty came, and two men appeared. "Where are the rest?" demanded the Adjutant. "Sir," replied the first sergeant," they followed your instructions to go to town any way they could, and walked to the city over the ice." The Adjutant gave up; that was a body blow. Bat. B gave a successful dance at Paul Revere Hall in the Me- chanics Building on Feb. 16, and Bat. F the same evening attracted a large number of friends to Horticultural Hall for a similar pur- pose, Lt. Gov. Calvin Coolidge being guest of honor at the latter place; about the same time Bat. E conducted a big entertainment in Providence. The men had now commenced to advertize their 16 The Fifty-fifth Artillery social functions as "farewells" and continued doing so until they found themselves nick-named the "Sarah Bernhardt regiment (so many farewells) '^ — ^then the custom ceased. Bat. F, who engineered this stunt, was a body possessing unique ingenuity and deserving of special mention. For one hundred thirty years they had been the "Independent Boston Fusiliers," and they remained true to type during the entire war. Their first captain, William Turner, had been in civil life a dancing-master, and from him they doubtless derived their fondness and talent for social festivity. Their battle cry was : " We may be rough, We may be tough, But Battery F Has got the stuff." One of their majors said it was too bad that they felt called upon to keep up a reputation for toughness, "So hard that they would bounce," as he phrased it; for they were not tough at all. Cer- tainly their battery officers never found them lacking in loyal response; and efficient they were ever. Inexplicable stunts they would pull off, and they could not be handled like a more conven- tional company; clan feeling was very strong, and from Sgt. Mclsaac down, they clung together "like a ball of wax." At Fort Strong they built a raft on the farther end of Long Island, ordered a pair of sculls from Boston so that they could row over to the city be- tween retreat and reveille and say "Goodbye," while all but the sentinels at the fort lay sound asleep; they almost had heart failure when the sculls arrived and by mistake were delivered at some officer's quarters, but they effected a rescue before the plot was discovered. While at Camp Merritt they held a battery meeting in Herald Square, New York City, one evening (or more accurately, one midnight), all of course being a. w. o. 1. But as fighters they were superb, and as loyal friends they could not be surpassed. "F" was the appropriate letter by which to designate the Fusiliers, as it had been their original designation, borne by them in the Old First between Apr. 25, 1842, and Mch. 1, 1859 (prior to 1842 there were no company letters). The name, "Fusilier," indicated a soldier armed with a "fusil," a weapon otherwise known as a snaphaunce or smooth-bore flintlock; during the World War, the term was revived and employed to designate the wielders Beginnings 17 of small machine-guns or "automatic rifles" in a regiment. While Bat. F served too large a type of ordnance to permit of their classi- fication with the "fusiliers" of the American Expeditionary- Forces, they were not untrue to type; for they accumulated a remarkably fine battery of captured machine-guns in the course of their campaigning. Col. Howell had been urgent to have his officers uniformly and handsomely equipped; he had argued his point by calling atten- tion to the costly artillery materiel with which the 55th was to be provided, making it the most expensively equipped regiment ever organized in America. So all the original officers bought riding- boots and spurs at S35 or thereabouts per pair, and thereafter amid American snow and French mud kept wondering why they had been so prodigal in their investment. Col. Sevier was not equally interested in the personal accouterments of his officers; and those joining the regiment later were able to save much money. Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Boston, at the suggestion of Bishop Lawrence, had given Chaplain's equipment to the Chap- Iain of the Boston Coast Defenses — a motor-truck, a picture-ma- chine, an altar-set, typewriter, an Edison talking-machine, and other necessary things — a broad-minded patriotic service, for the Chaplain did not happen to be an Episcopalian; somewhat later the Old South Congregational Church of Boston undertook the expense of maintaining this equipment thruout the war. When Chaplain Oliver followed Col. Howell into the Army Artillery and, on Mch. 9, Chaplain Cutler became a member of the 55th, his equipment was rendered available for the new regiment; Quarter- master regulations prevented the shipment of the truck overseas (howbeit it did much service while we were in the harbor), but the other articles mentioned never ceased to be sources of utility and dehght. Miss G. Bayley of Roxbury added a set of altar- cloths made with her own needle, in the five colors of the Christian year, and Roman Catholic friends provided a supply of sacrament- wine. A religious census taken later revealed the same diversity in the regimental personnel as existed in the communities from which the men came; there were 45% of Catholics, 23^^% Hebrews, while the others classified as Protestants. Almost every racial stock was represented, just as is the case in American life; but not many weeks were required to demonstrate that, whether a man's 2 18 The Fifty-fifth Artillery name was McDonald or Boucher or Cohen or Kozaniecki or Malvessi or Bradford, he was a Yank all thru and thru. Only one member of the regiment ever changed his name, only one ever desired to do so; that was when " Trotsky*' secured approval of the Secretary of War to appear on future rolls as ''Operacz." His change of cognomen was due, not to any cause existing in America or the American Army, but to the malign activities of a certain Bolshevik leader who had brought the surname into disrepute. Every soldier of the 55th who made good amidst the mud and filth, the blood and fire of France, had a right to stand up before the founders and first families of the land and say to them, '^What- ever you may be, I am 100% American.*' The prospect of overseas service induced serious thought along at least one line — it led many members of the 55th to set forward their wedding-days. Marriage bells rang on every post in Boston Harbor as the soldiers made sure of the girls they were about to leave behind them. Serial numbers were assigned to all enlisted men on Feb. 28; as the numerals became officially attached to the men's names, so likewise did the aluminum identification tags upon which the figures were stamped become an inseparable part of the uniform. On Mch. 4, Lt. Col. Shedd, who was acting commander of the regiment and actual Fort Commander at Andrews, held a review of the units stationed on his post; the Headquarters Co., the Band, the Supply Co. and Bat. B paraded together with the 23d Co., Boston, and made a handsome showing as they passed in review before Col. Quinby of the Massachusetts Coast Artillery. The event gained importance when it developed that the 55th would participate in no other reviews whatever before going overseas. On Mch. 8 an order suddenly went out from the Headquarters of the Coast Defenses that the whole of Boston Harbor was under quarantine on account of the prevalence of scarlet fever; and no one was allowed, not even the officers, to go on pass. At just which fort this epidemic existed no one seemed to know, and the wise ones openly asserted that it was all a bit of camouflage. An order also appeared stating that in the near future the regiment would march thru Boston in full service equipment, not as a farewell parade, but merely to exhibit the troops to the city; and the men began to picture themselves participating in a big St. Patrick's Day celebration in honor of the "good Saint who drove the red Beginnings 19 coats out of Boston." This too proved to be camouflage. All regimental and personal baggage received the distinctive identi- fication marking of the organization, an elaborate polychrome scheme consisting of two black stripes, with red, white, blue and yellow trimmings. On Mch. 13 the heaviest or "freight" bag- gage quietly started from the forts; and on Friday, Mch. 15, early in the afternoon, the order to move finally arrived. The long-expected word came in two parts, "Special Order No. 1" and "S. O. No. 2," and from that fact arose some awkwardness in one battery; No. 2 was received, but No. 1 failed to put in an appearance. Ordinarily a captain would engage in a little telephone ing and easily secure the missing information; but secrecy was the rule in connection with important military movements. Owing to the presence of civilian visitors, everyone was forbidden so much as to mention the projected plans, while a well-grounded fear of enemy espionage rendered it impossible to use the telephone. No one at the fort possessed a copy of the order. Presently regimental Headquarters commenced to send "corrections" to order No. 1, and the Colonel impatiently demanded an acknowledgment, stating that these were understood ; and, at the same time, an officer, newly attached, reported to the battery commander for instructions under the same order; something had to be done — at once. First, a field officer, quartered at a fort on another island, was aroused late in the evening, and was persuaded to tell, over the wire, "The essential thing is to be ready at 8.30"; and with this much information, the work of final preparation was kept up all night. At reveille, the next morning, the Captain took advantage of a direct telephone line running out of his fort to another battery's office, a line on which listening in was impossible, and, by connecting with an officer there, finally secured the missing information. After all, the regimental departure was actually delayed until afternoon. As the 55th were to be part of the "Army Artillery," a word of explanation about that force is in order. Two regiments, constitut- ing the 39th Brigade, had preceded us overseas by seven months. Our own spring troop movement comprized eight more regimental units; and while one of them was broken up "for replacements," the total number increased to nine. At the same time, two splendid field artillery regiments, originally of the 41st Division, and making up the 66th Brigade, were motorized and incorporated with the Army Artillery, over in France. These eleven regiments, organized 20 The Fifiy-fifth Artillery into four brigades (the 31st, 32d, 39th, and 66th), constituted the "Army Artillery, 1st Army," and were all who actually participated in engagements. With them were associated three ammunition trains. So valuable did the force prove to be, that the War Depart- ment continued forming new units thruout the entire period of the war; until the total numbers came to be: twelve brigades; sixty-one regiments; twelve ammunition trains — all but four regiments came from the Coast Artillery Corps. (These totals include one brigade, seven regiments, of the ''Railway Artillery Reserve"; four of the regiments saw combat service.) The 55th was to form a highly efficient factor in the force, which should play so essential a part in bringing the war to its early end. Thruout the overseas journey, Col. Sevier was in command; Benjamin B. Shedd was Lieutenant Colonel; Capt. MacMullen was regimental Adjutant. The battalion commanders were: 1st, Maj. Dusenbury; 2d, Maj. Skinner; 3d, Maj. Holbrook. Capt. Mitchell commanded Headquarters Co. The batteries were commanded by: A, Capt. Mead; B, Capt. Robinson; C, Capt. C. R. Wilson; D,Capt. Stitt; E, Capt. W. B. Smith; F, Capt. Kircher; and Supply Co., Capt. R. W. Wilson. During the afternoon of Saturday, Mch. 16, the Quartermaster steamers conveyed the batteries from the forts to Commonwealth Pier, the 2d Batl. proceeding from Winthrop by truck. On the pier the men were fed with rations which they had brought along, and received steaming hot coffee from the Naval station upstairs, thru the instrumentality of the Y. M. C. A. After waiting until early dusk, we all packed ourselves aboard three long trains, commanded respectively by Maj. Dusenbury, Lt. Col. Shedd, and Col. Sevier; and the curtains down, with no farewell communications whatever between ourselves and the throng of loved ones outside the pier, we were spirited off. One over-affectionate non-commissioned officer who dropped a parting note from the train, was promptly reduced to the ranks. Many Bostonians did not learn of our departure until they received letters from us in France. Going via B. & A., we traveled all night, and early Sunday morning found ourselves, chilled from the cold cars and weary from lack of sleep, in the Albany freight-yards. After delaying a while for breakfast at Albany, and for luncheon at Ravenna, the trains started down the Hudson via the West Shore R. R.; and this portion of the journey was rendered pleasanter for Beginnings 21 the travelers (in one train) because they were now permitted to raise the shades and enjoy the scenery. As part of their military training, the entire regiment "went thru" West Point — literally thru it, by tunnel. Upon arrival at Dumont the three trains were thoroly policed; and the command detrained about 3 p. m. Then followed a three-quarter mile march to Camp Merritt thru streets lined with friendly spectators and amid hearty applause. As prac- tically everyone had been in service at least eight months, the men naturally marched well and presented a fine appearance ; one of the military spectators, a major wearing a West Point signet-ring, in- quired, "Where are these troops from? They must be garrison troops." Upon learning the facts, he continued, " They certainly show it. There is all the difference in the world between their bearing and that of most of the troops who have come thru here." At Camp Merritt the regiment experienced their first spring weather, balmy and delightful. Maj. Holbrook used to relate that one day he saw a battalion marching up the street in perfect rhythm and absolutely flawless order; and he could not help thinking to himself, " If I were a battery commander I would give anything to have troops like those." Imagine his pleasure and satisfaction a few seconds later when he found that it was his own battalion, with Bat. E in the lead. On another occasion, in England, Bat. F marched 240 strong in a column of twos a distance of three miles; and when finally the com- mand, "Halt," was given, so perfect was the formation that not a man had to close up or drop back. Owing to the suddenness with which the quarantine had been instituted and the secrecy surrounding our departure from Boston, practically no one had been able to say goodbye; and so the Camp Merritt telegraph and telephone oflBices did a rush business. When relatives and friends began to reach New York, a strong desire developed amongst the men to visit the city. Passes were issued only one day, and then to only 10% of the men; and consequently there was irresistible temptation to go a. w. o. 1. over-night. The Camp Merritt guards encouraged the practise by the peculiar literalness with which they interpreted orders; one day a soldier of the 55th had to go a short distance out of camp on an official errand and, neglecting to procure a pass, was stopped. He remon- strated. "Why do you stop me, but let all those men over there leave camp?" 22 The Fifty-fifth Artillery And he pointed to men who were sneaking out thru the bushes less than two hundred feet from the post of the sentinel. "My orders are to watch the road, and not the hushesJ^ A man of the 55th, a sergeant and ordinarily one of our best soldiers, started for New York within fifteen minutes after the arrival of the regiment at Camp Merritt; indeed, in his hurry he neglected to note the exact location of his battery barracks. When he returned in the wee sma' hours, slightly ''lit up," he was unable to remember just where he did belong. After trying in two or three different quarters to procure a lantern, he finally persuaded (by what line of argument he could not afterwards recall) the Hospital people to give him one; and he went prowling around camp looking for his barracks. Presently he was arrested by a M. P. ; but on the way to the guard-house the two seem to have stopped several times, while the M. P. was induced to partake of refresh- ments from a bottle in the sergeant's pocket; so that presently the M. P. was left fast asleep under a tree and the sergeant con- tinued his stroll, now wearing a blue M. P. arm-band and carrying a billy in addition to the lantern. All this, however, did not find his barracks. Incidentally, whenever he met a man coming into camp, he demanded to see the man's pass; if the man did not possess one, he was severely reprimanded and told to go right to his bunk and stay there until reveille, but if he was unlucky enough to have a pass, he had to go out of camp again and come in thru the west entrance almost a mile away. Finally the sergeant determined to take desperate measures to find his battery, and embarked upon nothing less than a systematic inspection of the camp guard; every sentinel and M. P. was closely questioned regarding his post and duties, particularly as to what organizations were quartered along his post. In this way the lost one found his way home. When reveille sounded, his bunkies discovered him lying on his bed, still wearing the blue brassard, the billy across the foot of the bed and the burning lantern on the floor. For some reason the event was not reported by them to the Captain until months later. It was another sergeant of this battery, who, under similar circumstances, was found trying to auction off the great Vercingetorix statue in Clermont Ferrand on one "glorious day" during the regiment's training period. On the morning of Mch. 19 came an inspection by the authori- ties of the port of embarkation. That afternoon the regiment Beginnings 23 assembled in the K. of C. hall to hear the Chaplain lecture on "Success in soldiering" — an event important in one particular any- way, as it was the only time (except on ship-board) when the entire command ever got together under a single roof. The same evening witnessed the d^but of the 55th's entertainers, afterwards so deservedly famous — Harrigan, Marr, the 1st Batl. quartet and the 55th Band; the Y. M. C. A. secretaries, in whose hut the show was given, emphatically pronounced it, ''The best in the history of the camp." As many officers as possible went to Sandy Hook on Wednesday, Mch. 20, to see the 6-inch sea-coast rifle on rigid carriage mount. The September previous we had dismounted a number of such guns in Boston Harbor and sent them away for overseas service ; and this was the armament now assigned to the regiment. The trip was pleasant enough; but the rifle and carriage were a distinct dis- appointment on account of their weight and the lack of sufficiently accurate traversing mechanism. The 62d Arty., C. A. C, to whom they were actually issued, found them unsatisfactory. (When at Mailly, two months later, our officers learned that the French "Filloux 155 Long" had been assigned to the regiment, it was the cause of a great celebration.) On their way back to Camp Merritt, the party had to "wander all over New Jersey," but they managed to return by midnight. At our regimental Headquarters the " color line" was established this day, and daily band-concerts commenced. As a picture depends for effectiveness much upon its background, we must not forget the solemn setting of these opening events of our history. Mch. 21 introduced the first "major operation" in which American soldiers had part, the Somme Defensive; and even the censored newspaper reports were sufficiently ominous to keep us worrying. Then it was that Capt. Edwin G. Hopkins won promo- tion, and a croix de guerre — Capt. Hopkins who would have been in the 55th if he had not happened to go over six months previously with the 101st Ammunition Train. His citation was in more elegant language; but the men translated it, "For good all-around playing in the backfield at the inception of the push." Holy Communion was specially administered by the Chaplain on Mch. 22 in the Y. M. C. A. hut, with an interested response by the men. Later in the afternoon the regiment had its first and only formal instruction in community singing by a regularly appointed teacher; friends should know, however, that the lack of 24 The Fifty-fifth Artillery class-work did not prevent the 55th from becoming noted as fine singers. Saturday, Mch. 23, was a busy day with preparations for get- ting away next morning, a letter having come from Col. Irons, Commanding Officer of Camp Merritt, under date of Mch. 20, directing us to avail ourselves of transportation to be provided on Mch. 24, at 6 a. m. Batteries A and B both found numbers of their men quarantined because of measles, the latter being es- pecially hard hit thru the loss of their office force. But Capt. Robinson had providently organized a set of ''understudies" who slept in another barracks, and he now called them in and kept on doing business as usual. Capt. Kircher worked until 1 a. m., Sunday, straightening out records. As he was at last undressing for bed, the camp guard appeared and told him that he would have to take back two prisoners who had been tried by special court martial and committed to the camp guard-house for six months of hard labor. He had been notified earlier in the evening that they would be left behind, and had transferred them out of Bat. F; now he began by calling on the officer of the day and ascertain- ing that the prisoners really must go along with the battery; then he retransferred them and collected their baggage. By this time it was so late that he resolved not to retire at all; nor was he the only one keeping vigil in the officers' quarters. Cpl. Clarence W. Coulp of Bat. F left a sick wife behind — actually bade her farewell as she was about to go upon the operating table; and he did not hear tidings of the operation until his arrival in France. Then, alas! the news was bad — she did not survive the ordeal. Here is a good point for the writer to make his acknowledgments to Capt. Kircher; when the Chaplain was designated to write this history, the Captain volunteered his assistance to the very utmost, and right nobly did he keep the promise. Keen on the scent for "human interest," he had accumulated many valuable notes bear- ing on the personal side of regimental happenings; and in addition, he drew without reserve upon his friends for material, both stories and pictures. The reader is especially requested to infer that, whenever an event is herein described which would not be proper for a Chaplain to know, the information came from the Captain. Finally Capt. Kircher sacrificed a considerable portion of his first vacation after discharge from the Army, in order to read the manuscript and ''check up" the answers to mooted questions. Beginnings 25 Awakening at 3.30 a. m. on Palm Sunday, Mch. 24, the regiment inaugurated their distinctive custom of moving on the Lord's day; this time it was the " big move." Between 5 and 5.30 a. m. they marched to the N. J. Northern depot at Cresskill and entrained for the "last lap" on this side of the water. One officer did not happen to be awakened with the others and came near being left behind; he just managed to catch the train, and spent the time between Cresskill and Jersey City shaving, with resultant cuts and profuse bloodshed. Our train moved in two sections, the first commanded by Col. Sevier and the second by Lt. Col. Shedd. Battery commanders spent the time giving their embarkation lists a final checking. Reaching the Erie terminal after half an hour's ride, the organizations formed alongside the trains and marched thru the station to a waiting ferry-boat; the second sec- tion moved more smoothly than the Colonel's own, perhaps profiting by the mistakes of their predecessors. The boat started up the North River and drew toward the Cunard pier (No. 54) where the ''Mauretania" and "Aquitania" were docked, the fact at once revealing that the regiment was to reach France by way of England. After half an hour of maneuvering against the tide at a pier not built for ferry-boats, we finally landed; and the men filed off into the enclosed dock, were lined up, checked off and marched aboard H. M. S. ** Mauretania." The loading of the entire regiment within a single hour was pronounced by the embarkation officials a remarkable achievement, being accom- plished in less than half the time required by any other regiment up to then. The regimental history was ready to emerge from its "beginning" chapter. CHAPTER II The Voyage on H. M. S. "Mauretania" TWENTY-FOUR hours of waiting ensued after the regi- ment went aboard. By way of exception to the general rule this delay was not tedious, for it gave everyone an opportunity of looking over the ship and estimating the conditions under which they were going to race with the submarines. Our vessel was greatly changed from the peace-time monarch of the Cunard line, the acme of grandeur and luxury on the ocean. A weird, striped camouflage was painted on the sides where all used to be glossy black; and interior alterations were no less striking. Ma- hogany furnishings had been removed, so that twenty soldiers H. M. S. " Mauretania" could be comfortable in a cabin where one fussy globe-trotter formerly lived in state; but it did seem peculiar to see upper berths, made of rough pine boards, nailed to the exquisite fancy woodwork of the first-class cabins, where there had been only lower berths originally. The sick-bays were larger and also more workmanlike; the palatial dining-saloons were now plain mess- rooms. Everyone among the ofl&cers had at least one friend in The Voyage on H. M. S. '' Mauretania" 27 the regal suite, so that excuse existed for him to make himself at home where only the richest or those of highest station had for- merly traveled. In fact the giant engines down below were all that reminded one of the old ''Mauretania." With us as fellow-passengers were the 65th Artillery, C. A. C, who had journeyed from the Pacific Coast via the Panama Canal, and also two medical groups, Base Hospital Unit 116, and Medical Department Unit L — a total of about four thousand. The 55th promptly pronounced their companions to be "good scouts, all,'' and it is probable that our younger officers were influenced in this judgment partly by the fact that, amongst the medical people, were over one hundred nurses, whose presence greatly augmented the pleasure of the trip. We found the "Mauretania" just entering the fourth distinct stage of her war experience. First she had served as a troop-ship carrying British soldiers to Mudros, the island base which supplied the GaUipoli front. Next she became a hospital ship, transport- ing the human wreckage of Gallipoli back to "Bhghty." After lying at Liverpool from March to September of 1916, she again became a troop-ship, carrying Canadian soldiers from Halifax to Liverpool. After two months of this service, the giant Cunarder was sent on a mysterious errand up the Clyde and remained in seclusion for more than a year. Finally, on the first of January, 1918, she had emerged from retirement, now an armed cruiser with six big guns on her deck; and was about to lend Uncle Sam a hand in moving the American Army to Europe. Ours was the first of seven voyages which she was to make under American patronage. A distinguished sailor commanded the "Mauretania," and had been in command of her since her hospital-ship days, Capt. A. H. Rostron, R. N. R. Everyone remembered the "Titanic" disaster of Apr. 14, 1912, when the liner struck an iceberg and foundered, leaving her surviving passengers, such of them as had not drowned, drifting in life-boats. And we recalled the single gleam of bright- ness connected with the disaster, when the Cunard S. S. "Car- pathia" tore at top speed out of her course and rescued all those who were ever saved — alas, only a few hundreds. Now the 55th were delighted to find the former captain of the "Carpathia" in command of the "Mauretania," and everyone felt that a deserv- ing man had received merited promotion; moreover, it augured 28 The Fifiy-fifth Artillery well for our own chances of a successful trip to be under so skilful a seaman. Capt. Rostron was able best to describe his own methods of war-time navigation. ''We always make the trip alone, with an escort only at each end of the journey. We cannot travel in a convoy. The others cannot keep up with us. Our average speed is 22 to 23 knots, and our fastest cHp is 25% knots. Our motto is to get there and not look for trouble." So successful were these methods to prove, that at the end of the war the gallant captain was able to report that he had lost only one soldier, and that the latter committed suicide. Another encouraging sign was the presence aboard of two brigadier generals; the War Department would "not risk so many eggs in one basket " unless prospects were deemed good. And these generals, George W. Gatchell and William C. Davis, were destined to be our two brigade commanders during the months of battle which lay ahead of us ; we were highly favored in having so advanta- geous an introduction to them. Baggage was loaded aboard amid considerable confusion, as the detail originally in charge was relieved upon arrival at Pier 54 and a new set of men put at work, men who did not accurately know which baggage was which nor where it ought to go. Despite all precautions in concealing our destination, certain men who had been a. w. o. 1. succeeded in ascertaining, from Y. M. C. A. secre- taries at Camp Merritt or from city policemen, where we had gone; and during the day of waiting they made their way to the Cunard pier and tried to be reinstated. Lt. Gower, who remained behind with the sick men, also sought to get back into the regi- ment. Permission was uniformly refused either for reasons of health or of discipline; but notwithstanding the refusal, two of the a. w. o. 1. culprits succeeded in mingling with the baggage detail and came along in spite of all. Meanwhile, divers were dragging the ship's bottom to forestall any possible danger from enemy mines. Most of the men left behind at Camp Merritt eventually rejoined the regiment in France, while others became members of our companion regiments. So vast was the ship and so many were the points where watch had to be kept for lights or fires or to man watertight compart- ment doors that almost one hundred sentinels had to be posted, and consequently a guard of nearly three hundred was maintained; The Voyage on H. M. S, '^ Mauretania^' 29 an entire battalion went on duty at a time, with the major acting as field officer of the day, one battery commander in charge of the upper two decks and the other of the lower three, and a lieuten- ant assigned to each deck. Guard-mount was held at 2.30 p. m., and owing to the large number of posts and the unfamiliarity of each day's new guard, it took almost two hours to post the first relief. The battalion adjutants asserted that they "sweat blood" in straightening out their guard reports. At 5.47 p. M. on Mch. 25 the ship's siren shrieked the signal to start; all men in uniform were ordered to conceal themselves in- doors so as to camouflage the presence of troops on board; and the "Mauretania" backed her huge bulk out into the Hudson River, slowly pointed her prow toward the open sea and majestically made her way past the statue which symbolized the object of our crusade, thru the Narrows and on, on, into the deepening night; the "great adventure" had begun for the 55th — and, incidentally, they were drawing "foreign service pay." Never was the Ho- boken shore crowned with a more glorious sunset and never did the myriad windows of New York's sky-scrapers glow more bril- liantly with reflected beauty than on Mch. 25, 1918; but as far as the 55th were concerned the display all went to waste, for not a man was permitted to remain where he could enjoy Nature's farewell. About that time someone discovered that a marvel was being enacted; we were coast artillery, "immobile troops"; the Germans had not dared to attack our line of defense; and still we were going to fight them — ^the ''Mauretania" was actually "carrying the coast over to France." The guard was just in the process of changing reliefs when every- body was ordered inside, and it was quite a trick to accomplish the task under such limitations; by worming their way thru the ship's interior, up companionways and down, thru galleys and storerooms, they finally did it, and so learned to appreciate the vessel's complexity. One of the orders upon which most stress was laid was that requiring a sentinel to take instant action the moment anyone attempted to open a port-hole; guards were cau- tioned to stop at nothing in enforcing this. One officer loyally emphasized this order, directing the sentries to shoot an offender or knock him down and in no case to hesitate. One guard had a revolver with no ammunition, and being small and not certain of his ability to knock a man down, asked the captain how to 30 The Fifty-fifth Artillery proceed: "Why, do anything you can; if necessary, pick up a rock and throw it at him." So great was the soldier's respect for official authority that he never dared raise the question as to where he would find "a rock" on the "Mauretania." Gun crews were formed from the coast artillerymen to help man the " Mauretania's " armament, and remained on duty in shifts; four officers of the 55th were assigned to command the ship's guns, and stood three-hour watches on the bridge for several days — until they discovered that the British gunnery officer was putting all his work onto them, and insisted that he attend to his own duties. The Army's old friend, paper work, stayed right with the regiment, as the British government required "steen-fold" copies of the roster from each organization entering England; and typewriters were scarce, at least amongst the deck and cabin baggage. England then suffered from food shortage, as we were soon to learn by dire experience; even on ship-board the British stewards resented our large appetites, and the men felt sometimes as tho they were on short commons. "It really is too bad," said a mess steward, "they will never be able to keep these soldiers in France. They will have to send them right back again. Too bad! too bad! Why, they eat too domned much; they hav'n't got the food for them." The way the guard used to drop in on the ship's pantry for lunch at all hours of the night was disturbing to the stewards in charge; so the latter set a big basket of rolls and sandwiches by the door and allowed the Americans to help themselves. Rolls were served at breakfast, and jam at noon when there were no rolls; but the men filled up their pockets with rolls in the morning and were "all set" for the jam later. Numbers were so great that two and three sit- tings were necessary at meals, and vigilance was required to prevent men from coming in at successive tables and getting more than their share. While the officers' table service was not luxurious, it did possess elements unusual amongst troops embarking on active service, such as printed menu cards, and afternoon tea in the smoking room. At the end of the voyage we willingly certified that we had been "Sufficiently messed." Pleasant and moderate weather with smooth seas favored the regiment during the entire voyage, to a degree wonderful in view of the season, partly due, perhaps, to our being far south of the cus- tomary course. Overcoats were unnecessary; and if the ocean grew The Voyage on H. M. S. *^ Mauretania'^ 31 rougher, the transition was so gradual as to exempt most of the passengers from sea-sickness; some yielded to mal de mer, as was inevitable, but the numbers were relatively small. "Abandon ship drill" took place twice a day, when, at the bugle call, all moved promptly to assigned positions and stood in readiness to jump into life-boats. Confusion marked the first drill or two, but the discipline of the two regiments soon asserted its sway, and the nearly four thousand Americans acquired the ability to move from all parts of the vessel, absolutely emptying all the cabins, and to form line, six deep, around the outer edge of the lower decks — and to do it all within five minutes — a remarkable achievement in view of the vast distances some had to travel. If it had not been for a narrow pass- age amidship which caused congestion, the formation would have been even quicker. Sea-sick men hated to attend this drill; but the officers were hard-hearted and compelled them to come out. The results were not only increased safety for them in the event of dis- aster to the vessel, but actual recovery from their stomach trouble thru being in the open air. There were not enough life-boats to pro- vide one for each group of forty men, and some groups would have to depend upon life rafts which were carried on the hurricane deck; officers in charge of groups sometimes wondered who should go first if it really became necessary to abandon ship. The majors in com- mand of the decks refused to determine questions of precedence, and so the captains and lieutenants tried to thresh it out for themselves. All officers attended these drills armed in case of possible panic, and even the Chaplain came with a loaded automatic hanging from his belt; he did so by specific direction of the regimental Adjutant, and it was the only time during the war when he went armed. Life preservers were worn at all times and at first felt decidedly uncom- fortable ; after a while we donned them as nonchalantly as one puts on his collar. Indeed they were far less of a burden than the gas- masks which later hung under our chins. Capt. Rostron praised our discipline and called us the "best troops he had transported." Not much time was left for idleness in the day's schedule. At about 7 A. M. the English steward would call the sleepers with a cheery "Rise and shine"; his visit was especially welcome because his was the sole right to open port-holes, and the sleepers were almost suffocated by morning. Breakfast was finished a little before 9, and then followed the inspection of the men's quarters. The 55th were quartered in the after part of the ship while the 65th had the 32 The Fifty-fifth Artillery forward end; Bat. D occupied the upper two decks of the second- cabin section, Bat. F the next two (the best — as they were state- rooms), while Bat. E slept in a foul dungeon at the bottom of the ship. The remainder of the regiment was amidship just forward of the second-cabin accommodations. Rifles were inspected after quarters had been looked over, to make sure the sea air was not rusting them; a shortage of gun grease existed at the outset, but a little persuasion, supplemented with cigarets, procured plenty from the ship's engine rooms. Next came the morning ''Abandon ship drill, '* followed by a band-concert and an hour of free time. The officers and nurses would dance on deck (it was some stunt to dance up hill when the boat rolled) while the men crowded up to the rope separating them from the Band, and watched and listened; it was too bad that there were so few nurses and so little deck-space, and that the men had to content themselves with the part of spectators — for they were hungry spectators. This dancing continued twice daily, until we reached the submarine zone and the Colonel stopped it. After the noon meal, school was held for the officers, when they had to spend one and one-half hours in the saloon studying the ''Battery Commander's Handbook for Heavy Artillery." The only section of the book which made any impression on the students was the first five pages, descriptive of fuses and shells and the detona- tion of the same upon impact; class sessions were always cut short by afternoon "Abandon ship drill," and perhaps it was just as well, for later, at Mailly, the officers were taught entirely different meth- ods. After drill came inspection, then a leisure hour, followed by supper; another hour of school in the evening and final inspection at 9 p. M. brought the day to a close. When we entered the submarine zone, the section of ocean over which hung the kaiser's threat, our voyage proceeded under in- creased tension; the ship's course became a series of irregular and sharp zig-zags at high speed, so that one would be thrown off one's feet when the vessel changed direction. The prohibition of lights became more stringent than ever, and the ship's officers dreaded to see the moon rise. It was now a race for life against the lurking U-boat. At the critical moment a mutiny occurred among the ship's stokers; but by engaging thirty artillerymen at $1.75 per day, the captain managed to keep his fires burning and to maintain his speed. ij ill] ^m* , £ . m f r ^ ^ ^ l^^l..a^^v.^ . li«fc/>#4, 1^ ™ — --■■ - The "Mauretania's" War Paint Copyright by Paul Thompson American Destroyer and British Dirigible Convoying "Mauretania," Liverpool 11. M^ ia^ jZ r V- * ;.. if %9 On the "Mauretania' Y. M. C. A. Apple-Distribution, Romsey Battery F, Romsev The Voyage on H. M. S. '' Mauretania^^ 33 About this time an English steward pronounced an opinion of American soldiers, specifically of the 55th Artillery, which at once became a regimental classic. The Canadian troops whom they had been transporting, according to all reports, took the submarine peril very seriously and sat around the deck reading testaments and prayer-books and looking glum while they watched for signs of approaching destruction. "But you Americans," the steward continued, ''are either sing- ing or playing craps all the time, or else shouting and asking, 'When do we eat?' " Three important religious anniversaries came upon us while the regiment were in the danger zone — the Jewish Passover of which the commencement was celebrated, perhaps a little late, on Wednes- day, Mch. 27; Good Friday, Mch. 29; and Easter Sunday, Mch. 31. Circumstances made the men a trifle more serious than usual and indicated as desirable some special observance of the season. The forty-one Jewish soldiers in the regiment, all of them firm friends of the Chaplain, were the first to ask his assistance in their religious plans. A Jewish Surgeon was discovered in the 65th who had some rabbinical training; and he joined with the Christian Chaplain and conducted such exercises as were possible in recognition of the ancient festival season. Already the war was proving potent to bridge chasms due to ancient prejudice. Good Friday was so filled up with drills and inspections that it seemed impossible to hold the proper services ; but finally permission was granted to worship down in the men's mess-hall that evening. Chaplain Albert W. Mathews of the 65th cooperated heartily in making the service one worthy of the day — one thousand officers, men and nurses crowded into the room; the swaying and lurching of the vessel continually reminded the congregation of the special perils surrounding them; the Band's music, Lt. Shaffer's solo, the short sermons by both Chaplains and the Holy Communion which followed all conspired to render the occasion both solemn and spiritual. One officer admitted that he had been saying his "Now I lay me" with unusual fervor, par- ticularly the "If I should die before I wake" part; and perhaps the same was true of most. At any event, when the Communion ele- ments were offered to the congregation, the response proved how seriously they had been thinking; for three hundred fifty pressed forward and partook of the emblems of our Lord's body and blood. Twice was the supply exhausted, so that the Chaplain had to con- secrate more of the elements. 3 34 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Easter is so universally accepted as a day for religious observance that the Chaplain did not formulate any plans of his own; he merely waited for the Commanding Officer, either Col. Sevier or Gen. Gat- chell, to express his wishes. For a time it seemed as if military duties were to eclipse religious services on Easter day itself; for morning inspection was held, and special drill came after that — a bugler sounded the "Abandon ship" call by mistake and the false alarm was repeated all over the "Mauretania," until many thought a genuine disaster had occurred. The seriousness of the situation was emphasized by a new order on Easter morning — no one was per- mitted to undress either day or night during the remaining period of the voyage, and officers were to be armed at all times. Finally, however, early in the afternoon Gen. Gatchell directed Chaplain Cutler to arrange for evening services, and the two Chaplains promptly conferred and made plans. All hands conceded that the worship which followed was the most impressive ever known by them. At 7 p. m. in the men's mess-hall a congregation of seven hundred enlisted men were led in prayer by Chaplain Mathews and heard Chaplain Cutler preach and joined in singing under leadership of the 55th Band; at 8.30 p. m. in the first-class lounge the two Chaplains reversed their parts and led three hundred officers and nurses in worship. At about the middle of Chaplain Mathews' sermon a messenger suddenly rushed in from the bridge and announced that all lights must be immediately extinguished. While the congregation were inquiring about the nature of this sudden alarm, the Chaplains con- ferred as to the next step; the preacher was willing to complete his discourse in the dark and did actually regain and hold the attention of all until the end. Meanwhile Chaplain Cutler had ascertained that the Band could play the "Star-Spangled Banner" without lights (it requires "some band" to do it) and the exercises were thus termi- nated. No member of the regiment was on the bridge at the time . of the alarm, and the ship's officers manifested little inclination to talk; but to our field officers, and to a lieutenant of the guard, re- marks were dropped about a submarine "shying torpedoes" at us, and the wakes of three being visible just before our church was plunged in darkness. Later Capt. Rostron told a reporter, "Only once did we sight a submarine, and that was almost in mid-ocean; the sub was about two miles off." If his remark applies to the ex- perience of Easter night, then the 55th were involved in the " Maure- The Voyage on H, M. S. '^ Mauretania^^ 35 tania's" sole adventure with a U-boat during all her voyages across the Atlantic. While the giant vessel raced onward for her life, belching out clouds of black smoke, and rolling as she made sudden turns in her zig-zag course, our guards below deck were having special reason to remember Easter; for the atmosphere was hot enough to start perspiration, and the nervous tension due to threat- ened danger was severe. When reminded to remain at their posts and do their duty, even in the depths of the hold, each eagerly whispered, "Yes, I will; depend on me.'' Letters from home subsequently informed us that in at least one Boston church on Easter Sunday morning a crowded congregation had joined in the grand prayer-hymn, '* Eternal Father! strong to save," at the request of members of the 55th made before our sailing. As the lines, "Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er they go," were sung, there was not a dry eye in all the great throng of worshipers — so earnest was the prayer. Who will rashly assert that no connection existed between the Boston prayer and the safety of those who were prayed for? A word about church arrangements is in order here. Chaplain Cutler had inherited from his Civil War predecessor a church or- ganization in the Old First Massachusetts Regiment, and he felt it wise to maintain this in the 55th as the simplest solution of his problems. The church was based on a splendid covenant which had come down unchanged since 1861. Every member of the 55th was constructively a member of the regimental church and entitled to all the privileges thereof, and in order to participate actually, he merely had to acknowledge the covenant during the service. A program of worship was prepared, which included the regimental covenant. Military Church Service Prelude The Band "7 will go unto the altar of God,^* A General Confession. All: O our God, we are heartily sorry for all our sins, because they offended thy loving goodness. We are firmly resolved, with the help of thy grace, to amend our lives, to do all we 36 The Fifty-fifth Artillery can to atone for the past, and to avoid every occasion of sin. Amen. The Declaration of Forgiveness. God's Law and Mercy. God spake these words: Thou shalt have no other gods besides me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor bow down thyself unto it. Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, nor his wife, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep thy laws. All these commandments our Lord Jesus Christ briefly com- prehended in these words: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee. Hymn of Praise. The Prayer. Collect of the Day. Prayers. The Chaplain ^'collects'' the prayers of the congregation and the promises of the Bible lesson. A Lesson for the day from the Bible. The congregation stand up if the lesson is from the Gospels, Hymn. The Sermon. * I The Voyage on H, M, S, " Mauretania'' 37 The Creed. God wishes us to ^'confess'' our faith. All standing: We believe in God the Father, infinite in wis- dom, goodness, and love ; and in Jesus Christ, his Son, our Lord and Saviour, who for us and our salvation lived and died and rose again and liveth evermore; and in the Holy Spirit, who taketh of the things of Christ and revealeth them to us, renewing, comforting and inspiring the souls of men. We are united in striving to know the will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures, and in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord, made known or to be made known to us. We hold it to be the mission of the Church of Christ to pro- claim the gospel to all mankind, exalting the worship of the one true God, and laboring for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and the realiza- tion of human brotherhood. Depending, as did our fathers, upon the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, we work and pray for the transformation of the world into the kingdom of God ; and we look with faith for the triumph of righteous- ness and the life everlasting. Amen. The Covenant. All soldiers who accept the Covenant are invited to partake of Holy Communion. Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith. All who will take Communion: We now solemnly covenant, in the presence of God and these our fellow-soldiers, that we will endeavor, by the help of grace, to walk in all the ordinances of the gospel blameless, adorning our Christian profession by a holy life and a godly conversation. Amen. Offertory The Choir, or Band "I will wash my hands in innocencyJ^ — The Chaplain's preparation. 38 The Fifty-fifth Artillery The congregation ^^presenV^ themselves to the Lord, their souls and bodies, their alms, and particularly their bread and wine. Prayer of Intercession. Holy Communion. (Administration of the bread and cup is sometimes omitted.) Angels now ^'fall down and worship^' with awe and reverence. Lift up your hearts. Congregation: We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. Congregation: It is meet and right so to do. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. (Here follows the preface, according to the time.) Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee, and saying. All: *Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen. Jesus Christ is now "in the midst of'' us; what we '^ask^' ''shall be done"; his "death" on Calvary is "proclaimed." ♦''This is my Body." ♦"This is my Blood." All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. "Behold, the Lamb of God, thai iaketh away the sin of the world!'* ♦The Chaplain's Communion. The Voyage on H. M. S. " Mauretania'' ' 39 '^Lordj I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof!*' — Let each pray. Prayer of Intercession. Communion of the Faithful. Hymn of Thanksgiving. The Benediction. Postlude The Band " The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,*' Seven hymns, the seven favorites of the regiment, were printed on the church service sheet: 1. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." (Tune, John Brown's Body.) 2. "Onward, Christian Soldiers." (Tune, St. Gertrude.) 3. "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." (Tune, Melita.) 4. "O Beautiful for Spacious Skies." (Tune, Materna.) 5. "Faith of Our Fathers." (Tune, St. Catherine.) 6. "Stand up, Stand up for Jesus." (Tune, Webb.) 7. "The Son of God Goes Forth to War." (Tune, Cutler.) The hardest task the Chaplain had to perform during his months in France was the securing of a fresh supply of this order of service from a printer in Clermont Ferrand who could not speak EngHsh ; anyone who desires to test his knowledge of French need only under- take to read proof under such circumstances. This order of wor- ship, in full, or simphfied to meet exigencies, was employed on ship- board, in Y. M. C. A. huts or tents, in barracks or mess-shacks, in shattered village churches of France, and under the gun camouflage; and is now fragrant with sacred memories of comfort in sorrow, of strengthened determination in the face of the great task, of pro- tection amid flying shells and of thanksgiving for victory. It seemed to meet the religious needs of all the men, regardless of denomina- tional affiHation. Notwithstanding submarines, the passengers on the "Maure- tania" conducted a concert on Mch. 30, which not only prevented everyone from thinking of the danger of the situation, but also netted the snug sum of $229.03. The program was as follows: 40 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Programme of Entertainment in aid of Seamen's Charities at Liverpool & New York Held on board H. M. S. ''Mauretania'* (By permission of Captain A. H. Rostron) On Saturday, March 30th, 1918, at 8.30 p. m., in the First Class Lounge Chairman: Brig.-General George W. Gatchell, U. S. A. Part I. March 55th Artillery Band Eric H. F. Svensson, Band Leader Selection 55th Artillery Quartet Pvts. Viscounte, Margeson, Stewart, and ElHott Female Impersonation Pvt. Ray Lawrence, 65th Art. (Formerly of Pantage's Circuit) « 55th Artillery Quartet Mech, Carroll, 55th Art. Sgt. Reu, 65th Art. Steward J. Parkinson ("Mauretania'') 55th Artillery Band Collection Part II. Pvt. J. Evans, 116th Base Hosp. Cpl. "Jimmie" Manning, 65th Art. (Formerly of Keith's Cir- cuit) Sgt. Guerard, 55th Art. Pvt. Wm. Dekoskie, 116th Base Hosp. Cpl. "Johnnie" Harrigan, 55th Art. (Formerly of Keith's and Loew's Circuits) Accompanist Pvt. John Marr, 55th Art. Selection 55th Artillery Band "The Star-Spangled Banner" "God Save the King" Committee: The Chaplains of the 55th and 65th Regiments of Artillery (C. A. C.) U. S. A. Selection Rifle Exhibition Reading Selection Selection Chairman's Address Solo Buck and Wing Dancing Telling Tales Solo A Little Nonsense The Voyage on H. M. S. '' Mauretania'* 41 The Band of the 65th were newly organized (and part of the men had remained behind in quarantine), so that they were not prepared to help in a concert program. With three of the star performers, in civil life, professional entertainers, it is no wonder that the program possessed artistic merit. One or two of the com- ical features remained in the regimental memory thruout the entire war — Cpl. Harrigan's explanation that others might join the in- fantry and walk, or the cavalry and ride, but he preferred the coast artillery where he could ''coast"; and also his plaint about how "the wild, wild women" abused him. Col. Sevier disapproved of some of Cpl. Harrigan's nonsense on the ground that it offended good taste, and consequently issued an order that the Chaplain should "censor" all of Cpl. "Johnnie's" future numbers. The corporal and the Chaplain were firm friends — but one might as well censor the whirlwind as to place bonds on this irrepressible vaudeville artist. The corporal and the Chaplain continued friends until after the regiment's return to America; then the corporal hap- pened, one day, to see the Chaplain assist a lady to her feet, a lady who had slipped on the Tremont St. asphalt in Boston and was in momentary danger from passing automobiles; and he pro- ceeded to circulate a slander, to the effect that he saw the Chaplain "pick up a strange dame on the street." After that — they kept on being friends just the same. About 4.30 A. M. on Monday, Apr. 1, the ship's officers pointed out faint wisps of smoke ahead of the ship, on the horizon, and explained, "There come your American destroyers." One Ameri- can exclaimed so fervently, "Thank God," that he almost offended the Britishers; but it was a beautiful sight. Admiral Sims had established a reputation for "getting" the submarine every time he went after it, and his four fleet vessels, the hounds of the sea, gave a sense of reassurance to all on board. No matter how fast the great ship steamed nor how suddenly she zig-zagged, the destroyers were able to keep in position ahead or abeam of her, and indeed at times they circled entirely around her. The Paymaster of the "Mauretania" had been on duty all night sending and receiving code messages over the wireless and experienced difficulty guiding the little ships to the correct rendezvous, and Capt. Rostron had slept only one hour of the last forty-eight; they both appreciated the presence of the escorts by our side. 42 The Fifty-fifth Artillery April Foors day was spent by all hands looking for submarines, and for Ireland; neither appeared. The other occupation which developed was ^'censoring." The Chaplain had been appointed chief censor the day before and had announced that letters posted on the wharf would start immediately for America. He kept his word about the mail; and the soldiers and nurses came forward with at least two bushels of letters. The trouble was to get the machinery of censoring into operation. One oiSicer was detailed in every unit, and instructions were issued; but the officers were all very busy looking for submarines;' and most peculiar of all, each officer seemed to need the services of a nurse in helping main- tain his lookout, and the watch continued long after dark when no one could possibly see either a submarine or Ireland. Finally enough officers were "pried loose" to get things going; for many this proved to be the initiation into the most burdensome task of their entire army careers, a task which lasted up to the follow- ing January, and was made especially hard on the "Mauretania'' because, so the destroyer informed us, our cabin lights were show- ing and must be extinguished, except in the very ill-ventilated interior of the vessel. The officers of the Base Hospital and the Medical Unit came to the Chaplain and requested him to censor for them; their constituency consisted of ladies and it was delicate business censoring a lady's letters, especially when she had not yet become accustomed to censorship restrictions. But the Chaplain pointed out that these officers would have to do the work sooner or later and induced them to "take up the white man's burden." One soldier of the Medical Corps, who was feeling piqued at see- ing so much dancing go on without his participating, gave his letter to the head nurse, a lady, to be censored, and in it included some scathing criticism of the age and looks of nurses as a class — the Surgeon happily intercepted the offending letter before any mischief was done. How National this war was and how it enlisted the whole of America came out at dinner-time when the five officers sitting at a single table compared notes and ascertained that their homes were respectively in West Virginia, Kansas, Louisiana, Oregon and Massachusetts; the middle three were officers of the 65th. Everyone was up early the next morning; the ship had passed the south of Ireland during the night and was now going from St. George's Channel into the Irish Sea with Holyhead and other The Voyage on H. M. S. ^' Mauretania'^ 43 Welsh hills rising on the starboard side. High in the air a dirigible was watching for submarines, while occasional sea-planes would swoop about the ship; with band playing and wireless snapping we bade farewell to our destroyers, when they patiently turned again seaward on the never ending task of convoying troop-ships. As we approached the harbor of Liverpool, about noon, we were given a rousing welcome; for a rumor had been abroad the day previous that the "Mauretania'^ was torpedoed and lost. Harbor craft blew their whistles, and dense masses of people lined the shore on both the Birkenhead and Liverpool sides; the 55th Band re- sponded by playiijLg the three national anthems, American, French and British. It was 3 p. m. when we entered the dock and were moored to the quay. Quarters had been carefully policed and the troops were ready to make their landing, when word came to re- main aboard until morning. The ship's people had also expected us to leave them, for they made no preparations to serve the troops supper, until very late — and then the quantity fell off. No officer or man of the 55th was allowed ashore that night, and all had to comfort themselves by watching the elevated trains pass and re- pass the ends of the great warehouses which limited the view shoreward. ''DayHght-saving" had gone into effect the day be- fore, both here and at home, and the "Mauretania's" passengers took it up twenty-four hours late; now they pushed the hands of their watches ahead two and one-half hours, partly to compensate for their long progress easterly and partly to comply with the new-fangled scheme. English newspapers gave the Americans a distinct shock, for they were condensed to the very smallest pro- portions and had all the juice squeezed out of them by the censor; even so, they indicated an unfavorable development of the Somme Defensive during the period of the voyage, and they confirmed the fact that a gun actually existed sufficiently powerful to bombard Paris from a distance of over seventy miles. As a partial offset, however, to the evil tidings was the announcement that "unity of command" had finally been effected and Marshal Ferdinand Foch had, on Mch. 29, been appointed Allied generalissimo; all passengers on the "Mauretania" felt pride in the news that the American commander. Gen. Pershing, while insisting that his troops should fight as an army and be more than mere replace- ments to the French and British units, was first to place his entire force unreservedly at Foch's disposal, giving up whatever inde- 44 The Fifty-fifth Artillery pendent plans he may have formed and proving himself, as the army phrased it, ^'a good sport." According to prevailing instructions American soldiers had been authorized to count foreign-service time and to wear chevrons accordingly, from the date of sailing; presently the 55th were to learn that foreign-service pay had been running from Mch. 25, but that chevron-time began at the conclusion, not the outset of the eight-day voyage — on Apr. 2. Now at length, even by con- servative reckoning, the regiment's overseas experience had begun. CHAPTER III In England and Into France EVERYONE was astir bright and early on Apr. 3; the regi- ment formed amongst drays and trucks in muddy roadways leading from the docks, and soon started for the Central Station, in two sections, under command respectively of Maj. Dusenbury and Lt. Col. Shedd. A few cases of measles and pneu- monia and one of scarlet fever had developed during the voyage; the seriously ill were transferred to a Liverpool hospital, while those slightly incapacitated were given car-fare (American money — there was no English available) and directed to make the best of their way to the station. The regimental Band played Maj . Dusenbury's batteries across the city; the marching of Col. Shedd's section was stimulated by a band thoughtfully provided by the British authori- ties — and the Americans gained a realizing sense of what the ex- haustion of British man-power signified when they saw the aggrega- tion of invalids and children attempting to produce "music.*' No wonder the tunes were decrepit and mournful, even tho kindly intended. Orders had been issued not to leave the formation nor to talk with people, and they were obeyed; but it was not easy to ignore the remarks of the crowd or refuse the ale which they were ready to pass out; and indeed considerable self-restraint was required to keep from "rubber-necking'' at one's first ghmpse of English streets and "bobbies." The long queues of would-be purchasers before every food-shop prepared us to brace ourselves against famine later in the day, and we learned how actually hungry England was in April, 1918. Coming as the Americans did from a land where the prohibition agitation was powerful and presently to be successful, they could not understand how such scarcity of things to eat could coexist with such apparent abundance of drink. The route led east to Scotland Road and then south on that main thorofare past St. George's Hall and the Lime St. Station to Central Station; it almost seemed as if the parade had been staged for its moral effect in cheer- ing the Liverpool populace, and certainly the Americans had a cordial greeting. Suppose one woman did remark, "Oh, look at all those poor boys! Such fine big men! And to think that they are all going to be shot." 46 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Her doleful suggestion was more than offset by her neighbor's shout, "Give 'em hell for me, boys; give 'em hell!" Leaving the Supply Co. under Capt. Ralph W. Wilson, reinforced by a special detail from each battery, to move the baggage and to follow at night via the L. & N. W., the regiment pulled out via the G. C. R. R. thru the Derbyshire ''peak district," Sheffield, Notting- ham, Leicester, to Rugby, starting during the morning, and receiv- ing as luncheon a generous supply of sandwiches and hot coffee from the Red Cross at Leicester. Then transferring to the G. W. R. R., the trains moved on thru Oxford and Winchester to their destina- tion; if the 55th had seemed to be traveling ''the royal road to learning" when they "went thru" West Point a few weeks pre- viously, now they speeded up their educational course in more bewildering fashion; for a single afternoon sufficed to take them thru three of England's most distinguished institutions. Rugby, Oxford and Winchester had no reason to be ashamed of the young men who both came and went that April afternoon. Never had tourists a finer chance to see the beauties of England; the fields looked their greenest, with carpeting of grass and moss, and the hedgerows and foliage were charming, while robins and sky- larks added the music of their song. All along the route people came out to cheer us, while children waved handkerchiefs and threw kiss- es. At every stop the men jumped out and marveled at the differ- ences between railroading in old England and New England. How they "kidded" the solemn-looking natives! One man, with an aluminum identification tag in his eye for a monocle, remarked, " H'l sye, old chawp, so this h'is h'England? What the bloomin' 'ell station h'is this?" Men were warned to get back into their compartments by the familiar sound of the "boat-call," blown by the bugler. Indeed the 55th were privileged that day to ride in comfortable cars, howbeit somewhat crowded, thru the most beau- tiful portion of the isle. The English seemed to regret the necessity of allowing these tourists to pass without charging them roundly for the exhibition; for the officer who met the regiment at the Romsey Station remarked, with a sigh, "It did not cost you a farthing." From Oxford on, daylight left the travelers; and they were made aware that perils beset their course, when they were forbidden to show lights — air-raids were very frequent in that section. More- over, the weather slipped back from its unwonted sunshine into the more normal drizzle. In England and Into France 47 Passing Southampton the trains went several miles farther and stopped about 8 p. m. in dense darkness at a little town which was later discovered to be Romsey, in Hants. Besides the two regular sections commanded by Col. Sevier and Maj. Dusenbury, a third section of the train, commanded by Lt. Col. Shedd, conveyed our " overflow '^ and also that of the 65th Regiment. When the last train arrived about 10 p. m., the guards ran alongside the cars shouting, "All out, and hurry up so you don^t delay the trains ''; and all hands started strapping on their packs — with some confusion be- cause of the darkness. Sgt. John Mclsaac of Bat. F finally made his way out thru a hole in the platform fence and shouted, *' Battery F, fall in!" As the squad-leaders called out, "Sixth squad, here,'' "Twenty-first squad, here," the men finally ralhed into little groups in numerical order; but confusion continued, with incomprehensible remarks. "Get out of here, you don't belong here." "Yes, I do, who are you, anyway?" "Since when were you in charge of this squad? This is my squad." "No, it's mine." Something was "off"; moreover, there seemed to be endless men trying to get into battery formation. At this juncture a guide appeared with a lan- tern and solved the mystery; on the "overflow" train were not only Bat. F of the 55th but also Bat. F of the 65th, each ignorant of the other's presence, and the two had been attempting to form as a single battery. Following the guide thru the inky blackness, lighted only by his single lantern, they marched more than a mile thru what they thought to be open country; and actually went right thru the Town of Romsey without knowing it. Presently they found themselves in an English "rest-camp" where they were to settle. The camp had been created long before as a center for British aviators, and now was turned over to the Americans; aside from a police detail from the 41st Division, our artillery regiments were the first occu- pants. Tents were intended to shelter eight officers or twelve men each; but the guide explained that twenty-three men would need to crowd in each tonight. Soon from out the darkness of the interiors came such cries as, "Here, get your foot off my face; what do you think I am, a carpet?" A sergeant was put in charge of each ent. When the last tent had received its twenty-three, there were still nearly two score men left out in the rain; so a quota of these were estabhshed in the guard-tent (no one knew what had become of the guard) and the rest were assigned to the tents already so crowded. 48 The Fifty-fifth Artillery If a tent sergeant objected that there was no room, he was told that he would have to be the unfortunate outsider, and immediately his objection vanished. Blankets were issued at the rate of three per man, and came in rolls of ten ; they must have weighed quite a little ; for a howl was certain to result when a bundle was thrown into a crowded tent. Officers had bunks of boards, with hard straw mat- tresses. Eventually all were settled and slept soundly. Food shortage here became a stern reality to the 55th; breakfast consisted of a few, very few, pieces of thin bread, one thin slice of bacon, a little marmalade, and a cup of coffee, while other meals were not much better. One lieutenant missed the first breakfast and vowed that he never did catch up. The men were taken out for hikes and easy drills, and really had no serious ground for grum- bling. Signs advertising ''Strong's Romsey Ales" stimulated thirst in some, thirst which could not be gratified because ''town" was *'out of limits." They felt better, however, when they heard an officer explain how he visited Romsey with its fifteen fancily named inns and drank the whole town dry. " How did you do it?" " Easy — had two glasses at the first; that was all they had — and the rest had none." After that "The Pink Angleworm" and other taverns lost their attractiveness. Food-shops were equally short of stock; tobacco, matches and everything edible were "rationed," and meals could not be had in a restaurant without special permission from the camp commander — permission never granted. Guards had to be posted at camp to keep men from bribing the village youngsters to buy them bread, as the villagers would otherwise suffer for the lack of this very food-stuff. The Colonel directed the Chaplain to go about and urge men to restrain their appetites under existing cir- cumstances, and the command was obeyed; but the Chaplain was himself too hungry to be very zealous. Industry was mostly in female hands, owing to the war; it seemed odd to be shaved by a female barber; but it must be confessed that the tonsorial artist could wield a razor, and moreover she sustained the proprieties by having a chaperon in the room at all times. Romsey proved to be historic ground, for there the royalists under Sir Edward Waller had resisted Cromwell's men in the days of the Commonwealth. It was an old Hampshire market-town. Its crowning glory was the ancient abbey church of Saints Mary and Ethelflaeda, the most beautiful Norman abbey church in the south of England. When, at the time of the Reformation, Henry Band Grvmo Concert at Acbiere. Note CLEAXLiNEbb ok 6rRtt.is — U t, LLt^Ast.u 1 utM Battery C at AiHiiiUK Trembley Funeral, Aubiere Street Slaughter House, Aubiere Kitchen of Heauulautkus Co., Supply Co., Batteries C and D, at Aluieue In England and Into France 49 VIII dissolved and plundered the nunnery, he sold the church to Romsey's villagers to use as a parish house of worship; and such was the purchasing power of money in those merry days, that the king asked, and received, only £100 in full payment. Portions of the existing fabric were built as early as the year 967. Lord Palm- erston, twice Prime Minister of England under Queen Victoria, was a native of Romsey. A number of the regiment were allowed a few hours liberty to visit nearby Winchester. Familiar with Plymouth, Salem and Concord, the 55th knew well how to appreciate the city which, for the old country, combines the flavor of all three American shrines, and indeed carries one back thru history to an unimagined past. Winchester had been the Camelot of King Arthur, where he feasted with his knights about ''the table round"; it was the capital city of ''the good Saxon Alfred," and later of the greatest Normans. More recently it had given to England : William of Wickham, the ecclesiastical statesman; Isaac Walton, the gentle angler; and Jane Austen, the novelist. One seemed to feel the combined in- fluence of manifold genius while wandering thru the ancient streets. Officers who served as mail censors really came to grapples with their task at Romsey; it seemed as if every man in the regiment wrote at least one letter reporting his safe arrival, giving his im- pressions of the old country and announcing a speedy move by the command forward into the unknown. Censorship had been estab- lished by General Order No. 13, A. E. F., dated July 13, 1917, and these were all the instructions thus far issued to the regiment; now they learned of the Act of Congress, approved Oct. 3, 1917, which modified the original provisions, and they also received the first in a long series of circulars which were destined to keep censorship regulations fluctuating thruout the war. Many questions came up which presented difficulty. No postage was required from the soldier; but how about the recipient of the letter — must he pay? Must one write his name on the outside of the envelope or must he not? Should one give the designation of the regiment either outside or inside the envelope, or should he not? Could the soldier tell where he was, either in the back area or at the front? Censors in the 55th "played safe" and so went thru the war escaping the trouble which constantly beset censors in other organizations. The censorship prohibition of diary-keeping was very discouraging to 4 60 The Fifty-fifth Artillery regimental literary men, who had in mind the preparation of a regimental history at some future date; but a *'way was found." The Army Y. M. C. A. was "always on the job doing a wonderful work/^ as men of the 55th wrote home in letters from Romsey, and the regiment profited by the ** Y" work. An especially fine patriotic entertainment was given on the last evening before they left, with music by the Band, songs and brief addresses. When it was time for departure, everything would have gone smoothly, except that the camp Quartermaster insisted on counting all the blankets he took in. He knew only too well that many bun- dles handed out the dark night of the regiment's arrival and said to contain ten blankets, had only eight or nine; the regiment was actually "shy'' several hundred blankets. Now, however, as the bundles came back, they had one or two blankets rolled so that both edges of the same blanket showed at the edge of the roll; and as edges only were counted, the tally was ten. Under this system care had to be exercised, not for fear of falling short but of exceeding the proper total. Sunday, Apr. 7, was the date set for moving; and at 9.45 a. m. the regiment were ready to start. While adjusting blanket diffi- culties, they were chagrined to see the 65th "cut in" ahead of them and march down the road first; but "tables were turned" later when the 65th were ordered to stand in the gutter and allow the 55th to regain the lead. The distance to Southampton was about eight miles and was covered on foot; as the route led thru some of the most charming as well as most historic roads of all England, and with the sun shining its brightest, that April hike was a memorably pleasant one. The Band led the column; the musicians had lost heavily from "quarantine" at Romsey and left one-third of their number behind, but even two-thirds of a band was a tremendous help. Maj. Dusenbury suffered from a terrible cold and was a very sick man; nothing, however, could induce him to leave his post at the head of the 1st Batl. The men ate luncheon half way along the journey. For the last half of the way the Americans were traveling one of the oldest roads in Great Britain, the Roman "via" from Winchester to Southampton, the holy "road of the lost footsteps." In the footprints of ancient Roman legionaries, of knights on search for the Holy Grail, of Alfred's freeborn Saxons, of Norman con- querors, of America's Pilgrim Fathers about to embark aboard 52 The Fifty-fifth Artillery the "Mayflower/^ of Cromweirs "Ironsides," and of numberless heroes who went to death at Gallipoli or in Flanders fields, now trudged the sons of the new world; to one familiar with the neigh- borhood every foot of it was water-lopped with tears, every dwell- ing darkened by the memory of loss or the shadow of suspense, every vista instinct with the suggestion of heroic purpose, and every turn of the road quivered with ghosts. Natives were sizing up these most recent arrivals; one Englishman expressed it; ''The eyes under the broad brims swept the street, taking in everything, full of curiosity and comparison, all mixed up with that defensive 'mustn't-give-myself-away' attitude that you see on the face of a new boy at school. They wore the chin-strap behind, Harrow fashion, and the four dimples in the crown would faithfully collect the rain." The Americans were also adding to their opinion of England, appraising everything with critical and kindly judgment. After a long march thru the town, they finally arrived at the wharf and were loaded on H. M. S. "Antrim," an old Midland R. R. steamer which, in peace-times, had made the run from England to Ireland. The boat could perhaps have carried 400 passengers comfortably; now between 1,800 and 1,900 were crowded aboard. With such an interpretation of the vessel's capacity, it was no wonder that she was able to transport more than 1,000,000 men during the war. First the troops marched, single file, down below and deposited rifles, belts and equipment in the lowest deck-space; these, owing to lack of room, had to be piled in a heap and became all mixed up. The men returned directly to the outer deck. Then all batteries were assigned positions on the deck, to be occupied in case it should become necessary to abandon ship; this drill was a grim process, as the "Antrim" had no boats and her passengers would depend entirely upon rafts in the event of disaster. They had to stand four deep all around the ship; and after drill, many remained just where they were, for there was nowhere else to go. Embarkation did not proceed as promptly as the Colonel thought it should, and certain officers "got a good earful," as they testified, but finally, leaving part of the Supply Co. to follow with the regimental baggage, the ship cast off her moor- ings and dropped down the harbor. The baggage section were "favored" with an even poorer craft than the others, a horse- transport. The "Antrim" also took aboard ten or more car-loads of mail for the armies as a favor to the British — a great boon for In England and Into France 63 the fortunate English soldiers at the front, but a cause of more delay and over-crowding for the 55th. The British authorities thanked the regiment for this service. Thru Spithead and past the Isle of Wight steamed the little transport, and came to anchor off Gosport and the great naval station at Portsmouth, to wait for darkness. How many of the Massachusetts coast artillerymen recalled the feat of their prede- cessors at another "Gosport navy-yard" fifty-seven years before; when the "Merrimac" had been snatched from beneath enemy guns and rendered useless as an engine of warfare? As dusk drew on, about 5.30 p. m., the ship weighed anchor, and, convoyed by four British destroyers, made her way into the EngUsh Channel; the men were nibbling their scanty supper of two hard-tack and a taste of cheese apiece, or else struggling to buy a little poor coffee from the over-crowded ship's canteen. Fortunately the night was one of rain and inky darkness, so that hostile submarines had a poor chance; and it should be added, to the credit of the British Navy, that not a single passenger ever lost his life on this route at any time during the war. Later in the evening officers and "non-coms" spent several hours sorting packs and rifles by num- bers, from the general pell-mell, and next morning the men of at least part of the regiment were able to debark promptly, each having his own equipment. From one point of view there was a measure of commendable economy in serving a scanty supper, as the Channel did its worst to live up to a bad reputation and what- ever went down had to come up. Most of the officers managed to crowd into some staterooms, re- served for them, and others hired private cabins from the ship's officers; >the men slept in the corridors, everyone with his head on someone's else chest, or on the stairways or on and under the dining-tables — in every conceivable place. It was impossible to walk about without stepping on men. All experienced relief when, at 2.30 A. M., the engine ceased throbbing, and they knew they were in a French harbor — some then undressed and really slept. No one slept after daybreak next morning, Monday, Apr. 8, if they had slept at all; and upon reaching the outer deck, they found their vessel moored to a quay, in what they learned to be Havre. After congratulating one another over the escape from torpedoing, they looked around and at once saw interesting side- lights on the war. , A company of black men were passing under 54 The Fifty-fifth Artillery command of a few English sergeants, moving deliberately with long, slow steps — Kaffir labor troops, they were, from Africa. Yonder were yellow-skinned men with eyes set at an angle, busy unloading a vessel — Chinese coolies. Near the ''Antrim" a com- pany of soldiers were resting preparatory to entraining, white men with odd-looking, broad-brimmed felt hats — Australians. Every- where was to be seen the horizon-blue uniform of the French sol- dier, on guard or at drill. We had heard that this was a world war; now the new arrivals commenced to understand the truth of the report. Profiting by Southampton experience, the regiment disem- barked very promptly — in fact, were a little ahead of time; and were ready to move even before the command was given. We were to find food far more plentiful in France than in England; but the discovery was delayed so that we had no breakfast until lunch- time. Havre is not an unattractive city under ordinary circum- stances; when, however, hungry men have to march from one end of it to the other " and then some," up hill much of the distance, they would not be in an appreciative frame of mind. Along the way, the regiment unexpectedly happened upon the temporary capital of Belgium (in Havre during the war) ; and it was greatly to Band-leader Svensson's credit that he produced the Belgian national anthem so promptly. One hope spurred the men on, that they should at last find a real American camp, and in that hope they plodded ahead; judge their disappointment when, after more than an hour, they found themselves in another British camp, and this even worse than Romsey. It was Camp No. 1 on the heights near Fort St. Andresse, and consisted of tents only, furnished with ab- solutely nothing except hard board-floors. Field officers and some battery commanders slept in little affairs like chicken-coops, while the others, along with the men, slept in the tents; there were no bedding-rolls available, and officers drew blankets from the camp quartermaster — and on this occasion they carefully counted the contents of the bundles for which they were signing. The Americans were able to get baths at Camp No. 1, and appreciated the privilege. Hungry officers discovered "the Limes," a charming French estaminet, near at hand, and enjoyed two or three excellent meals. But the Y. M. C. A. was the favorite oasis in the camp district; for the officers' club building, being under British management, In England and Into France 55 Enthusiasm for the '* Y'' was unbounded amongst many of the 55th officers, to judge from letters written at this time. There was a British canteen in camp; but all the first day, thru some mistake, this dispenser of food and cheer was "out of limits" for the en- listed men; meanwhile the latter depended upon the British Y. M. C. A. and, like the officers, became favorably impressed by the service rendered. This Y. M. C. A. was conducted by English ladies, but occupied a building erected with American money and proved to be the very first American ''hut'^ built in all France. A registry book was found in the officers' section showing the sig- natures of Massachusetts coast artillery officers who had come thru with the 26th Division six months previously. At Havre the 55th had their only chance to fraternize with British soldiers. A prison camp stood next to the tents occupied by the Americans, where German captives were guarded by Englishmen, the latter being, for the most part, veterans of the original ''contemptible little army," which helped stop the first German drive in 1914. At the officers' club were a number of Brit- ish officers awaiting transportation home; their units had mostly been cut to pieces in battle, and they regaled the Americans with lurid tales, told with the utmost cheerfulness. Things continued to go badly on the Somme, and there was one sad day wherein the regiment understood it was to be made into infantry or field artillery and used as a sacrifice to help stop Ludendorff. At Havre the men made the acquaintance of French money and had a con- fused time with it; one man, when asked how much his cigarets cost him, replied, "I am not sure — but it was one shilling, a franc and a nickel." Even tho conditions were uncomfortable at Havre, the men were a little reluctant to leave when, on Apr. 9, orders were re- ceived to move; however hard a bed may be, it is sure to feel rest- ful about reveille-time. After a grand "policing" bee which gained for the 55th the highest commendation of the British com- manding officer ("Tell your officers for me that this is the best regiment, English, French or American, that has passed thru this camp. I never saw things left in better shape. The discipline while here has been excellent. Tell them goodbye and goodluck for me.") they marched down to the railroad station, five miles right thru Havre, with the streets lined by kindly and enthusiastic 56 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Frenchmen. There was no mistaking the cordiality of the greet- ing. The men had eaten and consequently did not suffer. At the station came the regiment's introduction to the French ''Side-door Pullman"; the Americans had ridden in cold cars and crowded cars, but they were now to ride, for the very first time in their lives, in ordinary freight-cars — no, in extraordinary French freight- cars. "Hommes 40 — Chevaux 8," was the sign on the side, translated by the Americans as follows, "It'll hold 40 Tommies or 8 she oxes." At once the loading-platform began to resound with the cries of cattle, "Baaa," **moo," while, pointing at a pile of hay nearby the men would remark, ''There's our supper." They left the station in the afternoon and early evening, being in two sections, commanded respectively by the Lieutenant Colonel and the Colonel. For an adequate description of such travel, it is needful to go outside the 55th, and to reproduce Steuart M. Emery's touching poem: "Roll, roll, roll, over the rails of France, See the world and its map unfurled, five centimes in your pants; What a noble trip, jolt and jog and jar. Forty we, with Equipment C, in one flat-wheeled box-car. "We are packed by hand. Shoved aboard in 'teens, Pour a little oil on us And we would be sardines. "Rations? Oo-la-la! and how we love the man Who learned how to intern our chow in a cold and clammy can. Beans and beef and beans, beef and beans and beef, Willie raw, he will win the war, take in your belt a reef. " Mess kits flown the coop. Cups gone up the spout; Use your thumbs for issue forks And pass the bull about. "Hit the floor for bunk, six hommes to one homme's place; It's no fair to the bottom layer to kick 'em in the face. Move the corp'ral's feet out of my left ear; Lay off, sarge, you are much too large, I'm not a bedsack, dear. In England and Into France 57 ''Lift my head up, please, From this bag of bread. Put it on somebody's chest. Then I'll sleep like the dead. "Roll, roll, roll, yammer and snore and fight. Traveling zoo the whole day thru and bedlam all the night. Three days in the cage, going from hither hence. Ain't it great to ride by freight at good old Unc's expense?" No excessive amount of luxury was wasted on the officers; only two coaches were provided with each train. While the Colonel, field officers and part of their staffs, had small first-class compart- ments, most of the others were crowded into third-class accommoda- tions, with hard seats and Httle room. By the second night the travelers in one of the third-class compartments were so utterly weary that they could go no longer without sleep; yet they were four in number and there was space only for two to lie on the benches and a third on the floor. "Let me arrange it," said the smallest (and most ingenious) of the party, Lt. Adolph T. Rose; "the largest man sleep on the floor where he cannot fall on anyone, the other two take the two seats." There was no argument, and everyone promptly went to bed as directed, remaining awake long enough, however, to discover how the manager would quarter him- self. The riddle was soon solved, as he ascended nimbly to the over-head haggage-rack and lay down to pleasant dreams, declaring that he had the best bunk of all. Rain was falling during most of the journey and had no difficulty getting past the loose windows and thru the leaky roof; but the slicker, wrapped about one's head, enabled the sleeper to forget and rest. On the following morning the trains were approaching Paris, and soon passed St. Cyr, the French West Point. They were switched from the Chemin de fer d'Etat to the outer belt-line, and stopped at Versailles, where the men had their introduction to another group of good friends, the Red Cross; everyone received candy and post-cards from these worthy ladies. Constructively speaking, the regiment were here "under fire" for the first time, as they were well within the danger-zone of the Germans' long-ranged gun; however, they did not give this danger so much as a passing thought. 68 The Fifty-fifth Artillery On Wednesday, Apr. 10, the regiment breakfasted at Versailles, ate luncheon at Juvisy (as guests of the Red Cross), and then were switched on to the P. L. M. tracks, rear-end first, and started south- ward; it was impossible for the Red Cross to keep up with the de- mand for chocolate, and coffee was presently substituted ; and when this too ran short, the last-comers were given cider. All this time troop-trains kept passing on the north-bound track, laden with French artillery who were hastening from Italy to the endangered Somme front; seeing them brought home to the Americans more graphically than many newspapers how acute was the crisis. This was the day when their comrades of the 104th Infantry won the regimental croix de guerre for gallantry at the Apremont Wood. The route then led up the Seine to Corbeil, and up the Esonne and across country to Montargis, where supper was eaten, and the men were given forty minutes to get hot coffee from the Red Cross, wash up, and storm the canteen for liver-sausage and other deli- cacies. They ''cleaned out" the stock in less time than it takes to tell of it. Here they saw the first American locomotive with a regu- lar "he whistle," by contrast with the peanut-whistles of the French engines; and felt that they were meeting a long-lost friend. The first train had a lively experience at one of these stopping places. French numerals are apt all to sound alike to an American; and thinking the stop was to be fifty minutes, instead of fifteen, the ofl&cers took the men off for a short period of exercise. At the end of the quarter-hour, the engineer insisted upon starting, passengers or no passengers; and so the Lieutenant Colonel, somewhat later, had to hire another train, and chase the run-away section fifteen or twenty miles down the line, and put his men on board, where they belonged. Thursday, Apr. 11, found the travelers in the valley of the Loire, with breakfast at Saincaize, near Nevers; then after washing and stretching themselves, they went on thru the Bourbonnais, up the valley of the Allier, one of France's fairest sections. While the country was not so well trimmed as in England, the landscape pre- sented aspects of the rarest charm; spring was at hand and fields gleamed with the freshest green; fruit trees were in blossom, and the pastures were filled with sleek, white cattle. The men had run out of rations and were in no frame of mind for enjoying scenery until after luncheon at St. Germaine des Fosses; but the oflScers jdelded to the charm of white-walled, red-roofed villages set off by In England and Into France 59 contrast with occasional thatch, and all projected against a back- ground of intense emerald, with magpies in the trees, and poplars silhouetted on the horizon, and closely trimmed willows lining each water-course. Odd sights greeted them on every side; small boys did a rushing business filling canteens with trin rouge, and on top of that clamored for ^^ souvenir ^^ ; at Moulins they enjoyed watching the French method of switching freight-cars by hitching a horse to them and shouting, ^'Allez! eu!"; they passed a wagon laden with willow-scions which were to be used for rafia or chair-caning — driven by a woman, and drawn by a yoke of white cows. At Gannat their train was passed by the express from Paris to Clermont Ferrand, filled with American ofl&cers, many of whom were destined to the 55th and who there had the first glimpse of their future command. They finally reached their destination, Clermont Ferrand, about 6 p. M. ; and after the train had backed up and down thru the station a few times and exercized the peanut-whistle on its locomotive "to the limit," it stopped. Lt. Col. Shedd's section had already arrived; and its passengers, the 1st Batl., were well on their way northward to Cebazat for the night. Col. Sevier gathered the ofl&cers of the 2d and 3d BattaUons around him and made a complimentary speech. He told of the splendid commendations which the regiment's be- havior had elicited everywhere, and urged all to keep up the fine record. SHckers were donned, as it threatened rain; and the column started for Aubi^re, a small village one and three-quarter miles south of the city. After a hard trudge over a hill, they came upon a few twinkling electric lights and soon found themselves in the village square, the Place des Ramacles. It had been intended to send the 3d Batl. elsewhere, as Aubi^re was suflSciently large for only a single battaHon and regimental Headquarters; but there they all were, in the darkness and rain, and there they had to stay. The Maire proved to be a "trump" and did his utmost to meet the unexpected demands; in cooperation with Maj. Skinner and Capt. Bettcher, he actually billeted 1,100 men in the village, opening the school build- ing and causing the two hotels, the "Caf^ d'Union" and the "Caf6 Frangais," to receive men up to the Hmit of their capacity. All ofl&cers slept in the bar-room of the Caf^ d' Union, and during the earlier part of the evening had a hilarious, glorious time; after Capt. Ralph W. Wilson had succeeded in getting their bedding-rolls to them, they were ready for bed. While they were undressing, the proprietress returned to the room at a strategical moment ready to 60 The Fifty-fifth Artillery dispense more vin; the situation did not bother her in the least. The men were strangers in a strange land and unable to find one another in the dark; but Maj. Skinner declared that many of them were all too well able to find the dispensatories of vin rouge — he came in with fiery eye and an armful of confiscated bottles, declar- ing, "They are all over, getting wine/' However, all soon quieted down — and slumber ruled the scene. On the morning of Apr. 12, the problem was to breakfast the men, with all rations still at the freight-yard in Clermont. Whatever bread the people of Aubi^re would sell was purchased; and the proprietress of the Caf6 was engaged to make coffee. The officers wondered why that coffee was so much in demand and why the men insisted upon having a second and third cup, until they discovered the good woman puring a bottle of cognac into every kettle she boiled. By 10 a. m. the 3d Batl. was formed in the square, and, with packs and other baggage on their shoulders, they soon began the short march to their own proper village, Beaumont; owing to the heat and their fatigue, they made hard work of it, but finally arrived and settled themselves. One man of Bat. F had developed measles and was quarantined, but otherwise all were in good health and spirits. All along their journey the 55th had heard of "the big American camp" to which they were supposed to be going, and conjured up visions of barracks and baths and mess-halls with tables groaning under loads of American viands; there actually was such a camp for the aviators at Aulnat, a few miles distant, but not for artil- lery. While the 1st Batl. at Cebazat, the 2d at Aubiere and the 3d at Beaumont, with regimental Headquarters at Aubiere, were far from realizing their dreams, they soon found themselves thoroly at home amongst kind people; and they rejoiced to be at the end of their long journey, and finally in France, all ready for training. CHAPTER IV Training MNOELLET, Maire of Aubiere, continued his assist- ance until the billeting was completed, and made it pos- • sible for the Americans finally to settle themselves with considerable comfort; as the process was the same in all three villages, the story of one will do for the other two. The Maire was the ''big boss," and his word was final; since his term would last a year or two longer, and he was not particular about reelection as he served without pay, he could be pretty independent. It soon came to be understood that billeting was a system of compulsory lodging in the spare-rooms and lofts of the village, with Uncle Sam paying the bill at prescribed rates — a franc per day for an officer and a sou per day for a man. The system is discouraged by the Constitution of the United States. But in a region where no uncultivated fields existed and where tents would be erected at the expense of more essential agriculture, billeting was necessary; and before the war was over, the 55th came to accept the system as the normal one and tenting as the exception. If the men thought they were going into real houses, they found themselves mistaken; there was wide-eyed wonder and consterna- tion when the first squad was led to a little barn contiguous to the dwelling or even combined with it, yet distinct from it, and told to quarter themselves there, two in the empty stall of some absent horse, two behind a wagon and four up in the loft. And in every building the inhabitants had at least a hundred directions they wanted followed; certain articles must not be touched, and cer- tain parts were to be avoided altogether. The billeting officer had to be a patient negotiator and a good pedestrian; some men were settled in a place, and then the next place proved to be on the other side of town, while for the third billet he must walk back to his starting point. A question would be put to the Maire thru an interpreter and would result in five minutes' jabbering between the two; when the interpreter was asked what the Maire said, he would simply answer, "He said it was all right." The French- man proved to be more sociable than business-like, and every question was a subject for discussion, preferably over a table; and there was no use trying to hurry. 62 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Then came questions about drinking-water and latrines. Beau- mont was fortunate in having water from the mountain streams, clear and cold, piped right into the public square; but the troops in all the towns had to boil or chlorinate their drinking-fluid. ^' Where are our latrines?" ''But, Monsieur le Commandant, we hav'n't any." ''Well, what are the men to use?" "Why," exclaimed the Maire, while a look of surprize came over his face that such a question should be asked, "why, you can use the streets." In fact, the inhabitants did use the streets, the whole family in most every case; and the few toilets in town were under lock and key. This fairly staggered the men; and thereafter if you saw an artilleryman glancing around like a hunted criminal and trying to avoid everybody, the last thing to conclude was that he was escaping from justice; it was a case of trying to put up with French conditions. The Colonel commanded the regiment to be friendly with the people of the towns, but to maintain American standards of decency; it soon proved that both directions would be heartily obeyed, especially the second. Of course, proper facili- ties were provided as soon as possible; but there was unbelievable red tape; this district was under civil, not military control, and not a spadeful of earth could be turned without permission — while in most cases the owner could not see why one should want to go to so much trouble. There were leaky roofs to contend with, for the rainy season was protracted to an unduly late date and made things uncomfortable. And worse still was the vermin; streets were covered ankle-deep with filth, while the barn-floor was nothing more or less than the manure and straw accumulations of bygone years. The peasants objected to the soldiers sleeping on the hay in their lofts for fear of injuring it, but there was nowhere else to sleep; when a man was bitten by the vermin downstairs he suffered from a welt three-quarters of an inch across and over a quarter of an inch high. Occasionally the absent horse or "jack" returned during the night and walked right into his proper quarters, regardless of human occupancy. There was not a single bathtub in town, and until the American shower-baths were set up, the soldiers had hard times to keep clean; Clermont Ferrand or Royat offered the only possi- bility. Training 63 When it came to billeting the officers, the Americans learned a funny thing; the householder would show a room containing a big bed and would be told by the billeting officer that it would accommodate two; and then ensued a horrified expression and long debate. Finally it developed that these people thought it terrible scandal for two men to sleep together. At first the men sickened from improper diet; for no one can live and thrive on "canned Willie." American supplies had not yet come, due to a mistake of the railroad transportation officer at La Courtine; and the French were not allowed to sell their provisions — they could only loan food upon condition that it be returned later in kind. It was a problem, until the army put up telephones of their own, even to communicate from one town to another or with the brigade Headquarters at Clermont; French telephones were excellent, with pay-stations in every post-office, but the operators could not understand English and, for a while, did not so much as appreciate that the Americans were there and must be served. The sick were sent to a French military hdpital (no one will ever forget No. 78) at Montferrand, were well nursed and, according to French standards, well fed; but the Chaplain had to travel thither twice or thrice per week, carrying supple- mentary food-stuff — or the poor fellows would have starved. In time the army established hospitals of their own at Royat, and a bakery in Clermont, and substituted vacant houses for the worst barns, and secured abundant American provisions, so that everyone was quite comfortable; after the heavy baggage arrived the men were well equipped in essential particulars. But one peril persisted until the end; and the Americans never could recon- cile themselves to it. French people lived in the second story of the house (with live-stock downstairs), and they found it easier to empty slops out of the window than to carry the vessels down below, usually doing it without first assuring themselves whether or not the street beneath contained unsuspecting passers-by. It was evident that the 55th must undertake street-cleaning or the men would suffer continued discomfort and perhaps con- tract disease; the *'C. A. C." of the regimental title was about to receive its new, French significance, "Cleans All Cities." The townspeople were convened in a public meeting and agreed to help, loaning all the shovels, hoes, brooms and carts they had; furthermore, they actually did some digging themselves when they 64 The Fifty-fifth Artillery came to understand the plan. Manure was wealth in an agri- cultural district like the Auvergne and must not be lost; so the American trucks gathered it all up and moved it right out to the fields where it was needed. Meanwhile the people tried hard to reform their habits and not permit more to accumulate. Daily band-concerts did much to render the regiment popular with the French; and Svensson's Band rendered even better music than they had in months previous. The Band was strength- ened by transferring to it men of musical ability from other sec- tions of the 55th. The men found the people truly kind-hearted; and as the language barrier was gradually overcome, relations between the inhabitants and the sojourners became of the very best. Our sparring exhibitions set all the French boys to doing likewise; while the movies given by the Chaplain in the Y. M. C. A. tents or out-of-doors, drew throngs of both soldiers and civilians. The custom of giving movie entertainments out-of-doors, in the village square, with the machine pointed toward some building with a blank wall, startled the French, but was accepted as one more delightful proof that the American was tres drdle — ^lantern- shows could not start until long after 9 p. m., owing to the pro- tracted daylight in such a northern latitude. Trouble came only in entertainments which depended for interest upon hearing and understanding spoken jokes; for the French could not grasp the point and would not keep still enough to permit others to enjoy the fun. Before the Y. M. C. A. had time to start their canteens, in order to secure a supply of "sweets" and '^smokes" for the men the Chaplain purchased a stock of such commodities from the " Y" and placed them on sale. At this time criticism (in the writer^s opinion, always groundless) was beginning to be heard in certain quarters that the Y. M. C. A. "overcharged" the men; altho the Chaplain put his chocolate out at the exact figure he paid for it, he was directed by the Commanding Officer not to charge such high prices — and he obediently prepared to eat the entire stock in private with his friends. But the men were hungry for sweets and would pay any price for them and came demanding to be sup- plied; so the Chaplain told them where the chocolate was stored, and how much it had cost him. When, a few hours later, he glanced in the corner where the package lay, he was struck with its shrunken appearance, and upon examination discovered that the sweets were all gone and in place of them he found a neat pile of francs, Training 65 correct to a centime. The Y. M. C. A. had excellent secretaries in all three towns after a little, Messrs. Thomas Toy, Gibson, Hoyt Watson and David Wilson, all under the general supervision of Dr. Allan MacNeil. Mr. Watson later (Aug. 26) enlisted in the regiment and went to officers' training-school, and earned a commission. These gentlemen would do anything for the men; but Mr. Toy, at least, could never reconcile himself to the inter- ruptions by the French populace, and would lecture them until he grew red in the face. His French auditors listened patiently, and wondered all the while what he was talking about. An extract from a conte in "Le Petit Parisien^' serves to reveal the impression which the 55th made upon the villagers : "It was in a village of Auvergne during the last year of the great war; a village filled with cares and sorrows. For the boys were at the front, or prisoners suffering in some German prison camp, or dead. ''Weeks passed and seasons came around in their due course, but the life of the village had gradually died down and finally disappeared altogether. ''Nevertheless it was spring; it had come suddenly, chasing the hoar frost which silvered the branches of the trees and replacing it with a blanket of red and white petals. "The young lasses sighed as they thought of the walks taken in other springtides when couples were wont to go out into the neigh- borhood to pick the Easter daisies. "And in this village where for four long years nothing of joy or happiness had been known, in this village built of sombre lava, and rendered yet more gloomy by continued ill tidings, there hap- pened an unhoped for, an unheard of event: one morning there arrived five hundred American artillerists to be lodged with the inhabitants. "At once it was goodbye to sorrow, regrets and days without hopes as time passed! The youthful, joyous laughter of the Yanks soon found an echo; and the daughters of the village began to dream of khaki uniforms and youthful figures with clean-shaven and bright-eyed faces, of soldiers with leggings faultlessly wrapped over brown buskin shoes. Their joy knew no bounds when the Americans gave them gum to chew." Men were encouraged to attend the village churches (Catholic) and soon came to do so in large numbers, both Catholics and 5 66 The Fify-fifih Artillery Protestants going; indeed the edifices were crowded to the doors, and the choirs soon received additions of male voices from the Americans. The curS at Aubi^re, kind-hearted old Pere Lavigne, insisted upon having the officers, including the Protestant Chaplain, sit in the chancel, and made heroic efforts to give his notices in English — the Americans were thus able to appreciate how their attempts at French must have sounded to the natives. Regimental services were held at hours so as not to conflict with the churches. Col. Sevier gave the Chaplain the use of a "Nash-Quad'^ truck to convey his musicians from town to town on Sunday in connection with services; whatever space was not needed for the church party was always placed at the disposal of other soldiers. Again and again did the Chaplain furnish transportation for the ball team who were, in a sense, his competitors; and several times, with Col. Dusenbury's connivance, he broke the rules about carrying others than soldiers, and accommodated the dear old French count at Cebazat, by transporting select visitors from Cebazat to the nearest point on the tram-way. Church in the tent was subject to interrup- tion, as French children, in wooden sabots, made no little noise on the street pavements nearby; while now and then the tiny French donkeys would express friendly interest, as they passed, by letting out the distinctive sound of such beasts in overwhelming volume. The Chaplain expressed wonder, under these circumstances, as to what would have happened "in old Jerusalem" on Palm Sunday if the colt, "the foal of an ass," had lifted up its voice — certainly the children's song must have stopped; for vocal competition would have been impossible. At first the regiment borrowed a censor- stamp from good-natured neighbors, but on Apr. 22, stamp "A 829" was received, and its coming rendered them independent. Numbers of interned Russians, rem- nants of the Russian divisions which had come earlier in the war to assist the French and which had gone to pieces when Russia dropped out of the struggle, were employed on the farms of Aubi^re; they were a fairly attractive set of men, but manifested little interest in current events — until the tide of victory began to turn in July and made them hope that even Russia might gain some credit from all her earlier sacrifices. Stolid Training 67 Fbiends German prisoners at work in the fields (not unwilling prisoners for the most part, but rather lazy) helped to remind the Americans that war was going on; while throngs of demobilized Itahan soldiers and French women, who worked in the great Michelin rubber factory at Clermont manufac- turing aeroplanes and who slept in the surrounding villages, also prevented forgetfulness. The French women, naturally most particular about their personal appearance, displayed splendid patriotism in permitting their hair and faces to become stained a hideous yellow from the fumes of picric acid — for their coun- try's sake. Most pathetic of all reminders were the sad-faced refugees from northern France, who, like the troops, were bil- leted in the homes, and amongst whom were many small children; while the women sewed and made uniforms, the children attended school and played in the streets, not appreciating what it meant to be homeless and orphaned — all except the little one who was lame for life, crippled by a wanton knife-stab given by a brutal Hun soldier. Lt. Herbert solicited money from the officers to ^' adopt''' one such French orphan; later on. Bat. B similarly "adopted" two others. By a War Department order dated Jan. 2, 1918, the metric system had been adopted for our army; but weights and measures according to the metric system proved to be somewhat of a stumbHng-block to the 55th. The '4iter" was so nearly the American quart that it was readily taken as a substitute; but the "kilometer" and the "kilogram" proved harder to comprehend. Not until one had driven a truck from Clermont to the sea-coast and back could one visualize a kilometer, and then only in terms of dust and mud and bumps and breakdowns; while the kilogram was permanently elu- sive. A major, in his school examination, barely caught himself in time to prevent his saying that a certain gun " had a range of 16,000 fciZometers" — more than one-third the distance around the world. 68 The Fify-fifth Artillery And a learned medical officer gravely announced, one day, that he had discovered some French scales and ascertained that his weight was "74 kilometers." Members of the 55th rapidly became proficient in the French language. All learned to say and understand heaucoup, and toute de suite, as those were the matters most in need of emphasis when they were dealing with their Allied neighbors — heaucoup indicated how much of a helping they desired at the table; and the other phrase expressed their wish to hurry up the slow-moving peasant. They learned to drive horses and donkeys with allez! and eu!; they never learned the word for "whoa," as they found the French beasts of burden always ready to stop without command. Mistakes would be made at times, as when a man intended to ask at the hotel for a meal, and was ceremoniously ushered to a hed-room — he had said, "Je desire coucher," when he meant manger. It was never noted that an American soldier had the slightest difficulty passing the time delightfully, when he had induced a mademoiselle to accept his invitation for a promenade ce soir. In fact the regiment learned whatever French they needed for the maintenance of life and liberty and for the pursuit of happiness. Our men of Canadian ancestry proved invaluable as interpreters during our early days in France. Knowledge of English was so unusual among the French people that one did not expect to find it. A major and two captains entered a shop, to purchase lace for the dear ones at home. The major turned to a captain, who could best act as interpreter for the party, and said : "Ask her if she has lace to sell.'^ ^^ Madame, avez-vous des dentelles a vendref" "Yes, gentlemen, any of these stocks." This was in English from the proprietress. Up spake the major once more: "Ask her what this lace costs." ** Madame, qu^est-ce que c^est le prix de cette espece?" "That is fifteen francs per meter." And so they kept it up for several minutes, neither American noticing that the replies did not need to be translated; nor could they understand why the other captain was in convulsions with laughter — and he was enjoying the circus so much that he would not immediately explain. Training 69 Equipment and training of the troops went steadily on, except as there were delays due to temporary lack of materiel. Overseas caps were issued, and were uncomfortable to wear; one's ears burned and peeled on sunny days, while the first shower led one to appre- ciate the popular nickname of the new head-dress, "rain-in-the face." Wrap-leggings were next given to the men, an addition to their wardrobe which was both comfortable and convenient ; howbe- it the ''spirals" had a habit of coming down at inopportune moments. Later came steel helmets and rubber gas-masks; the helmets were heavy, but possessed obvious utility, especially on a rainy day, while the masks were a necessary nuisance. Military strenuosity mingled with idyllic, country sleepiness in the life of training quarters; prior to the arrival of the guns, the men took long hikes over the country roads, always marching in column of twos so as not to obstruct traffic; and they sometimes ascended steep mountain sides. The hills around Clermont fairly reeked with history; when a battery had climbed as high as they could up the precipitous side of Gergovie and were forced to stop for breath, they readily understood why Julius Caesar had to give it up in the year 52 B. C, and allowed Vercingetorix to claim the first and only victory won by the Gauls in all their eight years of warfare (**De Bello Gallico" ceased to seem like an exercise in Latin prose and took on some genuine in- terest, when studied on the actual battle-ground) ; when they scram- bled up Mt. Rognon (''Kidney Mountain") and drank from the spring at the summit they appreciated the acumen of the robber barons who, in 1160, selected it as a secure base of operations, and wondered how Richelieu had been able to destroy the castle in 1634. The French people showed so much more pride in Vercingetorix than in Caesar that they set us wondering whether they were cor- rectly classified by ethnologists as a ''Latin people" — in their in- terest they seemed wholly "Celtic." According to local tradition, the names of the two adjoining villages, Romagnat and Aubiere, constituted an etymological monument of Roman defeat ; someone had written on the map "Romani hac obire" (here the Romans died), and the words presently became metamorphosed into "Romagnat" and "Aubiere." While the French "insides" seemed to be nearly impervious to the influence of vin rouge ("pickled," as it were) even the Gaul succumbed at times. On the night of Ascension Day, a citizen of Aubiere returned home from Clermont at a late hour; and presently 70 The Fifty-fifth Artillery the silence of the neighborhood was disturbed by shrill outcries as of women in distress. An officer investigated, for fear lest some American might have transgressed, and learned that the uproar was entirely French in its origin; the husband and father was so "stimulated*' that he decided to administer discipline to his wife and his daughter, and began the process by locking them out of doors. Most marvelous to tell, the American officer of the day had courage to interfere in this domestic difficulty and compelled the Frenchman to postpone further measures until the morning. May 12 was a red-letter day for the regiment, for it brought them the first of their guns; Uncle Sam bought the best the French could manufacture, and intended to equip all the batteries in full; but a fresh German push on the Aisne caused the French to divert thirteen of the 55th's cannon and issue the same to the French artillery. More came along presently (July 11), however; and the regiment found themselves possessed of twenty-four "155 Millimeter Grande (High) Puissance (Powered) Filloux Rifles," so called to distinguish them from the shorter-ranged howitzer, and named after the ac- complished French officer who invented them. The gun, in traveling position, weighed 14 tons; in firing position it could send a projectile weighing 98 pounds a distance of 18 kilometers under favorable conditions, or 11 miles. Holt tractors weighing 10 tons each and possessing 75 horsepower were to accompany the guns; and altho they came more slowly, twenty-four of them were eventually issued. Some members of the 55th thought it a mistake to give the clumsy Holt tractor to the regiment instead of the lighter and quicker French Renault, and the debate continued for weeks — in fact, until they reached the front and found themselves called upon again and again to loan their Holts for the purpose of hauling helpless Renaults out of the deep mud. Many officers attended various kinds of schools during the months of regimental training, thirty-six going to the Heavy Artillery School at Mailly-le-Camp on Apr. 18, for a two-month course, four more following them later, and parties of two or three attending instruc- tion at other centers; meanwhile a set of officers fresh from training- school were assigned to the regiment, to help out. Many enlisted men were also sent away for special instruction, one hundred twenty going to tractor school in a single day ; and their places were filled by drafts from other regiments. The 119th and the 147th Regiments of field artillery had been intended as motorized units and had later Training 71 been changed to horse-drawn; their wagoners, trained in the use of the tractor and truck, were now transferred to the 55th — some 36 Michigan men from the 119th and 55 or more South Dakotans from the 147th. On May 14 ''Organization and Training Center No. 3'' was inaugurated at Clermont Ferrand, in Napoleon's old artillery- barracks, with the 31st Heavy Artillery Brigade as pupils; and soon most of the officers and men who were not away at school began to study there, taking courses in gunnery, gas-engines, repairing, tele- phoning and wireless telegraphy. No men had yet been formally dropped from the regiment, either for sickness or absence at school, while many officers and men had been attached; and the command attained its highest numbers on May 14, with a total of 93 officers and 1,871 enlisted men; of these, 25 officers and 307 men were absent. May 21 was the regiment's first pay-day in France — a great relief after two months of financial stringency. At Mailly the officers were not far from the front and carried on their studies in anticipation of possible interruption; the Germans were driving along the Lys at the outset and, on May 27, commenced operations nearer at hand, upon the Aisne. Work was hard, and continued from 7 in the morning until late at night, with examina- tions every other day; and every week, men who did not keep up their marks were dropped. Surveying took the form of locating one's exact position on the map, and of determining the precise north; gunnery assumed many aspects and always called for speed and accuracy. One instructor gave them solemn warning: "You gentlemen must remember that when you are at the front, you have two enemies ; before you is the terrible German, but if you are not fast, in back of you, far worse, your Colonel." Much of the work was in mathematics, and was very hard on lead-pencils, elbows and trouser seats; it was difficult for men not specially trained, to solve mathematical problems, and those more experienced would help those less so. One officer had been inducted into what, to him, were the mysteries of V^ (V sub zero), and started back to his own quarters thinking he understood; not long afterward, he reappeared at his friend's door with a funny expression on his face, and an- nounced, "Say, I've lost it again." During the German offensive along the Aisne, the officers lived in daily expectation of breaking up their school, as they could clearly hear the gun-fire at the north- ward; the arrangements which they then perfected for speedy evacuation but never put into effect, were later dubbed ''The dis- 72 The Fifty-fifth Artillery graceful retreat from Mailly." They stopped studying on the day the Germans cut the railroad at Chdteau-Thierry, and had a period of pistol-practise; and one lieutenant was credited with shooting a cow — at least the friendly quadruped kicked up her legs and gal- loped off the field, tail in the air, and acted as if she were unfavorably struck by the marksmanship. After finishing theoretical work, the officers enjoyed a week of actual war, visiting the French front at Nancy or Verdun and becoming familiar with the sights and sounds of battle. Capt. Edward A. Kircher achieved the unique distinction of graduating from Mailly ''with honor.'' Gunnery at Mailly was almost an exact science; but the same pastime under battle conditions was said sometimes to work out differently. Certain artillery regiments were suspected of short-cut methods, in which accuracy was sacrificed to ease and speed: guns were laid by compass instead of by mathematical computation; loca- tion was accomplished by plotting a point on the battle-map instead of by observation on the landscape; ''shooting" Solaris and Polaris was omitted because of impatience over French climatic conditions ; ranges were not computed, but were scaled from the map; and the "temperature" of the powder represented merely a guess on the part of some officer. These methods are mentioned so as to afford a standard of contrast ; the range officers of the 55th did not practise them. We always worked our problems mathematically and with absolute precision; and proved that accuracy could be maintained under roughest conditions at the front. Some of the battery com- manders were so speedy in logarithmic problems (especially Capt. Dodge of Bat. F) that they never felt so much as the slightest temp- tation to deviate from the strict path. National Guard officers felt that they were severely dealt with at Mailly; of the twenty-four from the regiment who were sent there as students, seventeen were pronounced deficient in mathematics and dropped, and only seven remained to graduate. They were greeted with an examination at the outset, of which they had little if any warning, and were never accorded a second chance; inasmuch, however, as only one Reserve officer failed at this time while fif- teen National Guardsmen "fell down," the difference of result would seem to spring from difference in their previous training. The Guardsmen were mostly older men who had perfected them- selves thoroly in conventional coast artillery; while the Reservists were recent graduates of scientific schools who were "up" in ROTAT AND PUY DE DOME Village Square Where Our Field Kitchens Were Established — Cebazat 1 r - 1 "^ i ■ 1 1^. ii 1 i M Lrj 1 ftlnli^ if ^^^^^^^^^^^<^mmm Itt 1^^^^ ■'" " IH^H^B I ■ '^-■5'^3^P ra f Fire Drill — Cebazat C. A. C." Mkans "Cleanh All Cixitb" — Ckhazat Home of the Third Battalion, Beaumont Battery E at Chateau, Beaumont Band-Concert at Beaumont \L iili^ffi iSife Clermont Ferrand, Place de Jaude 55th at Clermont, July 4, 1918 Training 73 mathematics. A General Staff officer, a sincere friend of the un- successful Guardsmen, later wrote: *'I did not know about the exam, they had in store for them, but, my dear friend, c'est la guerre, and nothing but being able to deliver the goods can count. An artilleryman without an elementary knowledge of math is terribly handicapped, and might even become a danger to his comrades who look to him for protection at a critical moment, because, however fine a fellow, if he cannot handle his guns in every particular himself, not only might he fail to function but lose his guns and his men needlessly. It is different from duty at a sea- coast fort, where everything is already worked out, and the devices ready to be used. An efficient artilleryman cannot be improvized, and a knowledge of math is just as necessary to him in his work, as is law to the lawyer. Enough of the sadness — they are all good men and I am proud of them, and will do all I can to place them where they can function." While officers elsewhere in the A. E. F. who failed to meet some test were '* reclassified," and generally "sent home," not one officer of the 55th ever suffered this fate; everyone remained with the regiment or was given some responsible post in the S. 0. S. or in the aviation branch; and everyone ''made good." When the graduates returned from Mailly, they raised the total number of officers to a figure far in excess of that called for in ''tables of organization"; and some had to give way. Meanwhile promo- tion had been taking place amongst the officers who held com- missions in the Regular Army ; and the regiment had a considerable excess of field officers. A ''shakeup" ensued with the result that Lt. Col. Furnival became second in command, Capt. MacMullen was Adjutant, Majs. Dusenbury, C. R. Wilson and M. S. Holbrook led the three battalions, and the following officers commanded batteries : Headquarters Co., Capt. Mitchell; A, Capt. Mead; B, Capt. Kim- ball; C, Capt. Bettcher; D, Capt. Hirsch; E, Capt. Shaffer; F, Capt. Dodge; and the Supply Co., Capt. Stitt. Capt. W. L. Smith was appointed ''Operations Officer." Between Apr. 20 and June 10, the tables of organization were themselves in a state of change; it had been decided that coast artillerymen could not hold field artillery ratings, such as color sergeant, regimental supply sergeant, chief mechanic or saddler, and for a while it was uncertain whether "wagoners" were allowed. Finally the regiment were conceded three extra sergeant majors, junior grade, and 123 wagoners, 74 The Fifty-fifth Artillery instead of the 158 they formerly had. For a while they had two complete ordnance detachments, one selected from their own ranks, and the other assigned to them from the ordnance school; but eventually the latter group "lost out" and left the 55th. Training grew more intense, and everyone was deeply interested ; the officers practised miniature battle-exercises at the "terrain board," where an unused vineyard had been metamorphosed into a miniature battle-field, with the battery commander snugly seated in one of the little brick wine-cellars which honeycomb central France. By a complete telephonic system the battery commander "fired his guns"; while the instructor awarded him hits or misses according to his deserts. Practise gun-emplace- ments were dug, practise camouflage was set up, and frequent gas-drill took place; men were impressed with the necessity for speed in adjusting the gas-mask by the warning that, at the front, mankind was divided into only two classes, "the quick and the dead." After taking long marches or playing leap-frog while wear- ing the masks, some of the men wondered whether death by phos- gene gas could be much worse than near-death by smothering. If a soldier ever became noisy and disturbed his comrades, he was effectually silenced by a threat on the part of the provost ser- geant : "Another word and on goes your gas-mask." One officer, on his return from Mailly, had an adventure unusual in France. His former billet had been awarded to someone else during his absence; and he, with a comrade, was assigned to a house not previously used by Americans. About midnight his friend was awakened by a summons, "Come and see them drill," and wondered what was happening. French beds were of the four- poster variety and about four feet thick, with canopies, and were generally quite clean — however dirty the courtyards and halls might be thru which one reached them. This was an exception. "Look at them drill, squads and platoons of them, all in action together," and sure enough, there they were by the dozen; then gazing at the speaker's face, his comrade saw that it was swollen from many bites, as tho wasps had been stinging it. The balance of the night was spent with two officers in one bed — and that, the clean bed. Clermont and the neighboring watering-place, Roy at, greatly interested the regiment. Clermont was filled with memories of the Crusades (which, in 1095, were there started by Pope Urban Training 75 II and Peter the Hermit), of Marshal Turenne, of Pascal (who there perfected the barometer), of Marshal Dessaix, who *' never taught his drummer to sound retreat," and of Latour d'Auvergne, "the first grenadier of France''; sometimes the men confused things, as when they associated Caesar with the Crusades, but all in all. r — m'~ \ M Scale: 3i miles = 1 inch Training Area, Target Range, Caesar's Battle-Field E. A. Kircher they felt that it was a good country for training purposes and undoubtedly they derived inspiration from the past. Royat (the Rubeacum or "Red place" of the Romans) was yet more interesting, as there they found mammoth French hotels trans- formed into American hospitals, with pretty nurses, and after the battle of Belleau Wood, early in June, with wounded dough- boys and marines filling the wards. The 55th subscribed liberally 76 The Fifty-fifth Artillery to buy luxuries for these patients. From Royat they could climb the magnificent volcanic cone of Puy de Dome just as Americans ascend Pike's Peak from Manitou; and they found it a "man's job" to reach the top, nearly a mile above sea-level and only one thou- sand feet less above the city. It was easily understood why this had been a sacred mountain since earliest Druid times, and why the Roman "Mercury," messenger of the gods, had been believed to use it as his "jumping-off place" on his journeys heavenward; the clean-cut cone towered aloft like a cathedral spire, and the cloud-cap crowned the summit with mystery. By trolley, the oldest trolley in France (whose cars looked their antiquity), or on foot, the Americans reached Royat and there climbed, or bathed, or ate and drank. The bathing establishment consisted of rooms, each containing a concrete tub sunken in the floor and filled with constantly flowing carbonated water; the danger was, unless the bather exercised great care, that a mademoiselle would present herself and insist upon performing a massage operation according to French custom, instead of permitting the soldier to dry himself in American fashion. Eating at Royat meant "ice-cream"; and the town was the only spot for miles around where such a dainty could be procured. Suppose it did cost four francs per plate, and that there was but little ice-cream — it was good, with a heap of whipped cream on it, and the whole covered with wild strawber- ries and surrounded by a rich wine-sauce. Village laundresses were accustomed to foregather by the brook- side near our billets, washing the soiled garments in cold, flowing water, and beating them out with wooden paddles on the flat stones; and soon the American soldiers were forced to adopt the same laundry methods. With the two sets of washers intermingled, it became the custom to carry on conversation over one another's heads, one group using French and the other English; and much fun was poked and many a joke cracked by each party at the ex- pense of the other. The language was usually very open and plain and the humor rich, rare and racy, neither side understanding the other; but it was interesting to think what would have happened if, some day, all had suddenly received the gift of "understanding tongues." Formal guard-mount was held, for a while, in the village square; and it was on such an occasion that Gen. Gatchell happened to pay his first visit to the town. But the villagers could not under- Training 77 stand why they should not stop their donkey-carts exactly at the reviewing-point; and after the review of the guard had been halted two or three times to shoo such invaders away, it came to be felt that the ceremony was scarcely worth the effort it cost. Fire-drill was a "comic-opera"; the entire fire-apparatus of Aubiere consisted of two hand-pumps fed by buckets, which forced water into hose, not like the American but requiring to have its sections coupled together in definite sequence or not at all. The town was divided into fire-zones and the alarm was blown. While the Maire had given his permission, he had neglected to notify the fire-marshal; and the latter delayed proceedings until he secured authority to let the soldiers have the engines. Then he decided that he, as fire-marshal, must help put out the imaginary fire; so donning a big red sash and a cocked hat, he ran about, accompanied by his bugler who was vigorously sounding a big French trumpet; and the more the crowd applauded his laudable efforts, the more noise he made. One day when we repeated the drill, a section of hose was missing — and "the fire" had to be postponed. Memorial Day was observed by holding a public meeting in the big tent, with an oration by Dr. Allan MacNeil of the Y. M. C. A.; after the men had done their full duty for the dead, they "piled into" trucks and spent the afternoon in sports at the Aulnat aviation camp. Some two hundred casuals, who had been left behind at Camp Merritt or elsewhere, arrived about this time and reported an exciting voyage; their transport, the "Pocahontas" (formerly the German liner, "Princess Irene"), was part of a large convoy, and, on Apr. 27, had run squarely into and rammed and sunk a German submarine. The latter had emerged directly in front of her. An aged refugee from Alsace visited town every morning to sell papers, at first offering only the French "Moniteur," but later stocking the "Herald" and "Mail" and "Tribune" and the "Stars and Stripes." Besides selling his papers, he was accustomed to make eloquent speeches in French; and the boys, without understanding a word of what he said, would cheer and applaud to the echo. Men who could understand French testified that his orations were really good; and presently he came to be known as "the Demosthenes of the 55th." The day Col. Sevier asked him 78 The Fifty-fifth Artillery for his photograph was the proudest one in his entire life. When the Allied army succeeded finally in stopping the enemy push on June 5, and again when the counter-offensive began on July 18, there were enthusiastic celebrations in Clermont and the sur- rounding towns; the Frenchmen had not been able to conceal their anxiety lest Paris, the gem of their land, should fall — and in that event the French heart would have broken. When, by American assistance, Paris was freed from further danger, the grateful patriots could not do enough to show appreciation; every- thing in the city, especially everything drinkable, was offered ''without money and without price." In each instance, on the fol- lowing morning, "Demosthenes" delivered a supreme masterpiece. Two funerals occurred to sadden the hearts of the regiment dur- ing their training period: Paul J. Trembley's of Bat. D in Aubi^re, June 14; and Daniel E. Lynch's of Bat. F in Beaumont, July 13; and these afforded the French folk a chance to show their kindness and sympathy. The obsequies, in the village churches, were community affairs; the women brought most beautiful bouquets such as only they know how to make, and with tears explained that their own sons lay buried near the Somme, and they felt that these stalwart young Americans had become their very own. Twice did the solemn cortege wind its way to the burial ground in Clermont, thru fields ablaze with poppies. Lynch had always been a pessimist concerning his fate, and again and again had told his comrades that he expected the worst. Both British and French joined with the Americans in observ- ing Independence Day; and the London "Mail" made an editorial concession of epochal significance, that "The American Revolution had been a triumph of right over might, the right for which British and Americans now fought side by side." There was a morning parade at Clermont, followed in the afternoon by sports. Col. Sevier commanded the 31st Brigade; and Gen. Gatchell, together with the French commander, acted as reviewing officer. The men wore steel helmets (in a ceremony) for the first time; as everyone was in the pink of condition, and with the streets thronged with enthusiastic French spectators the event was a memorable one. The color-bearer completed his march carrying two enormous bouquets, which French girls had thrust into his hands; as, how- ever, Sgt. Varner was one of the handsomest men in the 55th, it is possible that the tribute was as much personal as it was National. Training 79 Le Maire Noellet prepared the Aubiere mind for this event by issu- ing his most grandiloquent proclamation ; the quaint old town-crier usually had the duty of announcing that someone proposed to sell a pig, or that someone had lost a rooster, but on July 4th, after a few preliminary flams on the drum and the inevitable ^^ AvisV^ came this: ''Today, July 4th, is the National holiday of the United States which we must celebrate on a par with July 14th. "The Maire, on this solemn day, is happy to salute, on behalf of the inhabitants of this town, the noble American nation for the generous and unselfish aid which it is bringing to us in this world conflict for the triumph of right and the liberty of Democracy. "Let our gratitude rise to the heights of their sacrifices, let us show the brave soldiers of the great sister Republic that to us they are not only allies and friends, but brothers, with the same aspirations, soon perhaps the same griefs, but nevertheless main- taining the same hopes." President Woodrow Wilson eloquently described the impression which the Americans' parade made upon the French: "Anxious men and women, leading spirits of France, attended the celebration of the Fourth of July out of generous courtesy — with no heart for festivity, little zest for hope. But they came away with something new at their hearts; they have themselves told us so. "The mere sight of our men — of their vigor, of the confidence that showed itself in every member of their stalwart figures and every turn of their swinging march, in their steady comprehending eyes and easy discipline, in the indomitable air that added spirit to everything they did, made everyone who saw them that memora- ble day realize that something had happened that was much more than a mere incident in the fighting, something very different from the mere arrival of fresh troops. "A great moral force had flung itself into the struggle. The fine physical force of those spirited men spoke of something more than bodily vigor. They carried the great ideals of a free people at their hearts and with that vision were unconquerable. Their very presence brought reassurance; their fighting made victory certain. "They were the sort of men America would wish to be repre- sented by, the sort of men every American would wish to claim as 80 The Fifty-fifth Artillery fellow-countrymen and comrades in a great cause. They were terrible in battle and gentle and helpful out of it, remembering the mothers and the sisters, the wives and the little children at home. They were free men under arms, not forgetting their ideals of duty in the midst of tasks of violence. I am proud to have had the privilege of being associated with them and of calling myself their leader. "But I speak now of what they meant to the men by whose sides they fought and to the people with whom they mingled with such utter simplicity, as friends who asked only to be of service. They were for all the visible embodiment of America. What they did made America and all that she stood for a living reality in the thoughts not only of the people of France, but also of tens of millions of men and women thruout all the toiling nations of a world standing everywhere in peril of its freedom and of the loss of everything it held dear; in deadly fear that its bonds were never to be loosed, its hopes forever to be mocked and disap- pointed.'' On July 14, when the Americans returned the compliment and helped the French to celebrate "Bastille Day," we were approach- ing the moment of our departure, and many of the batteries were engaged in target-practise; so that the 31st Brigade could send only a single provisional battalion to parade with our Allies. Bat. F was appropriately selected to represent the 55th in the provisional unit; the language of the song, "When we turn out, the boys all shout, ^Here come the Boston Fusiliers.' With heads erect and step perfect We drive the people into cheers. For we're in style, we're stylish all the while. As we march by the ladies, they all smile. Thruout the land, there's none so grand As the Boston Fusiliers," waited until "Bastille Day" in the heart of France for its fulfil- ment. And Sgt. Varner again brought away a bouquet; he always was a winner. Meanwhile Col. Sevier enlisted the resources of the 55th in a work of genuine charity; he sent Svensson's band and a party of workers from the Headquarters Co. on a journey of forty miles to Gas-mask Drill Gas-Alarm Coupling Gun to Holt Tractor Renault Tractor Hauling Gun into Position A 75 Holt Tractor on the Road with a 155 G. P. F. Getting Off the Koau by Use ok Tackle Training 81 Chavagniac, where some generous American ladies were opening an orphanage for French children who were victims of the war. While the workers were busy improving the water-supply of the chateau, the Band entertained eighty-six little Frenchmen with its sweetest music. The reader will understand the significance of this episode at Chavagniac when he is informed that the chateau was the birthplace of no less a personage than Marie Jean Paul Roch Yves Gilbert Motier Marquis de Lafayette; the American Ex- peditionary Force represented an attempt on America's part to "return" Lafayette's visit; thirteen months previously Gen. Pershing had delivered his tremendously simple oration, "Well, Lafayette, here we are!" (at least, Foch asserted that Pershing thus spake); but it remained for the 55th Artillery to press the return visit home to the hero's very birth-place. Organizations now in the membership of the 55tL had paraded before the living Lafayette at Boston in 1784 and 1824; it was fitting that a regiment consisting largely of National Guardsmen should be the one to make this pilgrimage to the shrine of the National Guard's father. And as evidence that the Lafayette stock had not fallen away, let it be mentioned that the hero's descendant, Gilbert, fighting as a soldier in the French Army, had shortly before been awarded the croix de guerre for gallantry on the Somme, and was to fall in battle the ensuing November. These words were written even as the bells and whistles of the American city poclaimed Germany's signature to the treaty of Versailles, and the end of the war; the aUiance which was sealed by such evidence of mutual affection on July 14, 1918, produced its inevitable consequence in the victorious peace of June 28, 1919. Bastille Day fell on Sunday; and Chaplain Cutler had the honor to preach in the Anglican Church connected with the Royat hospital. At the tiny organ was seated a man in the uniform of a U. S. Marine Corps sergeant; and when service began, he soon showed himself a master musician. When the Chaplain inquired who the organist was, he was informed that the marine was none other than the artist who, in civil life, presided over the giant organ in the cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City; such men did America send overseas to fight her battles. There were plenty of fireworks at Clermont on July 19, when a train loaded with gasolene, ammunition and high explosives caught fire just outside the station, and blew up, one car at a 6 82 The Fifty-fifth Artillery time, with detonations which could be heard for miles, accompanied by blinding glare. The fire raged for seven or eight hours before it was finally extinguished; and railroad trafl&c was interrupted for several days. It was a hot and oppressive night, and one captain had retired even without the customary garb de nuitj trusting merely to his bed-sheet for comfort. Having recently returned from the Verdun front, he was not disturbed when the explosions began at 2 a. m.; his first sense of something wrong was when he became subconsciously aware of a ghost-like figure moaning and fluttering around the room. He came to his senses with a start, when the apparition, after an especially loud detona- tion, rushed to the bed and, grasping the sheet, began to cry hysteri- cally, *'0 Captain, help! help! the boches! the aviators! they will kill all of us! Get your soldiers and save us." All this was in French, but the captain was a bilinguist. It was none other than his landlord's daughter. Mademoiselle Celie, clad in her nightie; and as she tried to expedite matters by tugging at the sheet, the captain realized that whatever might or might not be happening outside, he was in danger of disaster anyway. When he declined to get up and held desperately to the sheet, she suddenly grew wild with anger and gave him the worst tongue-lashing for cowardice he ever expected to hear; then with one or two withering parting shots she sailed out to the street below, where all the population, men, women, children and dogs, were gathered in an excited throng. Investigation proved that there was nothing for the soldiers to do. Between July 8 and 30 the regiment engaged in target-practise, the 1st Batl. shooting July 8 to 17; the 3d, July 26 to 29th; and the 2d, July 27 to 30, while battalions of the 56th Artillery practised in between these dates; as the artillery were needed for the Aisne- Marne Offensive the latter part of July, two battalions had only three days each on the range — the 3d Batl. was limited to thirty- three shots and the 2d to thirteen. In connection with the 1st Batl.'s movement thru Clermont and Beaumont toward the mountains, the regiment received their first object-lesson in the possibilities of highway-blockade, which were always latent in the Holt tractor and the G. P. F. gun; a temporarily disabled Holt succeeded in completely tying up all tram and wagon traffic between Clermont and Beaumont during the morning of July 8 — happily the road was not one of military importance. Up the batteries Training 83 journeyed high into the mountain chain of the Puys, and estab- lished themselves on a level plain amongst beautiful hills more than 3,000 feet above the sea; having their rest-camp and truck- station at Randanne and the gun-positions at the Puy de la Vache. All around were extinct volcanoes with red, brown and purple rocks and ashes, while round about grew scrub trees and heather, as in the Scottish Highlands. The batteries did excellent work, considering that their guns were new to them; but the telephone line-men encountered unexpected difficulties. Their wires were mysteriously broken, and no explanation was forthcoming until the cows and sheep of the country were discovered placidly munching the lines and evidently enjoying the salt solution which formed part of the insulation. It seemed romantic to sleep on a bed of live heather; but when one was awakened about midnight by the extreme cold of that high altitude and realized that there were no more blankets available, one ceased to appreciate romance. Sun- day, July 28, brought many loyal French friends as visitors at Randanne; since gasolene was unobtainable for civilians and the automobile consequently out of commission, these elderly men and young ladies actually tramped all the distance, nine miles each way, from Aubi^re and Beaumont, and back again — a proof of their affection and also of French pedestrian powers. One of the pleasant memories of Aubiere was associated with the officers' mess. There never was a better cook than Madame Chauzodont; and the whole battalion were on such friendly terms with one another that they spent many a happy hour at the table together. And then, too, "Brighteyes" was very much of a factor in making the mess a success. "Brighteyes," or Mademoiselle Catherine, was the waitress; and she never could ask you whether you wanted more potatoes, or butter, or coffee, without chucking you under the chin, twisting your ear, or showing some other sign of affection. It was not so embarrassing when the whole table was filled, for she distributed her attentions impartially, but when you came in late and had to eat by yourself, you were at her mercy. She would slip into the garden and come back with a handful of daisies, and begin plucking petals: ^'He loves me" (all in French); "Not very much"; "A little more"; ''With ardor"; ''Passionately"; "Not at all." It was not so bad if she had to stop on the first few, or the last; but if she came out with "Ardeur'' or '' Passionellement,'' it was high time to take vigorous measures of self-defense. " Bright- 84 The Fifty-fifth Artillery eyes" was always appealing to the officers to go promenading, with- out any response. Altogether the mess would not have seemed itself without the presence of this enjoyable little pest. Her heart was broken when, finally, she was not invited to be a marraine (sponsor) to one of the guns at the gun-christening; and she left her employ- ment. Pleasant and unpleasant events, both, marked training days. Bat. C held a most enjoyable smoker on July 6, on the occasion of presenting warrants to newly appointed non-commissioned officers, hoping to make it the beginning of a long series of such social func- tions; but the regiment did not take up the matter of social enter- tainment seriously until they were back in the United States after the war, and found themselves with balances in the battery treasur- ies waiting to be expended. On July 25 came one of the exceedingly rare occasions when punishment had to be administered in public; the culprit, who had been convicted of striking a French woman, was sentenced, in the presence of the entire battalion, to a year at hard labor, and dishonorable discharge at the close thereof — it seemed more pitiable to some, at least, because the woman had herself sold the man the *' booze" with which to ''finish off" his "jag"; and everyone felt the justice of Col. Sevier's subsequent act in declaring the woman^s estaminet to be "out of limits." So successful was the first Bat. C smoker that the battery com- mander, Lt. Holton, proposed holding another on July 22 and letting it take the form of a "christening of the guns," according to usage prevalent in the French army. Other officers of the 2d Batl. entered heartily into the plan and suggested throwing the exercises open to their good friends of Aubi^re, so that all might participate in the enjoyment of the evening. Then Monsieur le Maire Noellet requested that the communal government be allowed to share in the arrangements and render the event a genuine French f^te. Since the Maire and his associates bore a major share of the burdens and by their generous cooperation assured the success of the christening, it is appropriate to let M. Noellet's friend describe what took place — the quotation is from " Le Moniteur du Puy de Dome," of July 23. A FRANCO-AMERICAN CEREMONY AT AUBlfcRE — THE BAPTISM OF THE GUNS " The sun is casting its last gold and silver rays — over there on the horizon behind the majestic chain of hills it is sinking, yet prolonging Training 85 the while the cajolery of its caresses on the hill slopes with a delicate tint of green. Light clouds, tinged pink, slowly cross the sky. The air is still and the countryside reposes secure in this splendid setting where one takes to dreaming and thinking in contrast of other coun- trysides of France where both man and nature bear with stoical fortitude the terrible sufferings of the struggle for liberty. "On a gently rising slope there is to be seen a spectacle that one would not have expected to find in this secure locality, in this en- chanting corner of our beautiful Province of Auvergne: eight big guns, aligned, shining and with their limbers giving an impression of strength that is sure of itself. These guns have an atmosphere of pride about them. Their power, couched behind their gracefulness, enhances the more the silence which to our senses forbodes ill for the enemy over yonder. "They're not firing as yet. Wonderful bouquets of flowers seem to impregnate them with their perfumed sweetness. French and American flags drape them, presaging their coming victories. The cannoniers remain immobile nearby and a whole battalion in khaki is rendering them homage. " The guns are about to be christened. Their gracious sponsors, dainty girls of fair Auvergne, have been gallantly escorted from the Town Hall by American ofl&cers who were received by the genial and distinguished Maire, M. Noellet. The latter and the American Colonel, Col. Granville Sevier, have arranged this ceremony. Both French and Yanks (Yanks being the name by which the Sammies now desire to be called) have taken part in the affair with boundless enthusiasm. "Cordial and beaming, M. Noellet heads the procession with the Colonel. The eight sponsors appear charmed with their escorts. Do the ladies speak English? Do the Americans speak French? It is not deemed discreet to disturb them with an inquiry which would be inopportune. Our indiscretion will but extend to the state- ment that ever so often the corner of a little red-bound dictionary can be discerned but that there seems to be no lack of conversation. In these times a dictionary is as much an assistance as the portrait of a true friend, in that one consults it only when in difficult straits, reflecting it when all goes well. "Among those present are the old town wags, all done up in their best bibs and tuckers. They gaze on wide-eyed; for some time past they have been witnessing things that are strangely 86 The Fifty-fifth Artillery new to them. Then there are the inevitable urchins, who, happy as larks, run ahead and fill up the front row seats. They are so glad to see their American friends with whom they talk and play ball and go walking hand in hand every day. "The American band plays the 'Marseillaise.^ Each sponsor mounts her gun carriage, her gracious feminine frailty for the moment dominating the powerful gun. The guns, named (Bat. C) Hunter, Aubiere, Helen, Winifred, (Bat. D) Avenger, Civ- ilizer. Liberty and Yankee Boy are baptised respectively by the Misses Plancre, Cassiere, Bayle, Bouchet, Noellet (the Mayor's daughter), Gidon, Bernard, and Aubeny. ''The baptismal water is sparkling champagne of France. While the soldiers present arms, the sponsors each take a beautifully gilded bottle of the intoxicating nectar and break it against their guns. A popping sound, then a white froth scintillates and crepi- tates swiftly. The champagne trickles over the gun and the spon- sor pronounces the baptismal sacrament: 'I christen thee,' etc. The sun is now casting its very last gleams prior to illuminating with its victorious light of a new day these weapons which it has just seen born, these weapons which now have a personality of their own. After that the Chaplain prays. "The Battalion breaks ranks. The sponsors are introduced to the soldiers of the various batteries. The men, courteously thought- ful, present each sponsor with a magnificent bouquet of flowers which, smiling and joyful, those young ladies blushingly accept. Later how they will be interested in the exploits of these batteries! The Yankees will write to them and will give them news of their new god-children; they'll hardly dare speak of themselves but the girls will not forget them. "Regretfully we leave the glorious countryside — yet a very cordial reception awaits the ofl&cers of the Allied Armies in the drawing rooms of the Town Hall. This time the champagne bottles are not broken, but neither do they remain hidden. Champagne runs, but not over cold steel. It gilds the toasts which are to fol- low the eloquent address by M. Noellet. While lack of space alone prevents our quoting in full, we cannot refrain from citing a por- tion: " *Last year when at President Wilson's call you came and ranged yourselves beside us, little did I think that some day Aubiere would have the signal honor of receiving some American soldiers. Training 87 However, it has come to pass, and, as General Pershing in one phrase so aptly expressed it, ** There you are/' '"There you are; to defend right, justice, honor and respect for treaties and sacred promises. " There you are, without any desire for conquest, for indemnity or for other compensation. "'There you are, asking but one thing only: — to fight at our side and to defend at the peril of your lives the descendants of those few thousand Frenchmen who, with Lafayette, went to your aid in the struggle for liberty. "'I cannot find words adequately to express our gratitude. My heart strings grip, for, like all French families who have dear ones in the war, I feel the priceless valor of your act in coming to the assistance of our noble Poilus who for nearly four years have paid with countless acts of heroism and self-sacrifice. "'You are worthy of them as they are worthy of you, and we thank you most sincerely in our gratitude.' "This address was excellently translated into English by an officer of the Allied Armies, and the American Commanding Officer in reply expresses how grateful the Americans were to have been received at Aubi^re with such kindness. " Glasses are again drained. Dictionaries, poor forgotten helpers, remain pocketed. Champagne, the marvellous professor, has proven a better interpreter. "It is ten o'clock. The town streets, ordinarily so quiet at that hour of the night are very animated. The 'Y' hut is still open. Through the delicious night air we return home in a fast moving car, the glare of whose headUghts reveals groups of Yankees tell- ing the town belles of their homes in the States, and of the pleasure the touching baptismal ceremony has given them. They will long remember Auvergne's frank yet delicate hospitality." By way of marked exception to the prevailing rule, the Maire permitted the officers and marraines to end the christening festivity with an informal dance — an exception, it was, because the French ladies denied themselves this favorite pastime, as an expression of their patriotic devotion during the dreadful years of the war; and only the near departure of their American friends was held to justify a suspension of the rule. It was July 30 when the 3d Batl. christened their guns, and made the occasion one of greater hilarity than did their comrades of the 88 The Fifty-fifth Artillery 2d Batl. The 1st Batl. also complied with the gracious custom; and when the guns went into action each of the twenty-four had a name, duly and properly "wished on to it." Here was the list: Bat. A 1. Allie, Sgt. Damon 2. Amy, Sgt. Johns 3. Floss, Sgt. Armitage 4. Avenger, Sgt. Herd Bat. B 1. Madeline, Sgt. Hannay 2. Lt. Reed, Sgt. Stewart 3. Roaring Bertha, Sgt. Mahoney 4. Boston Baby, Cpl. Harrigan Bat. C 1. Hunter, Sgt. Logsdon 2. Aubiere, Sgt. Graham 3. Helen, Sgt. Farnast 4. Winifred, Sgt. Widdowfield Bat. D 1. Avenger, Sgt. Bradshaw 2. Civilizer, Sgt. Millette, Cpl. Brenneke 3. Liberty, Sgt. Baggesen, Sgt. Donahue 4. Yankee Boy, Sgt. Gustafson Bat. E 1. Lucky Evelyn, Sgt. McVetty 2. Little Rhody, Sgt. Riback 3. Ella G., Sgt. Woolhouse, Sgt. Eaton 4. Edith Esther, Sgt. Bartlett Bat. F 1. Strong, Sgt. Martin 2. Jiggerboffus, Sgt. Woods 3. Alky, Sgt. Jordan 4. Midget, Sgt. Dustin The "Edith Esther" was named after Capt. Shaffer^s wife, and other guns commemorated sweethearts or wives; the "Jiggerboffus" perpetuated a mystic pass-word which had been in vogue at Fort Strong; "Alky" was an abbreviation of Alcohol, and was accom- panied by the device of a bottle marked "Jordan's XXXX" and a pair of dice which showed "seven-up"; the "Midget" was a refer- ence to the small men who made up the gun-crew. The champagne used to christen the guns was bought by each battery separately, with money especially collected for that purpose. One battery made the mistake of taking this money into the com- pany fund and then paying for the champagne from the company fund. When the general inspector came along, he nearly had a fit; buying champagne from the company fund to break over a gun!! Chateau Chavagniac— Star Marks Lafayette's Birth-Room Our Band at Chavagniac, July 14, 1918 ■^^ - ^: ' i^iffiTi^iiC WB ^n MJWPI ^ - The Christening. Each of the Girl Sponsors Mounted on a Gun Is Equipped WITH A Bottle of Champagne. Future Champagne is Shown Growing in the Rear The Christening, Reenacted the Next Morning The Christening Party: Col. Granville Sevier; Maj. Cary Wilson, Com- manding THE 2d Batl.; Capt. E. A. Kircher, Battalion Adjutant; the "Mar- rains" OF THE Guns, Their Escorts, and Officials, Including M. Noellet, the Mayor, Capt. C. W. Bettcher, Commanding Bat. C, and Capt. George Hirsch, Commanding Bat. D A G. p. F. Regiment Parked Enjoying a Kail Move, La Ferte Training 89 For a while every organization had its company fund records examined for "champagne christening expenditures." From the letters which men were writing it was possible to learn their frank opinion of France — and no Americans ever had a better chance to see the "Frenchman as he really is" than did the 55th in the Auvergne. The French were always and unreservedly recog- nized as gallant soldiers. American appreciation of the land was progressive; earlier letters asserted, "It is the land of vin rouge j manure piles and hard work," where "the water is so bad that the French do not even use it for bathing." After the first month a more sympathetic understanding was manifest; and facts were noted as follows : " The French women of every class know how to arrange their hair becomingly." " The welcome of the French makes us forget all other welcomes — they appreciate our coming, not to boss or take their hard-earned glory, but to aid." "There seems to be an absence of babies." "They dilute their vin rouge to the extreme." " A pathetic attempt is made by the feminine population to live up to their reputation of having small feet." "To a vast extent women monopolize manual labor." "It is a tacit but uni- versal decision of the feminine mind that, after the war, their only hope of marriage lies in getting an American soldier." "Extremes of civilization and barbarism are in juxtaposition; the aeroplane flies over the ox-cart, the electric light illuminates the town-crier, clothes are of the latest fashion and yet washing is done with a slap- stick on a flat stone in the brook." Finally the Americans came to recognize as the outstanding French trait, kindness of heart, the quality which makes a man glad to do favors ; providing the Yanks were courteous and friendly in preferring requests, nothing was con- sidered too good for them by their generous AlHes. When the regi- ment reached the end of their three-month introduction to France, the boys were on the best of terms with the villagers, so that they later received many gifts and numerous letters; and for the most part, the latter ended with words which carried a conviction of the writer's sincerity, "I pray you be assured of the pleasure which we would have in seeing you again." The 55th received from their French friends the "farewell" which they did not get when leaving Boston. On Oct. 12, while fighting at the Bois de Beuge, the 2d Batl. were to experience the additional happiness of receiving word that the Commune of Aubi^re had sent them a "friendship pen- nant," which in sunshine or amid strife would testify to the friendly 90 The Fifty-fifth Artillery feeling of their former neighbors. Unfortunately, this gift was lost in the mail. The hour of departure was at hand. All materiel and property- had long since been marked in bold characters with the numeral, "55"; a new order was issued on July 25, rescinding this rule, and directing that every reference to "55" be removed, and that a "red triangle" (the mark of the first regiment in the 31st Brigade) be substituted. No German intelligence officer was to ascertain our identity from an inspection of our baggage. Suppose this "totem" should be mistaken for the Y. M. C. A. emblem, as later happened, while officers were visiting Verdun; it was the stronger proof that the camouflage device was a success. Now the Place des Ramacles was crowded with vehicles — guns, 10-ton tractors, trucks, automo- biles and side-cars. Col. Howell had been correct when he stated that the 55th would be the most expensively equipped regiment ever organized in America; according to the equipment manual, they were entitled to 395 units of transportation, of which 359 were motor, and of them, 195 were trucks. While not more than one- third of this allowance had been received as yet, the square was nevertheless crowded. The guns departed first, moving down to the O. & T. Center, where they were given a coat of camouflage paint. Pere Lavigne, ever a kind friend to the 55th, had provided each soldier of the 2d Batl., Catholic or Protestant alike, with a scapular medal from the miracle-working shrine of Notre Dame du Port in Clermont — as "Our Lady" was believed to have preserved the city from injury at the hands of the Saracen in the 8th century, the good priest prayed that she might likewise safeguard Clermont's American friends from the Hun in the 20th century. The people of Cebazat loaded the trucks of the 1st Batl. with flowers as their token of regard. In the late afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 1, the men bade goodbye to the kind villagers, and started for the front. The French had a struggle to keep back tears; and we ourselves did not dare indulge much in speech, for fear of betraying un-soldier-like emotions. Training was completed. CHAPTER V Into the "Aisne-Marne Offensive" IT WAS no simple process for the 55th to entrain; things never work quite smoothly the first time. Moreover, even when clear and full instructions had been issued, and everyone was eager to do his part, the process proved to be a complicated one. It filled up all the period from noon of Aug. 1 to 4 a. m., Aug. 2, merely for the battalions, one by one, to move to the Clermont station, load their guns, tractors and trucks on board the cars, and get themselves in readiness to pull out to the northward. Each battalion occupied twenty ^'side-door Pullmans" and one coach for officers, together with twenty-seven flat-cars. The officers and men detailed to load 14-ton guns and 10-ton tractors on small flat-cars discovered that they had to master a distinct art; when the first gun rolled from the ramp to the end of the car, its weight was such as promptly to "teeter" up the farther end of the car and lift the wheels off the "iron." Thereafter the near end of each car had to be blocked. Two men traveled on the flat-car along with each gun, tractor and truck, and one man accompanied every auto- mobile and motorcycle. Great care was exercized to pack the gun- mats, caterpillars, blocks and other accessories so as to present a neat, military appearance; for Col. Sevier was insistent that no section should look "like a damned circus train." Difference of opinion developed between the regimental oflScers and the French chef de gare as to what constituted a proper coach for officers; the chef was for giving them a tiny, decrepit old thing which would be a disgrace to any self-respecting railroad track, to say nothing of the likelihood of its falling to pieces along the way. Col. Sevier's gift of emphatic speech stood the regiment in good stead; altho the chef de gare is absolute master of railroad property in or near the station, he was soon ready to run around wildly in circles and call upon Jacques, Henri, Pierre and others with many directions, and after a deal of telephoning he produced a large, new, first-class car — one with a corridor so that sociability would be possible dur- ing the journey; he had sworn by all the saints and ten thousand devils that no other cars were available, but he changed his mind toute de suite under the colonel's eloquent persuasions. The next 92 The Fifty-fifth Artillery day people detected a faint, tho distinct, sulphurous odor in the vicinity where the speaker had been standing. After the 2d Batl. had loaded, they were compelled to wait until the army baker should deliver bread for the journey. There stood the train, blocking all entrance to or egress from the station while passenger-trains were waiting to enter; and the chef de gare fidgeted around, whistle in hand, determined to break the blockade, whether the men had bread or no bread. Polite conversation on the part of the battalion adjutant held the official's attention until the bread actually arrived; and then, during the loading of it, a loaf of fresh, white bread (in marked contrast to French war-bread) stuck under each arm of the impatient Frenchman served both as bribe and also as bond to keep the whistle away from the mouth. At length the 55th Artillery, C. A. C, were off for the front. Along the familiar route of the preceding April they journeyed, break- fasting, Aug. 2, at Saincaize, and then on down the beautiful Loire valley where France's fairest chateaux stood resplendent in the sunshine; the men ate supper at Gien, and the officers, some- what later, at Montargis. The 2d Batl. officers had barely com- posed themselves to pleasant dreams that night, when they were disturbed by hammering at the car-door, and were informed that a car, carrying one of the guns, had developed a hot-box; the only course of action possible was to uncouple the car and leave the gun behind, under strong guard. The unfortunate "G. P. F." overtook the regiment at Romeny a few days later. Just as dawn was breaking on Aug. 3, they pulled into the junc- tion at Noisy-le-Sec, a few miles east of Paris on the Est Railroad — so near were they to the metropolis that two of the trains caught a momentary glimpse of the Eiffel tower. A train loaded with "Poilus" stood beside the Headquarters train in the yard; and soon the gallant Frenchmen, then on their way toward the battle-field, were enjoying an excellent, early morning concert by the 55th Band. Meanwhile Paris news-boys came along selling papers; the military situation had seemed alarming when the regiment left Clermont; and they experienced a delightful feeling of relief as they read ^^Soissons Reprise,' ' ^' Soissons est d nous,'' and under- stood how successful Foch's Aisne-Marne Offensive was proving to be, and how disorderly and disastrous was the German retreat. The 55th, in common with all Americans, had heard of Gen. Omar Bundy's famous June reply (or was it Capt. Williams' or, as some Into the '' Aisne-Marne Offensive'* 93 say, Col. Frederick M. Wise's of the 5th Marines?) when advized by a French lieutenant colonel to withdraw at the Belleau Wood: " We regret being unable on this occasion to follow the counsel of our masters, the French. But the American flag has been forced to retire. This is unendurable; and none of our soldiers would understand their not being asked to do whatever is necessary to reestablish a situation which is humiliating to us and unacceptable to our country's honor. We are going to counter-attack." They had thrilled with pride at the words; now they realized that the message was prophetic. Progress was slow; and the regiment had only reached Meaux by lunch-time. The Americans gazed with keen interest from the cars as they slowly passed thru this city, the first they had seen bearing scars of actual warfare — for the Germans had attained to Meaux as their farthest toward Paris in 1914. In the after- noon they arrived at the rail-head, La Ferte-sous-Jouarre (Depart- ment of Seine et Marne) and realized that further progress up the Marne would be dependent upon their own facilities. Unloading was prompt, the battalions moving their cars successively up to the ramp and rolling the guns and trucks off with the utmost expedition; meanwhile, the men rested in the freight-shed. A glance around was enough to prove that the regiment was at the front. The station, originally large and handsome, as one would expect near Paris, had been bombed on July 15, when a German aviator, in a captured French plane, approached within a very few yards, undetected during the dusk of evening, and dropped five bombs with terribly destructive effect; perhaps this was the very object-lesson needed by the Americans to bring them to a realizing sense of their new position. Maj. Gen. Clarence R. Edwards rode up during the unloading process and sat in his auto, watching the work; presently he made a few friendly inquiries and indicated that he remembered the men of Boston Harbor from the summer previous, when he had been commander of the North- eastern Department. Passing infantry and field artillery yelled as they caught sight of our formidable ''G. P. F." rifles: "Well, I think we'll give these Dutchmen hell now, boys! Did you see those babies?" Most of the regiment marched, that is, traveled on foot or in their own motor vehicles, to Romeny the same night, going by way of Bussieres and crossing the Marne at Nogent I'Artaud, while those compelled to remain behind with property 94 The Fifty-fifth Artillery of any kind made themselves comfortable in or near the ruined station, sleeping soundly on the assumption that "lightning never strikes twice in the same spot"; they followed along the next morning, Sunday, Aug. 4. At La Ferte a tractor suddenly "went dead" on the bridge cross- ing the Marne, at a point where the roadway was just wide enough for the tractor and foot-passengers; with a "dead" tractor and heavy gun on the bridge, everything was blocked, and this on the important direct road from Chateau-Thierry to Paris — the supply of the army was temporarily cut off. The gun-crew and officers did much "sweating" on this job, and finally were relieved to see the tractor start, as suddenly and inexpKcably as it had stopped. La Ferte was a hive of activity; there were the headquarters of both Gen. Pershing and Gen. Edwards, and the infantry of the 26th Division were pouring into the place for a brief rest after hard and prolonged fighting. At length we began to learn what had been happening recently. The Germans, stopped at Belleau Wood by the 2d Division on June 5, had waited quietly until July 15, and then made another attempt to break thru Chateau-Thierry and go on along the Paris-Metz road, down the Marne valley, toward Paris. This time they did not achieve much, if any, progress. The 38th French Corps of the 4th French Army, including the 3d American Division, guarded all exits to the south and west from Chateau- Thierry so strongly that the new drive stopped right where it began; and after trying for three days, the attackers found tables turned, and they themselves were attacked. We were proud to hear that this new plan of aggression was credited to Gen. Pershing, and to know that he had been first to urge it upon Marshal Foch — on June 22. To tell it in Allied official language, the Champagne-Marne Defensive continued only from July 15 to July 18; and then became transformed into the Aisne-Marne Offensive, July 18 to Aug. 6. An American Army Corps, the 1st, had been organized July 4, as a consequence of the Belleau Wood victory, and included, under command of Maj. Gen. Hunter Liggett, the 26th and 2d American Divisions (the latter soon replaced by the 4th) and the 167th French Division; the new command promptly began to operate as part of the 6th French Army, driving back the Germans from the north of Chateau-Thierry and cooperating with the 10th French Army to the northward, towards Soissons, in pinching out the Marne saUent. New divisions had been thrown in, all that Gen. Pershing then had Into the '' Aisne-Marne Offensive" 95 ready for service, the 42d, the 4th, the 32d and the 28th; while the 3d Division, pounding the retreating enemy up the roads running northeast from Chateau-Thierry, had become the guide for the entire movement. The 26th and the 3d Divisions had been reheved (the reason for our seeing the 26th resting at La Ferte), and the 42d, 32d and 28th had pressed on along the axis of the salient, driving the Germans thru Fresnes, Courmont, Cierges, Coulonges, Cohan, Dravegny, Chery Chartreuve, and Courville, to Fismes. On July 12, a new American Corps had been organized, the 3d, under com- mand of Maj. Gen. Robert L. Bullard, for the purpose of carrying on the operation. On Aug. 3 (the date of our arrival) the retreating foe were attempting a last stand at Fismes on the Vesle river; and there the 55th Artillery were to help dislodge them a few days later. The 55th found themselves attached to the new 3d Corps, and now began their long and pleasant connection with the Corps Army Post-Office No. 754, temporarily situated at Gland; Head- quarters of our 31st Brigade was one town farther up the Marne at Mont St. Pdre, the brigade then consisting of only two regiments, the 55th and the 56th. Owing to the danger from enemy bombers, all unnecessary noise was forbidden — even bugle-calls were discon- tinued; until after Nov. 11, there was to be no more reveille, mess- call or taps. Yet it promptly appeared that hunger was sufficient to rouse a man from sleep and bring him to the cook's shack, while fatigue and prohibition of lights were more potent than any trumpet to soothe him to sleep at night. A billeting party, consisting of lieutenants from all three bat- talions, had gone on, a day or two ahead of the regiment, for the purpose of securing accommodations; and had selected Romeny, a village in the Department of the Aisne, situated on the River Marne. The town would have been only two-thirds large enough if we had occupied the whole of it; and inasmuch as the civilian population were beginning to return home again, we were crowded yet more. It was the plan of the billeting party to establish the Commanding Officer and regimental Headquarters away off in the next village, while the regiment occupied Romeny — they ''had it fixed fine,'' as they confidentially reported to their comrades; but the Colonel decided otherwise. Only one first-class building stood in the town, the chateau of the Count de Joinville. Each battalion thought they ought to have this for their Headquarters; and the matter was still in dispute, when the Colonel came and ''ranked 96 The Fifty-fifth Artillery them all out of it/^ A few days later the count and his wife ap- peared, amongst many other refugees, returning on foot to look after their property; the Colonel entertained them with a fine band- concert and gave them the best fare the officers' mess could supply and sent them back to La Ferte in a regimental auto, happy and contented; thereafter nothing the count possessed was too good for the 55th. When, a little later, the regiment left a new-made Ameri- can grave in the Romeny cemetery, the chateau family promised to care for it as they would for their own. All three battalion Headquarters were in ordinary dwelling- houses. An abundance of currants, fresh tomatoes and celery, ripe and ready for harvest, were found in the gardens of Romeny. The 2d Batl. took possession of a bourgeois residence and found it crammed full of bric-a-brac, gentleman's moustache curling irons, fashion magazines, fancy-legged chairs and tables; the beds were good, and the dining-room was amply provided with ornamental china, left behind when the owners fled from the Germans; but all the knives, forks and spoons had been taken along, causing an annoying shortage. Romeny had not been captured by the Germans after all, and bore only the scars inflicted by aerial bombers and by the invaders of four years previously. It was on the fourth anniversary of the war, Aug. 3, that the regiment occupied the village. It appeared later that special reasons existed why the inhabitants were not cordial toward our billeting party and did not over-exert themselves to help. French Colonial troops had been the last visitants to Romeny and the neighboring villages; and incredible as the statement appeared, these wearers of the French uniform were actually reported to have committed both rape and robbery upon the French civiUans. No wonder that the poor people were chary of receiving strangers. The Marne cast a spell upon the men during their days at Ro- meny; and they kept pondering over the meaning of the great bat- tle-field. Perhaps they were only dimly conscious of warriors who had trodden the river-banks in earlier centuries — Caesar, Aetius and Theodoric — and defeated Attila (the original "Hun")> Charles Martel, who in 720 built the chateau at Chdteau-Thierry, and the Republican heroes of Valmy — the men who won for this district the soubriquet of "the holy land of French arms," but the Ameri- cans were keenly aware of the battle-field on the hill above Romeny Hattkky in Position Tractor and Crew Approaching Position Laying Gun, Men Wearing Masks r "" " 1 ^^iy^% ^ -fl ^.^tr-^1^ C. A. C, C'LtA.Nn AlI. < iili-.>. \ Lt^ASLSu i\i>.Mi-,M, A L u I r^ i , 1 i) 1 S lii-AL..^ .^iiAVi^u TO PitEVEXT MuSTARD BuRNS. CLEANING Li' AlTER CLEANING UP TOWN. RoMENY, August, 1918 Passing Thru Jauloonne on the Marnb in August, 1918 Into the '^ Aisne-Marne Offensive'^ 97 and along the river-banks nearer Chateau-Thierry, the field where their own comrades of the 2d and 3d and 26th Divisions had established the American reputation as fighters. Along the main road leading thru the town came trooping the 101st Engineers of the 26th Division, on their way to a brief and hard-earned rest, and after them came the 51st Artillery Brigade; so many coast artillerymen had been transferred into these regiments in months past that the meeting was one continuous reunion for the division and for the 55th — all ''the Boston artillery" were together again, and greatly did they rejoice in exchanging "yarns." The same road had to serve as main channel of supply for the 3d Corps, now thirty miles "nearer Germany," and the narrow way was congested with incessant traffic day and night, clouds of dust rising when the weather was dry, and slippery mud forming on wet days as an especial contrivance to make trucks skid off into the adjoining ditch. Then came the passenger vehicles, long cavalcades of trucks laden with infantrymen on the way "in"; the 1st Pioneer Infantry passed us, and after them the 77th Divi- sion, and following them the 82d Division had commenced to go by when our turn came to move. The 55th began at last to realize what war signified — they visualized it in terms of roaring motor- trucks; and this conception remained uppermost in the regimental mind until the end. But they had one even more solemn reminder; in the village church-yard were the graves of six Americans, who had died three weeks earlier, and soon we were to lay one of our comrades beside them — but "that is another story." Col. Harry T. Mathews visited the 55th at Romeny as repre- sentative of the Inspector General's Department. An inspection is supposed to be a formidable affair, and the Colonel's was thoro; but the inspector had been an officer in the Boston coast defenses so long and knew these particular men so well that he never could help treating the regiment like old friends. Our guns were found in good order. Some of the points to which careful attention was given were these: Dirt on the rifles; possible missing parts of the oilers and thong-cases ; whether the first-aid packet was in its pocket, right side up; the soles of the shoes; the condition of the uniforms; holes in the socks; and toe-nails cut short. Grease-cans on the trucks were a specialty of Col. Mathews'; wo betide the truck- driver whose can was not clean and tightly closed! He inspected the kitchens, a battalion at a time, commencing with the 1st. 7 98 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Scouts were out from the other two battalions in order to learn where, in particular, the "lightning would strike'^; and so the 2d and 3d Battalions were able to get their cooks' finger-nails cut and "policed" just in season to earn a clean bill of health. In Romeny, as back in the Auvergne, the regiment faced the problem of the French manure pile. The inspector insisted that such centers of infection be removed, while the villagers objected strenuously to losing their accumulated potential agricultural wealth ; and our trucks had to carry the dressing all the way to the fields, in order to pacify the owners. Col. Mathews urged every- one to have all hair shaven off his head, so as to simplify the treat- ment, in the event of mustard-gas burns. The officers did not relish the prospect of becoming prematurely bald; and as it was not an order, but merely kindly counsel, they were not prompt to accede; but finally most of them submitted to the tonsorial opera- tion so as to set a proper example to their men. No one had counted on the flies. Whether because of so many passing troops or so much manure, or merely neglect, the pests were innumerable ; dining-rooms (so far as such existed) had to be kept darkened in order to be usable, and as for the bald-heads, men simply had to wear caps continually in self-defense. The fly-pest grew worse later on; in the vicinity of Arcis le Ponsart they were so thick in our rooms and dug-outs that there was not space enough on the ceiling for all to light at one time, and some had to keep in constant motion, day and night; and of course this vigorous exercise pro- duced an abnormally voracious appetite in insects who, ordinarily, were by no means moderate in their hunger. On Aug. 7 Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, from Alabama, gave the regiment an excellent humorous and musical entertainment under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A., amongst other features rendering a translation of "Madelon." The men especially remembered it; as it was the only event of the sort which they ever enjoyed while at the front. A truck was equipped with the piano from the de Joinville chdteau and was backed into a neighboring field; the men assembled around it and, seated on the ground, spent many pleas- ant minutes. A few passing Senegalese soldiers drifted into the crowd, but they could not understand enough to make them feel interested. In compliance with an inexplicable regimental order, helmets and gas-masks were worn at all times while the regiment were in Into the " Aisne-Marne Offensive** 99 Romeny. True, there was a sign posted on a tree at the entrance of the village notifying passers-by that they were entering the "gas zone"; but times had changed since the notice was put up; now the enemy were thirty miles away. What made it all doubly hard was the fact that the infantry, returning from the front, would ''kid" the 55th and ask them where they "thought they were at." From time to time fleets of aeroplanes flew overhead in "V" formation, headed for the front; there was speculation as to whether they were equipped with Liberty motors. Liberty motor planes were reported as actually fighting on Aug. 2L The aviation of the 6th French Army had been "smashed" by the enemy not many weeks previously, and had not yet been replaced. On Aug. 7 the rail-head was advanced from La Ferte to Mezy, while the 3d Corps and 31st Brigade Headquarters, including our post-office, were pushed forward many miles and established in or near Coulonges. As the 55th*s trucks began to visit these new positions in search of supplies, they reported many fresh facts connected with the battle. At Mezy they found a German grave which bore evidence of American humor. Apparently the inmate had gotten himself especially disliked by the 3d Division; as his inscription worked a new variation on the familiar " Requiescat in pace" and proclaimed, "This boche rests in pieces." The 55th found themselves part of the French Army on the Marne; while the 3d Corps was wholly American, it served under French command and belonged to the 6th French Army. The Americans were loyal allies; and when they learned that especial need existed anywhere, there was the place they wished to go. It soon became evident that American artillery was needed, and needed badly, at the front; for the French guns had become worn thru excessive use. One French battalion had only three guns in service out of its original eight. There was no question but that the 55th would receive the warmest kind of a welcome from both American doughboys and French artillery. All that held the regi- ment back in Romeny was the lack of transportation; they had received only part of their trucks, and they had not enough ve- hicles to move their materiel. Men had been sent to the sea-ports to procure the missing "Quads" and "Kellys," and were expected back any day; but something ought to be done now in order to render assistance at Fismes. Finally it was decided to strip the 2d and 3d Battalions of vehicles and so provide the 1st Batl. with 100 The Fifty-fifth Artillery sufficient transportation, and to send Maj. Dusenbury^s men ahead at once. Similar arrangements were made in the 56th Regiment; and toute de suite, a race was on to see which command would fire the first gun. The men of the 56th got away Aug. 5, while the 55th were twenty-four hours later; but the 55th were in position sooner. And at 12.03 p. M. on Aug. 9, Sgt. Damon's gun, No. 1 in Bat. A, the '' AUie,'' had the honor of firing the first American shot with heavy artillery in the battle. The target was a bridge across the Aisne River, far in the German rear, and over which they expected soon to retreat; and subsequent aerial observation revealed that just five missiles from the "AUie" were required to demolish the structure. With the exception of the 2d Batl. of the 57th Arty., Maj. Dusenbury's command was the first (C. A. C.) G. P. F. unit to appear at the front. The battalion soon became so accustomed to shells' dropping all around them that they paid no particular attention to such "messages." The Germans sent over a lot of *'duds" (shells which failed to explode) and led the battalion to think that the enemy were all out of real shells. Then, bang! came the good ones; and a shower of leaves fell all around. As many shells contained gas, the gas-inspector was compelled to be ever vigilant in guarding his comrades against the deadly fumes. Cpl. Lee F. Doble of Bat. A was the first man wounded (Cpl. Doble, who had sung so sweet a first tenor in the battalion quartet). It happened in this wise (to use the corporal's own words): ''On Aug. 10, one shell burst right behind me. I looked over my shoulder and could feel the shock. I knew I was struck, but I had no feeling. I didn't know until I got to the hospital that I was struck under the shoulder- blade and three of my ribs broken." Cpl. Doble recovered from his wound, serious as it was, and was amongst the fore- most, in the following spring, to welcome his comrades back to America. While at the conclusion of the Aisne-Marne Offensive the 55th had only their 1st Batl. in firing position, the entire regiment were within the limits of the great battle-field; and orders prescribed that ''any unit occupying a sector is entitled to participation in battle." General Mangin, commanding the 10th French Army and directing the operations of all the French armies, issued a general order thanking the Americans for their brilliant coopera- tion in the battle: Into the '^ Aisne-Marne Offensive*' . ' \ Iftl^ "Xe Armee Au Q. G. A., 30th July 1918. "ETAT-MAJOR 3e Bureau No 862 /S "Ordre General No 318 "Ofl&cers, Non commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the 3d United States Army Corps, "Shoulder to shoulder with your French comrades you were thrown into the counter-offensive battle which commenced on the 18th of July. " You rushed into the j&ght as tho to a fete. " Your magnificent courage completely routed a surprized enemy and your indomitable tenacity checked the counter-attacks of his fresh divisions. "You have shown yourselves worthy Sons of your Great Country and you were admired by your brothers in arms. "91 guns, 7,200 prisoners, immense booty, 10 kilometers of coun- try reconquered; this is your portion of the spoil of this victory. "Furthermore, you have really felt your superiority over the barbarous enemy of the whole human race, against whom the children of Liberty are striving. "To attack him is to vanquish him. "American Comrades! I am grateful to you for the blood so generously spilled on the soil of my Country. "I am proud to have commanded you during such days and to have fought with you for the deliverance of the world. "L. Mangin." Altho the 55th acknowledged that the citation was somewhat undeserved, so far as they were concerned, still they felt that the issuance of such an order was an encouraging welcome for them, when they were, for the first time, entering battle. Gen. Pershing followed with a general order, G. H. Q., A. E. F., and thus rendered the 55th's first citation a double one. "It fills me with pride to record in General Orders a tribute to the service and achievement of the First and Third Corps, com- prising the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty- eighth, Thirty-second and Forty-second Divisions of the American Expeditionary Forces. "You came to the battlefield at the crucial hour of the Allied cause. For almost four years the most formidable army the world had as yet seen had pressed its invasion of France, and stood threatening its capital. ?*, -^ RMfiB AuQ C A .U so JuilUt 1918 £tAT-MA}dR No 862/S X« ARMfiE fiTAT-MAJOR 3« BUREAU Kc 862/S Au Q G A , iO^>^ July 1918. Ordre general N° 318 Ordre General N° 318 Officiers, Sotis-Officiers ei Soldats dui"'V.S.A.C., £paule centre ^ule avec vos camarades Fran^ais, vous vous 4teS jetds dans la bataille de contre-offen- ^ve qui a commence le 18 juillet. Vous y ave^couni comihe h une fhe. Votre dan maghifiquea bouscul^ Tennemi surpris et votrc t^nacit^ indomptable a arrets Je retour offensif de ses Divisions fralches. Vous vous etes mofltrfe l^jdignes Fils de votre Grand Pays et vous avez fait I'admiration de vos frdres d'anncs. 91 canons, 7.200 pnsonniers, un butin immense, JO kiloipetres de terrain reconquis, vpiU votre part dans les trophies de cene victoire. En outre, vous avez acquis pleinement le senti- ment de votre superiority sur le barbare, ennemi du genre humain tout entier, centre lequel luttent les JEnfants de la Libert^. L'attaquer, c'est le vaincre. Qmarades ^m^ricains, je vous suis reconnaissant dt sang g^dreusement ver$£ sur le sol de ma Patrie. je $uis fier de vous avoir commands en d.e telles iOtun^ et d'avoir comlwttu avec vous pour la d^li- vrance du monde. Officers, Noff commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the i'" Vmied States Army Corps. Shoulder to shoulder wjth \our French comrades you were thrown into the counier-offensive battle ■which commenced on the 18''' of July You rushed into the fight as though to a f^te Your magnificent courage completely routed a surprised enemy and \our indomitable tenacity checked the counter-attacks of his fresh Divisions You have shown yourselves worthy Sons of your Great Country and you were admired by your bro- thers in arms 91 guns, 7 200 prisoners, immense booty, 10 kilometers of country reconquered; this is your portion of the spoil of this victory Funhermore, you have really felt your superio- rity. over the barbarous enemy of the whole human race, against whom the children of Liberty are striving. To attack him is to vanquish him American Comrades' I am grateful to you for the blood so generously spilled on the soil of my Country. 1 am proud to have commanded you during such days and to have fought with you for the delive- rance of the world. Into the '^ Aisne-Marne Offensive^ ^ 103 "At no time had that army been more powerful or menacing than when, on July 18, it struck again to destroy in one great battle the brave men opposed to it and to enforce its brutal will upon the world and civilization. "Three days later, in conjunction with our AlUes, you counter- attacked. The Allied Armies gained a brilliant victory that marks the turning point of the war. You did more than give our brave Alhes the support to which as a nation our faith was pledged. You proved that our altruism, our pacific Spirit, our sense of justice had not blunted our virility or our courage. "You have shown that America's initiative and energy are as fit for the tests of war as for the pursuits of peace. You have justly won the unstinted praise of our AUies and the eternal grati- tude of our countrymen. "We have paid for our success in the lives of many of our brave comrades. We shall cherish their memory always, and claim for our history and our literature their bravery, achievements and sacrifices. "This order will be read to all organizations at the first assembly formation after its receipt. "John J. Pershing, " General, Commander-in-Chief. "August 27, 1918." CHAPTER VI With the 3d Cokps in the "Oise-Aisne Offensive" DURING the days elapsing between the start of the 1st Batl. from Romeny and the reassembling of the regiment near Arcis le Ponsart, important developments took place, which presently affected the 55th and every other regiment in the American Army. By an order of Aug. 8, the War Depart- ment abolished the distinction between privileged "regulars" and others, and put an end to much heart-burning; all officers were impartially listed in strict order of seniority, regardless of "previous condition of servitude." It was decreed that "Orders having reference to the United States army, as divided in separate and component forces of distinct origin, or assuming or contemplat- ing such a division, are to that extent revoked," and that "The insignia now prescribed for the regular army shall hereafter be worn by the United States army." Aug. 10 brought the announce- ment that Gen. John J. Pershing had "assumed command of the 1st American Army," and that an American "high command" existed; at the same time the portion of the front between the Meuse and Moselle Rivers became the American sector. But while other units began to move thither toward the St. Mihiel region, the 3d Corps remained as part of the 6th French Army; and its units, the 28th (Maj. Gen. Charles H. Muir) and 77th (Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan and Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander) Divisions, fought on under Gen. Mangin; the 55th Artillery were especially associated with the 28th Division, National Guardsmen from Pennsylvania. In a field to the east of Romeny, where the sixteen guns of the 55th stood under a camouflage screen of foliage, the men assembled, out under the blue sky, on Sunday, Aug. 11, for their final church service before entering battle; Holy Communion was administered from an altar improvised on a tractor-caterpillar. The drivers declared their belief that the machine would thereafter have "good luck." A sad drowning accident occurred on Aug. 12; Pvt. Ralph E. Gerred, one of the most popular members of Bat. D, caught a cramp, while swimming in the Marne, and sank helplessly; and as Copyright Committee on Public Information The French Glad to See American G. P. F.'s at the Front Okunancb Uepaik Tkuck of thk Second JJattalion I'ktk Suea':3 Kitchen, Romeny ^ ^^ \s*J« m > i ^|mHk t\^ ' ■ ;^;:|.^;^-'^'^^^ % ^^;^ ^.- , 'iS »^tZBiB«i^»' ,: -— American Graves, Romeny. Gerred's Nearest French Artilleryman's House, Passy QuENTiN Roosevelt's Grave Signal Corps Photo Danqerous Corner at Coulonges With the 3d Corps in the ^' Oise-Aisne Offensive^^ 105 no companions were near, rescue was impossible. Lt. Reginald Poland rushed to the river as soon as the accident was reported, and dove for the missing man — performing the remarkable feat of reaching bottom in twenty feet of water; but by the time the body was recovered, it was lifeless. The men, while bathing, had watched with interest to see barges, laden with wounded from the battle-fields, float down past them, and had shuddered as, now and then, a dead body, of horse or man, drifted by; now they had a more personal tragic interest in the river. An order was issued declaring bathing unsafe. A simple and impressive military funeral followed on the next day. The Band led the procession of mourners to the little village cemetery; and Gerred was laid to rest there beside the other Americans. So incessant was the stream of traffic that it was difficult for our special military police to hold the vehicles back during the two minutes required for the proces- sion. Cpl. Butler of the Supply Co., who in civil life had been a professional designer, prepared an artistic cross to mark Gerred's last resting-place; and received so much praise for his handiwork that he proceeded to make similar markers for the other six Ameri- can graves. Seventy-five trucks, which had come over the road all the way from St. Nazaire, arrived on Aug. 13; and altho they were far from completing the regimental equipment, they were sufficient to render movement possible. The start was ordered on the very next day, so soon, in fact, as to permit barely sufficient time to put the new trucks in running condition; orders came about 10 A. M. for the 2d and 3d Battalions to "move at noon." While, later on, the regiment learned to load and start very promptly, even under most adverse circumstances, they could not do so, as early in their career as Aug. 14; it was not until 3.25 p. m. that they were able to get away, and then only under pressure from the Colonel and with several trucks out of their proper order in the column. Col. Sevier deservedly bore the name of being a strict disciplin- arian; he insisted upon rigid compliance with every regulation and was particularly attentive to the little things, which are com- monly beHeved to make perfection. A soldier who failed to salute properly, or who wore his coat unbuttoned, or who broke other regulations concerning minor matters, was sure of a stern repri- mand and might consider himself fortunate if his penalty proceeded 106 The Fifty-fifth Artillery no farther. This strictness on the ColoneFs part had much to do with winning for the regiment their admirable reputation as well- disciplined soldiers. Battery commanders and first sergeants, however, did not relish the task of carrying out the Colonel's orders relative to pun- ishments for infraction of minor regulations. If a sergeant failed to salute in accordance with the regimental standards, or if he inadvertently allowed his blouse to go unbuttoned, he was liable to be *' busted'' or reduced to the ranks. It sometimes happened that an excellent gun-commander or telephone sergeant would fail in little things. Since a gun-commander or telephone sergeant must be born to the work and could not be manufactured by human instrumentality, his reduction to the ranks occasioned seri- ous interference with battery efficiency; his place could not be filled over-night. Moreover, the first sergeants were often inti- mate friends of their careless or unfortunate brother non-com- missioned officers, and were loath to inflict the penalties which were commanded; the human equation interfered with the smooth running of the disciplinary system. Humorous complications sometimes occurred. In connection with leaving Romeny, 1st Sgt. Mclsaac of Bat. F promulgated a rule, which made greatly for stability of tenure amongst the non-commissioned officers of his battery; a sergeant and a corporal reported to the first sergeant that the Colonel had "busted" them — in the sergeant's case for wearing the blouse unbuttoned, and in the corporal's for some similar offense; Sgt. Mclsaac replied, "As soon as the Colonel issues a written order re- ducing you, you will consider yourselves 'busted,' and not before then." The first sergeant never saw such an order; and both non-commissioned officers held their rank until discharged from the service. Another first sergeant, who must be nameless, adopted a different method of inflicting punishments which had been ordered from "higher up." A corporal reported at the company office that the Colonel was displeased with his lack of promptness in saluting and that he was ordered to do two hours' extra drill, with a view to perfecting himself in military courtesy. Quoth the "top": "You are an old soldier and know all about saluting — you are tired; go and lie down, and sleep for two hours." Up the Marne, thru Chdteau-Thierry, Mont St. Pdre and Barzy to Passy lay the route of the day's march, with the 2d Batl. follow- With the 3d Corps in the ^^ Oise-Aisne Offensive*^ 107 ing the 3d. Col. Sevier passed from one end of the long column to the other, endeavoring to keep everyone moving, stirring up the laggards and correcting any who might be out of place. The Colonel was not always quick to remember faces; and one truck- load of men reported that they had been stopped, questioned, and admonished by him four separate times in succession, he apparently regarding them as four distinct detachments. At the final en- counter he declared that their battery was "scattered all over France," and that he ''gave up." The leading vehicles reached Passy about 5 p. m. ; and officers at once selected camp-sites, truck- and gun-parks, while enlisted men went promptly to work digging latrines. Presently, everything being ready, Maj. Wilson started back to ascertain why his truck column had not appeared. He found the 3d Batl. barely crawling thru Chd,teau-Thierry because of ''lame" trucks; while the 2d, forbidden to pass the 3d, had turned into a convenient field beside the road and the men were sound asleep. The Major interrupted their slumbers by speaking a few eloquent words, and soon had them in motion once more; and the entire column was in Passy by day-break of Aug. 15. Meanwhile the men who arrived first at Passy did not enjoy any too placid a night; they were sleeping right out under the open sky, and over-head, they could hear the distinctive drone of the non- synchronizing motors, which was characteristic of enemy aero- planes — bombing was actually done farther down the river valley. The Colonel was careful to enforce camouflage discipline and ordered all anti-aircraft rapid-fire guns to be manned and in constant readiness, and he utterly forbade the showing of any lights. The cook had, by great effort, prepared a kitchen and was heating coffee, when he was commanded instantly to put out the fire; for it was attracting Gothas and would bring bombs upon the camp. Two minutes later the threatening noise proved to be made by a distant railway train, somewhere across the river; and everyone wondered whether the false alarm would cost them their coffee. It developed that the cook was a genius especially qualified to grapple with war conditions — altho he lost his fire, in some unex- plained manner he managed to save the heat in the coffee. Many officers and men enjoyed a refreshing swim in the Marne during the day; but, by and by, the Surgeon decided that the river was dangerous and stopped the sport. Exploration proved highly interesting in the ruins of Passy and in the battle-field on the hills 108 The Fifty-fifth Artillery above the village. A mass of rubbish indicated where a house had stood; and it was explained to the Americans that a French artilleryman owned the edifice and had himself shot it to pieces from across the river when, a month earlier, it was serving as shelter for the enemy. While the village church had been reduced to ruins, by one of those miracles so frequent at the front the crucifix remained entirely uninjured. From the hills the enemy had launched their final, ill-fated offensive of July 15; and on the same ground their machine-gun battalions had engaged in a stubborn rear-guard action to retard the American Offensive on July 18 and 19. The machine-gunners, Bavarians, had fought hard and then retreated precipitately, leaving most of their ma- teriel behind them; some of the dead remained unburied. Letters were scattered about; and many of them contained words of con- gratulation upon the good fortune which the recipients were ex- pected soon to enjoy, as they would carry out their projected visit to Paris. Alas! the congratulations were premature. The 55th were able to indulge their passion for souvenirs almost without limit. Special difficulties developed during the night of Aug. 15-16, due to the prohibition of lights. It was after dark when orders were issued for the movement of the morrow. Sentries had been commanded to shoot whenever they saw a light amongst the troops, and were ready to obey the command; on the other hand, the battalion adjutants must copy these orders for their batteries, and all officers must learn the contents of them. One adjutant, Capt. Kircher, had to crawl into his pup-tent and wrap a blanket about his head and, under that, read and copy the order with the aid of a flash-lamp — a hot and stuffy job. The battalions were to get away next morning ''promptly." Orders must be framed in conformity with the existing arrangement of the trucks; so each truck had to be visited and identified in the darkness. The search revealed one refreshing sight — Lt. Camm was soundly sleeping under a truck, with his bedding-roll spread out and with clean, white sheets and pillow-case, in the middle of an open field. Promptly at 6 a. m. on Aug. 16 the column started, the route lying northward thru Treloup, the For^t de Riz, Cierges, Cou- longes, Cohan, and then branching off to the eastward and stopping in the vicinity of Arcis le Ponsart, a town just across the line in the Department of the Marne; this route was along the principal line of the 3d Corps' attack in July and led thru one continuous With the 3d Corps in the " Oise-Aisne Offensive^' 109 battle-field, amidst villages which were badly "shot to pieces" by both American and German artillery. Just south of Coulonges they passed the grave of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt, who had fallen in an air-battle on July 14 and whose burial-place was already an object of pilgrimage. Shortly after leaving Passy, the cry of "Gas" was raised; and everyone put on his gas-mask — all except one officer who had disobeyed orders and did not have his mask with him, and who was forced to jump out of the car and wait by the roadside more than an hour, and then make most violent exertions in order to overtake the column. There in the ditch lay a dark object, from which heavy white clouds were issuing; every soldier along the road, both French and American, had heeded the warning and was wearing his mask. Maj. C. R. Wilson in- vestigated. The container had been hit by one of the trucks and broken open as it lay beside the road ; and there was no doubt about the vapor which poured out. But there was no suspicious odor, no smell whatever. Finally it dawned on the investigators that the whitish vapor enveloping the country-side was merely "arti- ficial fog," and entirely harmless; then, for the first time, they noticed two French peasants tilling a field near the "gas "-can and yet entirely unaffected by the fumes; masks were at once removed. The regiment had a useful gas-drill. Arriving about noon, the battalions occupied the rest-camp areas, which had been selected by their artillery-scouts, the 2d Batl. at the Maison Forestiere near Abbaye d'Igny, close to the rest-camp which the 1st Batl. had established eight days previously, and the 3d Batl. near Coulonges. Nothing exciting occurred, excepting to the regimental section; they blandly moved right into Arcis le Pon- sart during one of the rare moments when German shells were not falUng there, and established themselves in the Mairie. Trucks were parked under such slight camouflage as was afforded by a small orchard; the registry of deeds was cleared out (to the infinite detri- ment of French title-searching during ensuing years); and all preparations were made to set up the regimental post of command ("the p. c."); all this time the enemy obligingly withheld fire, not revealing that the spot was one of the most dangerous in all France. Overhead flew Hun planes, carefully noting the arrival of strangers in Arcis. Meanwhile the higher officers of the 28th Division, who had to remain in the village for strategic reasons, did not relish the invasion by others who could go elsewhere and whose presence was 110 The Fifty-fifth Artillery certain to draw fire; and they set machinery in motion to oust the 55th. About 4 p. m. an order came from "very high up," directing the 55th to establish their post of command elsewhere; and out they went and back along the road to the spot already occupied by the 2d Batl. They did not leave Arcis le Ponsart any too soon to escape a vicious storm of German shells, upon the very spot where they had calmly rested during the preceding four hours. With the aid of the 2d Batl. officers the regimental section soon became settled beneath the trees of a magnificent forest; and barely had themselves under cover when a German observation plane flew over — but they were secure at last. For a majority of the 55th, the night of Aug. 16-17 was their first experience of shell-fire and aerial bombardment; and they met the test like veterans. Perhaps they did not really appre- ciate the greatness of the peril. It was on this same day that the dental Surgeon made his classic mistake. As he approached Arcis le Ponsart in an auto belonging to the regimental section — or to be exact, when his driver had missed the correct turn and had gone a few rods north of that shell-stricken town — he chanced to be directly abreast of a well-concealed French marine battery just as one of the huge guns fired. The dentist had never learned the difference in sound between a going shell and one that was coming. The blast of the gun was certainly terrific. Thinking that a German shell had fallen — if he thought at all — the little man leaped out of the car, while the latter was still going, and was last seen running back up the road with his overcoat fluttering in the wind, and shouting, "TheyVe got us, they've got us.'' He returned to duty later in the day. An officer of the 1st Batl. described his sensations upon his first introduction to the bombers: "To add to our horrors, big Gotha bombing-planes flew up and down the valley (of the Ardre) all night, sowing their hellish missiles among the battery. I never knew before what terror could be. We had all been so busy that no cover trenches for us existed; so it was simply a case of lying flat on the ground with your face down and with your helmet on the back of your head, waiting, while the fiendish Brrrhhrrr peculiar to the Gotha buzzed overhead. Occasionally the aviators would drop big star-shells to light up the terrain, and then would come three, five, or even more blinding flashes of light and deafening noise; and you longed to pull the covers over your head, hugged the ground, and prayed — prayed." After a few days of such experience, the 55th With the Sd Corps in the ^' Oise-Aisne Offensive'* 111 became more philosophical about it and adopted the following view : "If the bomb hits us, we shall never know what struck us; if it does not hit us, there is no harm done. In either case, why worry?'' Roads in the vicinity of Arcis le Ponsart were under direct ob- servation of the enemy; and great caution was required in traversing them. If one's truck or auto broke down, one was in danger of a shelling during the process of repairs; while the dead horses in either ditch were clear indication of what had been happening recently. A nervous chauffeur was useless amid such circumstances, and the favorite driver was the one who had been trained on the auto race- track and who could turn a corner at top speed, on two wheels. Altho the enemy gunners could no longer see their target after night- fall, they kept up a series of chance shots thruout the hours of dark- ness. In the perfect blackness of night, two Nash-Quad trucks chanced to meet on the narrow road near regimental Headquarters. Stopping about six inches from each other, the drivers engaged in heated argument; and there seemed imminent danger that a fight would develop. A large shell suddenly landed in the field near the road ; and the flash of its explosion brilliantly illuminated the entire scene — road, trucks, and drivers with clenched fists and uplifted arms. Quick as the flash, came a suggestion of one of the disputants : "Well, partner, get on your truck; with the next one we'll have light enough so that we can see to pass." And sure enough, the event proved the wisdom of the plan; the trucks passed each other by shell- light. An enemy plane, about three hundred meters over-head, chased the auto of the regimental commander down an unscreened road one day, and continued the pursuit for several kilometers, all the time spraying the vehicle with machine-gun fire. The car escaped by hiding under a tree. The aviator then hunted around until he found the rest-camp of the 1st Batl. ; there he directed his fire against the cooks, who were enjoying a siesta after a hard night's work. In spite of the wrath occasioned by the annoying intrusion, the dis- turbed ones could not fire back; for other units were busy installing guns nearby, and the latter would be endangered if their presence became noted. Aug. 17 brought the regiment its first mail, at the front, and thereafter, every day, the Chaplain or his assistant made a long journey by auto or truck and followed the movable post-office Scale: 2 miles ->! inch E. A. Kircher Signal Corps Photo Our Projectiles II .2;;^ --.. ...^..**'.::iAd^ - . >>- F - ■ ^- --.-^j^^i-i. rm^m^'^^ mj^f^ t !^%L^^ ^^ r fefi mi ^^ mm ?: f- \ . -^ -^ ■» Orienting the Battery Signal Corps Photo P0LI8HING the Breech With the 3d Corps in the ^' Oise-Aisne Offensive'^ 113 about from town to town, so as to secure the regimental mail- bags at the earliest possible moment. Another twenty-four hours elapsed before the 2d and 3d Batl. guns could be brought into position; they were left under the trees while the Commanding Officers reconnoitered suitable positions for them and the orienteurs laid out base-lines. On Aug. 18 they were put in position, and on the 19th were ready to fire. Batteries A and B had already established themselves to the eastward of Arcis le Ponsart, on the Crugny road; and while Bat. A was shelled out of its original position and had to move a few hundred yards into a neighboring valley, where there was better shelter, Bat. B was able to keep its first position during its entire stay on the Vesle. When- ever our fire became especially troublesome, the enemy would start counter-battery work — aimed at Bat. A's abandoned emplacement; they continued wasting $30,000 worth of ammunition a day on that particular spot, with no damage whatever to us, and never discov- ered that there was no longer any target. Batteries C and D were directly north of Arcis le Ponsart, on the Courville road, and there they remained until toward the last, when they followed the re- treating enemy farther north. Bat. C was more to the north, behind a hill in Le Grand Etang, which afforded good flash defilade; according to artillery rules, the guns should have been placed in a patch of woods a little to the south, but they actually stood in the open and were merely covered by camouflage screening. This de- parture from custom proved their salvation, however; as the Germans grew very provoked one day and bombarded heavily — sending all of the shots in amongst the pine-trees, where the Ameri- cans ought to have been but were not. Batteries E and F estab- lished themselves due west of Arcis le Ponsart, and east of Dravegny, in a sheltered valley; they were able to remain until they, too, had to follow the retreating foe northward; Bat. E was north of Bat. F. The battalion post of command was nearby in the Longeville Farm- house. Officers and men alike slept in ''fox-holes" dug into the hill- side, or in dug-outs excavated in the nearest bank, with the openings, if possible, away from Germany. The regimental post of command in the Maison Forestiere near the Abbaye was quite comfortable, even if it was not safe; when the bandsmen had been given picks and shovels and directed to use their new instruments, they pre- sently brought a large abri into existence and rendered the regi- mental Headquarters safe as well as convenient. The musicians 114 The Fifty-fifth Artillery never enjoyed this new development in their branch of the service, but they had a great deal of digging to do during the months at the front. They also became skilled lumbermen, as they chopped down hundreds of trees in the process of preparing log roofs for the bomb- proofs. In accordance with prevailing theories, the batteries were lo- cated about eight miles from their targets and were thus brought some five miles from the German front line; an interval of three miles intervened between the regimental post of command and the batteries. Near the top of the hill opposite the Bat. E guns was a cave, which served as battery commander's post and as quarters for the gun- crews; it was deep and solid, and secure against shells. The narrow entrance widened after some twenty or thirty feet; and the main part, branching off to the left, penetrated forty feet farther into the earth, while a number of smaller alcoves radiated from it. The largest alcove formed the battery post of command ; and the rest of the cave gave shelter to sixty men. It was necessary to stoop when one moved around, and steel helmets were worn as a protection against the roof; the latter was all the rougher because of the beams by which it was supported. In the day-time the place was a hot, steaming, greasy hole, swarming with flies, smelling of sweat and army slum, and loud with the distinctive vocabulary of the A. E. F. ; at night it was cold and wet, having the mingled scent of damp rock and mud, acetylene, shoe-less feet and the roast flies who had strayed into the flame of the candles. The noisy snoring of tired men and the irregular buzz of the telephones were the opposite of a lullaby for him who chanced to lie awake. At the cave Bat. E had their experience with civilian camp-follow- ers. A pair of aged French peasants dwelt there with their grand- son, eating what they could get from the battery kitchen and sleep- ing far underground. The lad kept outside during the day and re- turned each evening. He regularly drew upon himself the vixenish wrath of the old woman; and as her voice had grown shriller with advancing age, her tirade became a nuisance to the Americans. **For heaven's sake, shut up that old Frog woman until I get this fire-order," the telephone operator would cry; and someone would try to appease the wrath of ** Aglaia" long enough to let the war go on. No wonder that her brilliance was dimmed, after four horrible years of such life! With the 3d Corps in the ^' Oise-Aisne Offensive^^ 115 Bat. E at the Longeville Farm had trouble with their aiming- posts; the latter, which ought to be absolutely immovable, kept changing position and sliding down-hill. In accordance with the system of gun-laying which prevailed in the American artillery, when the gunner could not see the actual target he directed his goniometer toward a stake of which the compass-bearing was known, and from that measured off the necessary angle to the point on the map at which he was firing. Of course the aiming-post must be absolutely fixed in position. The 28th Division infantry were not aware of the importance of the stakes, and merely regarded them as handy aids in climbing the slippery hill-side; so that it became needful to educate the infantry before the artillery could fire. Night fog also interfered with the sighting; the lamps which were lighted on the aiming-posts were rendered invisible. A second set of stakes had to be set up, very close to the guns — only twelve yards away. While shells kept passing over the 3d Batl.'s valley, few came close enough to cause alarm. Horses were frightened, and some- times killed, in the adjacent fields. There was no lack of excite- ment in observing the shelling of the main road ; and the latter lost popularity as a pleasure route. A bomb fell about thirty yards from a well, at which a battery truck-driver was busy drawing water to fill canteens; as pellets of turf and mud commenced to fall on the soldier's helmet, they aroused him to action; up the ravine he raced at full speed, dropping his fifteen water-bottles, and shout- ing, ''They're after me." Not until the next morning was he able to settle down again to routine work. The regimental dressing-station was set up in the ruined buildings of the Abbaye d'Igny, where the 28th Division military police and ambulance company were already established, and with the doctor went the Chaplain and his post-office. The Abbaye, a Cistercian- Trappist monastery dating back to 1127 and standing on the site of a vastly older Roman temple, had comprized a group of beauti- ful, brown sandstone buildings; on one side of the road was the cloister in which the monks had resided and where they maintained a hospital in pre-war days, and on the other stood a famous choco- late-factory, the principal source of monastic income. The structure had served as a hospital for the French during nearly four years of struggle along the Chemin des Dames, and latterly had been used by the enemy for similar purposes ; the military cemetery contained over one hundred graves, the former foemen lying peacefully side 116 The Fifty-fifth Artillery by side. On Aug. 14, an American grave had been dug beside the French; and Cpl. John F. Clancy of Bat. B, first of the 55th to fall in action, had been laid to rest, the last rites being performed by a kindly French priest, who was himself serving as a private in his own army. A comrade told the story of Cpl. Clancy's death in these words : "We were all crouching in the protection of our guns when Crrr- ummpp! another shell went off; and a poor fellow began moaning up near the machine-guns. A couple of us rushed up the little hill; and when I got to him, he was sobbing something about ' They've hurt me — oh, fix me up.' I noticed his breeches were torn and that he was bloody around the waist, but I tried to reassure him and please him by telling him he'd have the first wound stripe in the battery. Meanwhile another man and I lifted him and carried him back into the gun-pit. He died right there while Lt. Royer band- aged him; but we carried the thing thru for the sake of the men." When the Germans made their hasty retreat, they undertook to render the Abbaye useless for the victors, and deliberately mined it with dynamite and, so far as they could, reduced it to ruins. Following their thrifty custom, they had previously stolen all the most valuable machinery from the chocolate fahrique. When, pre- sently, the Red Cross opened a station at the Abbaye, they wrought a modification of the proverb about "carrying coals to Newcastle," for they carried chocolate to Abbaye d'Igny. Aug. 18 fell on Sunday; as the 55th were too busy establishing their guns to permit of church services, they left the Chaplain free to accept invitations elsewhere. It happened that the 28th Divisional troops at the Abbaye d'Igny had been deprived of re- ligious opportunities for many weeks and were ready to welcome the Massachusetts Chaplain, as cordially as if he had come from Philadelphia; and thus the Abbaye became a center of religious work from the outset. On that Sunday afternoon, the enemy also took part, sending over three shells just as the sermon was beginning; but while the shells did some damage to a field battery on the neighboring hill, they were impotent to stop proceedings under the Abbaye trees. This was an ideal spot for all sorts of welfare work, as it was situated in a hollow, where shells were more apt to pass over than to strike; and in point of fact, while the ground all around was pitted by artillery and aerial bombard- ment, the ruined buildings escaped entirely. The 28th Division With the 8d Corps in the ^'Oise-Aisne Offensive" 117 presently awoke to the availability of the Abbaye for such uses, and moved their "delousing plant" thither — and generously placed all the facilities at the disposal of the 55th. Some of the enemy dynamite having failed to explode, two or three of the rooms were left intact, and afforded protection against inclement weather; as soon as the explosive had been removed and the building rend- ered safe, these apartments were occupied by the Red Cross and the sales Quartermaster and the medical department — and an old organ, left in the building by the monks, alternated with the Chap- lain's Edison in weaving the charm of music about the spot. After the Divisional Y. M. C. A. of the 28th settled at the Abbaye, there was a yet greater abundance of welfare and religious work, the secretaries and the Chaplain combining forces; several excel- lent entertainments were given, and one or two week-night reli- gious meetings were conducted. Presently two soldiers applied for Christian baptism, and duly received that sacrament. The only drawback to this arrangement, from the artilleryman's point of view, was that a very small percentage of the 55th could be spared from the guns, so as to enjoy the privileges of the Abbaye; consequently the Chaplain devoted Sundays to visiting the bat- teries and meeting the needs of the men, where the bulk of his parishioners actually were. Sometimes a battery would be firing, and unable to stop for religious worship, even on Sunday, and always there was likelihood that the battery would be fired at; but it was almost always possible to hold some kind of meeting in a dug-out or under the gun-camouflage. Congregations were often small at the outset — only twelve or fifteen; but as the ser- vice progressed, more and more men came in, dressed in their blue working overalls. Finally almost all the available members of the battery were seated on the ground or on the gun itself, reverent and attentive. Before and after services, the men would crowd in with all sorts of needs, which the Chaplain could help supply. One day four callers, each coming independently of the others, were seated on the Chaplain's trunk and cot at the same time — the first was visiting the postmaster (the Chaplain), to inquire why he did not receive letters more regularly; the second asked how he should proceed in order to get the use of the 28th Division baths; the third desired to have a personal letter confi- dentially censored, without the necessity of allowing his company officer to read it (the Chaplain was chief censor); and the fourth 118 The Fifty-fifth Artillery was an applicant for Christian baptism. In spite of the versatility demanded, in meeting these requests, all were duly attended to. Lt. Roth described a Sunday at Arcis le Ponsart in these words : ^'Our first service on the front was very impressive. The Chap- lain came around that first Sunday morning about 10.30 and asked, 'May we have services this morning without interfering with the work?' Battery commander said we could and sent out runners to tell all of the men to come in to church. Some, of course, had to stay with the guns, ammunition, etc., but most of them could come in. In our little sheltered ravine in front of the Captain's dug-out (we were then dug into the bank instead of under ground) the Chaplain placed a powder box, and over this he hung his silk and satin affair with the cross on it. This cross fell over the front of the powder box and covered it. This was our altar. Wherever the Chaplain hangs this mantle with the cross on — there is our altar. He stood beside it — officers on boards across boxes, in front of it, and behind us the men, some standing but most of them sitting on the ground, all heads uncovered. The service was simple but so impressive. We sang 'Onward Chris- tian Soldiers.' Everybody sang. Even the 'rough-necks' of the battery. I started to sing but got only part way thru the first verse, and a knot tied in my throat and I couldn't sing any more. I glanced at the Major, and he had stopped and was biting his under lip. I wished they would stop singing, for hot tears were rolling down my cheeks and some of the officers'. Silly, wasn't it? A great many of the voices had dropped out by the time we reached the third verse — and the hymn ended quite faintly. I didn't dare look back at the men. After the hymn we all sat down, and the Chaplain took a moment to compose himself. I venture to say that in the silence following the hymn not a few thoughts were back home. But the cyclone blew over, and we got back to the service again. While the Chaplain talked, the guards blew the two whistles (signal for boche plane) over-head. But the service continued. I think that everyone felt that he was safe with head uncovered before the cross. A few stragglers who hadn't been notified of church came around and, seeing what was going on, removed their helmets and knelt where they were, tho they were behind the Chaplain and before the whole assembly. We ended with 'Stand up, stand up for Jesus,' and some of us chewed our under lips again. The Chaplain pronounced the With the 3d Corps in the " Oise-Aisne Offensive" 119 familiar benediction, and church was over, and we went back to the guns. I think we all felt better, but how contradictory — to leave church and run to the guns to be ready to open fire. Isn't this a crazy world?" The vicinity of the Vesle was far from being a health-resort during August and September of 1918, was by no means a district where one could live the "safe and sane" life. Merely to pass thru Courville or Arcis le Ponsart was apt to be an adventure; if one were on foot, he would often need to shelter himself in some hole until the shelling ''eased up." A shell struck squarely on top of the dug-out belonging to some Bat. C men, the crew of the " Hunt- er"; fortunately the accident happened while half of the owners were busily at work on the gun and the others were absent eating breakfast. Battalion and battery commanders sought the best available shelter for their posts of command; sometimes it would be a mere hole in the ground, exposed to showers of dirt at every nearby explosion, and to dribblings of water leaking thru when the weather was wet. On the other hand, the commanders sometimes inherited fine bungalow-lodges, provided with sheltering caves, or even comfortable and protected houses; these structures had been erected by the enemy during his term of occupancy, and were reluctantly abandoned to the conquering American. Just as surely, however, as an artillery officer had the good fortune to inherit a comfortable post of command, he was presently "ranked out" of it by some infantry general, and had to establish himself all over again. The first night one battalion of the 55th spent on the Vesle, the Adjutant spread his bedding-roll outside the entrance of a cave, hesitating to sleep inside because of the wetness ; toward day-break he was awakened by a shell or two, exploding near enough to him to sprinkle him with earth, and he decided to get into that cave at once. Just inside the entrance he stepped on the face of the sleeping Major. There were wires in the cave, which emerged from the earth floor, passed over pegs and buried them- selves again in the side-wall. The Americans, their minds full of the stories of "booby-traps," and respecting the orders which for- bade tampering with suspicious works of all sorts, kept as far away from these wires as possible. So they were relieved as well as amused, a little later, when they saw a French visitor seize the wires with a cheerful recklessness and tear them out, scornfully remark- ing that the "rotten boche had still more rotten rat-traps." In- 120 The Fifty-fifth Artillery stances occurred where officers constructed imitation "booby- traps" for the purpose of frightening trespassers from their dug- outs, especially trespassers of higher rank. All three battalions presently settled their Headquarters in typical French ferme houses, with rooms on two floors and well- protected cellars where everyone could take refuge under heavy shelling, and with large outbuildings joined to the houses — all constructed of stone. The 2d Batl. added a steel ceiling to the room where the officers slept, in fact an iron ceiling so strong that it would retard or stop anything but a direct hit. The 1st Batl. officers were presently driven to dug-outs in the edge of a nearby valley; and the 3d Batl. commander moved to a deep cave in his vicinity. The German shells only twice actually struck one of these farm-houses so as to work demolition, but they constantly came uncomfortably near; underwear, hanging on the clothes- line, was perforated by shell-fragments and became, as the owner asserted, "porous-knit"; cabbage cooking on the stove was spiced with particles of steel from Germany; every auto in the shed quali- fied for at least one "wound stripe"; and windows were all blown in by shell-concussions. More than two hundred holes were made in the roof of the 2d Batl. Headquarters by shell-fragments within three weeks; it was grim sport to count the new apertures each morning. Very seldom did the inmates seek refuge in the cellar. When a gas-alarm sounded at night, one adjutant was seen, clad in pajamas and a gas-mask, moving about and looking after the welfare of the men. A visiting officer was, one day, telling har- rowing tales of the narrow escapes experienced at his Headquarters when a big one fell just across the road and shook up the whole building, blowing in dust and gravel thru doors and windows. He was wordless for fully two minutes; then he remarked, "That was close, wasn't it?" — there were no more anecdotes that day. One shell struck within five feet of Lt. Camm and Master Gunner Chandler, but fortunately it proved to be a dud. On the very crest of the high ridge between the positions of the 1st and the 2d Battalions was the observing post, "Turtle" — exposed, dangerous, but commanding a magnificent view of the field of fire. From its 225-meter summit, observers could plainly see the spires of Laon, twenty-five miles away to the northward. Occasionally Turtle would call up a battalion post of command and impart the information that the battalion was being shelled; KiTCHEx, Hest-Camp at Maison Fohestibre Office of Headquarters Co. at Maison Forestiere Signal Corps Photo Dravegny Siynal Corps P)wto FiRiNO While Wearing Gas-Masks Reading the Shirt Signal Corps Photo Bathinq a la a. E. F. at Abbaye d'Iqny — Swimminq-Pool at Right With the 3d Corps in the '^Oise-Aisne Offensive^ ^ 121 as this fact was already quite obvious, Turtle was instructed to confine his gossip to regimental Headquarters (Barnum). Pres- ently the battalion overheard Turtle saying, ''They are shelling the battalion Headquarters again," and Barnum replying, ''Did they hit?" And while they listened for the reassuring negative, they kept fervently hoping that it would continue true after the next shot. One night before light-proof dug-outs had been perfected, the batteries sent word, in response to a firing-order, that if they lighted any lamps by which to figure data, they would draw bombs from the enemy planes over-head. So the staff at Elephant had to work out their first firing-problem since they left school at Mailly, passing around the one log-book and range-table which they possessed, and checking back and forth on the targets, Maizy and Cuiry-les-Chaudardes — down in the bomb-proof cellar. Con- ditions were highly unfavorable for concentrated thought; but the "trick" was done. In theory, no "offensive" was under way between Aug. 6 and 18, the principal fighting during that period taking place on the Somme, far to the northward of where the 55th were stationed; but Cpl. Clancy's death as a result of shell-fire, together with nar- row escapes on the part of many others, led to a feeling that an "offensive" could not be much more active than what they were experiencing. One drawback connected with the big Holt tractors was the outrageous noise they made and the vast number of sparks they spouted forth from their exhaust-pipes; when a stranger was try- ing to find the gun locations, he would inquire the whereabouts of them from some Frenchman. "Oh," would be the answer, "you mean zose wiz ze beeg tractors; ah, oui, I heard zem last night, and zey are over zere." The trouble was that the enemy also could hear them, and results were sometimes disastrous. On one evening, however, the noise of the tractors proved to be an asset. It was the ni^ht when Maj. Wilson first moved his guns to the front; and the eight "elephants" of the 2d Batl. were lined up on the road near Abbaye dTgny. Orders were given to start the column. Suddenly the approach of an enemy bombing-plane was heard over-head — too late to countermand the order. Coin- cidently with the silence which was caused by the bomber's shut- ting off his engine and swooping upon his prey, the eight tractors 122 The Fifty-fifth Artillery burst out in a simultaneous ''bang! bang! bang!" all functioning together, flaming like volcanoes and making a terrific din. No sooner did the German hear the racket and perceive the spouting flames than he started up his engine with a staccato rat-rat-rat, only a few yards above, and flew away as fast as his power would carry him; he evidently thought that a battery of anti-aircraft guns had opened on him and was frightened. Every shot, and all ammunition, had to be accounted for in the daily report. Our ammunition was always delivered amid the deep darkness of midnight, so that no one could possibly tell how much there was in the lot ; and some of it was certain to be fired away before morning. Still, accurate reports were demanded. The officers were constantly interrupted in their much needed sleep, to send or answer telephone calls connected with these am- munition reports. One major agreed to accommodate another with five hundred rounds of ammunition, and took a receipt for them; when he undertook to deliver the goods, he found that his "dump" had been hit and the ammunition destroyed. Letters of explanation were required to clear up the question. As the Germans were slowly retiring from Fismes to the Aisne River, and as the divisional field artillery was hastening this re- tirement by unintermittently pounding the enemy lines, it re- mained for the longer-ranged G. P. F. guns to work damage in the German rear, and interfere in every way possible with enemy plans. Targets were assigned on or near the Aisne, behind Fismes, as, for instance, bridges which the enemy must cross, or over which came his supplies, or ammunition and supply "dumps," or con- centrations of reserve troops, or enemy batteries, which the field guns could not reach. For the most part, firing was done by the map, as the target was scarcely ever visible from the bat- tery; now and then an aviator would remain up long enough to discover the result of the American fire and would render an encouraging report. But the truth was as we have seen, that the German air forces had almost undisputed control of the air and did not permit the French or American aviators to accomplish much. A high hill sometimes enabled the artillerymen to make "terrestrial observation"; but such a hill-top was far from being a health-resort. When the battalions first began firing, one of them found itself facing a mystery. Observers from the Pennsylvania infantry re- With the 3d Corps in the ** Oise-Aisne Offensive'' 123 ported that the 55th were blowing up certain enemy ammunition dumps and doing vast damage — an encouraging item of informa- tion, except that the 55th were aiming at an entirely different target, the town of Merval, some distance from the dumps in ques- tion. Meanwhile the Bat. D observers were unable to find their shots anywhere in the vicinity of the targets at which they were firing. Presently Sgt. Robert T. Duffy of Bat. C detected an error by compass; and examination by the Orienteur (Lt. Erickson) revealed the explanation — the latter officer had been given inac- curate data by the French, who were there when he arrived, and, misled by this error, he had failed to note a mistake which he him- self made in reading "ten grades" as "decigrades." The difference between his error and the French inaccuracy was so small that the two errors concealed each other. While nothing was lost by this particular mistake, it served as a warning and prevented other mistakes. Mistakes occasionally happened. One battery (C) had received firing-orders without its companion battery's being notified; sud- denly a flash lit up the sky and hang! came a loud report — the first shot had been fired. But a gun-commander in the other battery thought for the moment that the ''message" was coming rather than going; so mindful only of the safety of his men, he called out, ''Scatter, men, scatter!" And scatter they did. That night the same men heard projectiles arriving all around them, but not detonating as high-explosive shells should; immediately inferring that the silent shells were charged with gas, they sounded the alarm, put on masks and patiently waited — while forty-eight harmless "duds" fell in succession; and they would have continued longer, watchful and puzzled, had not the forty-ninth shell prop- erly exploded. The neighboring infantry had been forbidden to show any lights; so when the gunners went out to set up the aiming-lights, they were promptly fired upon by infantry sentinels. A Surgeon became ob- sessed with the idea that shells were falling very close to his quarters, and announced that he saw a fresh shell-pit just outside his window; sceptical friends took him out to examine the hole the following morning, and found it carpeted with growing daisies and grass — either a miracle had been wrought, or the doctor had "seen things." (This was the same Surgeon who had reached the years of maturity without ever seeing a tadpole — when he first set eyes upon a par- 124 The Fifty-fifth Artillery tially developed French batrachian, he called out that he had found a "frog with a propeller.") One man^s idiosyncracies often resulted in another man's discomfort. A certain aviator was diffuse and somewhat imaginative in his observations — " he saw a lot of things." In consequence of his reports, the 3d Batl. one night received a firing-order covering nearly everything on the country-side ; so that seven different targets were assigned to a single battery, an assign- ment which involved an immense amount of mathematical work in computing ranges. An impatient officer suggested that they ''cover the whole map with zone fire and be done with it." But Capt. Winn, the Adjutant, was chief sufferer; when he had received about one-third of the order over the phone, he interrupted the transmitter. "Wait a minute; how much more is there of this?" "About twice as much more; why?" "Nothing; only it is very chilly here for a man who has just jumped out of bed, and who has on only his slippers and his identi- fication-tag." A brief recess was taken. Minor accidents sometimes threatened serious consequences. One night a message came from a battery post of command to battalion Headquarters, "You must give me another Chemin-des-Dames-Sud map or I may not be able to fire when needed. " As this map was scarce, an explanation was requested as to the fate of the previous one. "Oh," came the reply, "my cigaret set it on fire and burned it up." Camouflage was all-important, when the enemy controlled the air; and the guns had to be carefully covered with fish-nets and screens and the boughs of trees. The regiment frequently enjoyed the services of Capt. Homer St. Gaudens, son of the distinguished sculptor, who was camouflage inspector in the district; an officer of the 55th, who, years before, had been private tutor in the St. Gaudens family and helped train the young man, now felt that his early labors were yielding unexpected fruit. The utmost cau- tion was observed when placing the guns in firing position, and two nights were required for the process; on the first night pits would be dug and fish-nets or other screens spread over the spot which was to be occupied, and on the second the guns would be brought from their last halting-place and run in under the screens. With the 3d Corps in the ^' Oise-Aisne Offensive^' 125 Camouflage ruled the telephone system also; each center was assigned a call-word; and it was against the rule for anyone to ad- dress another, over the wire, by a military title. Every officer, from the Colonel down, was spoken to as "Mister"; while the call- words of the various posts of command would make a listener-in think he had gotten into a menagerie — the regimental Headquarters was "Barnum," the 1st Batl. responded to the call ''Tiger," the 2d to ''Elephant," the 3d to "Beaver," one of the observation posts (as we have seen) to "Turtle," and each battery had a distinctive word. Need existed for employing caution, for the enemy's system of espionage pervaded everywhere. At Dravegny it was noticed that the hands of the clock on the church-tower had a habit of moving around altho the clock was not running; while a German aeroplane circled about the church, flying low. When American troops gathered to search the church, the plane let fly a spray of machine-gun bullets, while from somewhere came the alarm- call of "Gas! gas!" In the resulting confusion, Lt. Col. Furnival, who was an eye-witness, did not learn whether the Germans es- caped or not; but the church-tower no longer signaled. Every night the 55th were fired on by a gun, which seemed to operate from somewhere in the rear of the American lines; on Aug. 20, a rumor spread that the military police had discovered the gun (so carefully camouflaged that it had been passed by unnoticed, when the lines advanced) and had escorted to the prison-pen the thirteen enemy gunners who worked the mischief. This rumor was characterized by Capt. Kircher and others as untrue to fact — the unusual shots were claimed to have come from an Austrian 88 mm. "Whiz-bang," on the German side of the line; on the other hand, besides the evidence of sound, men of the 55th testified to the author of having actually seen the procession of prisoners. Perhaps the cooks had the hardest time with camouflage regula- tions; for it was their duty to prepare meals without creating any tell-tale columns of smoke. The best method of achieving such a result was to set up the cook-stove in the center of some large, ruined barn or shed, and let the smoke out in the building; thus diffused, the outpouring of the stove-pipe became unnoticeable. Of course some mistakes were made; and innocent men were occasionally accused of being spies. Two Pennsylvania soldiers fell under suspicion and were investigated — their only fault was 126 The Fifty-fifth Artillery that they had been overheard talking the peculiar dialect of Ger- man which is in vogue thruout the Keystone State. At another time two badly scared Italian soldiers were detained — they had merely strayed a few kilometers westward from the Italian sector, in search of wine. A French oj0&cer became infuriated when he was arrested by the 55th sentries, as he was prowling around the batteries; he eventually substantiated his tale that he was search- ing for a lost dog, and he could not forgive those who had ven- tured to suspect him of wrong. As a souvenir of an occasion when there was no mistake about espionage, a sergeant of the Supply Co. retained the rifle of a German spy, whom he had killed near the Abbaye. The mess-sergeants appreciated their responsibility for feeding the men well while in battle; the mess picked up from day to day, and amongst other luxuries came to include considerable pie. In more than one battery, men who could cook pie were specially detailed to perform that task. It happened in Bat. F that, just as an especially fine dessert was served, groups of infantry stragglers were passing on their way from the front; and these hungry soldiers promptly requested to be "let in." So well did they like 55th pie that they asked, as a further favor, to be attached to the battery. There was always plenty of hard work to be done, digging or mak- ing roads; and so the infantrymen were permitted to eat with the battery and to earn their board by wielding the shovel between meals. Several weeks elapsed before the military police discovered these auxiliaries, and led them back to duty — in fact one Penn- sylvanian became so attached to Bat. F and so completely separated from the 111th Infantry that he was actually transferred in regular form to his adopted ''outfit." Of course, conditions were not dainty, despite the utmost endeavors to render them so; as one lieutenant expressed it, when he was observed in the act of ex- tracting flies and grass from his soup, "At home I made a fuss if there was so much as a fly or a hair in my food — here I am thankful if the mess does not eat me, before I can eat it." A favorite form of refreshment between meals, especially in the dug-outs during the evening, was the "trench doughnut"; it was made as follows: Some bacon grease was heated in the mess-kit, on the stove; and a slice of bread was introduced, fried "until brown," and sprinkled with sugar. It was "wonderful." Another officer, when, as he ex- pressed it, he felt "devilish," was accustomed to indulge in dis- With the 3d Corps in the '' Oise-Aisne Offensive^ ^ 127 sipation by eating a piece of bread and jam with condensed milk over it. When the men had been without baths for two weeks or more, they were notified that they might use the new shower and plunge which the 28th Division had established at the Abbaye; and great was the rejoicing over the privilege. It soon became evident, how- ever, that the road to the Abbaye was a perilous one, and several narrow escapes were reported. One man, a battery cook, was given several hours' ''leave" in order that he might bathe, and started forth bravely; but when the shells began falling in his vi- cinity, he hesitated, stopped, and was heard to say, "I don't need a bath so awful bad." One midnight, by way of greeting, the entire 31st Brigade fired a salvo of high-explosive shells into a town occupied by the enemy; as no shots had previously been directed toward this town, the forty-eight great shells, all arriving simultaneously, must have made an impression. During the days when they "were carrying chocolate to the Abbaye," the Red Cross kept the men cheered by providing them with sweets; one of the Red Cross workers, Lt. Asbury White, of Pueblo, Colorado, a crippled little man with a crooked spine, gained for himself the soubriquet of ''Captain Suicide," because of the utter fearlessness with which he drove his Ford right up to the front line on his tours of distribution. Alas! Captain Suicide broke down under the strain, and died two months later. The French Armies began their great Oise-Aisne Offensive on Aug. 18, the day most of the 55th were setting up their guns, and continued it up to the day of the armistice; during the three months of this push, they regained the Chemin des Dames, shat- tered the Hindenburg line and pressed the attack on into Bel- gium. All that the Americans contributed to this offensive in the sector occupied by the 6th French Army was their aid, between Aug. 18 and Sept. 8, in pushing the enemy back from the Vesle to the Aisne; thereafter the Yanks were transferred j to the new American sector, leaving the French to complete the operation by themselves. The 28th and 77th Divisions, and the 31st Heavy Artillery Brigade, were the Americans there participating; and together constituted the 3d Corps. Gen. Gatchell became chief of artillery for the 3d Corps on Aug. 21; and was succeeded in command of the brigade by Col. Louis 128 The Fifty-fifth Artillery R. Burgess, of the 56th Regiment. As the enemy yielded ground, it became necessary for the artillery to advance; on Aug. 21, a platoon of Bat. A crossed the Ardre River at Crugny and took position at Serzy. During the night of Aug. 24-25, Lt. Campbell moved a platoon of Bat. E, the "Lucky Evelyn" and the ''Little Rhody," three kilometers northward into "Death Valley." In spite of bright moonlight and the presence of enemy planes, only three casualties occurred and those not fatal — the men surmized that they were protected by "Providence," as all of them hailed from a city bearing that name. "Death Valley" (one of many such) was three kilometers south of Fismes and extended to the westward, toward Chery-Chartreuve ; it lay just south of St. Gilles, and was the last location toward the German lines affording any cover whatever. The Little Rhody's tractor had its gas-tank punctured by a shell-fragment, just as the gun was trying to cross a stream; the consequent outburst of flame consumed everything combustible on the machine, and also drew a hot bombardment from the enemy, a shower of high-explosive and gas shells. After a delay of two hours, to afford the enemy's exuberance time to cool off, the Lucky Evelyn's tractor helped its mate out of diffi- culty, and pulled both guns into position. The burned tractor was afterwards repaired and rendered as good as new. Several of the men were slightly injured by mustard gas; but the excellent gas discipline saved all from serious harm — at the same time the neighboring infantry lost sixteen men. Sgt. Riback's Little Rhody earned several wound stripes, having the right trail penetrated by two shell-fragments and the cingoli shoe by another; the gun subsequently revenged itself by obtaining a direct hit upon a German marine gun and silencing it — after the crews of both guns in Death Valley had been firing thruout an entire night, while wearing gas-masks for self -protection. The 55th then held positions side by side with the most advanced field artillery on the Vesle. Ten days later, as the Americans were suffering from a concen- tration of German gas, the same battery donned their masks and, thus protected, continued firing during two entire hours, until they had destroyed the enemy guns. For both of these services the battery received commendation from the superior officers. Bat. F were assigned a target and commenced firing, at a season when they had the services of a balloonist as observer; after their With the 3d Corps in the ^'Oise-Aisne Offensive^ ^ 129 fifth shot (by the Strong), the observer phoned for them to cease firing, for the target had been demolished and was in flames. The artillerists inquired what it was that they had destroyed, and were informed that a large distillery had fallen beneath their fire. The regiment now received sixty more trucks, the last invoice they were ever destined to get. Between Aug. 22 and Sept. 4, a detail from Bat. F were busy in the Belleau Wood, near Chateau-Thierry, cleaning up the battle- field where the 2d Division had so distinguished themselves, and salvaging lost materiel. At this time reports circulated to the effect that Alhed prisoners of war were tampering with the German ammu- nition, and were causing '*duds" to fall in the Allied lines instead of live shells; certainly the percentage of poor projectiles was enormous. Lt. Vickers reported that his men actually found a powder-charge, near the Belleau Woods, in which was tucked a note, to the effect that ''Canadian and Australian prisoners are doing their bit." This salvaging was gruesome work, for occasionally the men would come across unburied dead, who had lain there more than five weeks. Everywhere it was evident that the Germans were running short of ammunition; the enemy were methodical about dating all the products of their factories, and on the ammu- nition which we found, they had stamped the date, "July, 1918" — it was impossible that any reserve supply could exist when they were using their most recent products from day to day. A slight retirement of the American infantry line took place on the night of Aug. 26-27; while a hand-to-hand struggle was in progress in the streets of Fismette, some German spy called out that it was "no use to resist," and suggested "surrender," with consequences which were temporarily disastrous. This led to meas- ures utterly drastic for the purpose of rooting out enemy espionage, measures which succeeded. A heavy artillery barrage helped at the time to retrieve the situation. A German plane was forced down immediately in front of Bat. B's position; and a second later the artillerymen were "over the top" with all the celerity of doughboys. The two aviators were prisoners, and the machine was cut up for souvenirs more quickly than the tale can be told today. The French, however, were right in feeling that an attempt should have been made to repair the plane and turn it against its former owners — ^instead of yielding to the American master-passion for souvenirs. 9 130 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Further advance was called for by Sept. 4, and the entire 2d Batl. moved forward past Courville, across the Ardre, and took position on the road north of the river and east of the town. Lt. Roth gives a side-light upon the difficulty of moving motor- ized artillery in his description of Bat. C's participation in this move: "Orders came in the afternoon to move that night. I went on up ahead to look over the roads and didn't get back to the battery till 7 p. m. It was already beginning to grow dark, so the men could work out in the open without danger — and they had already begun placing the guns in traveling posi- tion. At 9 p. M. we were ready, and pulled out. Only had three tractors and four guns, so, as usual, had to haul one gun with two trucks. And it rained! And ye gods, the night was black. When the nights aren't cloudy, we can see quite well by star-light; but when it rains, it's dark. But with the tractors we couldn't move fast, so had plenty of time to pick road. Got to within about a mile of our new position when we had to leave the main road to go thru a big open place. We started to plow thru; but it was then about midnight, and it had been raining since 8.30, so it was pretty soft; the first tractor and gun got stuck in the mud and wouldn't budge. Then came the two trucks pulling second gun. They wouldn't pull the gun thru the soft mud, so I unhitched the trucks and sent them separately on to the main road. One got thru, and the other buried itself to the hubs in mud and stuck there. While this was going on, I was taking the tractor from gun No. 3 (which was following) and placing it in front of the second gun (which the trucks had left). When we reached the stuck truck, we unhitched tractor from gun and pulled out the truck; but by the time the tractor got back to the gun, the gun had sunk into the mud and wouldn't budge. There were two guns stuck and gun No. 3 waiting down by the bridge with nothing to haul it. We fooled around till day-break, then sent tractor back and pulled guns Nos. 3 and 4 on to battery position, and returned to the two stuck guns. Had intended throwing branches and camouflage over them and leave them till night, but, thank Goodness, the rain continued and we could continue working without fear of being observed. Eventually the guns were on their way, but not until the Major came over and superintended the work (which he thought would require an hour, but which required six hours)." With the 3d Corps in the '^ Oise-Aisne Offensive'^ 131 Bat. D successfully camouflaged one of their guns in an old "Adrian Barracks" building, and rendered it entirely invisible; but the structure did not possess strength adequate to the strain. At the very first shot, the powder-blast "brought down the house." It was quickly reconstructed before discovery by the enemy planes. On Sept. 5, the rear platoon of Bat. E rejoined their comrades in Death Valley. Difference of opinion sometimes existed as to what was safe and what, dangerous. Col. Sevier insisted most earnestly upon every- one remaining quiet and, so far as possible, invisible, while in the vicinity of Headquarters. One day the Colonel of a Penn- sylvania regiment happened along with his staff, set up his cook- stove at the same Headquarters and caused the entire party to seat themselves for a leisurely and comfortable meal; and while they were discussing their victuals, their Band stood outside the building and played — played so that all could hear. No disaster ensued. Aviators were apt to procrastinate. When one failed, on a cer- tain date, to keep his appointment and observe the shooting of a battery of the 55th, his tardiness led the artillerymen to go to work on other targets. Finally he did come, and promptly began observ- ing what he thought were the targets; the batteries were firing in a different direction, entirely oblivious of the aviator, while he, seeing flashes in the dark, was looking for the impacts. By chance two shells, from batteries entirely outside of the 55th, fell about five hundred meters "short" of the observed target — so this was signaled to the astonished wireless-operator at battalion Head- quarters. No attention was paid to the message. On our next fire he observed some shots one thousand meters "short"; utterly nonplussed, and disgusted, the aviator signaled, "I am going home." When, a few hours later, he asked for explanations, he was given instruction in the virtue of promptness. On another occasion an aeroplane observer signaled that he was "going home," and set the artillerymen wondering what the matter could be; when pres- ently they saw six German planes in hot pursuit, the mystery was cleared up, and the aviator's "alibi" was accepted as satisfactory. Bat. B's kitten was struck by a shell-fragment — fairly and squarely wounded in action; so the men marked a wound chevron with indeUble ink on puss's shoulder, and were doubly proud of their mascot. 132 The Fifty-fifth Artillery It was at the Vesle front that the festive "cootie," or body- louse, first introduced himself to the 55th. If the gentle reader is wondering why the American soldiers were so brazen about their vermin-infection, let him remember that the "cootie" could be found only at the front, and consequently that he served as an informal '' service-medal." Cooties came large and small, male and female; and it was believed that the itching was caused by the males traveling about, visiting the ladies of their kind. At first, Pediculus vesti- one thought that he had hives; after he had MENTi, THE "Cootie" learned the art of "reading his shirt," he ascer- tained the real cause of his discomfort. It was a mystery how the Surgeon could infallibly tell, at a glance, whether one had the pest or not, when the sufferer could not always tell himself without prolonged investigation; but it seemed that the Surgeon looked, not for the cooties, but for the scratches — if one had scratches, he had cooties. If one happened to get transferred to some region where cooties had not yet taken possession, then he must be cautious not to be caught scratching; or he would speedily know how it felt to be a social leper. The reader will readily understand why cootie-infec- tion was unavoidable, when he takes into consideration the fact that the 55th were occupying dug-outs in which other troops had been sleeping during the greater part of four years, and that no house- cleaning had been possible. Furthermore, the men did not enjoy a change of linen each week. While a few of the more fastidious officers contrived, at rare intervals, to don night-garments before retiring, most of them were in the same position as the battery commander who, the day of the armistice, put on pajamas for the first time in three months. Indeed the humorists used to quote a definition: "Pajamas — the soldier sleeps in his uniform." A new branch of mathematical science came into existence, known as "cootie arithmetic" — its rules were: " They add to your troubles. "They subtract from your pleasure. "They divide your attention. "And they multiply hke Hell." Telephone and radio systems were the nerves of the artillery, and were absolutely essential. The telephone system was tested half -hourly from each end; the line to regimental Headquarters was in one instance in quadruplicate, and the lines were double With the 3d Corps in the '^ Oise-Aisne Offensive^' 133 to each battery; the central was safely situated in a cave at each battalion Headquarters, and the 2d Batl. had a duplicate central at another place. Repairing had to go on as constantly as did the enemy shelling; moreover, the lines were often cut by spies prowling in the rear of the American guns. One line had no fewer than nine breaks in a single night; and one morning, each of the seventy-five or eighty main trunk-lines running by the 2d Batl. Headquarters was broken. There were so many cases of snipped wires that the infantry had orders to shoot any man seen tampering with a line, unless he wore the blue brassard of the army line-man; no blue brassards were procurable, and so, to preserve their own lives, the men were compelled to tear up some blue overalls and improvize arm-bands. The hne-men's task was a perilous one; at first they thought that it might be the new, light-colored ladder which they used, that made a conspicuous mark and drew fire, and they abandoned it; but even so, the shells kept coming. Once, when a shell exploded so near them that only by throwing them- selves flat on the ground could they escape injury from flying fragments, Capt. Leary remarked that it "looked a bit dan- gerous"; the stolid regular, to whom the remark was addressed, grunted, "Yes, there is nothing but danger here.'' A party of line-men who were stringing wire between the 2d Batl. and the regimental Headquarters laid a line more than three kilometers in length, under heavy German fire, and kept expecting all the time that someone would "get caught"; altho they were fortunate and met with no accident, one man of the party who had been quite free in extolling his own fighting qualities became an object of laugh- ter when he sought refuge behind a graveyard wall during a period of unusually vicious shelling. He explained that, if he had to die at that moment, he felt that he would like to be close to a cemetery. Col. Sevier issued a commendatory circular at the completion of the regiment's service with the French Army: "Headquarters 55th Artillery (C. A. C.) American Expeditionary Forces. 14 September 1918. "To the Oj0&cers and Men of the 55th Regiment: "One month ago today this entire Regiment reached the front. It was preceded by a few days by the 1st Battalion. "Valuable training and experience has been acquired. All have done well. Our greatest deficiency was experience in con- 134 The Fifty-fifth Artillery voy work — that is improving each day. Each organization went into action promptly upon its arrival at the front. Every man and officer did his part excellently well. Arduous and hazardous service was required of all. It was given cheerfully and unstintingly. "The Regimental Commander feels that he must, in simple justice, call attention to the men and officers who maintained communications between the various stations and units. They worked night and day under shell-fire, hampered by a lack of material; but by resourcefulness and energy managed to main- tain liaison. Lieutenants Bates, Leary, Pierce, Camm and Hodge are especially commended; equally so are the men who worked under their direction. "Instances of excellent service are numerous. For gallantry and splendid artillery work the 1st Battalion was frequently com- mended by the French authorities, with whom they first served. "Battery E, during the action of the 31st of August, by their splendid shooting and excellent discipline while shelled with gas, proved their worth as soldiers. "While route marching, the discipline maintained by Batteries A and E impressed all who saw them and the Regimental Com- mander most favorably. He has been particularly gratified at the fewness of stragglers and wishes to impress upon organiza- tions and their officers that the absence of straggling is the best proof of the metal of a particular outfit. "Our defects and deficiencies are known to us all; and it is evi- dent that our services will be varied and arduous. Tho experience is a harsh and sometimes costly teacher we must all profit to the greatest possible extent by it; and every man and officer is ad- monished to do his part to correct those things which we all know reduce our efficiency. "It is with deep gratification that the Regimental Commander conveys to the Regiment the repeated commendation of splendid French soldiers who have actually witnessed our efforts. "We all hope soon to be again in action against the enemy and prove to our country that we are worthy of its livery in the great cause to which it has dedicated its moral and material force. "By order of Colonel Sevier. "P. T. Bryan, Jr. "Captain, C. A. C. "Adjutant." With the 3d Corps in the ^^ Oise-Aisne Offensive '^ 135 Col. Sevier's commendation of the telephone line-men included forty-eight men, besides the five officers; forty-two of the men were in Headquarters Co., three were in Bat. D, two in Bat. C and one in Bat. E. While one of these men was subsequently drowned and two were wounded, all came thru their period of service on the Vesle unscathed. The commendations are all noted on the roster later in this book. The motorcycle '* runners" also rendered highly efficient service and merited commendation. Sunday, Sept. 8, opened with sunshine and closed with rain. The Chaplain conducted service for the three units of the 2d Batl. at their positions north of Courville, and journeyed across the fields to the 1st Batl.; as the batteries of the latter were already firing, no services were possible. After holding personal con- ferences with the men, he started for the Abbaye in Col. Dusen- bury's auto. The Chaplain had noted that the French officers habitually carried walking-sticks and had wondered how such a custom originated; now he was to learn. Midway in the home- ward journey, the auto stopped in the center of a field — stopped be- cause the mud was so slippery as to preclude farther progress. Con- ditions were scarcely better for walking, as one kept slipping down grade at every step; during each yard of that two miles the pedes- trian was wishing for a walking-stick sufficiently stout to serve as anchor and steering-pole. Along the road, he passed a regiment of French artillery mov- ing toward the front, and upon arriving at his quarters he found orders to pack and be ready at an early hour the following morn- ing. The 3d Corps had been relieved by French and Italian troops and were under orders to march to another sector — as it proved, to the American sector. Meanwhile the battalions were engaged in their final rounds of firing, their farewell to the Vesle ' and the Aisne. The batteries had orders to move at 7.15 p. m., and to defer packing up until that hour; it was expected that all firing-orders could be completed long prior to the time indicated. At the last moment German shelling of Corps Headquarters brought a counter- battery order. Poor telephone wires rendered communications slow; and it was actually 7.20 when the firing was completed. Orders for this final fire were especially welcome; each battery had just received four hundred rounds of ammunition, and was under obligation to transport the same; by firing eighty rounds before 136 The Fifty-fifth Artillery starting, the battery reduced the amount to be moved by exactly that amount. Then came the task of packing up and leaving amid the dense blackness of a rainy night, and of forgetting nothing, not even the projectiles and spare-parts which had been carefully hidden under clumps of bushes or in holes and ditches, so that enemy aviators should not detect them. One major picked up a lost "trail-lock bolt," knowing well that some battery would soon miss it; and when presently he heard one of his batteries indulging in loud outcries and charging their companion battery with theft, he permitted the altercation to proceed far enough to be interesting, and then ended it by producing the missing part. Some projectiles were also overlooked and left behind; and trucks had to be sent back for them the following day. Ve- hicles had been forbidden to pass Coulonges before midnight; but the restriction was hardly needed in view of the vast number of things having to be done; about 5 a. m. on Sept. 9, the units of the 31st Brigade actually commenced to march thru the streets of that town, and soon both regiments were on their way south- ward. The 55th had completed their task as part of the 3d Corps with the 6th French Army, in the Oise-Aisne Offensive. m.:£m... %"' Battery C Firing at Night North of Arcis le Ponsart American Police Searching German Prisoners Peaceful Appearance of the 55th at Charmontois i/Abbe AIuhju 'I'iiA.Nbruui' Tauk ai C'iiai.:,;w:\ i w..~- ;, Ai>i Comfortably Placed at Charmontois l'Abbe Battery F on Road Near Ippecourt A Glimpse of Bat. F on the Road near Ippecourt iiijnal Corps Photo CHAPTER VII To THE ''Meuse-Argonne" Front ALTHO the 55th were not aware of the fact, a fateful conference had just taken place between Marshal Foch and Gen. Pershing. The great Somme Offensive, which began Aug. 8, was proving so successful, and the consequent German retirement was proceeding so steadily that the Gen- eralissimo concluded to launch another attack and, if possible, end the war then and there. It had been intended to make an attack from the American sector on the following spring, and meanwhile to accumulate sufficient men and equipment so as to be thoroly prepared; the new decision was, to take advantage of the enemy's disposition to retreat, and to encourage their retirement, and transform it into a rout by administering the contemplated blow immediately. Gen. Pershing had placed all America's resources at Foch's command five months previously and had shown his loyalty by scattering the Yanks along the front line, as reserves to French and British units; now he was to assemble as many American divisions as possible in a mighty army, and strike the strongest and most important sector of the German line — strike suddenly so as to enjoy the advantage of sur- prize — strike hard. In order to render the surprize successful, the troops must be moved over the existing roads of the country (for nothing would be a clearer indication of impending military movements than the appearance of newly constructed white roads across the face of the landscape), must be moved in the night-time so as to escape aeroplane observation, and must be moved with the utmost speed. Only sixteen days were permitted to elapse between the formation of this plan and the carrying out of it; and during those days, as a preliminary, the St. Mihiel salient was to be ** pinched out." It was originally planned to rush the 31st Brigade to St. Mihiel in season for participation in the offensive there; but the orders were changed. This rapid troop-movement was the most enormous in which American sol- diers ever participated — more than 600,000 men journeyed a distance of approximately one hundred miles, and were in their appointed positions promptly on time. 138 The Fifty-fifth Artillery On Monday, Sept. 9, in accordance with Foch's plan, the units of the 55th and 56th Regiments assembled in the For^t de Riz, in the vicinity of Chatel Villardelle, and by noon-time the entire 31st Brigade were together. It required 700 paces of roadside to park a single battalion, and, consequently, the woods along the road were fully occupied by the six battalions. Men pitched their "pup-tents'' and settled themselves for a needed rest, and watched with friendly interest the endless column of the 28th Division, who were crowding along the same road. Wet clothing had increased our discomfort by chafing the cootie family into activity. The regiment was very strong as it left the Vesle; Col. Sevier reported a total of 71 officers and 1,667 men, or only 49 less than the maximum. For traveling purposes, four subdivisions of the column were organized — the light column or autos and lighter trucks; the heavy column or guns; the supply column; and the marching column of men on foot. Thruout the movement the 55th continued to receive orders from, and was part of, the 3d American Corps and the 5th French Army. Maj. Dusenbury had become a lieutenant colonel within the previous few days, and commenced to perform the duties of his new rank. Rain set in during the night, and by dawn of Sept. 10, tor- rents of water were descending on the tents and trucks; one officer, who had been longing for a bath, undressed and stood out in the rain, and declared that he never had a finer shower. Unfortunately, just as he had lathered himself from head to foot, it stopped rain- ing for a while; and he was forced to roll in the grass and puddles to get rid of the lather. Most members of the regiment, how- ever, were concerned to keep dry rather than to get wetter; an adjutant, who made the mistake of undressing in his tiny pup- tent, and who knew that he would start his **roof" leaking as soon as he touched the cloth, lost nearly an hour replacing nether garments upon his limbs under constrained conditions. A wise battalion commander did not get up at all, until the rain had stopped. Trucks which were sent back to salvage some forgotten pro- jectiles, in returning to the regiment took a more direct road to- ward Epernay so as to cut off distance; in doing this the vehicles crossed the Mountain of Reims at a point where, so it was rumored, the Germans had made an advance the preceding day. Traveling To the ^' Meuse-Argonne'^ Front 139 over the hills, the truck party were startled by a series of loud explosions on the road just behind them; and without wasting any time to look and investigate, they gave gas to the engines, with a firm resolve that they were not going to be caught by Ger- man shells, while carting ammunition. After putting a safe distance between themselves and the threatened danger, they halted to take an inventory; one *'lame" truck had dropped be- hind, and presently came along with the report that the noise was due merely to a party of French engineers, doing some blast- ing. The brigade set out for Epernay at 8.30 a. m., Sept. 11, moving thru Treloup on the Mame, then along the north bank of the river to Verneuil, where the first undestroyed bridge capable of bearing the guns spanned the stream, and along the main high- way on the south bank to Epernay. This day's journey was memorable for the worst blockade in which the 55th ever became involved. Several influences conspired to cause the congestion : The 3d Corps field artillery started over an hour late, disregarding orders, and attempted to crowd into the same road as the 31st Brigade, before the latter had cleared it — their frightened horses forced our guns to halt; Treloup streets were narrow and had many a sharp corner to impede the progress of the unwieldy tractors, whose drivers had not yet mastered the trick of making their elephants "walk around a corner on their hind legs''; the Verneuil bridge was so lacking in width that the caterpillars actually ran on the side-walks; the roads were slippery with mud; some tractors had gone ''dead," and in consequence certain guns were drawn by two Nash-Quad trucks each; some trucks were "lame"; one tractor broke down right on the bridge; and the French M. P.'s completed the confusion by their mistaken assertion of authority — instead of permitting a steady stream to cross the bridge in one direction for a considerable period, they allowed only a few vehicles to cross to- ward the south, and then sent a few toward the north, and thereby wasted much valuable time. It took the guns six hours to go five miles; and meanwhile the supply trains of the French Army were blocked from both directions. In order to prevent a repetition of this experience, the orders were that "crippled" tractors entrain at Dormans; and the French commander directed the guns and the marching column (1,000 men of the 55th) to embark on cars at Eper- nay and ride the remainder of the distance. As it turned out. Dor- 140 The Fifty-fifth Artillery mans possessed no loading facilities; and the cripples had to creep slowly along the highway as far as Epernay. There on Sept. 13, the heavy and marching columns were placed on trains, under command of Maj. Holbrook, the men camping in the city park until their cars were ready, and proceeded to Souilly, arriving Sept. 16; one sad fatality occurred as an incident to the embarka- tion — Sgt. William H. Woolhouse of Bat. E, reaching back for his canteen, slipped and fell beneath his gun and was run over, with the result that he died two days later, on Sept. 15. During the blockade, a few, who chanced to halt near their supply column, had both time and means to eat the "meal of their lives," while most of the officers and men, far less fortunate, went from early morning to late afternoon without eating. In order to avoid the congested roads, certain staff cars took more round- about routes from Dormans to Epernay, going south by way of Montmort, and incidentally enjoyed the luxury of a visit to certain out-of-the-way French shops, where the officers "stocked up" with fruit, sweets, champagne and, somewhat farther along, with a "real, live pumpkin." The champagne bottles had to be carefully watched to prevent mysterious disappearance (and did eventually vanish), but the pumpkin was easily safeguarded and eventually was transformed into luscious pie. Amongst the sweets were some exquisite cookies, purchased by the prodigal Americans at a cost of 75 francs for the five-pound box. One captain leaned out of his car, as he passed friends, and said, " Hand over your canteen-cup; I have only one little bottle, but you are welcome to share it with me." Investigation revealed how it was that he could be so generous with "one little bottle," for it turned out that the provident captain had brought along a great carboy filled with refreshments. The district was crowded with French troops, to whom the big White car, seating nine people and equipped with 38 X 7 fire-truck tires, worth $1,250 in themselves, was a source of wonder; they would crowd around and dig their fingers into the rubber, and half incredulously say, "Owi, oui, c^est vraiment caoutchouc.'' Many reminders there were of the Germans' advance only two months previously — both artillery-destruction and graves. Everyone had traveled at least twenty miles when, at dusk, Epernay was reached, and there was unanimous consent that it was time to "call it a day"; especially to the marching men did it come with the force of a blow, to be informed that camp was To the " Meuse-Argonne'^ Front 141 five miles farther on. The Band upon reaching their destination crept into an abandoned cow-shed and dropped off in slumber; trucks were emptied of freight and sent back for the exhausted marchers, and loaded up with fifty men to a "Riker'* or "Kelly." All this had to be accompHshed in the darkness of night; and the man with feline ability to see in the surrounding blackness was most useful. It was midnight before the 31st Brigade had all arrived at their destination, a tired lot, the 55th in Oiry and the 56th in nearby Chouilly; and these towns promptly received the nick-names of "Weary" and "Silly." Lt. Crane testified that altho the men were utterly exhausted by such moves as this, being on the road forty or fifty hours without sleep and with very little to eat, so that they would go to sleep in an instant if they were momentarily idle and many times had to be pulled from beneath the wheels of the guns before the tractors could start, he never recalled an instance of grumbling when they were awakened to greater effort. At a point where the road was sufficiently wide for three ve- hicles to go abreast, the driver of a badly steering "Nash-Quad" was unlucky enough to scrape the car in which a party of French officers were proceeding in the opposite direction. Angrily did the latter gesticulate and vehemently did they talk, and one ran after the truck, in order to ascertain its number; but that was no place for an American driver to stop — traffic rules forbade. As the irate Frenchman stood in the middle of the road, all out of wind, shaking his fists and shouting imprecations, the American disappeared around a curve, making a respectful salute with his fingers on the tip of his nose. Even tho the guns were to entrain at Epernay, they had to go all the way to Oiry that night. While climbing up a long hill in the darkness, one of them broke loose; and had it not been for quick action on the part of the crew, using blocks when the brakes refused to hold, a serious accident might have happened; for the road behind was full of vehicles. The marching column also trudged the entire distance to Oiry, except as they were able to clamber aboard trucks and ride the last few miles. From midnight of Sept. 11 until the same hour Sept. 12, the brigade enjoyed real rest; and after so strenuous a day, both officers and men appreciated the lull. Men slept in their "pup- tents," for the most part, while the officers took turns in enjoy- 142 The Fifty-fifth Artillery ing the few beds which the village afforded. Lt. Col. Dusenbury installed himself in some comfortable quarters at a champagne factory, where the liquid was sold for $1 per bottle, and soon the custom of calling upon the new Lieutenant Colonel became highly popular; indeed it was said that everyone went except the Chap- lain. At Oiry the regiment saw how the French had built a cut- across railroad, and estabHshed connections between Chdlons and Paris, when their direct line was broken at Chateau-Thierry. As the threshing season was commencing, there was an oppor- tunity to learn the process; the threshing-machine was built as a fixture in the stone barn, and was operated by horse-power — while all members of the family who were not at war, both male and female, stood by to feed the sheaves amongst the "beaters." Altho polite readers object to seeing the word "manure" set forth in plain type, they will pardon the lapse, in connection with a narrative of the 55th in Oiry; one of the men, while walking thru the courtyard of a large farm-house, upon what seemed perfectly solid ground, howbeit close to the manure pile and covered with a little loose straw, suddenly found himself pre- cipitated into a six-foot-deep pit of the liquid variety of fertilizer, so that he had to swim. When he emerged, he was a sight — or, rather, a smell. During the day, tidings were received of the previous day's American attack at St. Mihiel, with the reassuring information that the annoying salient, of four years' standing, was rapidly disappearing; some officers began to worry as to whether the Yanks could take care of the many prisoners, whom they bade fair soon to capture — the 55th did not yet know what a willing fellow the German prisoner was proving to be. This day also marked the full development of a lusty salvaging talent amongst the 55th. A regiment had to "salvage" when their requisitions failed to bring adequate response from the Quartermaster; they would get what they could from various "dumps" of ordnance and engineering and other property, and would procure other essentials wherever they found the desired supplies. It was unsafe to leave an unguarded truck by the roadside; for, ere the owner returned, his tires or carburetor were likely to have been transferred to some passing vehicle. The officer in charge of a divisional store-house long wondered what became of certain barrels of recoil-cylinder- oil, which "walked off" one afternoon, while the aforesaid officer was chatting with To the ^' Meuse-Argonne'^ Front 143 an innocent supply-lieutenant of the 55th. The regiment were entitled to eight rolling-kitchens and seven tank trucks, accord- ing to the equipment-manual, and they badly needed both; food must be cooked while the column was in motion, if the meal was to be ready within a reasonable time after arrival, and water was usually so scarce and bad that a supply always had to be taken along. But neither of these essentials had been provided. While at Oiry, the supply officers helped themselves to certain French rolHng-kitchens and water-wagons, at times when the owners were either looking elsewhere or seemingly failing to comprehend what was happening; and it came to be reported that "among a crowd of determined Yank salvagers, the poilus were as babes in the woods." When later, however, bills came in from the French, as they usually did, for second-hand apparatus at the price of new, it began to appear that the poilus were not wholly unsophisticated. Bidding a temporary farewell to the guns and marchers, the truck and auto column, about midnight on Thursday, Sept. 12, began a seventeen-mile journey to Courtisols, passing about day- break thru Chalons, the battle-field on which the original Huns had met defeat nearly fifteen hundred years previously. All batteries had been instructed to regulate their progress upon that of the last unit in their column. Because of the noise, there was difficulty in making drivers on the front of trucks hear shouted instructions; and one battery devized the clever plan of seating a man on the tail of each vehicle and connecting him with the assistant driver by means of a signal cord. By this and other means the column was kept together fairly well; and early in the morning of Friday, Sept. 13, the regiment enjoyed the luxury of a refreshing early breakfast at their new stopping-place. "Fri- day the 13th'* proved to be nowise unlucky; and the 55th long remembered Courtisols on account of the town's general neat- ness and the trim Foyer du Soldat, or French Y. M. C. A. hut, and the big armful of white champagne grapes which could be pur- chased for a franc. The regiment had the pleasure of hearing the Courtisols town-crier proclaim a great American victory at St. Mihiel — the complete disappearance of the salient and the capture of two entire German divisions. The night of Sept. 13-14 was again spent on the road, journey- ing from Courtisols to Charmontois I'Abb^ by way of Somme- 144 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Vesle, Moivre, Noirlieu and Givry; the regiment arrived Satur- day morning, Sept. 14, and remained until Sunday evening. Charmontois lay just to the south of the Argonne Forest, and was a quiet little place, sleepy in the warm sunshine of a Septem- ber day; the only lively spot in the village was the inn, where they dispensed some excellent beer — in fact, a connoisseur de- clared that the nearer one got to the German frontier, the better the beer was. The men spent the time resting and cleaning up, and enjoying their mail — ^the first the Chaplain had been able to procure for them since leaving the Vesle. As the 56th were also billeted in Charmontois — Charmontois le Roi on the western side of the Aisne River as distinguished from Charmontois TAbb^ on the eastern side — an opportunity presented itself, Sunday, for holding a brigade church service; while Chaplain Edward T. Reilly of the 56th did not see his way clear to combine Catholic Mass with the mihtary church, and felt obliged to conduct Mass for men of both regiments in the village church, the non-Catholics of both organizations assembled under the apple-trees in an or- chard near the cemetery, and joined with Chaplain Cutler in the Holy Communion. The outdoor worshipers had assistance from the 55th Band and from the 56th's Y. M. C. A. secretary. Many of the battalion officers motored to Rampont, where the 3d Corps headquarters was established, and received preliminary instruc- tions regarding firing-positions. As the billeting officers were also out performing their function, the battalion messes were nearly deserted. One battalion had arranged a chicken dinner for Sunday; few were *'at home" to enjoy it, the chicken was tough, and yet it disappeared and was duly charged for; so that the "alleged chicken dinner" took its place amongst the bat- talion controversies. Some alarm was occasioned by aeroplanes approaching in a threatening manner and "letting loose" their machine-gun fire; but these soon proved to be French machines, engaged in battle practise — of course, not firing in the direction of any living targets. Muddy roads occasioned difficulty for some of the trucks; and more than one vehicle required assistance in disengaging itself from the clutch of French "real estate." A second lieutenant yoked together two Nash-Quads, so as to gain sufficient power to extricate a third truck from the roadside ditch, and when he thought that everything was ready, gave the signal for starting; the two sound vehicles plunged ahead amid mighty To the *^ Meuse-Argonne^^ Front 145 din and uproar, but the cripple remained stationary in the mud — then at length the officer discovered that he had forgotten to establish connection between the victim and the would-be res- cuers. On Sunday evening, Sept. 15, at 8 o'clock, the regiment moved from Charmontois and proceeded by way of Triaucourt, Nube- court, Fleury-sur-Aire, Ippecourt and Vadelaincourt to Souhesme- la-Grande, passing from the Department of the Marne to the Department of the Meuse. In spite of delay caused by the ditch- ing of a truck or two, the column made such good time that it arrived in Souhesme about 1 a. m. on Monday. The 3d Corps had ordered us to Souhesme without providing room for us there. Billets were scarce in the village, owing to the presence there of a divisional Headquarters; while cover for the trucks was not to be found. In an emergency the men could crawl in some- where; but orders were strict, now that we were near the enemy, that trucks must be concealed before day-break. Searching on their own accord, the officers of the 2d Batl. made their way a kilometer farther north, by the aid of a little moonhght, and at Souhesme-la-Petite managed to hide their vehicles — one against the side of a house, another in a barn, two under a big tree, eight or ten in a gully road — and camouflaged them quite effectively. A peasant complained that they were blocking the entrance of his barn, and induced the men to move his farming-implements out for him, by hand ; then breakfast was eaten and everyone went to sleep. Indeed the drivers and chauffeurs had been on duty so constantly that they could not keep their eyes open — one chauffeur had reached the point where he was driving in his sleep, and even ditched his Dodge car while in this condition, without awaking. As there was no shelter for the trucks of the 1st and 3d Battalions and the 56th Regiment, the officers had to disregard camouflage instructions completely, and parked their transportation on the very top of a hill; a signboard with letters twenty feet high could not have advertized their presence more clearly. All that saved them was that French trucks had been accustomed to park there, and had rendered the Germans accustomed to the sight. Reports of this condition of affairs must have reached the 3d Corps at Rampont; for a staff-officer happened along soon after- wards. At first he ''blew up" the 2d Batl., not seeing the others; but upon further consideration decided that they were doing 10 146 The Fifty-fifth Artillery pretty well and moved on to Souhesme-la-Grande, and discovered the real trouble. Col. Sevier concluded to move on to a better position; within a half-hour came a message from the Corps con- firming his decision and directing that the trucks proceed at once, nearer to Verdun, and take shelter beneath the woods of Camp Moulin Brule, distant only seven kilometers from that famed city. It was further stipulated that trucks must move at fif- teen-minute intervals, so as not to apprize the enemy that a large convoy was on the road. When the proper authorities were reminded that a single day would not be long enough to move all, in any such deliberate manner, they answered, ''Use your judgment"; so the trucks were despatched at ''fifteen-minute intervals," an interval expiring about once in three minutes. By dusk, all were at the designated camp, and well camouflaged under the trees. MouHn Brule proved to be an old French frontier fortification, an outpost of Verdun, and was amply large to shelter both the 55th and the 56th regiments. The Germans could hardly fail to notice unusual road activity, under existing conditions; and altho they had never before mo- lested Moulin Brule, they sent their planes over to drop a wel- come upon us, shortly after the regiment's arrival — Monday evening, Sept. 16. An additional provocation was offered by the guns; they had detrained at Souilly that day, and were mov- ing during the evening toward Moulin Brule, with flames shoot- ing a foot high out of the tractor exhausts, and with grinding and snorting which could be heard an hour before the column came within sight. Upwards of one hundred fifty bombs were dropped, both in the woods and along the road; all took such shelter as was possible in existing ditches and splinter-proofs under the trees (all except one or two who were too sleepy to wake up even for "Jerry the Bomber"); and a sergeant major mounted guard with a piece of scantling and threatened to knock off any head that was exposed above ground. On the road the tractors stopped and waited for the storm to pass. The 55th were so fortunate as to escape without casualties; but the French lost a lieutenant wounded and three men killed, while the 56th suf- fered the loss of more than one dozen men. On Sept. 17 and 18, the brigade, now all together again, rested, while they made needed repairs to the transportation — indeed the 56th retained Moulin Brule as their "rest-camp" during the To the '' Meuse-Argonne'^ Front 147 ensuing month; it was the first opportunity most of the regi- ment had to undress and lie down, in eight days. The 3d Corps post-office had just located at Souhesme; and a big mail was handed out to the 55th as a reward for long and patient waiting. Unexpected word was received about this time from the regi- ment's friends back at Aubiere. The majors of the 303d Field Artillery, a Camp Devens organization, reported to Col. Sevier for instruction and training, and stated that their division was broken up for replacements and their regiment transformed into a motorized, G. P. F. "outfit," and that they were training at O. & T. Center No. 3, with Headquarters in the very village formerly occupied by the 55th; it seemed Uke a message from home. The 303d was destined to reach the front just before the armistice, and did not get into the battle. Meanwhile the 55th's officers were out reconnoitering and exploring the Verdun battle- field; altho the process was hazardous (one party in the famous Bismarck tunnel wondered whether they could ever find their way out) and kept the explorers within both view and range of the enemy batteries, still it was thrillingly interesting — and the need for reconnoitering supplied an adequate excuse. The 55th were first assigned to the vicinity of Charny-sur-Meuse, below Verdun on the river. This was changed to Chattancourt, just below Le Mort Homme hill, where 300,000 men had lost their lives in 1916 and 1917, and right on the famous battle-field. Finally, on Sept. 19, orders came from the 1st Army that the regiment were reheved from the 3d Corps and would operate under direc- tions of "Army Artillery, 1st Army," of which Maj. Gen. Edward F. McGlachlin was "Chief." The Foret de Hesse was designated as the place in which the 55th should enter battle. Another all-night march began on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 18. The regiment moved westward along the Paris-Metz highway, past Dombasle, the movement being carried out amid inky darkness, with only an occasional moon-beam shining thru the clouds; meanwhile the road was under shell-fire from large-caliber German guns. Between Dombasle and Recicourt the column divided; and while the supply-trucks moved into the Bois de Brocourt, the Bois de St. Pierre and the Bois de Fouch^re, south of the road, the men and most of the guns turned to the right and moved northward into the Foret de Hesse. In the course of this procedure, the " Jiggerboff us " met with an accident, break- 148 The Fifty-fifth Artillery ing the steering-apparatus of the limber-wheels, and immediately began to wobble along like a truck with broken steering-knuckles. By tying a rope to the steering mechanism of each wheel and having two men, one on each side, walk along holding fast to the ropes, the crew managed to keep up the progress of the gun — but under great difl&culty. The other guns waited for the cripple. Because the "Jiggerboffus'' could not well stop, it forged ahead; and it was actually very early in reaching its position. By the morning of Sept. 19, Batteries A, B and F had arrived near their assigned stations, and twenty-four hours later all six units were on the ground. Bat. C being ready first of all — and thereby gaining warm commendation from the French, "one of the best pieces of work seen during the entire war." As Sept. 20 chanced to be a cloudy day, with little danger of enemy observation, nothing prevented the working parties from continuing labor on their emplacements. By 5 p. m. on Friday, Sept. 20, eleven and one-half days after leaving Arcis le Ponsart, Col. Sevier was able to re- port twenty-three guns "ready to fire," and the remaining gun nearly so. Rest-camps were established in the woods south of Recicourt, and these were not entirely abandoned until the ar- mistice; they were well protected, but were too far from the guns to be of the highest value — telephonic communication was im- possible over so great a distance. The guns were emplaced in the Bois de Chattancourt section of the For^t de Hesse, along a forest road running toward Avocourt, with the 1st Batl. on the right, the 3d in the center and the 2d on the left. The regi- mental post of command was also in the Foret de Hesse, at the "Camp du Gendarme," about two thousand yards in the rear of the guns. When the officers and men of regimental Headquarters looked about them on the wet and cheerless morning of Sept. 19, they noted many warning signs along the roadside: ^^Eteignez toutes vos lumihes." **Le porte de Casques est obligatoire" "Gas alert zone." ^^ Route gard^J^ ^^ Defense de stationer J^ *^ Fractionnez les convois." "Keep to the right." To the ^' Meuse-Argonne^' Front 149 From these indications, as well as from the strictness with which the injunctions were enforced by the military police, and from the troops thronging the road and all moving northward, the 55th were led to realize that they had arrived at the front — their journey to the Meuse-Argonne was completed. CHAPTER VIII Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German DURING the five days which elapsed between the arrival of the 55th at the Meuse-Argonne front and the com- mencement of the offensive, the regiment had opportunity to do some quiet observing; they found themselves in a very different position from any previously occupied by them. The enemy lines were only 4,000 yards distant from the heavy American guns, less than one-half as far away as at the Vesle, while the regimental post of command was only 2,000 yards in the rear of the guns. Any German artillery, even the lightest, could easily reach both the batteries and the post of command. As a matter of fact, a new theory was beginning to control the operation of the Army Artillery, a theory which the American experts may have acquired from their opponents, or one perhaps which they had thought out for themselves. Thereafter instead of being five miles from the enemy lines, we were to find our guns emplaced well in advance of the field artillery and not far removed from the infantry, while our rest-camp was to be with the in- fantry reserves. The heavy guns were pushed as far to the front as possible at the inception of a drive, with the idea that they would "shoot up" the enemy batteries and roads, and would be able to keep the foe in range, as the latter retired before the ad- vancing Yank infantry. Starting with their targets nearby, the 55th could follow up the retreating enemy until the latter were 19,000 yards distant; and as the event proved, the "big guns'' did almost infinite damage during that long period. Of course there was a possibility that the enemy might attack first, and cap- ture the American guns; there was little chance of moving the latter away with sufficient speed to save them, in the face of a sharp advance by the Germans. The infantry line, between the guns and the enemy, was not invincible. But the artillery ex- perts on the general staff planned to use the artillerymen as infantry in the face of such an attack, remembering that every cannoneer was armed with either rifle or revolver. In point of fact, the Germans never did make such a drive against our lines while we were getting ready to attack them; and it became known Enter J the Army Artillery; Exitj the German 151 that, on at least one occasion, they mistook the American tractors for tanks, and were so concerned to meet an expected onslaught by those monsters that they never thought of doing anything aggressive. An advanced position, within easy range of German artillery, was not comfortable or safe. During the days of waiting, a dud struck just behind Bat. E's guns, landing between a tractor and the tiny tent in which the driver was sleeping, bounded against the tractor's radiator and smashed it, and then fell into a nearby shell-hole; everyone shuddered to think what would have hap- pened if the projectile had exploded. Another tractor had its gas-tank punctured by a shell-fragment. Bat. F had men wounded on Sept. 22; Pvt. Emmons W. Putnam was knocked off the seat of his tractor by the concussion of an exploding shell, and Pvt. De Vito received slight injury. The 2d Batl. Headquarters heard a shell explode amongst the 3d Batl. dug-outs on Sept. 25, and telephoned to inquire whether anyone had been hurt; back came the answer, "Yes, it did sound close, and I will see about it," and then a moment later, "It hit the top of my dug-out, but it did not go thru.'' It was at this time that the regimental post- ofl&ce had its narrowest escape; the establishment was located in a truck and came within a very few yards of serving as target for a mustard-gas shell — a shell which was by no means a dud. Cas- ualties actually took place in the 112th Engineers, who were encamped in immediate proximity to the post-office. So many Americans had suffered from German gas during pre- vious engagements that the army entertained an extreme respect for that type of ammunition; every night gas-alarms would be relayed along the lines; and everyone had to awake and don the gas-mask. An alarm was given by pounding on empty artillery cartridge-cases, or by sounding claxon horns, or ringing bells, or firing rifles, and all the time shouting "gas"; the noise came with a jarring effect on one's nerves, when one was utterly tired and was in the midst of the night's first sound slumber. These alarms originated at some point where a gas shell or container had fallen — the trouble was, that they were not confined within reasonable limits, and often spread for miles. After losing one night's rest from this cause, the 55th made a rule that the gas sentinel must first sense the presence of actual gas before repeating an alarm which had originated at a distance; and in this manner the regi- 152 The Fifty-fifth Artillery mental repose was safeguarded. One alarm was squelched by two tiny French donkeys; when they were awakened by the racket, they decided to have a share in the uproar, and raised their voices in mighty unison, easily making themselves heard. Perhaps it was the participation of real jackasses in the chorus which made the soldiers feel that they were merely "playing second fiddle '* — at any rate the gongs and horns and fire-arms at once became silent. Great care was exercized not to betray to the enemy the ad- vanced state of the American preparations; a thin screen of French infantry occupied the foremost trenches until the evening of Sept. 25 — troops left behind when the 2d French Army gave over the sector to Gen. Pershing's divisions; and only French was per- mitted to be spoken over the telephone lines, for fear of discovery by listeners-in. Some of the messages must have been charac- terized by a distinct Yank accent, but they did not arouse much suspicion amongst the enemy. Greatest care was exercized by the Americans to render themselves inconspicuous when hostile planes were over-head; and the gravest danger of detection arose when tractors were moving guns into position. So listening-posts were established at a distance, to note the approach of the aerial observers; and when such were heard, word was signaled to the tractors to keep quiet until the danger passed. Altho the Ger- mans manifested signs of restlessness while the American blow was preparing, they clearly did not realize what a formidable enemy was massing against their front. A vocabulary greeted the regiment in the Fordt de Hesse, which was new to some of them. They had fought as battalions, each of them part of a regiment, and the latter a part of the 31st Brigade; now the battalions were "groups,'^ each known by its commander's name, the regiment was the ''sub-groupment Dusenbury," and together with some French units constituted the "sub-grouping Sevier," and the American brigade had been expanded into the "Aire grouping." This new designation was derived from the Aire River, the little stream which flowed northward between the For^t de Hesse and the Argonne Forest; the grouping was com- manded by Brig. Gen. William C. Davis, who had hitherto been in command of the 32d Brigade. Col. Sevier had under his direction not only the 55th Regiment (63 ofl&cers and 1,621 men) but also the French artillery commanded by Col. Albaret (43 Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 153 officers and 1,362 men) ; the latter was subdivided into four groups, *'Marteau" comprizing eight 270 mm. mortars, "Croiet" with six 240 mm. G. P.'s, "de Geoffroy" with two 16 cm. marines, and "Deguise'' with ten 155 mm. guns. The 56th Regiment together with their cooperating French batteries, were known as "sub- grouping Long"; the French artillery with the 31st Brigade were portions of the 56th, 73d and 78th Regiments and the Marine Artillery. The 55th were to fight this battle while stationed at the very center of Pershing's line. There were two French corps (the 17th and the 2d Colonial) east of the Meuse River under American command, an arrangement by which the battle-field of Verdun was left to the keeping of troops who had already so heroically made good their assertion, "They shall not pass"; but the brunt of the new offensive was to be between the Meuse and the Argonne, and the blow was to be struck by American arms. The army was formed in three corps, the 3d on the right, nearest Verdun, the 5th in the center, and the 1st on the left, between the Aire River and the middle of the Argonne Forest. The 5th Corps, with which the 55th served thruout the entire seven weeks of conflict, had been newly organized for the St. Mihiel Offensive, and was under the command of Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron; and con- sisted, at the start, of three divisions (from right to left), the 79th, the 37th and the 91st, with the 32d Division and the 1st Division in reserve. Altho the 55th fought in the sector of the 5th Corps, their tactical direction, until toward the very last, came from the Headquarters of Army Artillery, 1st Army, or from Maj. Gen. Ernest Hinds, Chief of Artillery, 1st Army. It is necessary for the reader to obtain a conception of the magnitude of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The most tremendous battle in which units later of the 55th had ever engaged, the most terrible in all American history, was the dread struggle at Gettys- burg on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863; this battle affords a standard by which to measure Pershing's assault upon the foe. At Gettys- burg the line was thirteen miles long, in France it was nineteen — not a notable difference, so far as mere area was concerned. Meade commanded 85,000 men on his line and was opposed by 75,000; Pershing commanded 770,000 men and had, against him, 362,000. Meade established a record in his day by concentrating the fire of 80 cannon for a period of 30 minutes; Pershing had 3,928 guns 154 The Fifty-fifth Artillery of three-inch caliber or greater in action for six hours as a *' prep- aration'^ for his battle. The struggle at Gettysburg continued three days and resulted in the death of 5,000 men; the Meuse-Ar- gonne lasted 47 continuous days (the 55th was not out of action a minute) and caused 24,500 fatalities. Gettysburg was a battle by itself, with a well-defined beginning and end, while the Meuse- Argonne Offensive was merely an operation within a single, great struggle which lasted without intermission fifty-one months, and during its closing period involved more than 3,000,000 Allies in a vast attack along the whole line between the English Channel and the Syrian desert. Before the 55th, extended six successive lines of German de- fense, each carefully prepared and rendered impregnable; from a center north of Verdun these systems radiated like the ribs of a fan. First came the Hindenburg line, which the 55th saw at Malancourt; second, the Hagen Stellung, which we associated with Varennes and Cheppy; third, the Volker Stellung, at Char- pentry, Epinonville, Ivoiry and Montfaucon; fourth, the Kriem- hilde Stellung, at Romagne; fifth, the Freya Stellung; and sixth, the Lille-Metz line behind the Meuse River. A " switch-line '* connected the Hagen and Volken Stellungs, to the eastward of Montfaucon. No effort had been spared in constructing the lines, and vast numbers of captive civilians were forced to labor on them; the enemy had held them continuously during four years, and believed that the tenure would be permanent. Concrete or log dug-outs and concrete "pill-boxes'' dotted the lines at frequent intervals, and were provided with every possible con- venience — heaters, electric lights, and much furniture stolen from French villages; the gardens were the crowning feature. How the Germans loved cabbage! white cabbage, red cabbage, crinkly cabbage were all growing there, ready for the harvest. Old CoUey Gibber has left us the proverb, "Stolen sweets are best"; possibly he foresaw how the Americans would enjoy the cabbage which they were soon to capture. Much sauerkraut was also found in the dug-outs; but of this the Americans were distrustful, as they feared booby-traps, and knew how easily ground-glass or arsenic could be mixed with the favorite German relish. According to the plan of battle, the 5th Corps was to make a bulge or salient in the center, at the outset. Pershing's right Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 155 flank was on the River Meuse and the left in the heart of the Ar- gonne Forest. Plans developed slowly for solving the river prob- lem; but from the first, it was arranged to advance Pershing's Americans on the east of the forest while the 4th French Army- advanced on the west of it, with the idea that the two forces, one on each side of the wooded country, should squeeze the enemy out of his covert. Progress both on the Meuse and in the Argonne was conditioned upon an immediate and great advance by the 5th Corps. All strategists recognized the Meuse as being the most critical portion of the German front; there was the easiest approach to Briey, whence came coal and iron for the foe, and, more impor- tant still, there was the only line of railway by which he could supply or reinforce his armies, or make his escape in case of dis- aster. The Metz-M^zi^res railroad was the "exit" into' the fatherland — with the exception of a round-about route via Liege, the only exit. If one may change the figure, Belgium and northern France constituted a vast bottle, in which were upwards of 2,000,000 Germans; there were only two necks to the bottle, and of these, only one was practicable. Foch had assigned to Pershing the task of "corking the bottle." This would have been under- taken earlier in the war, were it not for the incredible difficulty presented by the terrain; woods, streams, high hills and deep valleys rendered the Argonne an almost impossible region for maneuvering an army, and Corking the bottle caused the Germans to regard it as the safest section of their line. Modern warfare may be understood by comparison with the game of foot-ball. Success rewards the team which is best able to advance the ball; and ability to advance the ball is dependent upon openings, which are made in the opponents' Hne, and upon interference provided by fellow-members of the team. Without openings and interference, the ball cannot be advanced and victory is unattainable. In the war-game, the infantry were the players who ran with the ball, and the artillery were the ones charged 156 The Fifty-fifih Artillery with responsibility for making openings and furnishing inter- ference; the preparatory artillery fire broke down the enemy wire and destroyed his trenches and guns — made the opening — while the rolling-barrage afforded protection to the advancing infan- try — provided interference. The doughboys had the more spec- tacular part of the task, but the artilleryman's work was not a whit less important. In regard to relative peril, the artillery did not suffer so frequently as did their companions; but when the stroke fell, it was apt to be more damaging; "the artillery gave and took hard knocks." A contrast existed between the French and American troops in their attitude toward their task; while the poilu, in his gallantry, went to battle "as to a festivity," the Yank's attitude was rather one of grim determination to get thru with the unpleasant business as soon as possible; and he reminded one of a man, saw in hand, approaching a wood-pile. Certain "gentleman's agreements" were in effect when the Americans took over the Meuse-Argonne sector — there was a spring near Avocourt, which the French used for bathing purposes in the morning, and the Germans in the afternoon; and it was against the rules to violate the Saturday half-holiday by doing any shooting between noon and midnight on the last day of the week; these agreements were promptly repudiated by the Americans. The motto of the new-comers was, "end the nasty affair, the touter the suiter J^ While men of the 55th thought they knew what traffic-conges- tion meant before they reached the For^t de Hesse, they soon learned differently. The narrow road thru the woods reminded them of the narrower New England streets after a prolonged wet season, with sticky mud ankle-deep. They found themselves mingled in a throng of trucks, cannon, autos, horses, mules, jackasses and marching men, and mile after mile they must "plosh, plosh, plosh" along, while the weight of their equipment seemed to increase from sixty pounds to vastly more; when a truck passed bearing the painted injunction, "Load not to exceed 3 tons," a soldier exclaimed, "I wish they had put a sign like that on me." They exchanged day for night, and made their movements during the hours of darkness; for they must not expose themselves to observation by the "birds of ill omen," who loitered over-head — birds whose wings are now clipped, thank the Lord! Their movements were entirely without lights — Enter J the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 157 no flash-lamps in their hands, no head-lights on the vehicles, not even lighted cigars, as a rule; for the tiny glow made by a man smoking, sometimes brought destruction upon himself and his comrades. When sleeping time (in their case, toward day-break) came, they retired to rest, retired to the adjoining field, and rested on a soft bed — mud was the softest mattress in the world — each man with his head inside his blanket for warmth. Such was the soldiers' life, day after day; and they gained an appreciative understanding of Lt. Jack Turner's (Newfoundland) version of Virgil : "Arms and the mud I sing — the mud we find To right and left, before us and behind. Inside our boots, our clothes, our eyes, our ears, In everything we own of every kind. "We're getting used to Fritz's little game, We don't find things as bad as when we came, The shelling doesn't bother us so much. But mud is everlastingly the same. "Oh, Mud! Mud! Mud! Must raiment, food and bed Be full of thee? Sleep and clothed and fed. Must you be always with us and, at last, Must we be buried in you when we're dead? "But still 'tis not much use to raise a fuss, And when we feel inclined to rave or cuss. We find some consolation in the thought That Fritz is getting it as bad as us." The shelling and bombing did, however, bother; shells came with a prolonged whirring whistle, ending with a bang! or if fired from high-velocity guns, with the familiar "whiz-bang," and bombs were silent save for the ominous droning of the plane over-head and the earth-shaking boom! upon striking — favors, they were, from the skies, but sent by children of the devil and not from him who dwelleth above. Sometimes the aerial marauder would drop all his bombs at once — "let down his tail-gate and dump his load" — and after such an interruption of traffic, the troops were almost certain, when they resumed their progress, to leave by the roadside one or more shallow graves marked by humble wooden 158 The Fifty-fifth Artillery crosses. Traffic rules were designed for the purpose of minimizing these perils; and the men adopted as their popular slogan, ^'Be a good sport and obey the M. P." — those were the days before the miUtary police had become unpopular. Indeed Americans were far too indifferent to danger — they were "new" in the war; enemy aviators used to report that, in an air raid, the French rushed into the cellars and the Americans into the streets. Some of the troops, more often infantrymen, threw away their identification tags because of sheer superstition; they coupled the number on the disk with the colloquial expression, to ''get their number," and resolved to do all in their power to camouflage their numerical identity. The methodical German was accustomed to stamp a numeral on each unit of artillery ammunition. When, one day, an American infantryman experienced a narrow escape from an exploding shell and presently, examining a fragment of the projectile which chanced to fall beside him, discovered upon it the very group of figures which he wore on his identification tag, he raised a loud outcry, "The Hun has done his worst to get my number, and has failed; he can never hurt me now. " And this man immediately lost all nervousness. The absence of tags, however, was a great handicap to burial parties, who were often unable to identify the remains which they interred. The spirit of the Yank soldiers was wonderful. A company of the 55th, at the close of a hard day, were standing in line waiting for supper; the supper, when it came, was to be "slum" and dry bread and coffee, and even that was late; the mud was deep, and the French heavens over- flowed with moisture; under such conditions, men are apt to curse and swear. A passer-by stopped and listened for indications of discontent; this is what he heard, in full, manly chorus, with tenor and bass parts well harmonized: "When you come to the end of a perfect day And you sit alone with your thought; While the chimes ring out with a carol gay For the joy that the day has brought." What a representatively American group the divisions of the 5th Corps were, as they went into position all around the batteries of the 55th. Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn's 79th Division consisted mainly of drafted men from Pennsylvania and Maryland; Maj. Gen. C. S. Farnsworth's 37th Division were Buckeye National Guardsmen — Ohioans; Maj. Gen. William H. Johnston's 91st Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 159 Division were drafted men from the states of the Pacific Northwest; and Maj. Gen. W. G. Haan's 32d Division were the same quiet, reliable, Michigan and Wisconsin men whom the Bostonians had met a month previously near the Vesle, and from whom we had drawn so many trained truck-drivers in April. Later, the 55th were associated with Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher's 42d or Rainbow Division, Maj. Gen. John A. Lajeune's 2d Division (with its Marine brigade), and Maj. Gen. William M. Wright's 89th Divi- sion; the 89th consisted of drafted men who had been trained by Gen. Leonard Wood and who came from the very states which furnished the "Rough Riders" of Spanish War fame — Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. At the last, the veteran 1st Division of Regulars came into the 5th Corps, under command of Brig. Gen. Frank Parker; Lt. Col. Theodore Roose- velt, Jr., and Capt. Kermit Roosevelt were distinguished officers in the 1st. On the right of the 5th Corps, the 3d and 5th Regular Army Divisions (the former commanded by Brig. Gen. Preston Brown, and the latter by Maj. Gen. Hanson E. Ely) of the 3d Corps received artillery support from the 55th Regiment. While the roads were congested by the passing of the divisions, they were rendered even more crowded by the coming of four hundred and fifty tanks; these were mostly of the whippet or "baby" variety; and as they awkwardly rolled amongst the trucks and marching men, they did much to increase the difficulty of travel in the Foret de Hesse. During the battle, the 55th came in more or less direct contact with every one of Pershing's twenty- one divisions. As the 55th Artillery Brigade were with the 32d Division, their arrival afforded the 55th Regiment a long-desired opportunity of clearing up post-office difficulties. These two organizations came from widely diverse sources, the brigade having originated in Tennessee and North Carolina, but their identity of number led to constant association and confusion in the minds of the postal authorities; it was a rehef to both parties when they met and straightened out the tangles. The presence of the 32d Division brought about a highly unusual instance of personal adjustment and relief. In connection with the artillery training-school of April and May, a corporal of Bat. F, 55th, had been transferred to Bat. F of the 119th F. Arty., while a corporal of the latter organi- zation had replaced him in the 55th, both transfers having taken 160 The Fifty-fifth Artillery place regardless of the transferees' wishes; now, chancing to meet in the forest, the two corporals decided to re-exchange, and each to return to his original battery. It was customarily the privilege of commanding officers to transfer enlisted men, a privilege jealously guarded; as, however, this transaction was not discovered until some time later, and as there seemed to be substantial ground for permitting the restoration of men to their original organizations, the two corporals "got away with their stunt." French artillery had occupied the Bois de Chattancourt since the beginning of the war, and had developed some fairly commo- dious dug-outs; and the 55th felt that they rightly inherited a share of the accommodations. The commander of corps artillery in the 5th Corps was, at the beginning of the battle, a French officer named Gen. Alexandre. When Capt. Kircher, then commanding the 2d Batl., undertook to occupy a part of a French structure as post of command, he came in conffict with a representative of the General, and aroused a flow of vigorous language from the Frenchman; pre- tending, in self-defense, that he did not understand French, he actually marveled at the Frenchman's fluency and earnestness, and was able fully to appreciate the "aside" of another French officer on a similar occasion, to the effect that "all had better put on their gas-masks." Yielding his claim to this post of command, Capt. Kircher next investigated a palatial dug-out; and hesitated about tak- ing possession because of the probability that he would later be "ranked out" of it by some general. Sure enough — along came Gen. Pershing presently, and made his Headquarters there. By and by, however, the battalion became comfortably settled in the former dug-out of a French field battery. Gen. Alexandre was not pleased with the 55th's gun-positions and did not hesitate forcibly to express his disapprobation — they were too far forward — it was a "sin"; it was clear, however, that the doughty General was not equally conscientious about the sin of profanity. The fact was, the 55th held positions which he himself would have liked to occupy. Great care was used to instal the telephone system in duplicate or triplicate, with at least one of the "centrals" in a safe dug-out; the same rule applied to wireless installations — and the event proved the wisdom of the caution, when one of the antennae sets of the 2d Batl. was shot away on the night of the 26th. Enemy Planes m-S:-*-'^- •^. Near P. C .sevier, Entrance to Rest-Camp M-j^ : ^ x^. -^-^ ' W^-: ^ H: ^M- p. C. Sevier, in the Bois de Recicourt Regimental Telephone Central in the Bois de Recicourt Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 161 Bat. C had for the battery commander's dug-out a tunnel, run- ning straight into the hill-side, and roofed with elephant-iron; as one looked in thru the entrance, past the first sergeant's table, and noted the stores heaped on the floor and the cots and the chart table at the extreme rear, all showing dimly in the candle- light, one was reminded of Ali Baba's treasure-cave. As the result of broken rest, irregular meals and bad water, the officers of one battalion all came down with diarrhea shortly after arriving in the Bois de Chattancourt; coffee could not be used, as it interfered with what little sleep was otherwise possible; so the major sent to Bar-le-Duc for a keg of beer (30 francs for the beer and 45 francs for the keg), and began to cure the sick. Soon the battalion post of command, now transformed into a dispensary, became a popular loitering place for passing officers. One battery phoned that they had five sick officers, and were told to ''send along"; but when the orderly brought six canteens, he roused the Adjutant to protest. *'I thought he said there were only five patients over there." "Yes, sir; but he told me that, if I would get it, I could be sick too." Abandoned artillery horses were numerous in the woods, and wrought some mischief by tripping over telephone wires and thus breaking communications. Usually the unfortunates were at the point of death and required only to be led to some deep shell-hole, where their approaching decease would occasion the least labor for the burial squad. Sometimes it seemed as if rest and good food might effect a cure. A lieutenant in Bat. F presently began to appear on horseback, and aroused so much envy as he rode up and down the column of trucks that he gained the title of "Galloping." Then the Ordnance Officer became mounted. A lieutenant in Bat. C coveted similar prominence and, taking possession of an equine derelict, began to indulge in dreams of becoming a "man on horseback." But this last steed failed to respond to treatment, and grew so emaciated that he was evidently approaching his end; Bat. C drove him away in order that they would not have the task of burying him; and the last they saw of him, he was dragging himself helplessly toward the territory of Bat. F. The next morning he lay dead — on Bat. C's side of the road; and indications were clear that he had been helped back from the other battery's pur- lieus. After a spirited altercation, it was agreed as a peacemaking 11 162 The Fifty-fifth Artillery compromise, that each battery should furnish half of the burial squad. (The equestrians were, by name, Warshaw, Herbert and Munson.) As we were not entitled to ''draw" forage for horses, we were put to it to feed the animals; in at least one battery a regular detail of men were assigned the duty of watching neigh- boring field artillery regiments and "borrowing" feed from them. On another occasion a burial party were preparing to inter a dead mule (a rare event, as mules seemed to bear charmed lives), when out ran a French soldier and helped himself to a large steak of mule-meat; presently another poilu came forth from the thicket, evidently having heard of the treasure-trove, but was too late — he found only a filled grave. The burial party were disappear- ing down the road, and yet were near enough to hear this, ''Who buried that mule?" For a long time afterwards members of the battery were fond of inquiring, ''Who buried that mule?" and responding to their own query with the name of the sergeant, who had charge of the squad. With the woods crowded as they were, it was impossible to ob- serve all of the usual safety precautions; kitchens could not be thoroly hidden, ammunition could not be stored in small lots, at a distance from the guns and, above all, the infantry could not be stopped from crowding around the artillery with tents and draft animals. Their presence was apt to attract the attention of aerial observers and to endanger the lives of the 55th ; but there was no- where else for them to go. One thing, however, the artillery could prevent — namely, the setting up of an infantry rolling-kitchen right in front of a 155 gun; the infantry cook thought otherwise and was well along with the preparation of dinner; but when the (Bat. D) gun was fired, and the blast sucked the slum bodily out of the kettle and strewed it over the surface of the earth, that particular infraction of camouflage discipline ended. But the author is anticipating — during the first five days no shots were fired; the American artillery lay hid. The men could not restrain expressions of amazement over the vastness of the military power assembling round about them. As countless men and guns, and endless munitions and supplies moved into place, the 55th began to appreciate the expression, "the might of a great nation." They knew what stood behind this demonstration of military power; they understood the effort and sacrifice of the people back home. To them, the child who went without candy in order to save sugar, Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 163 the housewife who exhausted her ingenuity preparing savory dishes without the usual ingredients so as to conserve food, the farmer who toiled from dawn to dark in the furrow that the world might be fed, the factory-operative who uncomplainingly labored long hours overtime to help win the war, the good fellow who willingly consented to be denied his liquor that the world might be made safe for democracy, the churchman who overcame long-standing prejudice and crossed ancient barriers of separation, worshiping and federating with neighbors of different faith, in order to conserve fuel and consoUdate power, the banker who, unmindful of banker's hours and commissions, labored feverishly and successfully to market Uncle Sam's securities, the millionaire steel magnate who forwent an opportunity of doubling his already enormous fortune in order that America's ships might be built in season — each was a soldier no less truly than were they who wore the khaki. The long arm of our embattled country was stretched out to claim each in service. The men in the Bois de Chattancourt recognized themselves as merely the "thin edge" of an inconceivably mighty wedge. Since Col. Sevier commanded the larger "sub-grouping," the regiment went into battle under tactical direction of Lt. Col. Dusenbury. Capt. Bryan was Adjutant. The three battalion commanders were Majors James E. Nestor, Cary R. Wilson and Marshall S. Holbrook; the batteries were commanded by (Head- quarters Co.) Capt. W. L. Smith; (A) Earl R. Reynolds; (B) Richard M. Kimball; (C) Carl W. Bettcher; (D) George W. Hirsch; (E) Forest C. Shaffer; (F) Chester E. Dodge; (Supply Co.) John A. Stitt. Ammunition was accumulated to the amount of 1,200 rounds per gun. Almost at the last moment, a heavy rain ruined the telephone service, and demonstrated past questioning that the wire was defective; and an entirely new line, of heavier texture, was strung. At 8 p. M. on Sept. 25, the Commanding Officer assembled his "group" commanders and published the firing-order. This highly technical paper would hardly be of general interest; the section covering the intense outburst between 2.30 and 2.45 a. m. may be given as a specimen : "From H-3 hrs. to H-2:45 hrs. Guns available Sub-Groupment Dusenbury 24 G. P. F. 164 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Sub-Groupment Albaret Use Sub-Groupment Albaret ' * ' ' Dusenbury ^' '^ Dusenbury Dusenbury ( 10 G. P. F. \ 6 240 j Montfaucon \ Cierges Montfaucon and Cantonments on the north Bois de Beuge Telephone Central x-309.950 y-275.340 Gesnes (1st Albaret From H-3 to H Bois Communal de Cierges Bois d'Emont Ivoiry Epinonville 900 rounds." 4 Guns 2 Guns 2 Guns (1st Batl.) 8 Guns (2d Batl.) 4 Guns (1st Batl.) 4 Guns and 3d Batls. — 2 each) 4 Guns (3d Batl.) 10 Guns Everyone, who heard the order, held his breath in surprize at the news that M^zi^res and its railroad were the object of the drive. The general instructions given were, first of all, that the regimental ammunition supply would be kept up by the regimental ammunition train, to which each battalion had already contributed twenty of its best trucks. Everybody was warned to use the latest code-book for wireless work; and the system of aeroplane signals to be used for counter-battery work was gone into. The particular task of the 55th was counter-battery work (silencing and destroying the enemy artillery), combined with harassing and interdiction fire on the enemy's lines of communication, together with an intense bombardment of Montfaucon, Epinonville, Cierges, and neighboring spots. Orders were given to be ready to move the guns forward to Montfaucon or Very at short notice, in order to support further infantry advance. The regimental field of fire was to extend from a line thru Consenvoye on the east to the road running up from Varennes thru Baulny and Fleville on the west. Enter J the Army Artillery; Exit the German 165 Prior to 2.30 only one battalion was to fire, using mostly gas shells; after 2.30 a. m. high-explosive shells were to be used, and all were to participate. As an immediate result of the firing-order, the battalion and 155— TTT^ 7>Pr r- .r--'' . '"C:x .ChOTrpeni >VE^ . MAP OF POSITIONS OF '^ ij. 55^"- ARTILLERY DURING FIRST HALF -^ nEUSE- ARGON NE. ^ OF,FEN5\VE. , 1918. LEGEND vtTvr jREUiLLES/;;^^.^^ \, l"#<^ ''&<' '■/"-'^wi FORGES iORT ^^ T .-»— -733 / Mx^'ia^' '^ f A )l \ I FORtT OE H^SE "^x: / HONTZEVtUB "l^.. -1 NEUVluif • REGIMENTAL RC ""^, a RGT. ANO BATTN. RtST CAMPS .^.. # TOWN -3^- FRONT LINE AT VARIOUS DATES, i^ •ViTH DivisioM occupy it^6 + :■!- DIVISION /\ND CORPS BOUNOARI' vvy« GERMAN STRONG Line. >■ TARGETS. MGHT of" SePT. 2S-26. « MAIN "Road Jfc* LINE.S UMITING BATTAUOt* OF FIRE, SEPT 16. L '^"'^" ^ . 1 ^^j, <■ « U li f^tvtu-e. ^sy RECiCC i« PC /5EV1ER .BETHELA1NVIU.& fFRonMEViut c CAnP 6LEf?COoRT NIXEVIl. RKt1W» / E. A. Kircher battery commanders had to "figure data,'' doing more of it, and under greater pressure, than at any other time in their entire careers. They were given only two hours in which to make final prepara- tions. Bat. F kept up lightning calculations all the next day, as 166 The Fifty-fifth Artillery their function was to respond to signals from aviators and fire on points where help was needed. All finished on time, and at "H-6 hrs.'' the 2d Batl. opened fire, with the others joining in at ''H-3,'' or 2.30 A. M. The author was probably the only officer at p. c. Sevier who went to bed above ground on the night of Sept. 25; with him it was a question of relative timidity — he feared the cooties more than he did the possible shells, and took his chances outside the dug-outs with the lesser of the evils. A few enemy shells came over during the evening; and when, about 11 p. m., the concussion from one jarred some dead wood off a tall tree above the shack where he was sleeping, and brought the fragment down upon the tin roof, the sleeper awoke, arose and made a lightning-like dive for the nearest subterranean chamber. The alarm proved false. He was again in bed and on the point of resuming his slumbers, when he was startled by the sound of guns near at hand, guns which had not until then been fired — it was 11.30 p. m., and the 2d Batl. of the 55th were beginning their preliminary bombardment. Growing accustomed to the new sound, he had again dozed off and was dreaming about "home and far away," when, at an instant, the forest seemed to explode. It was 2.30 a. m. on Sept. 26; the 3,928 American and French guns all fired simultaneously, and each as rapidly as possible — "der Tag" had indeed come for the German. So carefully had the batteries been camouflaged that no one, aside from the highest officers, knew where they all were. One made its appearance a few hundred yards from the author's shack — the first intimation he had of its presence. The horizon blazed as with the combined flashes of all the lightning by which men had ever been terrified; the earth rocked, quaked, trembled; the heaven was filled with whirring, shrieking, roaring monsters, carrying hell's destruction toward the enemy lines; and yonder, answering flashes indicated where the projectiles were exploding — the shells were finding their targets. The tremendous fusillade lasted only fifteen minutes; the rate then slowed down. Five-thirty a. m. was the "Zero hour," when the infantry "went over"; and at that time much of the field artillery ceased firing, lest they should injure their own comrades. But the heavy guns continued in action until noon. Three hundred thirteen thousand rounds of ammuni- tion were fired by Pershing's artillery during the night and morn- ing; it is probably reasonable to estimate the expenditure of money Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 167 at $10,000,000 — many a ''thrift stamp*' was burned; but the investment was profitable for America, as it made possible the ending of the war. The mightiest artillery-preparation in all history did not take place in vain. When, along in the afternoon, the 79th Division experienced difficulty at Montfaucon, the 55th resumed fire, and in one and one-half hours pounded the town to ruins. Two thousand six hundred eighty-six rounds were fired by the 55th and 3,000 by the French batteries during the day. Wonderful enthusiasm prevailed at the guns; as one officer expressed it, the gunners "kissed each projectile"; and when they fired, they "cried peace." Bat. E was emplaced on ground especially full of old shell-holes. One gun experienced difficulty getting into position — it uprooted "about five trees" — and when it began to fire, it was driven, by the recoil, down into the soft soil until it became badly mired and was compelled to cease from action. Further difficulties attended its removal from position on the next day; for one of the front wheels stuck in a shell-hole — altogether eighteen hours of hard work was required to get the gun out to the road. The only tragedy occurred at Bat. A's posi- tion; a projectile from the "Amy" accidentally struck the top of a tree above the emplacement of the "AlHe" and exploded. The "Amy" had just been laid so as to fire at a new target, and no one noticed the intervening tree-top; the tree was promptly cut down so as to permit the continuance of firing. Unfortunately, however, fragments of the exploding projectile wounded eight men of the 55th, together with four of the 147th F. Arty., who happened to be passing at the moment; and one of the wounded, Pvt. Samuel J. Shuman, was so seriously injured that he died next day. Sgt. Johns, another of the wounded, pluckily refused to be "evacuated," and remained on duty. These were the only regimental casualties at the Bois de Chattancourt on the opening day of the battle — a fortunate fact, as only a single Ford ambulance was available to transport the wounded, and that was fully occupied with infantry- men. Bat. B had been paid just before the battle; and the perils all about them induced serious thought as to what would become of a man's money in the event of accident to him. When the Chap- lain went to look after the men's welfare on the battle-field, he was requested by man after man to serve as banker, and see that the wealth was safely remitted to the home-folk; and he returned to 168 The Fifty-fifth Artillery quarters with his pockets bulging, and spent the entire evening writing drafts — for over 8,000 francs. Battery cooks felt their responsibilites, and prepared such a breakfast for the weary gunners as the latter never dreamed of — beefsteak smothered in onions, French-fried potatoes, cocoa, coffee and toast; when Col. Sevier made a morning visit to the batteries, he was invited to four suc- cessive breakfasts; and the latter were, as he expressed it, *'each better than the others. '^ No one paid attention to possible answer- ing fire from the enemy, after our own work began; but it was the general opinion that very little response was possible, in the face of such a tornado of destruction as the Americans sent over. The 55th subsequently received reports from the Artillery In- formation Service of the 5th Army Corps, 1st American Army, showing how effective and destructive the fire had been — informa- tion supplied by German prisoners. These reports refer to our shooting at a little later date; but results were the same thruout the entire battle. ''November 4th. 15th Bavarian Division — Captured artillery- men of this Division state that in recent days the American artillery, shelling far to the rear areas, had interfered with the supply of munitions to such an extent that the batteries were almost without ammunition. "Prisoners state that our fire on Nov. 2nd in preparation for the attack was extremely accurate and effective. "November 5th. Prisoners continue to praise our artillery fire. A prisoner belonging to the 136th Foot Artillery Battahon states that on November 1st the entire personnel of his battery left the position for the rear because of the effectiveness of our fire. On the 2nd they were ordered to return, but this prisoner was captured before he reached the guns. "Prisoners of many field artillery units captured since October 31st, report that the American Artillery has caused heavy losses in their units, and they are unanimous in praising our artillery's accuracy. Prisoners of the 104th Field Artillery Regiment state that on October 17th alone their regiment lost 150 men from shell fire on battery emplacements, and they are not informed as to additional losses in the regimental trains to the rear. Early Novem- ber 1st, their battery emplacements were shelled so effectively that all communication with the rear and with the Infantry was quickly cut off, and the batteries were practically put out of action. In Barbed-Wire Entanglements in No Man's Land A German lKr.;>v.n ARTILLERY TARGETS A Rkvival of Antiquity — Gehmans with Helmets and Breastplates The Evening oy "Der Tag" — Germans Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 169 the 7th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment, the 7th Battery alone lost 15 men between October 26th and November 1st, reducing the effectives with the battery to 30-35 men. On October 31st the 9th Battery of the 10th Field Artillery Regiment lost 9 men. Similar figures are reported from large numbers of batteries. ''Many of the prisoners captured on the 1st state that the reason they were taken is that our artillery concentrations were so effective that they were confined to their shelters and isolated in small groups. Artillery prisoners state that they were unable to serve their guns. In several instances, batteries were unable to fire a shot. There were cases of officers who were entirely cut off from communication with their troops." An eye witness at Montfaucon on Sept. 26 told us that ^'when those six-inch shells came whistling into town, the dirt, the con- crete, the machine-guns and the Germans all flew up in the air together.'^ If the author may return to his foot-ball illustration, it is correct to say that, by 5.30 a. m., ''an opening" had been made in the enemy line — a thoro one; barbed wire was shot to pieces, infantry was demoralized or destroyed, and the German artillery was out of action. When the infantry of the 5th Corps advanced "over the top," they encountered little opposition; they passed the im- pregnable defenses of the Hindenburg line without a halt, and scarcely realized that such a line existed; they pressed on thru the Hagen Stellung without serious resistance; and they were not stopped until they stood before the Volker Stellung at Eclisfon- taine, Epinonville, Ivoiry and Montfaucon. A time-table had been laid out for the infantry; and they were able to keep to it so closely that Col. Dusenbury exclaimed, "They advanced as tho they had been sent for." The rolling-barrage which preceded them afforded "interference," and made possible this glorious progress. The Volker Stellung did not break without strenuous resistance, and its capture cost many precious lives; by Sept. 30, it too was in American hands, and the front line was well to the north of it. When one stopped to realize that the divisions of the 5th Corps were as unaccustomed to battle as were the troops who fought at Bull Run, the contrast in results was amazing; instead of the untried Americans growing nervous and running away, it was the German veterans who illustrated the meaning of partir. This fact was creditable to the new American Army — 170 The Fifty-fifth Artillery it was largely due to the work of the American artillery. Infantry advancing against a German line without adequate preparatory bombardment (as did the 2d Corps on Sept. 29 between Cambrai and St. Quentin) could register gains only by a terrible expenditure of human life; infantry whose advance had been prepared by the American Army Artillery attacked, occupied and passed the same Hindenburg line without serious loss and almost without hindrance. It was the entrance of the Army Artillery which occasioned the speedy exit of the German. Every possible American aeroplane, together with a host of French planes, had assisted in the attack; and for the first time, during the morning of Sept. 26, the Americans held supremacy of the air. By afternoon the aerial warriors had gone back to refit, and had left the way open for enemy planes to attack; one venture- some Fokker came southward, invisible because above the clouds, then swooped down upon an American observation balloon right over the guns of the 55th, set the "sausage" on fire, darted to a second balloon and burned that, and destroyed a third, before he himself was brought headlong to the ground. Most of the endangered aeronauts descended safely, by means of parachutes; but in one instance the burning gas-bag fell on top of the parachute and set that afire, and caused the poor man to pay forfeit with his life. It may be in order to anticipate, with the statement that German aviators repeated this kind of a destructive blow against the 5th Corps on Oct. 23 and Oct. 28. But there was one occasion when their stroke recoiled against themselves. On Oct. 3, nine enemy planes raided the 55th's guns at Montfaucon, flying so low as barely to escape the tree-tops, and firing their machine-guns; by that time we had machine-guns of our own, and the 55th and neighboring anti-aircraft companies made sure that seven of the nine foemen should never again see their fathers ''in the fatherland." One of the raiders actually continued using his machine-gun after he was down on the ground, and stopped only when a hard American fist came in contact with his jaw. By Sept. 27 the enemy were retreating to the extreme range of the 155 guns; so it became necessary for the 55th to move in pur- suit. Leaving the 2d Batl. to occupy the old position a few days longer, the 1st and 3d Battalions started along the road toward Esnes and Montfaucon; the French guns now separated from the Aire grouping. As the entire country near the lines had become Enter, the Army Artillery; Exitj the German 171 pitted with shell-holes, it is no wonder that heavy artillery found the highways obstructed; beginning a mile behind the trenches, "the finest roads in the world" had been reduced to a series of holes, ruts, ridges and general unevenness, and in the zone which during four years had been "no man's land" the ways were so obliterated that one could not determine their location. Whether or not because of the detonation of so much high explosive, the brilliant sunshine of Sept. 26 had lapsed into a drizzling, soaking rain, which transformed the French soil into slippery mud. The battalions set forth (the 3d leading) with the greatest possible speed; but at Esnes they were compelled to halt, because the road had disappeared. There they sat during thirty-six long hours, waiting while the engineers surveyed a new highway and built the same; ruined buildings were torn down, and every available stone was transported, by hand or on passing vehicles in a feverish effort to fill up the holes. At length the word was given to proceed; and the guns of the 55th were the first heavy ordnance to pass "no man's land"; indeed they served as crude road-rollers and helped to smooth out the unevenness. On they went, thru Malan- court, and found it merely a cross-roads and signboard. There- after, as the country lay well behind the former German lines, the roads were in better condition and presented no serious obstacles while the guns were journeying to their new positions. They halted a little south of the Fayel farm, near Montfaucon; and Batteries B, E and F were emplaced west of the highway, while Bat. A established itself on the east side. They were situated be- tween the Hagen and Volker Stellungs, and close to the switch- line connecting the two. Col. Burgess, who served as assistant to Gen. Davis during the earlier weeks of the battle and who was supervising the movement of guns, ordered a Bat. F tractor to assist in moving some French trucks out of the mud north of Esnes; and as a consequence, landed the tractor itself deep in the same difficulty — an entire week was needed to dig out the helpless "elephant." Meanwhile the gun-commander, Sgt. Martin, secured assistance from all the men in the vicinity, and later from a spare tractor, which chanced to pass that way; liberated the blockading French trucks by hand power; and delivered his gun, the "Strong," at its proper position almost as promptly as the other members of the battery; in response to Col. Burgess' expression of surprize at his quick appearance the sergeant explained that he had ''sal- 172 The Fifty-fifth Artillery vaged a tractor." During this move, the majors changed bat- talions; and Maj. Wilson became commander of the 1st, Maj. Holbrook of the 2d and Maj. Nestor of the 3d. The 5th Corps had accomplished their mission, and now con- stituted a protruding central bulge of the army; they were tempora- rily exposed to fire from right, front and left. No wonder that the 55th suffered their heaviest casualties at Montfaucon — six killed and at least twenty-seven wounded. Maj. Wilson had his post of command in the most sheltered spot possible — actually not a bit sheltered ; and inquirers would be directed toward it by the phrase, *'over there where that shell exploded." Bat. A were out in the open, with no defilade whatever; between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, they lost Sgt. Long, and Pvts. Blais and Gratz, besides several wounded; and at the latter date they decided to change position, moving to a sheltered situation on the eastern slope of Montfaucon Hill. Bat. B's trucks assisted in moving Bat. A's ammunition, and had an exciting time of it, with bombs and shells falling all around them. Firing programs were heavy; and everyone worked up to the limit of his strength. Bat. E fired 182 shells in a single hour, employing all four guns thruout the first half of the period and three during the remainder; the range was very short — only 8,500 meters — an indication of how near they were to the enemy. It was proof of splendid morale, that the regiment passed thru all this hardship and exposure without either grumbling or straggling; an observer noted that "the proudest American in France was the artilleryman who walked ahead of the Holt tractor, clad in plain blue denim, to clear the road for his gun." After the first day of the battle, the enemy brought forward their very finest divisions, in a desperate effort to stop the American advance ; they used twenty-one such divisional groups of reinforcements, includ- ing the famous Prussian Guards (as many divisions as we had altogether, altho not individually as strong), and thereby so re- duced their resisting power on the British and French sectors of the front as to permit great and rapid progress by our Allies; but the attempt was vain. Maj. Darnell, Regimental Surgeon of the 55th, called upon the Chaplain to perform a sad duty on Sept. 29. During the preceding night a truck brought to the regimental dressing-station the remains of an officer, who had left the front sorely wounded but alive, and who breathed his last during the tedious and cold journey. He Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 173 proved to be 1st Lt. Alfred L. Quintard, of Co. A, 315th Infantry, 79th Division, and was a family connection of Col. Sevier's. It brought forcibly to the attention of all the terrible cost of war, when they saw the shattered and mud-bespattered form of this scion of an honored Philadelphia family lying on the blood-stained litter; not even the Band music nor the "three volleys" nor the "taps" could dispel the gloom which depressed men's spirits. Everything possible was done to show respect for the dead; and the French commander of Camp du Gendarme sympathetically undertook to prepare an artistic cross with which to mark the grave. Sept. 30 brought the cheering tidings that Bulgaria had sur- rendered. On Oct. 1, the Chaplain secured a large invoice of chocolate for the men; this was one of the rare occasions when a divisional quartermaster (of the 32d Division) could be induced to sell to Army Artillery — the latter were like homeless orphans in the eyes of the divisions, and their requests were generally ignored. In transporting the acquisition from Dombasle to the front, the Chaplain "jumped" a truck, belonging to Bat. F, and presently was surprized to see the driver turn unhesitatingly into a one-way road — going the wrong way. The driver explained that he was carrying gasolene for the tractors, and his errand was an emergency one, and that he possessed a pass signed with the name of no less a personage than Gen. Pershing himself. An M. P. actually honored the pass. The privilege was a valuable one just then; and no questions were asked by the Chaplain. But he wondered how Gen. Pershing could find time to expedite the local affairs of a mere battery. Later on he found out; the pass was as fol- lows : "The bearer is authorized to pass over all roads in any direction. All persons are ordered to render any assistance that may be required. "By command of General Pershing, per Warshaw.'' Needless to say, Gen. Pershing knew nothing whatever about the paper — another illustration of the adage: "All's fair in love and war." On Oct. 2, the regiment qualified for their first service chevron; but no one had time to think about ornaments or decorations while at Montfaucon. 174 The Fifty-fifth Artillery On Oct. 3 the regimental post-office had a rude shock, when it found itself transferred without reason or warning, from A. P. O. No. 754 to No. 744 — in other words from the 3d Corps, at Souhesme, to the 28th Division, at Les Islettes — away over in the Argonne Forest; from that day postal affairs ceased to move smoothly. It was surmized that the transfer was due to a mistake — that some clerk wrote 744 on an information bulletin when he intended to write 754; at all events, the mischief was done. The regiment afterwards tried to have their mail come by way of the 1st Army at Souilly, but never with complete success. French salvagers, especially the genial Lt. Molist at Camp du Gendarme, suggested that American soldiers were wasteful of property, as evidenced by the clothing and supplies which were left behind, when infantry regiments moved forward — and the Frenchmen did their best to retrieve the waste by clothing them- selves in discarded American shoes and socks and slickers; a little later the lieutenant discovered that Americans could be aggressively frugal when they needed to, for he caught a squad of them in the very act of " salvaging ^^ the stove-pipe out of his dug-out, and preparing to walk off with it. Gen. Pershing passed the batteries on Oct. 4 just as F "ground out" a four-gun salvo; the GeneraFs car was almost knocked off the road by the blast. He turned around with a grin. Narrow escapes were frequent. Pvt. John D. Riley of Bat. B moved his truck a few yards for the purpose of aiding another truck out of difficulty; and had scarcely done so, when a shell exploded exactly where he had been standing. Another shell fell and exploded within ten yards of Pvt. John A. Lehan's (Bat. B) truck. The two men whom Col. Sevier highly recommended for distinguished service awards won their honors before Mont- faucon. While Sgt. Damon's gun, the "Allie" of Bat. A, was in action on Oct. 8, the No. 1 man experienced difficulty in closing the breechblock, after having stuffed in a new projectile and powder- charge; on opening the breech to adjust things, all noticed smoke — an indication that the powder-bag had begun to burn. Without a moment's hesitation, Sgt. Damon slammed the breech shut before the gun had time to go off — at the imminent risk of his arm and possibly of his life. The sergeant used to say that more courage was required of him on another occasion. It was at night; while the battery were under heavy fire, they discovered that the light Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 175 on their own aiming-stake had gone out; the lantern must be relighted before any firing could be done. When no one else volun- teered to crawl out to the shell-swept hill-side and do the deed, the sergeant himself crept forth, and performed the dangerous mission; he admitted, however, that he was devoutly glad when he had safely returned to the gun-pit. Two days after Sgt. Damon's feat, a German shell landed amid a pile of powder-charges in the ammuni- tion-dump, and started a big blaze; the four separate piles in the dump ignited successively. Lt. Youngberg of Bat. A promptly leaped upon a Nash-Quad truck standing beside the burning powder and moved the vehicle to safety, and returning, did the same to a Dodge car nearby. Not until afterwards did he notice that he had burned himself on a hot fuse, which was thrown up by the explosion. It should be explained that artillery powder does not explode unless it is confined within a limited space — it burns; and for this reason is described as "slow-burning." Soldiers actually used small portions of powder to help kindle the fire in their cook- stoves, and nick-named it "persuader." Officers were required to write an explanation as to how this explosion occurred; one responded: "For information desired you are referred to the German battery-commander that fired the shot." This endorse- ment went along thru channels all the way to Gen. McGlachlin. Owing to the shifting conditions of battle, by reason of which the 5th Corps' front gradually slipped westward, the 55th Artillery found themselves rendering artillery support to divisions of the 3d Corps (the 3d Division, and twelve days later the 5th Division) north of Montfaucon after Sept. 30. The 2d Batl. continued this cooperation until Oct. 26. Maj. Gen. John L. Hines succeded Maj. Gen. Robert L. BuUard in command of the 3d Corps one Oct. 10. It was not until Oct. 4 that the 2d Batl. received orders to move. Their original destination was the Bois de Chehemin, northwest of the Bois de Chattancourt; but owing to the utter destruction of roads in that vicinity, they halted and went into position at the Ravin de Lai Fuon in the Bois de Very, a mile south of where they intended. Because of shortage of trucks, necessitating double trips, they used up two days in making the move. The Ravin ran along the Hagen Stellung, and consequently was amply provided with German dug-outs; the battalion here enjoyed more luxurious accommodations than anywhere else in their entire career. Head- 176 The Fifty-fifth Artillery quarters was an apartment twenty feet under ground, which in. German days had boasted of electric lights (not now working) . The positions were, of course, reversed; and the ''about face" was so thoro that the American guns stood behind the dug-outs and fired over the roofs. The Captain of Bat. C occupied quarters in front of Bat. D's guns. Inside he found some mysterious German wire connected with an innocent-looking mess-kit, and, remembering the warning against booby-traps, kept his hands off it. On Oct. 6, however, curiosity got the better of him; and he gently moved the mess-kit so as to give the wire a cautious twitch. Instantly there was a tremendous roar; and he jumped back a foot in con- sternation, convinced that he had "started something," and wondering in an agonized flash how many victims he had done to death. The ''Avenger" of Bat. D, one hundred meters away, had fired the first shot in that position, right over his head, just as he pulled the wire. Two events occurred to cause sorrow. Maj. Holbrook, who had been fighting gallantly against tuberculosis during the past weeks, at length had to give up; he was relieved Oct. 6, and started home- ward, attended by the respect and good wishes of every man in the regiment. Alas ! he was destined never again to see the home which he loved, as the disease ran a rapid course and occasioned his death on Nov. 28 — a sad Thanksgiving for his friends. Altho he was no nearer his Boston home than the hospital on Staten Island, he did have the comfort of his wife's loving presence with him at the last. Maj. Walter B. Smith succeeded to the command of the battalion. On Oct. 8 Pvt. James F. Lally of Bat. C met his death. A battery of field artillery were bivouacking in the Ravin; and their fires attracted hostile bombing planes — the fires were kindled in violation of camouflage discipline and were destined to cost us dearly. Lally, as telephone operator, was under orders to remain at his instrument, so as to maintain communication with Head- quarters; and at the post of duty he remained, even after the approaching plane was heard, and everyone else had sought cover — until the bomb killed him. How dangerous this position was became evident on the night when the battalion were ordered to leave it; Maj. Smith found difficulty telephoning to regimental Headquarters, and upon examining the line discovered that the wire was broken in thirty-nine different places between the Ravin and Montfaucon. Most of the breaks were caused by shell-fire; Brig. Gen. W. C. D.wis h HK Verriere-en-He88e Farm near p. C. Sevier, September, 1918 w 1 ^ * _ A mtf^l ] \ srrj.9 Pulling Horse out of Ditch, Recicourt Woods Wide World Photo MONTFAUCON 1^ til 55th's p. C, Montfaucon Signal Corps Photo Wine-Cbllar Used as P. C. Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 177 but at one point a field hospital had located itself, and pitched its tents, directly on our wire. While the dug-outs were commodious, there were still many- discomforts; for one thing, a grave shortage of candles existed, so that the post of command could hardly see to do the necessary computing; this dearth of illuminants extended to all the batteries and led to the adoption of ingenious substitutes; in E and other units, the gunners aimed at night by stationing a cigaret smoker beside the aiming-stake and causing him to hold the glowing end directly over the post while he placed his hand above the light as a screen. Ammunition was also lacking up to the last; just before the battalion were to move, an abundant supply was de- livered — and all had to be transported in the already over-worked trucks. An advanced regimental post of command was established on Oct. 4 at Montfaucon, directly on the Volker Stellung; and on the twelfth, the rear post of command was moved up from the Foret de Hesse and consolidated with it. Col. Sevier occupied the new station until he was compelled, by sickness, to relinquish it temporarily to Col. Dusenbury. This ''p. c. Sevier '^ was at the very top of the hill, across the street from the ruined church, which had long been such a prominent landmark, and not many meters distant from the latter. The Germans used the church as an artillery registration point, and the post of command got the benefit of the "overs." It was nothing but a small, concrete, vaulted wine-cellar, with a little additional protection furnished by the stones of a tottering wall, which the engineers had pulled down and piled over the roof. It was reached by a narrow stair- way containing an inconvenient turn, more useful for keeping out flying fragments than promoting ease of access. As one entered, there was on the right a large table holding the firing maps and telephone, together with a double-deck bunk left by the Germans, while on the left were the Colonel's cot and a small table, sufficient for three. Possibly eight or ten people might be packed in. Here the Commanding Officer, the operations officer, and the liaison officer spent nearly three weeks, so busy shelling and being shelled that they slept only in cat-naps. On account of the peril, only the most indispensable men were allowed there — three telephone operators, who also acted as cooks, two radio men, and Master Gunner Alexander. These men slept in a nearby dug-out; as, 12 178 The Fifty-fifth Artillery however, the latter was insecure, when shelling became severe, they crowded into the post of command. It was no slight task to cook between shells, on a Uttle hand-built, mud bake-oven, out in the open — and near the entrance so as to facilitate a hasty re- treat by the cook, if necessary; among Col. Sevier's most cherished souvenirs are a coffee-pot and other utensils, battered by a shell explosion. Montfaucon was a most '* unhealthy" site for a post of command, but it was in the very center of things, near the Head- quarters of the 79th and 3d Divisions, and was also one of the best observation points on our whole front. During quiet intervals the 55th explored the hill-top, and found interesting things. There had been situated the Headquarters of the German Crown Prince during the battle of Verdun in 1916; and a forty-foot periscope peeped out from the top of a dwelling, and ran down to a safe apartment in the basement, where the *'hope of the HohenzoUerns " had sat in security while he watched thousands of his " subjects'' move to their death on "Le Mort Homme" — in case he should be endangered by French shells at Montfaucon, he had dug an absolutely impenetrable cave be- neath the building. American engineers removed this peri- scope and it is now at West Point. Traces of a pleasant German custom were discovered in the cemetery beside the church ; French grave-stones had been planed off, so as to remove the inscriptions, and German names and dates engraved instead of the originals — it was not possible to learn whether the French remains had been evicted, or whether enemy interlopers occupied the same graves with the rightful owners. Tomb-floors had been removed so as to transform the tombs into machine-gun nests, while the bodies were left inside; German gunners operated their guns while standing on French corpses. Telephone line-men continued to experience adventures in the Montfaucon neighborhood. Pvt. Paul C. Jouannett of Hq. Co. and Pvt. Victor A. Derry of Bat. E were both seriously wounded — the first line-men to suffer. It must be admitted that weariness was beginning to displace the enthusiasm with which the 55th entered battle; a few days of such strain would tire out the strongest. The 79th Division, after fighting valiantly, had been relieved, and the 37th were soon to fare likewise; the artillery composed a refrain, which gave them satisfaction. Enter, the Army Artillery; Exit, the German 179 ''Divisions come, Divisions go, But we go on forever." The regiment were destined to have no real respite during three entire months — August to November — but they kept hoping for one; they seized eagerly upon a rumor which was just becoming current, "Someone said that he over-heard an officer report to Capt. Stitt, that the 31st Brigade was slated to go home and put the Boston coast defenses in good condition." Certainly! What could be more probable? Everyone understood that drafted men were incapable of caring for such intricate mechanism — we must go back and restore the harbor to good condition. Possibly it was to divert the men's thoughts from their fatigue and danger that Col. Sevier issued his complimentary circular: "Headquarters 55th Artillery, C. A. C, American Expeditionary Forces. "4 October 1918. "From: The Commanding General, The Aire Grouping. "To: The Officers and Men of the 55th Artillery. "1. The Commanding General of the Aire Grouping wishes the Regimental Commander to convey to the officers and men of the 55th Artillery his best wishes and congratulations for the day's work. "2. The Regimental Commander desires that all officers and men of the 1st and 3d Battalions be assured that their splendid work of this date is highly appreciated. "3. The best evidence of soldierly qualities is discipline under fire. "4. While our casualties cause profound regret, it is with the feeling of justifiable pride that our misfortune befell our comrades while gallantly performing their duties. "By order of Colonel Sevier: "P. T. Bryan, Jr. "Captain, C. A. C. Adjutant." The immediate ground for this circular was the fine firing done by the 55th, in cooperation with an infantry drive on Oct. 4 — the drive which finally broke the Kriemhilde Stellung at Romagne. Rumors began to be heard on Oct. 5 that Germany wanted peace. That day was exceptional, in that it had twenty-five hours — marking the transition from 180 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Men of the 55th were not unmindful of the issues at stake along the Meuse-Argonne front; they were learning the cost of vindicat- ing "the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world as against selfish and autocratic power." While they were doing "their bit" to make the world "safe for democracy," they felt themselves "compassed about with" a "great cloud of witnesses," the spirits of the Crusaders and the Revolutionaries, of saints and martyrs. They were vaguely conscious of the vastness of the struggle, and realized how their thronging armies comprized rep- resentatives of every race; they knew that ancient history was reviving itself — kings and rulers were personally present on the field of strife, men were armor-clad, and were hurling liquid-fire at their enemies, entire nations were in battle array; they began to feel that the whole world was gathered "together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty"; they stood "at Ar-Mage- don" and they battled "for the Lord." St. Michael's Church, at Romagne, contained a beautiful altar picture of the warrior-angel slaying the dread dragon; and thru all the storm of shot and shell, the painting remained uninjured, even tho the building was shot to pieces about it. Fitting it was that the battle should pause a few hours by the shrine of St. Mi- chael; the slayers of the German dragon might well refresh their spirits at such a fane. On Pershing's left, in the umbrageous fastness of the Argonne, a battalion was "lost" and found again, and there also Sgt. Alvin C. York achieved the distinction of being the war's greatest hero; the left flank was gradually advancing, coming up even with the center, and crowding the enemy out of his lair. There was also progress on the right, along the Meuse River. At Romagne, the central bulge of the army, the 5th Corps, was squarely astride the Kriemhilde Stellung; and the enemy's strongest defense had begun to give way. French sentiment was an accurate barometer of American success; at the outset of the battle, the French officers predicted a war which should last another year — until the fall of 1919; by evening of the first day, they were more optimistic, and spoke of victory in the spring; after two days of American fighting, they indulged in prophecies of a New Year's triumph ; a day later they were hoping for a Christmas gift of peace. In point of fact the exit of the German had already begun; and events were framing themselves for a crushing Allied victory — two weeks before Thanksgiving. CHAPTER IX America's Great Halloween Party A REORGANIZATION of the American forces took place on Oct. 10, by which a new 2d Army came into existence; and the latter assumed position on the right of the 1st Army. Changes were made in the assignment of command. Gen. Pershing, as Commander-in-Chief of all American troops, relin- quished the particular command of the 1st Army to Lt. Gen. Hunter Liggett; and Lt. Gen. Robert L. BuUard (formerly of the 3d Corps) became commander of the 2d Army. Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall succeeded Gen. Cameron in command of the 5th Corps. Gen. Summerall, while with the 1st Division, had been greatly interested in operations at Charpentry and Exermont, immediately on the left of the 5th Corps sector; he was now au- thorized to "side-slip'' the 5th Corps sector a mile or more to the westward, so as to include his former divisional territory and complete the task to which he had "set his hand." Coincidently with this readjustment, the 42d Division relieved the 1st, and became part of the 5th Corps. The 32d Division had gone into action Sept. 30, and had relieved both the 37th and 91st Divisions. The 31st Heavy Artillery Brigade found themselves, as formerly, in the center of the 5th Corps; but it was a different corps from that with which they had been associated; the 32d Division on the right and the 42d on the left constituted the whole of it. It will clarify the subsequent narrative, if we note that the 89th Division was destined to relieve the 32d on Oct. 20, the 2d Division was to perform a similar service for the 42d on Nov. 1, and the 1st Division was to follow up the 2d as reserves. Solicitude had been felt lest statesmen should interfere and terminate the war by means of a compromize, and we knew that the enemy were doing all in their power to produce such a result; it was with a distinct feeling of relief that the army heard, on Oct. 10, of President Wilson's utter refusal to have any negotiations with the enemy and his reference of all questions pertaining to peace to Marshal Foch — everyone knew that the Marshal favored a "war to a finish." Then ensued three weeks which "tried men's souls." Gen. Liggett was preparing for another great attack; and meanwhile 182 The Fifty-fifth Artillery both infantry and artillery kept repulsing counter-attacks and "nibbling off" additional sections of enemy territory, and suffering extreme discomfort from the increasing wetness and chill of the weather. On only three nights did the ground actually freeze; but day after day the mercury fell nearly to the freezing point; when men were tired and wet, they found the nights spent without shelter, on the cold ground, a severe draft upon their endurance. Bat. A's gun, the "AUie," possessed unusual ability to ''keep itself in the limelight." On Aug. 9 it had fired the first shot at the Vesle; on Sept. 26 it had suffered from the only accident which attended the regiment's work in the great artillery preparation; on Oct. 8 it had afforded Sgt. Damon a chance to prove himself a hero; on Oct. 10 it met with an accident (a premature burst) and became disabled — the first in the entire regiment to be so unfor- tunate. This was merely the beginning of the "AUie's" bid for notoriety. On Oct. 14, when moving to the ordnance repair shop in the rear, the gun and tractor had to cross a bridge over the railroad track at Dombasle; the M. P. on duty there assured the gun-commander that the bridge was safe — that other guns had crossed it without mishap, and that the ''AlUe" had nothing to fear. The event proved otherwise. As the twenty-four tons of gun and tractor reached the center of the bridge, they caused the structure to give way; and all crashed to the tracks beneath. The gun "lit" upside-down, pointing toward the west, and the tractor fell "on its feet" pointing toward the east; happily there was no loss of life — but Wag. Kenneth Cameron, who was driving the tractor, suffered a fracture of his leg. Oct. 14 was to have been a red-letter day for the railroad — as the roadway had just been restored after its severe usage at the hands of the German ar- tillery, and the first train since 1914 was about to enter Verdun. The train came along in season to find the "Allie" on the track, and was delayed ten hours until the line could be cleared — but what was a paltry ten hours, after waiting four years? When the gun had been righted, it was hitched to the locomotive and hauled up the track to the nearest cross-road, and thus returned to the highway; the tractor had not lost its power of locomotion, and was able to move down the track and on to the highway; within less than half a day, the "AUie" was again progressing toward the ordnance repair shop and the train was entering the Verdun yards. As the authorities found the "Allie" to be injured past the possi- America's Great Halloween Party 183 bility of immediate restoration, they issued a new gun to Bat. A; the substitute "Allie'^ arrived at the front Oct. 30, and went into action Nov. 1. Much human interest attached to artillery fire. Bat. A had just finished ''registering" (i. e., firing trial shots) from Montfaucon upon a point on the road west of the Meuse. The regimental commander happened to notice from the observation post that a convoy of enormous German trucks were standing in an imperfectly concealed position nearby, apparently waiting for our fire to cease. Lt. Stryker, who was in command, was notified, and looked the situation over. Quick calculation showed that the distance to the road was 13,600 meters; proper elevation and deflection were immediately telephoned to the guns. Meanwhile four of the trucks passed along the road, much to the disgust of the observers at Montfaucon; then the next four prepared to start. A battery salvo was ordered ; and all the guns were discharged simultaneously. The projectiles kept their appointment with the trucks; for a moment the air was filled with the debris of vehicles, men and rocks. It was a beautiful piece of artillery work, destroying four trucks and frightening four others from the road besides scattering a regiment of infantry, which chanced to be near the center of impact. Two French officers who were at our observation post became so excited that they danced for joy, until both of them fell off the platform, instruments and all, to the ground below. Back at regimental Headquarters they were bothered by the long-range bombardment of a German marine battery. So they turned to one of the French marine batteries right nearby, and asked if it could not "strafe" the enemy for his impudence. Great was the delight of the French commanding officer; ''Certainly,'' he answered, "it is with pleasure that I shall do it — It is an old friend of mine; we have met on the Somme and we have met in Champagne, everywhere following each other around; if he is sending his visiting card, it is with great pleasure that I shall return him mine." He kept his word; and the annoying bombard- ment soon ceased. By Oct. 11 the enemy's retirement had proceeded so far that the 2d Batl., in the Ravin de Lai Fuon, found themselves out of range; and consequently they were ordered forward to the Bois de Beuge, northwest of Montfaucon. The move was made during the night of Oct. 11-12; in view of the traffic-congestion and the ruined and 184 The Fifty-fifth Artillery muddy roads, it was carried out expeditiously. The Bois de Beuge had been a wooded hill, of which the crest was distant a quarter of a mile from the nearest road ; owing to prolonged artillery fire, the woods were "all shot to pieces." The 55th gunners had oppor- tunity to estimate the damage done by their own fire two weeks previously; they had so completely destroyed the roads about this hill that they now experienced great difficulty in moving their own guns thither. Bat. C, who entered from the north, thru Cierges, had to secure assistance from neighboring engineers, before they could use the road at all. Tractors became stalled and guns were mired; block and tackle had to be used in order to extricate them; in one case Bat. C required the combined power of two tractors to move a gun; daylight overtook the last two guns; and an enemy plane came observing and drove all the gunners to cover. Thick weather soon set in, however, enabHng the battalion to complete its movement; and the eight guns were placed in position. Altho it is customary to station artillery behind a hill-crest, so as to secure the benefit of all possible flash defilade, in the present instance there were reasons for emplacing the Bat. C guns on the very crest itself; and this violation of artillery rules turned out to be fortunate, as the event proved. Bat. D's position was farther back, safely behind the hill. Continuous rain rendered the Bois de Beuge a sea of mud; the battalion commander wondered whether he could ever extricate himself from the mire, when he should receive his next order to move — but happily the rain took a few days' intermission, and permitted him to go. Meanwhile men were wet all the time, and had no way of escape from the discomfort of it; they stood in mud, ankle-deep, all day, and slept in "fox-holes" excavated in the pasty substance, at night. Oddly enough, altho influenza then prevailed everywhere else in the known world, the dread disease never appeared at our Montfaucon front. Nevertheless the "flu" occasioned tragedies amongst the membership of the 55th — and soldier hearts came near to breaking; for instance, Pvt. John A. O'Brien of Headquarters Co. received a letter bearing the terrible tidings that, within a single hour, his mother, his sister and his little daughter had fallen victims to the epidemic. For a few bitter moments the war seemed remote and unreal and his Swampscott home very real and near to the stricken man. Others, too, suffered bereavement, amongst them Cpl. Sumner of Bat. A. Lts. McKenna and Whittemore outsiui; Fiust Battalion Headquarters i pi^^ ||p^?,»r%'i| ^ t 9^ Taking It Easy Gesnes Wide World Photo Bat. B Digging Shelteus at Gi^sxEa. Two Thousand Ixiaxthv Weke Killed at the Top of this Slope Copyright Commillcc on l^ublic Injormation Hit by a German Shell (Not the 55th) Kill 111. \ Ai liri.No.w 11.1.1. r.i. t HOW Attack America's Great Halloween Party 185 At the Bois de Beuge the problem hardest to solve was that of bringing in supplies and ammunition ; no truck could cross the mud and climb the hill. Bat. D tried a rude sled drawn by a tractor, but with little success, while Bat. C. carried heavy ammunition by hand; finally the battalion developed the custom of running a tractor each night, and using the "elephant" as a ferry-boat to transport all kinds of stores. A bugler is said to have noticed the parallel between the visits of this tractor and the trips of the Quarter- master boat in Boston Harbor, and one night to have greeted the former by sounding "boat-call"; the bugler had not foreseen that the familiar tones would arouse homesickness in the men — he had a narrow escape from being mobbed. When infantry stragglers from the 5th Division applied for meals at the battery kitchens, they were set to work by way of payment at road-building — fifty of them; but before the labor-crew completed the road, they were confiscated by the M. P.'s. Firing was constant. There was one road in particular in the enemy territory, running south from Tailly to Andevanne, long stretches of which pointed directly toward the Bois de Beuge, and served as a target where dispersion was at the minimum. From the battalion's observation-tree not more than fifty feet away from the gun, several parts of the road were directly visible; so that the observer would wait until he saw traffic in motion and then, by shouting to the gunners, would set off the most damaging sort of harassing and interdiction fire. Altho they were shooting at a target eight miles distant, this was about as close as heavy artillery could ever come to heeding Israel Putnam's famous maxim and firing only when they saw "the whites of their eyes." The observing ofl&cer had to cling to the tree, or he would be blown out bodily by the blast from the gun. The enemy retaliated with very severe shelling. Narrow escapes were frequent. One projectile struck just outside of the telephone central at a moment when an important firing-order was in process of transmission; and subsequent careful measurement proved that the point of impact was the only spot for yards around where the explosion could possibly have failed to do serious damage. Of course our gun-flashes could not help but be seen all night long; but the Germans assumed that no artilleryists would commit the grave error of taking position on the crest of a hill, and consequently directed their fire over the crest to the reverse slope; our very temerity in disregarding safety rules saved us. 186 The Fifty-fifth Artillery Montfaucon was under the same shell-fire as was the Bois de Beuge. When Maj. Smith at the latter post was conversing over the telephone with Col. Dusenbury, who lived in a tiny wall-tent in the Bois de Tuilerie near the ruins of the former, he was surprized to lose the sound of the Colonel's voice for a moment; just then came, over the line, the characteristic droning whistle of an ap- proaching shell, followed instantly by the noise of the explosion. An almost agonized inquiry was shouted as to whether the Colonel was injured — the only answer was a question, "Did you folks hear that?" Capt. Leary, Capt. Stitt and Chaplain Cutler lived in a little sheet-iron shack, a few yards distant from Col. Dusenbury's tent — ^this shack was ostensibly the post-office and was occupied by the postman, Cpl. William J. Hill, besides the three officers. There was good protection against the rain, but not any shelter from shell- fire. One night the sleepers were awakened by a German "high- burst" exploding directly above the shack, followed by a second and a third; the noise was deafening; the roof was showered with fragments of wood broken from the tree-tops. Capt. Stitt growled, "That darned fool is getting too close for comfort"; and Capt. Leary responded, " Let's get the hell out of here." " This is no time to swear," admonished the Chaplain; "you ought to be praying." "You do the praying for the three of us," said Capt. Leary; "that's your business." Within less than ten minutes, all four of them were sound asleep once more. On Oct. 13, Interpreter Rene Thomas was wounded near this spot. In spite of the mud at the Bois de Beuge, life was not all tragedy. When Lt. Holton's wedding anniversary occurred, it was commemo- rated by a proper wedding-cake; and the gallant lieutenant only grieved that he did not have his good wife there to share the luxury with him. There was no relaxation in regimental inspections; and amid the Bois de Beuge mud, the 2d Batl. received the highest praise ever meted out in the entire history of the regiment, because of the excellent condition of both their kitchens and their guns. Each gun was washed after every shot, and the bore was sponged with oil after every second shot; projectiles also were always scrupulously scraped and cleaned. Occasional arguments arose between the artillery and the in- fantry, as to where the "front" was; the infantry claimed that the artillery were never at the front. While it was true that the artillery guns took position near the infantry reserves, there was a difference America's Great Halloween Party 187 in the condition of the two classes of troops; the doughboys were there for rest and shelter, and did not have to expose themselves, while the gunners were in action and had to keep out where shells could "get" them. On one occasion decision was rendered against us — and by no less a tribunal than the Y. M. C. A. Maj. Wilson stopped a passing Y secretary at the 1st Batl. poste de command^ and asked for some tobacco; as the secretary handed out the "smokes," he remarked apologetically to the Major, "I am sorry that I have to charge for this — the rules permit us to give it only to men at the front.'' And yet, right there within a few hours (Oct. 14) a German shell struck close to the kitchen stove, and caused the death of three men — Pvt. James H. Corridan of Headquarters Co., and Wag. Harold A. Law and Cook Alfred J. McGurin of the Supply Co. — and wounded five others. If this accident had happened at a meal hour, the mortality from it would have been frightful to contem- plate; Montfaucon may not have been "at the front," but it was dangerous. On Oct. 16, field artillery guns were emplaced in the rear of the post-ofiice shack, and fired over the roof of the little building — so near was it to the German lines. In this connection it is possible to quote from a description of the Chaplain's work, written by an enlisted man. The artillery Chap- lain, it must be noted, was situated differently from the correspond- ing officer in the infantry; he was alone in his regiment. Owing to its smaller size, an artillery regiment rated only a single Chaplain; an infantry regiment rated three. Since the artillery Chaplain must "play a lone hand," he was always selected because of his longer experience. Pvt. Mackman's (Bat. B) narrative was as follows : "After a terrible fire put over by the Germans, which caused quite a loss to our battalion, the Chaplain began his valuable work in trying to keep track of our unfortunate comrades who were wounded. "He came to me for instructions as to the most direct route to take to the dressing-station; and it was my duty to take him there, so we returned to the fort. "The road and the town, which was on a hill, being one of the main observation posts of the German Army before we drove them out, was being constantly shelled with high explosives, shrapnel and gas, but we had to go. 188 The Fijiy-fifth Artillery "On reaching the town we were surprized to find many helpless wounded soldiers trying to get to the dressing-station, and we immediately gave them our assistance. There were a great many gas patients, and we found it hard to make them comfortable in walking, but we finally got them there. All this time shells were bursting everywhere. "We then found the necessary information from the hospital — some of which was that one of our comrades (Pvt. Gratz) had died while on the way, which caused us to stay much longer under the continuous fire. " We had no sooner left the vicinity of the dressing-station than a gas shell burst and gassed about two dozen patients. We just escaped the cloud, and ran into a barrage of shrapnel, which we ducked by getting into a dug-out. ^^ Referring to the death of Corridan and Law, he said: "Once again we had the duty of burying two of our comrades while under shell-fire, giving them a church burial while the shells were bursting all around us; but Providence was with us all the time.'' By the middle of October new officers began to report for duty with the 55th, partly for the purpose of affording relief to those who had been in action on this sector for seventeen continuous days, but more especially so as to give the new-comers a chance to earn pro- motion. An order had recently issued, to the effect that, thereafter, promotion would be restricted to officers serving at the front; the gentlemen who had held staff or bureau positions immediately began to feel the "call" of Montfaucon. At this time Lt. Col. Dusenbury received his colonelcy. A number of men, who had been left behind as casuals, now came up with a replacement-draft, and rejoined their former units. Oct. 19 was a notable date in the regimental history. The regimental section assembled near Epinonville, most of them coming from Montfaucon, and the remainder from Camp du Gendarme. At first it seemed that even the officers would have to sleep out in an open field; but the Chaplain went "prospecting," and found a splendid dug-out (Epinonville was directly on the Volker Stellung) which was about to be vacated by the 89th Divi- sion; and Moses-like, he led the entire Headquarters "tribe" into a very satisfactory " promised land." The new quarters were about one hundred feet long, twenty feet wide, and eight feet high. Americans Great Halloween Party 189 They had brick walls, heavy log roofing covered by several feet of earth, with elephant-iron on top of the latter, and were partially floored with planks. Excepting the side which looked toward Germany, the structure was entirely under ground; on the north, some four feet of the upper wall projected above the earth, and afforded light thru windows, which were covered with cotton cloth. The windows had to be darkened at night; and, more serious still, this unprotected wall was vulnerable to artillery fire from the new enemy positions. The structure was a genuine dug- out, and was very damp; except for the protection given by the elephant-iron, there would have been a continuous seepage from the roof — and there was some, notwithstanding precautions, especially when other troops "salvaged'' the iron from off our roof and left us exposed to the French weather. The structure would have been an excellent stable or cow-shed; and the 55th often expressed congratulations to the unknown French farmer, whose premises had been rendered so much more valuable by this German military construction. Here the 55th were actually able to restore, and use, the electric lighting system, which had been installed by the foe. On the same day, John L. Roberts succeeded Granville Sevier in command of the regiment; and Col. Sevier, Maj. Wilson and Capt. Kircher started back to the United States, for the purpose of helping train new artillery regiments. Col. Roberts was one of a family which had long been associated with Maine and with Boston, altho he himself was a native of New York City; he began his military career in the 7th Infantry, National Guard, New York, became a captain in the 201st N. Y. Volunteers during the Spanish War, and afterwards continued in the Regular Army. He had been attached to the 55th only one day at the time when he succeeded to command of it. Capt. Kircher was performing his duties at the cost of much suffering — was indeed very sick with fever — when he received his orders to return to the United States and help train additional troops for overseas service; thru some unexplained psychotherapeutic influence he experienced instant and complete recovery upon receipt of the message. Paying a farewell visit to his comrades at the Bois de Beuge batteries, he received hearty congratulations from all of them — for America 'looked very good" to the 55th at that moment. The Captain had dressed up for his journey, and was wearing his best boots. He and Capt. Bettcher walked across the fields toward Head- 190 The Fifty-fifth Artillery quarters, deep in conversation, and presently came to a brook. Capt. Bettcher was wearing rubber boots, and gallantly offered to carry Capt. Kircher across the stream, pick-a-back. The conversa- tion continued as they went forward; and right in the middle of the water-course, Capt. Bettcher became so excited over the mes- sages which he was dictating for the home-folk that he absent- mindedly let go of his burden and dropped Capt. Kircher, boots and all, in the mud. Coincidently with the transfer of the regimental post of command to Epinonville, the battalions also moved forward; the 1st and 3d Battalions occupied new positions in the town of Gesnes (the 1st on the west and the 3d on the north), and about one week later the 2d transferred to a valley on the Cunel road about one mile west of Romagne. All three battalions found the ground littered with dead Germans, and had to exercize care to keep their gun-wheels from working violence to these former enemies; members of Bat. F, after a few hours' rest in a loft filled with straw, were startled, at day-break, to find themselves lying amidst dead bodies of the enemy. Gesnes was a more comfortable place than Montf aucon, as it was equipped with many old German barracks; but the town was within easy range of the enemy. During the first night's shelling, Capt. Reynolds was driven to seek a better dug-out; and found one wherein he stood for an hour with a soothed sensation because he felt safe. His experience demonstrated how slight a physical basis may sometimes underlie a mental state; when on the next morning he investigated his refuge for future use, he was horrified to find that it consisted merely of two big wicker baskets and a piece of tar-paper over them as a roof. Bombardment was con- tinuous, and by guns of the largest caliber; seven 42 cm. shells fell in Gesnes — the first that the enemy had used since 1914. The detonation of one such shell produced a shell-pit seventy-nine feet across and nineteen feet deep by actual measurement. When one of these "ash cans" struck and exploded within twenty-five yards of the Bat. E commander's post, it caused one battery to think that, for them, la guerre was fini. A shell struck the Bat. A mess- shack on Oct. 31, killing Pvt. Elmer R. Pond and Cook Conrad Brown and wounding a third man. Another shell exploded in a barn near the Bat. F position, and set fire to gasolene which was stored within; Sgt. Holden and Mech. Rowe rushed in and lib- Americans Great Halloween Party 191 erated the horses which were stabled in the burning building — alas! in some cases too late to save the poor beasts from injury. On one occasion, as shells were heard approaching Bat. F, each coming nearer to the battery kitchen, the lieutenant on duty ordered the men to take cover. Sgt. Scott was stirring an immense kettle of soup; and kept right on with his task. Upon receiving a second admonition to move, he replied, "Sir, if I go now, this soup will burn.'* "If you stay, your life won't be worth a nickel, so go." "That may be so, sir, but if this soup burns, my life in this battery won't be worth a nickel." And he remained — without fatal results. On Oct. 29 Sgt. Theophilus Higgins of Bat. B was wounded; and on the same day, Cpl. William J. Andre of Bat. B accidentally shot himself. An efficiently managed K. of C. hut did much for the men's comfort at this position. While at Gesnes, certain officers developed curiosity to know what the enemy looked like and what they were doing; day after day, with utter disregard for caution, they "took walks" toward the north — and met with a number of exciting adventures. For sheer temerity, however, the Battalion Surgeon, Maj. Wray, held the preeminence; not only did he indulge in the "walks," but he was actually found one day enjoying a quiet morning nap at a sunny spot well out toward the enemy lines. Presently the "walks" became a matter of duty; for the regiment were called upon to furnish a quota of scouts, and sent men so far forward as to bring them in actual contact with the enemy. Gen. Wright, of the 89th Division, selected Gesnes as his Head- quarters, and compelled the 1st Batl. to vacate some of the finest German barracks in his favor. Artillery privates, and even battery officers, have small chance of winning in a contest with a major general; it was, however, possible to accomplish a little. The General's limousine had been left rather close to the guns ; what was to hinder firing interdiction shots by battery salvo, instead of by piece? So all the 155's were discharged simultaneously, with much injury to the distant enemy, and more visible damage to the glass windows of the limousine. Further retaliation was possible since the guns were conveniently located near the General's quarter. German shells frequently came in, with their characteris- tic, melancholy whir and whine, and usually exploded; as the gunners heard one approach, they synchronized the discharge 192 The Fifty-fifth Artillery of a 155 G. P. F. with the expected detonation of the shell, and produced the effect of a projectile exploding right outside the Gen- eral's door. The General himself rushed forth and shouted, "Sergeant, oh. Sergeant, where did that one hit?" "Sir, it hasn't hit yet," was the truthful but mystifying reply. While the gunners were indulging in retaliation upon the division- al officers, they incidentally directed the same joke against certain of their own battery officers, who were not in the secret. The rule was for a man to throw himself flat on the ground, when he heard a shell coming; one battery officer, the most fastidious dresser of them all, measured his length in the mud several times, before he saw thru the prank. The 2d Batl., on the Cunel road, were under the notorious Hill No. 288. Associated with them in the same region were two battalions of the 57th Arty, and one of the 59th. These artillery- men took possession of portions of the Kriemhilde Stellung and settled themselves, before the field artillery came forward; after- wards the latter emplaced their guns in the rear of the 155's. Never did the new theory of Army Artillery operations have a fairer test — and as we shall see, never did such artillery achieve more decisive results. The 2d Batl. moved toward Hill No. 288 under machine-gun fire, and they had only scattered machine- gunners between them and the German line when they halted — indeed they were less than one and one-half miles distant from the enemy; as their presence must be kept secret for a few days, they could not fire any answering shots, and their own men had to serve as a forward infantry picket-line in order to guard against possible raids. An old well in Romagne was their only available source of water-supply. As the foe had so recently vacated the neighborhood they remembered the importance of the well, and shelled it periodically and accurately and with all too fatal results. There was considerable discussion amongst the different heavy artillery regiments as to which occupied the most advanced position during the war. Claims were early made by the 57th Arty, in behalf of their emplacements at Bois d'Emont on Oct. 13, by the 59th Arty, in behalf of Eclisfontaine on Oct. 11, and by the 60th Arty, in behalf of Fleville on Oct. 10. After a careful study of the battle-map, the author is of the opinion that the 60th at Fleville went into position nearer the enemy than did any other regiment. MONTFAUCON FROM IvOIRY Signal Corps Photo MONTFAUCON America's Great Halloween Party 193 and that the 55th, 57th and 59th, at Romagne, held second place in the contest for closeness of proximity to the foe. Pvt. Lawrence A. Freeman of Hq. Co., while driving Maj. Smithes auto on Oct. 25 near Romagne, was struck by a shell-fragment and seriously wounded; he needed instant medical attention, and consequently exerted all that remained of his waning strength to drive hirnself to the nearest dressing-station. The mishap took place while the Major was away reconnoitering on foot; when the officer finished his reconnoissance, he found himself under the unpleasant necessity of walking thru a very dangerous mile of country, back to his quarters. Pvt. Raymond J. Fortier of Bat. C was mortally wounded on Oct. 27. The French field artillery, who moved in as neighbors to the 55th, experienced much difficulty transporting their guns thru the deep mud, and again and again borrowed the American tractors to help them out — ^it was here that the Holt was finally conceded the "pennant'' as champion overcomer of mud; the grateful Frenchmen reciprocated by extending to the Americans frequent invitations to dinner — and French dinners, even at the front, were decidedly worth eating. Regimental Headquarters at Epinonville was shelled on Oct. 25, one projectile exploding within fifty feet of the Band tents, and another a little farther away from the officers' quarters. German aeroplanes kept dropping propaganda literature, which set forth the worthy character of the "new democratic government" in the Kaiser's realm, and explained the "peace-loving" disposition of the enemy, and extended to such enlisted men as would stop fighting, a formal offer of peace; the Yanks were amused by these evidences of German simple-mindedness. When, on Oct. 27, another plane dropped a bomb on the open ground near Head- quarters (trying to hit a balloon park, but failing) we understood fully what German "peace" would mean. The latter plane did not succeed in regaining the enemy lines. On Oct. 27, the Chaplain conducted church services at Gesnes — the first public worship which had been possible since Sept. 14. Owing to battle conditions, and the danger arising from concentrat- ing numbers of men at any single point, the meetings had to be divided up, and held under camouflage cover. The 1st Batl. worshiped in their mess-shack — the same where Pond and Brown met their death. Bat. E assembled in an old German barrack; and Bat. F worshiped separately in another similar structure. 13 194 The Fifty-fifth Artillery The Fusiliers had accumulated several captured machine-guns, ammunition belts and all, with which they had equipped an im- provized anti-aircraft battery made up from their own reserve section. One of the guns, a French "Chau Chat," had been captured months previously from the original makers by the Germans, and had been recaptured by Bug. William Roulet (who ultimately bore his trophy home in triumph to Boston). This battery was in position alongside of the building in which church was held. When during the service an enemy plane appeared over-head, and caused the machine-guns to open fire, the interrup- tion made evident the fact that the human voice is powerless in competition with artillery — the Chaplain's prayer was interrupted midway in its course, and the final petitions were entirely lost by the congregation. This day's worship was all conducted under fire. Oct. 27 was also notable because it marked Col. Dusenbury's departure for his new post of duty, as commander of O. & T. Center No. 1 at Libourne; he possessed the esteem of the entire regiment, and his leaving occasioned much regret. Some brave ladies had come to France, to assist the Y. M. C. A. in its ministrations. It was, of course, the rule that ladies should not be brought near enough the front to expose them to needless danger; but there was sometimes difficulty in telling exactly where the danger-line lay. On Oct. 28 two courageous canteen-workers opened a center of good cheer in Epinonville, and at once attracted a gathering of delighted young soldiers from both the 89th Division and the 55th Artillery. Presently, however, the explosion of half a dozen enemy shells in the vicinity convinced the ambitious Y. M. C. A. people that Epinonville was not yet a quiet sector; and amid universal regret the ladies departed for safer regions. United States mail reached the regiment at irregular intervals. On the 21st of October the Chaplain had to journey all the way to Bar-sur-Aube and back (200 miles) for the purpose of securing missing sacks. On Oct. 30 the regiment came near losing thirty-one sacks at Souilly; if the mail had not been a few minutes late in arriving, it would have been caught and destroyed inside of burning barracks. War produced unusual contacts. On Oct. 30 the Chaplain was called upon to conduct a Masonic funeral for the 147th F. Arty, at Epinonville, notwithstanding the fact that he was ^himself not then a Mason. Another summons from the same regiment, on Nov. America's Great Halloween Party 195 1, laid upon the Chaplain the duty of interring a man from the section of South Dakota where he had himself been pastor twenty years previously — Massachusetts and South Dakota met in the Argonne. Orders were issued that battalion commanders must learn the art of aerial observation — in other words, they must go up in the balloons and find out how it felt. That week, by careful estimate, the chances were three out of five that an aeronaut would be attacked in the air, and would have to jump for his life; and the prospect did not appeal strongly to the mature gentlemen who served as commanders of the artillery battalions. How it was managed the author does not know; but only Capt. Reynolds, of all the officers designated, ever had to make an actual ascent. The order was used as the means for playing a practical joke on Lt. Bates; he was officially notified to be in readiness for a day in the skies, the ascent being scheduled for the following morning. His friends watched carefully for symptoms of nervousness over the approaching ordeal, and he was given all sorts of instructions in the details of parachute-leaping; the lieutenant accepted his assignment calmly and imperturbably — and at the time of the expected ascent, discovered that it was intended humorously. Capt. Stitt, as supply officer of the regiment, found that his task was by no means "a minor job" during the latter days of the great battle — indeed it had always been a hard and important work. All the best trucks had been taken from the 55th and loaned to the 52d Ammunition Train; the remainder of the transportation was placed under control of the Captain, with instructions that he must so use it as to keep the regiment fully supplied. Meanwhile, of course, the weather grew no drier and the roads no better. Twenty separate messes looked to Capt. Stitt for their food and fuel. Vehicles wore out rapidly under extreme use — as a matter of fact, the transportation was not in first-class condition when it was delivered to the 55th. Dodge auto-tires were lacking to such an extent that cars had to be laid aside ; when a regimental movement took place, part of the Dodges would go forward, and would be stripped of their tires; the latter would be sent back in a truck, and the remaining autos would then advance under their own power — but on borrowed tubes. When, one day, Lt. McKenna's rolling- kitchen actually shook to pieces on the road, its fate was regarded not as interesting in itself, but it was accepted as a warning of 196 The Fifty-fifth Artillery what was likely soon to overtake all the 55th's transportation. In spite of difficulties, Capt. Stitt "delivered the goods." As the enemy forces began to disintegrate, all sorts of souvenirs rewarded Yank hunters — it was said that Americans had gone to war for the express purpose of gathering such tokens of re- membrance. Helmets and weapons and badges came our way, of all kinds and without number. One bugler (Hoffman of Bat. C), who chanced to be a member of the Elks, found im- bedded in the trail of a German 77 mm. gun an American revol- ver-bullet, which had become misshapen so as to resemble an elk^s tooth. During the weeks of the great struggle, division after division of the American Army adopted the odd symbols which afterward came to be universally worn on the left shoulder of the coat. From the very beginning various units had painted identification marks on their trucks and their baggage, following, in this practise, the French custom. Finally the 81st Division (the Wild-Cat) had appeared with their totemic emblem sewed according to British usage, in cloth, on their shoulders — it was believed that the cloth "wild-cats" had been prepared back in the United States, before the Division sailed overseas. The 5th Division promptly followed the new custom, and mounted the red diamond — apparently taking the device from the 60th Artillery, who had long used it on trucks and autos. Then the custom became universal, and was given the seal of official approval by G. O. No. 33, 1st Army, on Nov. 9. The shoulder symbol was first adopted for the purpose of enabling men to recognize their comrades amid the stress of battle; later it demonstrated its utility as a method of preventing strag- gling. On the latter ground, it appeared wise to the staff of the 1st Army to provide an identifying mark for Army troops, who did not belong to any division; and they prescribed a large "block A" in black cloth. Then the Army Artillery desired something more distinctive, and they received, on Nov. 17, permission to insert a filling of red and white cloth between the legs of the A. The 55th received orders to sew such ornaments on their shoulders, and obeyed; on Nov. 25, they received further orders to remove the ornaments, and complied. A third order reached other regiments, in accordance with which the "A" was put back for a second time; but as the 55th never received this, they became known as the regiment without any shoulder device. Wide World Photo ROMAGNE America's Great Halloween Party 197 American soldiers found France a land where conditions especially favored the growth of romance; the castle-crowned hills, the omnipresent caves and cellars, the frequent patches of forest, the indigenous social, domestic and agricultural customs were mysterious, and all conspired to stimulate Yank imagination. War itself added fresh stimulus. During the battle, wild tales began to appear in letters which were submitted for censorship; men who were merely sick reported themselves as " wounded,*' and told of their ''croix de guerre." Stragglers from the 37th Divi- sion won much sympathy and many meals from the 55th, by means of their stories of horrible adventure in No Man's Land; and continued "to work their graft" until they were rounded up by the M. P.'s, and sent back to duty. One could scarcely ever disprove a tale — the most improbable things might happen. After applying all known tests for verisimilitude, the following are submitted as choice examples of 55th Arty, fiction, the kind of tales with which the artillerymen regaled their home-folk. "In the Argonne, about Oct. 20, the battery received orders to move up closer to the front. Scouts were sent on ahead to clear away any obstructions, while R , with a companion, was assigned to bring up the rear, to give notice of any danger from that quarter. The path followed was through trees and brush which afforded an excellent hiding place for machine-gun nests and snipers. A sharp lookout was kept on all sides, but despite this the entire battery passed one nest before it was discovered. "This nest was in a shell-hole which afforded a clear range of the battery's rear. The boche was just warming into action when R jumped him and sent a 40-40 clear through his helmet. The first shot simply stunned him, though, for taking better cover, he swung the gun around and then began a battle between the two without either willing to give quarter. The fight lasted several minutes before other members of the battery could come to the rescue, and even then half a dozen shots were sent through the steel head covering before the boche was finally killed." THE QUAD WHICH WAS DRAWN BY MULES "Another man cited is W A , who, when the outfit had been under fire for three days without a drop of water, volun- 198 The Fifty-fifth Artillery teered to run the danger of the constantly bursting shells and was forced to cover 22 kilometers before he could find any fit to drink. The hazard was doubled on the trip back with the precious fluid, but he got through safely and was greatly welcomed. "On still another occasion he was bringing up a quad wagon loaded with powder from the rear. A shell burst in the road nearby, a fragment tearing off one of the wheels and showering both driver and mules with mud and splinters. Although bleeding from nearly a dozen cuts and bruises, A managed to keep the frightened animals in control, and when they had become quieted, chopped down a young sapling and used it as a skid in place of the missing wheel. He got the powder through somehow and made light of his wound when there was talk of sending him to a hospital. *' ADVENTURES NINE MILES IN THE REAR "Another man admired by his fellows is Sergt. F , who holds the rank of gun-commander. The latter holds a long record for service, but did not get into the limelight until September, when he saved four of the battery's guns from destruction at Coulonges. The outfit at this point was stationed close to the German lines, and the raids both from the air and the boche batteries were frequent. Orders finally came for an advance, and F 's battery moved forward. They were almost in the infantry front lines when the orders came to halt; and as there was no time to pull back, or to get into action, for that matter, F cast his life to the winds when he crawled forward on his hands and knees almost to the German lines in order to learn the location of the German emplacements and the points against which they were directing the attack. " Crawling back, he gave orders that the guns be hidden under a camouflage, and so well was the work carried out that they lay in concealment all the next day and the greater part of the next night, until the Germans were driven out and the battery could get back into action. Later it was learned that the point at which the guns were concealed was less than 200 yards from the grave of Quentin Roosevelt." AN EXPEDITION WHICH NEVER WAS "One of the wounded members to return with the battery is J D , who also has been cited for bravery. D was America's Great Halloween Party 199 on a scouting expedition in the Argonne with one of the battalion commanders. A shell struck the machine in which they were riding, wounding him in the leg and shattering the side of the car. The engine, however, was not damaged; and although the officer insisted that he go back, D refused and stayed on until the information they were after was gained and safely back in the hands of those who desired it." Truth may be stranger than fiction; but fiction is the more entertaining. Romagne was selected by Gen. Pershing as the site for America's great military cemetery; and there the remains of some thirty thousand men were interred. These men, when they fell, had first been buried in the nearest available spot — preferably an abandoned trench, in order to save digging. As time permitted, loyal comrades mounded up the graves and surrounded them with wire fencing and marked them with small, wooden crosses; officers and men of the 55th rendered this service in many instances to the graves of infantrymen. Until the dead were assembled at Romagne, the entire battle-area was hallowed by their presence — the bravest and best of the army, for German shells "loved a shining mark." If the life-blood of noble men could sanctify, the soil of northern France was thrice-sacred — the sepulcher, it was, of martyrs; the altar of Freedom and Right. German dead were always decently interred by the Yanks; their case was considered immediately after that of the Americans and French, and their graves were duly registered. One sur- prizing instance occurred. The officers' kitchen at Epinonville was established on the edge of a bank, at a spot where there was not the slightest evidence of earlier mortuary activity. When on the first day the kitchen fire had been burning long enough to heat the soil, everyone noticed that the earth was swelling — or rather that a section of it was altering its contour. As the swelling took form, it involved the surface of the ground within an area of some six feet by two. Very little speculation was required to find a reason for the phenomenon; but it was harder to determine what to do about it. There was no other good place for the kitchen. Consequently, as long as the 55th remained at Epinonville, the officers ate their meals by that bank; and every day the swelling made its appearance at breakfast time and continued visible until the ground cooled at night. When we left the district, one 200 The Fifty-fifth Artillery of our last acts was to report to the Graves Registration Service that a German grave existed at the indicated place. Oct. 31 brought the encouraging tidings that Turkey had sur- rendered. By the end of the month Gen. Liggett had brought up both flanks of the 1st Army to the line which the "center bulge" established nearly four weeks earlier; the enemy had been entirely expelled from the Argonne Forest; and progress had been made against the heights beyond the Meuse River. This month of incessant battle had cost thousands of lives; the gain from it consisted in driving the Germans out of four of their six lines of prepared defenses. Meanwhile American artillery had advanced far to the front, and ammunition had been accumulated near the batteries, amounting to 1,200 rounds per gun. Everything was ready for a second great drive. Gen. Summerall's 5th Corps was aligned, with the 89th Division on the right and the 2d on the left and the 1st in reserve. For Corps artillery supports, there were in position the 31st Brigade under Gen. Davis, and the 32d Brigade, commanded by our former "chief," Col. James F. Howell. The latter paid a friendly visit to his old regiment on Nov. 5, and received a most cordial welcome. The Army Artillery, 1st Army, was under command of Gen. McGlachlin, whose Headquarters were at Bar-sur-Aube, and who occupied advanced posts of command at Souilly and Epinon- ville; during the second great drive, however, the 31st and 32d Brigades were temporarily attached, for tactical purposes, to the 5th Corps, and were commanded by Brig. Gen. Dwight E. Aultman. Since Oct. 12, the 31st Brigade had been complete, the 57th Arty, having joined on that date; this regiment comprized four bat- teries from New York City and two from Maine, the latter being the 2d Batl. Col. Louis R. Burgess commanded the 57th. The regiment had a blue triangle as its emblem (3d regiment in the 31st Brigade), and also stenciled a "pickle" on its guns and baggage as a suggestion of how "Heintz" had rendered the regimental number famous; the 2d Batl. was an older unit than the rest of the regiment, and never relinquished its own emblem — a flying eagle bearing a projectile. The 5th Corps Headquarters was at Cheppy, and the 31st Brigade's at Ivoiry. Col. Roberts commanded the 55th Arty.; Capt. Bryan was Adjutant; Capt. Reynolds, Maj. W. B. Smith and Maj. Nestor commanded the three battalions; and the bat- Mess Line, Epinonville Epinonville Wide World Photo Balloon on Fire, Epinonville, Oct. 28, 1918 Parachute Falling After Burning Balloon Epinonville Two Bombs from German Plane, Epinonville, Oct. 27, 1918 Balloon Stationed near Headquarters at Epinonville Geeman Dug-outs Occupied by the Fifty-fifth at Epinonville Epinonville. "Bbaucoup Prisoners" Passing Headquarters after Nov. 1 Drive America's Great Halloween Party 201 teries were commanded by (Headquarters Co.) Capt. W. L. Smith, (A) Lt. Youngberg, (B) Capt. Kimball, (C) Capt. McKenna, (D) Capt. Hirsch, (E) Capt. Shaffer, (F) Lt. Vickers, in the temporary- absence of Capt. Dodge, who was sick, and (Supply Co.) Capt. Stitt. The regiment had only 59 officers present, of the 71 to whom it was entitled ; so many changes had taken place that only 32 officers remained who had been included in the roster eight months pre- viously. The enlisted strength was slightly over 1,600 — about 100 below the maximum; of these some 30 were absent. While it was doubtful whether many Americans had time to consider the anniversary significance of Oct. 31, they were never- theless busily preparing for the most stupendous "Halloween" ob- servance in all history; as the enemy viewed the event in retro- spect, they would doubtless have accepted Burns' description as accurate (understanding the ''gleam" and "thunder" as references to flares and artillery) : "The wind blew as't wad blawn its last, The rattling showers rose on the blast; The speedy gleams the darkness swallowed; Loud, deep, and lang the thunder bellowed: That night, a child might understand, The Deil had business on his hand." The targets for the 55th were cross-roads, German batteries and concentrations of men behind the enemy lines between Buzancy and Andevanne, at distances ranging from six to eight miles from our guns. Field artillery opened fire at 10 p. m., and the heavy cannon commenced work at 2 a. m. on Nov. 1; at 5.30 a. m. the infantry advanced. While there were fewer French guns participat- ing in this artillery preparation, the increased number of Americans compensated for the subtraction; and gunners had a glitter in their eyes; the scenes and sounds of Sept. 26 were repeated and exceeded; once more both earth and sky seemed vibrant with destructive violence. Observers described the firing as "the most tremendous, flexible, accurate barrage in the history of warfare"; the enemy were surprized, nay paralyzed, by its violence and accuracy. The infantry attack was protected by a barrage from 155's — in the past, the rolling-barrage had always been laid by the field artillery; in this work, three guns of a battery would fire while the fourth was allowed to cool. Very few answering shots came back from the demoralized enemy; one such happened 202 The Fifty-fifth Artillery HA\-L&5 ^ ', sx^ 'BU2ANCY / '-fo"-'^ v4 cHAHPY Jle cH^npr NOUART "L^wB^RlCOURp ^TA^r\\ 6015 "^''X (^0NTI6^ /-:::: t / SOIS «-/ SASseY -» iTJCHtWeRY kRtnONVlUJt' MrtECOUR-i Oouucov^ 'DW SUR neusE ../"i--^^ ^NcRevicu.e, Sonne (?A^E z:""-^^"^ /—v ''-^_^ Ron MAP SHOWING FIRING AREA OF 55 ARTILLERY CJV.C. NOVEhBtR 11318. EXERHONT , t - ECU5F0NT/ LEGEND IW BATTER r X ISOLATE OTA f^GET ■ R6T. HDQTRS. "^^X CONCENTRAT/on DRESTCAnP y5^g^\\,eE U.^ *J WOODS JL^ FROWT LINE tvovi ANt) occypriMGOivisiow -■h-f- DlVl^lOW AND CORPS Bouwww .. SEPARATION OF OIVISIOWAL ADVAWCES , MAm Road toTD^ ^^ X NMv GERHAN STROK/G LINE- c*n'/EPlWowviaF "^ 1-^ < TOWNf Roeurrs ivorRY nsr //iJ Scale: 2H miles ■- 1 inch E. A. Kircher Americans Great Halloween Party 203 to strike amongst the neighboring 147th F. Arty.; and the ex- ploding projectile actually buried a man, all but his face — without any permanent injury to him whatever. The American Halloween celebration involved the sending of hundreds of Germans to join the saints — or contrariwise; whatever uncertainty might exist as to the destination of the dead, there was no doubt about the streams of prisoners — "beaucoup prisoners,'' as the men described the sight — pouring southward along every road, to the pens in the rear. Two mounted M. P.'s escorted 250 captives past the regi- mental Headquarters of the 55th ; and amongst the latter we were astounded to see three women. Plans worked out perfectly. When the artillery had pulverized the German front line, the infantry advanced, almost unopposed, thru the "opening" thus provided. Only once, on Nov. 2, did infantry within range of the 55th encounter serious difficulty — the 1st and 3d Battalions were called upon to make a ninety- degree face to the westward in order to assist the 78th Division overcome lingering resistance in the latter's sector. Meanwhile the longer-ranged guns had shot the enemy's supports out from under them, supports upon which the Germans were relying as an es- sential factor in their defense; the front line was left, as the enemy themselves expressed it, "in the air." Opposition had literally dis- appeared; our men "lost contact." It afterwards became known that the fleeing enemy were hastening at full speed toward their last defensive system, the Lille-Metz Stellung; but for a day or two the Americans could not ascertain what had become of them. As soon as the retreat caused artillery ranges to be unduly lengthened, the batteries were ordered into traveling position for the purpose of following up the foe; a battalion of the 56th started forward at full speed, did the hardest day's march in all their career, hastily placed themselves in firing position and were ready to fire, when they received the information that the foe were again out of range. "Oh, hell!" was the only possible comment. Infantry had to be transported forward in trucks — marching foot-soldiers could not even keep in sight of the foe. The 55th waited a day or two before advancing, simply because it was impossible to tell whither to go — where they would find themselves again within firing distance of the receding target. Viewed in its larger aspect, the German Halloween rout never stopped until the signing by them of a certain epoch-marking document on June 28, 1919. 204 The Fifty-fifth Artillery As an inevitable sequel to this our second great drive, on All Saints Day the regimental wireless began to pick up messages to the Eiffel Tower — messages from the enemy, asking for peace. This page-form is "locked up" on Jan. 10, 1920, just as two events occur. The Treaty of Versailles becomes operative and the League of Nations comes into existence by exchange of ratifica- tions between the former enemies — with the United States tem- porarily self -excluded. And Col. Frederick Palmer's valuable book, ''America's Greatest Battle," issues from the press. Col. Palmer describes the Meuse-Argonne struggle as consisting of three attacks (Oct. 4, 9 and 14) in between the two great drives. We have seen how our 1st and 3d Battalions bore an important part on Oct. 4. Our 2d Batl. in the Ravin de Lai Fuon had an equally great share in the Oct. 9 assault; their counter-battery firing northwest of Fleville and their interdiction fire upon the roads running east and north from "Laundry St. George" were a much needed aid to the 1st Division while the latter were engaged in their costly effort to gain the trough of the Aire Valley. On Oct. 14 we helped the 32d and 42d Divisions to take their hardest- won prizes, the "monstrous C6te de Chdtillon" and Hill 288, and wipe out the Kriemhilde Stellung west of Romagne, so that twelve days later our 2d Batl. were able to advance their guns and take position upon the very ground thus won. Tractor and G. P. F. of Bat. A Ready for the Move from Gesnes to Sedan B AT Gesnes, Ready to Move to Sedan CHAPTER X The Armistice AS THE battle-front receded toward the north and east, Epinonville and Gesnes were Hberated from most of war's - terrors; but life there did not immediately lose all its excitement. ''Jerry the Bomber" continued his nocturnal visits until Nov. 9; traffic congestion was increased rather than dimin- ished when the supply-hnes became stretched to greater length; the prohibition of lights continued, and travel was dangerous; and unexploded shells and grenades were scattered everywhere, to the imminent peril of anyone moving along the roads or thru the fields. The Chaplain was stopped by a traffic-blockade, as he was going to Romagne for church services on Nov. 3, and upon investigating ascertained that a serious accident had happened in the darkness of the preceding night. A truck, belonging to the 56th Arty., ac- cidentally deviated a little toward the gutter, and ran squarely into a pile of grenades, which were lying there; the resulting explosion killed three men and destroyed two trucks and an am- bulance; the bodies lay by the roadside. Because of the unex- ploded grenades scattered on the surface of the highway, traffic was temporarily held up by the M. P.'s. At the request of the M. P. in charge, the Chaplain assumed responsibility for the buri- als, and himself started digging a large grave, using such spade and mattock as he could salvage in the vicinity. Volunteer helpers joined in the task. Inquiry revealed that two of the dead were members of the 56th Arty, and the third belonged to the 1st Trench Mortar Battalion; two were CathoHcs and the third a Hebrew. At the last minute a Catholic Chaplain connected with the 89th Division happened along, and consecrated the ground in which the interment was about to take place. Then with a simple but solemn religious service, the three were laid to rest — the two soldiers of the 56th, who had been life-long chums and who, "in their death, were not divided," and the comrade who was a complete stranger to them, the Catholics and Hebrew side by side in the same grave. By chance the Paymaster and the Chaplain reached the 2d Batl. at the same time that Sunday afternoon. An arrangement 206 The Fifty-fifth Artillery was made by which the two officers alternated in meeting the batteries, and rehgion cooperated amicably with finance; it had been feared that the men would be so occupied with their *'pay" that they would have no energy left for worship, but the anticipa- tion was groundless — practically everyone attended both gather- ings. Gesnes had been an important rest area for the German army, and was splendidly equipped to meet the men's need; for one thing, a complete **Bad" had been constructed, with showers, tubs, a delousing plant and a large steam-boiler, while water was brought from a reservoir on the neighboring hill. How good it seemed to have a real bath and to feel clean, after weeks and weeks of dirt and vermin! The entire regiment enjoyed the luxury, visiting the town, a battery at a time. On Nov. 4 the Americans were also cheered by the sound of an American locomotive whistle on the newly repaired line at Grand Pr4. The same day brought the good tidings of Austria's surrender. A few of the officers and men had oportunity on Nov. 5 to visit Verdun and inspect the bloodiest battle-field of the war; when, two or three days later, Sedan was captured, another highly interesting spot was made available for pilgrimage, by those who could find leisure. On Nov. 6 the regimental wireless intercepted a message to the effect that German peace delegates had left Berlin for Paris; the French correctly interpreted this move as an indication of surrender, and on Nov. 7, along the entire front, indulged in a grand jubilation, with rockets and cheers and song. Of course the Yanks followed the French lead, and added their full proportion to the uproar and glad feeling. This celebration spread to the United States, and at least in New York and Massachusetts led to a demonstration which was afterwards regarded as premature and mistaken; as a matter of fact, French judgment did not err in recognizing the appearance of German envoys as a proof of Allied victory; and sufficient reason existed for the rejoicing. Along the 5th Corps front the Army expended so much energy celebrating on Nov. 7 that they did not have much left for greeting the actual armistice on Nov. 11. For the 3d Batl. the war had by no means ended, in spite of all the noise and fireworks. On Nov. 5 and 6 they engaged in the longest continuous road march of their entire history, journeying The Armistice 207 all the way to Beaufort in the northern part of the Department of the Meuse, twenty-two miles distant, for the purpose of once more coming within range of the foe. Upon arrival, they could find no suitable artillery positions, and had to unlimber the guns amidst a dense fog and commence firing right out in the open field. Bat. E actually being silhouetted against the sky; but they were within five short miles of the Lille-Metz Stellung, and could inflict vast damage upon the enemy. More important still, they had the Metz-M^zieres railroad under interdiction fire at Lamouilly and prevented the Germans from using it — they helped to cut the enemy line of supply and of retreat. Three batteries of the 57th Arty, accompanied the 3d Batl. of the 55th in this move. If we may revert to our simile employed in a previous chapter — when these guns opened fire at Beaufort, " the bottle was corked. '' Beaufort was a dangerous place, even tho the enemy were demoralized. Shells searched the buildings of the village and wrought much damage, besides causing many narrow escapes amongst those not actually hit. One shell exploded inside a house which Bat. F were using as a billet, and broke up a sociable card- party; another penetrated the chimney of the wash-room, and drove the men out to the street with faces lathered and partly shaved, in all stages of undress. More tragic in its results was the shelling of a neighboring battalion of field artillery; two successive shells landed inside the barn which the men were using as a mess- shack, and killed nine unfortunates. Pvt. Euplio Cerrone of Bat. F was mortally wounded on Nov. 8, and died two days later — our only casualty at Beaufort. Congratulations and citations came to the American Army as a result of the November battle; one of the finest tributes was paid in the London "Morning Post.^' The erudite British journalist invented a new simile, by which to describe the impor- tance of the American drive along the Meuse; recalling his reading of the Iliad and talking the language of Homer, he described the German line at that point: "There is the heel of the German Achilles. There his sinews and tendons, the direct communication with his home bases, come, as it were, to the surface and are liable at a blow to be severed." No wonder he conceded that the Yanks, in mastering this line, had won "a signal victory." General Liggett 's order came first: 208 The Fifiy-fifth Artillery "Headquarters 1st Army, "American E. F., France "G. O. No. 31, 5 November 1918. "On November first, after constant fighting for over one month, the First American Army launched an attack against the German Army which had established itself for determined resistance. In five days it had penetrated twenty-five kilometers and had driven the enemy in retreat before it. Its brilliant success, in connection with the advance of the Fourth French Army on its left, forced the Germans to retreat on a broad front to the west. " It has fought and marched and endured the rigors of campaign with the most superb indifference to everything except the deter- mination to go forward and imprint upon the enemy the marks of its courage and resolution. "All arms and services, those in advance who smashed the way, those in the air who rendered aggressive and efficient service, and those in rear who by their untiring industry made possible the continued advance, are worthy of the highest praise and the gratitude of their admiring country. "The Army Commander is proud of such an army, thanks it for the splendid results already achieved, and looks with confidence to the still greater successes that lie before it. "By Command of Lieutenant General Liggett: "Official: "H. A. Drum, ''Chief of Staff. "H. K. Loughry, "Adjutant General. " HQ, Army Artillery, 1st Army, American E. F., France, 8 November, 1918. " 1. For your information. "By Command of Major General McGlachlin: "H. W. Stovall, "Major, CAC, "Adjutant.'' Marshal Foch sent his congratulations next: "Headquarters 1st Army, American E. F., France "G. 0. No. 32, 6 November, 1918. "It is with much pride that the Army Commander publishes the following telegram received by the Commander-in-Chief from The Armistice 209 Marshal Foch, and the accompanying expression of gratification from the Commander-in-Chief: "'Operations begun November 1, by the First American Army have already assured, thanks to the valor of the High Command and to the energy and bravery of the troops, results of the greatest importance. I am happy to send to you my warmest congratula- tions on the success of these operations/ (Foch) "By Command of Lieutenant General Liggett: "H. A. Drum, "Official: "Chief of Staff. "H. K. Loughry, "Adjutant General. "HQ, Army Artillery, 1st Army, Am. E. F., France, 8 November, 1918. "1. For your information. "By Command of Major General McGlachlin "H. W. Stovall "Major, CAC, "Adjutant.'^ The foregoing applied to the entire 1st Army. Gen. Liggett next expressed particular appreciation to the Army Artillery, 1st Army. " Headquarters, Army Artillery, 1st Army, American E. F. "France. 8 November, 1918. "G. 0. No. 22. "1. The Commanding General, Army Artillery, publishes with great satisfaction the following letter from the Commanding General of the Army — "'The Army Commander desires me to express to you and the officers and soldiers of the Army Artillery of the 1st Army his full appreciation of the excellent work they have done in our recent operations. "'In this connection, he realizes the great assistance that has been rendered the advance elements by the accurate and powerful support which your command has given to the operation. The Army Commander feels that the work of the Army Artillery in our attack of November 1st was especially efficient and one of the main factors in opening the way for our infantry to break thru the enemy's lines. 14 210 The Fifty-fifth Artillery "'Will you please see that the contents of this communication are transmitted to all organizations of your command/ "2. The Commanding General, Army Artillery, extends to the officers and men of his command assurance of his heartfelt ap- preciation of their devotion to duty and of their always willing and prompt support. He offers to them his grateful thanks. "3. This order will be published to all batteries and similar units at a formal muster. "By command of Major General McGlachlin: "JohnW. Gulick, "Colonel, G. S., Chief of Staff. "Official: "H. W. Stovall, "Major, CAC, Adjutant.'' Because the 31st Brigade was temporarily serving under the 5th Corps, they received an additional letter of thanks: "Headquarters, 31st Heavy Artillery Brigade, "9 November, 1918. "G. 0. No. 32. "1. The Brigade Commander takes just pride in publishing letters to the Command. He desires that each officer and enlisted man be apprized of the contents of these letters as soon as prac- ticable : "'Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Am. E. F., 9th November, 1918. "'From: The Chief of Artillery, 5th Army Corps, "'To: Gen. W. C. Davis, Commanding 31st Brigade Heavy Artil- lery. " ' Subject : Commendation. " ' I transmit herewith, letters of commendation from the Corps Commander regarding the action of the Artillery in the operation of November 1st. "'In transmitting this letter I desire to add my own thanks and appreciation to you and to the officers and men of your Brigade for the hearty cooperation that has resulted in such brilliant success. " ' To have enabled our Infantry to advance in one day over a dis- tance of 9 kilometers with small loss, capturing over 100 guns, 200 machine-guns, and more than 2,000 prisoners, is an achievement The Armistice 211 of which the Artillery may well be proud, and I congratulate your entire command on having so well performed its share in the operation. '* * I desire that the contents of the letter of the Corps Commander be made known to the officers and men of your command, as well as my own appreciation of their splendid conduct. "'Dwight E. Aultman, "'Brigadier General, "'Chief of Artillery, 5th Corps.' "'lend. "'Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Amer. Ex. F., France, 2 November, 1918. "'From: Commanding General, V Army Corps. "'To: Brigadier General D. E. Aultman, Chief of Artillery, V Army Corps. "'Subject: Commendation. "'I desire to convey to you and to the Officers and Soldiers of all Artillery serving in this Corps, my profound appreciation and my high admiration of the brilliant manner in which the Artillery of all classes has performed the difficult tasks allotted to it, especially during the advance on November first. "'Altho the Artillery has been constantly in action day and night, sustaining the battle since the beginning of the present offensive, it has responded with self-sacrificing devotion to duty and a superb efiiciency that is beyond all praise. While our daunt- less Infantry have advanced against the enemy's prepared positions with a courage that elicits our greatest admiration, it must be recognized that without the powerful and skilful cooperation of the Artillery, it would have been impossible to accomplish the results which they have so brilliantly achieved. "'The tremendous volume of fire, the skilful arrangement of all objectives, and the perfect coordination with the Infantry and machine-guns, have made the action of November first a model of completeness, and it must stand as a tribute to the able ad- ministrative officers who conceived the plans, and to the technical ability and the fidelity to duty of those who executed them. "'I beg that you will convey to the Officers and Soldiers of all units of Artillery, the foregoing sentiments, and will assure them 212 The Fifty-fifth Artillery of my abiding wishes for their continued success in the campaigns that lie before them. "'(signed) C. P. Summerall "'Major General, Commanding.' "By Command of Brigadier General Davis: "R. S. Stewart, "Captain CAC, "Adjutant." Church services were held on Nov. 10 for the 1st Batl. at Gesnes under conditions different from any previously prevailing; the men assembled in the ruined church of the town, whose walls showed great gaps and whose roof was, in large degree, gone and upon whose floor a company of Americans were trying to warm them- selves about a camp-fire; the worshipers brushed aside the obstruc- tions and made the room look more as it had appeared before war came; they sang their well-loved hymns; listened to a sermon; and presenting themselves before the shattered altar, they received from the Chaplain the elements of Holy Communion. It was evident on Nov. 10 that the end must come within a few hours; the 2d and 89th Divisions had forced their way across the Meuse, and German resistance could not possibly continue. A few days previously the Americans had looked for a stubborn contest to the bitter end on the part of their enemy — the foe still possessed considerable ability to inflict damage, even in defeat; but it was developing that the German conception of warfare was purely commercial, and that, as soon as they found it a losing venture, they would stop fighting. On the evening of Nov. 10, the regiment went to bed knowing that Marshal Foch had set, as his time limit for accepting his terms, 5 o^clock the following morning; and every man fully expected that the terms were going to be accepted. Watches indicated 5.40 a. m., when the regimental wireless in- tercepted the message that the armistice was signed; and by 5.50 everyone in the 55th had heard the tidings. Sgt. Arnold A. Robert proclaimed the news at regimental Headquarters, saying, "This is the big news," and then read the radiogram. At one of the battalion Headquarters the following preface was used, "The Germans have spoiled one of the finest wars ever fought, by quit- ting." All thru the regiment, the immediate effect was, that men turned over and engaged in the soundest sleep of the whole night. The Armistice 213 By reason of over three months^ fighting service, the 55th qualified for the Victory Medal issued by the French. Later on the morning of Nov. 11 the Chaplain went from Epinon- ville to Gesnes for the purpose of serving as counsel at a special court, and along the road had opportunity of passing on the glad news to infantry and engineer units, which possessed no wireless equipment. Some men were sceptical, and found the announcement hard to believe; others, like the 55th, had discounted it and gave ready credence. During the day the regiment fired their last gun, at Beaufort; and a controversy sprang up as to whether the honor belonged to Bat. E or Bat. F. In Bat. E the "Ella C was the final gun to fire, and in Bat. F the ''Alky" had that distinction; all agreed that 10.42 A. M. was the hour when firing ceased. But Capt. Shaffer asserted that he heard the "Cease firing" order go to Bat. F before it came to his own command, and that the order was obeyed, while Lt. Vickers made assertions precisely con- tradictory to Capt. Shaffer's. Maj. Nestor declared himself on the side of Bat. F. Bat. F's target was a cross-roads (interdiction fire) at the entrance of the town of Malandry, behind the German lines. Certainly both batteries continued firing until the last practicable minute. The armistice became effective at 11 a. m. on Nov. 11. Germany had surrendered. When statistics were compiled, it was found that the regiment fired 32,678 rounds during the war. Bat. B stood at the head of the list, with 7,170 rounds to their credit. The "Allie" of Bat. A met with its disabling accident when sending forth its 1,001st projectile. If the "Ella G" had the "last word," it was the 1,400th time the gun spoke; if the "Alky" fired last, the discharge was the 1,337th in the gun's history. The "Floss" of Bat. A set the high mark for the regiment, by firing 2,011 shots. Altho subsequent inspection or photographic records showed that the regiment's shooting was marvelously accurate and effective, it was a fact that very few shots had the advantage of direct observation at the time they were fired; for instance, of the 5,792 rounds fired by Bat. E, exactly 32 were observed. Our shooting was almost wholly de- pendent upon the map and mathematics for its success; and we kept at it without positively knowing whether we were hitting or not — later, we found that the computations were correct. 214 The Fifty-fifth Artillery With the war ended, precautions were discontinued. Lights were permitted on autos and trucks, camp-fires blazed, and men burned all the flares and other fireworks that they could lay hands on — every night was a Fourth of July during the first week. Bugle-calls were resumed, without occasioning any overwhelming delight in the hearts of the men; band-concerts likewise became the order of the day, and these afforded much more satisfaction to all. Cen- sorship restrictions were relaxed — all excepting the prohibition of fault-finding and the announcing of casualties. But the most im- mediate and universal consequence of the armistice was — each man wakened up the morning after to say to his buddy, ''You can't guess what I dreamed about last night''; and the answer came straight, "Huh! You dreamed about home. So did I." And they kept repeating that dream until the following February, when they finally arrived home. For the 55th, as for the entire Army, interest in the war ceased on Nov. 11. On the day following the armistice, the regiment had only 56 ofl&cers and 1,478 men present and 95 men absent; but a large replacement draft arrived on Nov. 13, raising the figure for the enlisted men present to 1,557. These replacements came directly from Boston Harbor, and they brought considerable interesting news along with them. On Nov. 12 Marshal Foch issued a proclamation to the Allied Armies : "Allied Grand Headquarters, "November 12, 1918. "Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the Allied Armies : — "After having resolutely checked the enemy, you have for months, without pause, attacked him with unfaltering faith and energy. "You have won the greatest battle in history and saved the most sacred of causes — the Liberty of the world. "Be proud! "You have attached immortal glory to your standards. " Posterity will hold you in gratitude. "Marshal of France, "Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Armies, "Foch." The Armistice 215 Gen. Pershing, on the same date, added his message of thanks; and coupled with it an exhortation to "keep it up": "The enemy has capitulated. It is fitting that I address myself in thanks directly to the officers and soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces who by their heroic efforts have made possible this glorious result. "Our armies, hurriedly raised and hastily trained, met a veteran enemy, and by courage, discipline and skill always defeated him. Without complaint you have endured incessant trials, privations and dangers. You have seen many of your comrades make the supreme sacrifice that Freedom may live. "I thank you for the patience and courage with which you have endured. I congratulate you upon the splendid fruits of victory which your heroism and the blood of our gallant dead are now pre- senting to our nation. Your deeds will live for ever on the most glorious pages of America's history. " Those things you have done. There remains now a harder task, which will test your soldierly qualities to the utmost. Succeed in this and little note will be taken and few praises will be sung; fail, and the light of your glorious achievements of the past will sadly be dimmed. "But you will not fail. Every natural tendency may urge towards relaxation in discipline, in conduct, in appearance, in everything that marks the soldier. Yet you will remember that each officer and each soldier is the representative in Europe of his people and that his brilliant deeds of yesterday permit no action of to-day to pass unnoticed by friend or by foe. "You will meet this test as gallantly as you have met the tests of the battlefield. Sustained by your high ideals and inspired by the heroic part you have played, you will carry back to our people the proud consciousness of a new Americanism born of sacrifice. "Whether you stand on hostile territory or on the free soil of France, you will so bear yourself in discipline, appearance and respect for all civil rights that you will confirm for all time the pride and love which every American feels for your uniform and for you. "John J. Pershing, "General, Commander-in-Chief." Majors Smith and Nestor issued letters of commendation to their respective battalions on Nov. 13. Maj. Smith said, in part: "I fully realize and know under what conditions officers and 216 The Fifty-fifth Artillery men have labored and have noted your devotion to duty on many occasions, and I cannot at this time find the proper words of appreciation. "In the meantime we must not forget that we are still soldiers and that we must continue our work as such by drill and such other exercises as are necessary to keep our minds and bodies clean and pure, so as to prove to our people at home that we can leave their influence and continue to live up to our teachings of right and wrong that we received at our mother's knee.'' New problems came with the armistice. Germans began to pass thru the American lines in search for their dead. Others visited us in the hope that they might be taken prisoners, and thus be enabled to enjoy the "fleshpots" of the American Expeditionary Forces; these had to be led gently back to their proper posts of duty. Many came merely for social visits, or to exchange their helmets or other souvenirs for good American sugar and tobacco. Liberated French, British and American prisoners of war staggered southward thru the lines — for the most part showing abundant evidence of in- sufiicient nutrition and bad treatment. The civilian population of the former occupied region had been driven into Germany before our retreating foe; now they began coming back home, and as they traveled they met another stream of French refugees moving northward — men and women who had escaped France-ward before the German invasion. These poor people journeyed on foot, and often pushed all their worldly goods before them on frail hand- carts; occasionally a cow or a goat would accompany the pro- cession. An elderly man and two women applied at the Head- quarters kitchen of the 55th one evening for something to eat and, after supper, retired to rest in one of the shacks which the regiment had been using; the next morning the three French people appeared with pick and shovel, and began to dig in close proximity to the very kitchen where they had recently eaten. Presently the pick struck some hard object; and after a few minutes more the old man uncovered, and lifted from the earth, a heavy iron kettle, in which were many papers and considerable money and jewels. How the Americans cheered the old man, and congratulated him; and how they expressed surprize over the treasure which had lain beneath their feet during meal hours, thru the preceding three weeks. The old man had been forced to flee from his home on a single hour's no- tice, when, four years previously, the invader came southward. ^1^ Battery E 5 SH Battery E Battery F Battery F 1 ii#ii-lOOOOOt>05Tt 05 O t-- |> 05 t^ 00 iO lO C-cocoTH00TjHTtit^o0i-ic > o o 'B.>^ > > > > > > -^ i> Q, > > pL,OPHSPHpL,pL|pL,pL,P-ia2pL(OP^P4 ui - C0000005<:OOI>-CX)COI>-I> CX)0OI>- Oil>-l>-l>.t>.T^|>.t>!>.t>-|>. o> o it 2 0^ ^ 894871 D610 , '3'^ ■ '^a THE UNIVERSITY QF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY S. ^- .