USA > Illinois > Fayette County > Fayette County in the World War > Part 3
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Major Clayton has had a long and honorable mili- tary career and has rendered invaluable service to his country. In civil life Major Clayton holds a respons- ible position with the Ford Roofing Products Co. of Vandalia.
CAPTAIN FRED G. W. EASTERDAY
Capt. Fred G. W. Easterday, son of Luther and Annie E. Easterday was born in Vandalia, Illinois, March 1, 1882. Became a member of Co. I, 4th I. N.
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IN THE WORLD WAR
G. when in his teens and worked his way from Private through all intervening gradations to Captain of the Company March 12, 1914.
With the Company he was called for service on various special occasions, including the race riots at Springfield and East St. Louis, Ill., and for flood relief service at Shawneetown in 1913, at which point he was in supreme command of all of the National Guard lo- cated there for a period of eighteen days. The entire service of the military in flood relief service at that time being forty-three days.
He was relieved from duty in 1915, at the muster- ing out of Co. I, which was re-organized subsequently. Although relieved of command at his own request, he was subject to call at any time for re-assignment by the Adjutant General. The United States having entered the World War and the National Guard being placed in readiness, he received a telegram from Adjutant General Dickson again re-assigning him to Co. I, on June 27, 1917. Through his efforts Co. I enlisted a large number of recruits making the Company manned with the flower of the volunteers in this section of the State.
The Company was mustered into the service of the United States, Aug. 1917, and in October was transferred to Camp Logan, Houston, Texas. After ar- riving at Camp Logan, by general orders the command- ing officers were transferred from command of their own Companies, and as a consequence Capt. Easterday was transferred from Co. I to Co. C, from Sullivan, Ill. He, with this company sailed with the regiment for France in May 1918, and was soon engaged in the activities of actual warfare. In August, 1918, the Graves Registration Service was organized and by rea- son of the fact that Capt. Easterday was an undertaker, he was relieved of command and assigned to command of a Company in that service, in which capacity he served until May 1919, when he requested to be re- lieved and returned to Vandalia, after being mustered out in New York.
At the time he hastily sold his business to enter the service of the Country, he entered into an agree- ment not to engage in the undertaking business in Van- dalia, and being unable to secure release from this
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FAYETTE COUNTY
agreement, he could not again enter the undertaking business. He was offered employment as foreman in one of the departments of the Ford Roofing Products Plant which he accepted and where he has been en- gaged since his return.
His family consists of his wife, daughter, Eloise and son, Everett. During his military service he re- ceived special mention for efficiency on several occa- sions. He has always enjoyed athletics and out-door sports and early in his military career qualified as a sharp shooter with both rifle and revolver.
CAPTAIN MARK GREER
Mark Greer, Captain Medical Corps, was born in Vandalia, March 21, 1889. Graduated from the Van- dalia High School in the class of 1909. Graduated from St. Louis University College of Medicine in the class of 1913. Was house surgeon of the Rebekah Hos- pital, St. Louis, the year of 1914. Practiced medicine and surgery in Vandalia until his enlistment in the Med- ical Corps in 1917. He was called to Washington, D. C., for active service Sept. 10, 1917. Two weeks later he was sent to England and was attached to the British Expeditionary Forces. From London he was sent to Fort Pitt, Chatham, England, where he was placed in charge of eighty surgical beds. He served here for five months. March 20, 1918, he was ordered to France for service with the 150th Royal Naval Division. After three months service he was transferred to the 93rd Army Brigade Royal Field Artillery and placed in charge of eight hundred men. In Oct. 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross by the British Government for dressing men of his brigade when they were caught in a barrage while on the advance, many men being killed. The last eight months of the war were spent in the trenches, the last three months being spent in con- tinuous action without rest.
When the armistice was signed he was sent to Bel- . gium and was stationed near Brussels with the British Army of Occupation. He was sent to England Jan- uary 1918 on account of trench fever and an injury re-
-
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IN THE WORLD WAR
1
ceived when thrown from a horse. He was in the Lon- don hospitals three weeks at the end of which time he was transferred to the American army and sent home as a casual with general debility and paralysis of the right hand. After six weeks of treatment in American hospitals he was discharged from the service at Camp Grant April 3, 1919. He was promoted to the rank of Captain Feb. 16, 1919. After his release from the service Captain Greer resumed his practice of medicine and surgery in Vandalia.
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FAYETTE COUNTY
CHAPTER II.
-
COMPANY I, 130th U. S. INFANTRY. (By Dan Colburn)
Early History
The 4th Illinois Infantry, of which Company I was a part, can be traced back to 1882 when it was known as the 9th Infantry under the command of Col. Lewis Krugoff of Nashville.
December 26th, 1885 the Field and Staff Officers of the 9th Infantry were mustered out of the service and the regiment was consolidated with the 8th In- fantry, under which name it was carried on the rolls at the Adjutant General's office until December 1st, 1890 when it became the 4th Infantry, Illinois National Guard. It served under this name until it became the 130th Infantry 27 years later.
The regiment was mustered into the Federal Serv- ice May 20th, 1898. Col. Cassemer Andel of Belle- ville, then in command, resigned, and was succeeded by Col. Eben Swift, an officer of the Regular Army. The Regiment was assigned to the 7th Army Corps under General Fitzhugh Lee, and was a part of the Army of Occupation of Cuba in the early part of 1899. It was mustered out of the service at Augusta, Ga., May 2nd, 1899.
Both before and after the Spanish-American War the Regiment saw more active service than any other Regiment in the Illinois National Guard, being called out whenever disorders requiring troops, arose.
On the Border and on Riot Duty
When trouble was imminent with Mexico in 1916, the Regiment was sent to the Border with Col. Edward J. Lang in command. It was mustered into the Federal Service at Springfield June 29th, 1916, and was sent to Camp Wilson, at San Antonio, Texas, where it remained for over nine months undergoing intensive training and being a participant in the famous "Austin Hike" when
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IN THE WORLD WAR
the regiment carried their 70 pound packs a distance of over 200 miles as a part of their training.
The Regiment was mustered out of the Federal Service at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, March 15th, 1917, which was only 22 days before Congress declared that a state of war existed between Germany and the United States.
During the period that elapsed between 1886 and 1916 the regiment was called out not less than 29 times, always conducting itself with credit and fulfilling its duties to the letter.
Extensive plans were laid for the keeping of Deco- ration Day 1917, but a race riot broke out in East St. Louis and Co. I, under the command of 1st Lieut. Guy Beebe left on No. 21 for East St. Louis and arrived at 6:00 P. M., May 29th. Having succeeded in restoring order they returned June 5th.
On July 3rd another race riot broke out. This time Capt. Fred G. W. Easterday and Lieutenants Bee- be and Volberg and 32 enlisted men forming Co. I, were ordered out, and arrived at the scene of carnage in record time. After several days of strenuous guard duty order was restored and Co. I returned to Vandalia.
Back Into Federal Service
On July 1st, a campaign was begun to increase the personnel of Co. I. The boys volunteered readily with the result that the enrollment was increased from 31 to 132 men in less than one month.
July 25th the Company was called out for active service. This was a great day in Vandalia. Mess was served in the court yard in true military style. The afternoon was spent in giving exhibition drills by mem- bers of the Company that had had previous service on the Mexican Border. Vandalia was named as the rendezvous and the Company was quartered at the · Armory Hall and fed in the basement under the Dixie Theatre.
A systematic course in training was established under the direct supervision of Major Bullington and Lieut. Col. Elijah P. Clayton. Vandalia had now begun to assume a martial appearance. Beginning August 2nd, Co. I, was given their physical examination by
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FAYETTE COUNTY
Lieut. Dillinger, U. S. M. C., assisted by Dr. Mark Greer. As a result of this examination 12 men were discharged by reason of physical disability.
August 7th, Co. I was mustered into the Federal Service by Capts. Soper and Cody. The organization then ceased to be a National Guard organization and became one of the United States Army.
August 26th, 82 members of the Company gave an exhibition drill at the Chautauqua grounds at Tay- lorville, Illinois. A sham battle, bayonet charge, and guard mount were some of the specials. At sundown the Company stood Retreat in true military fashion while the colors were being lowered.
Since July 25th the military clothing had been very scarce and anyone having a uniform or other ar- ticles of military clothng to sell could get almost any price for them. But Sept. 1st, Sup. Sgt. E. M. Colbert announced that he had some clothing to issue. This issue consisted of uniforms, leggings, belts, underwear, hats, stockings and shoes. Sept. 2nd, Co. I turned out for reveille looking more like soldiers.
Sept. 13th a competitive drill was participated in with Col. E. P. Clayton and Major J. J. Bullington as judges. The 9th Squad under Corporal William Cates was finally declared the best quad in the Company.
Sept. 20th, was spent at St. Elmo. The Company gave an exhibition close order drill in the morning. Everyone was dimissed at 11:30 to get ready for a big dinner which the ladies of St. Elmo had waiting for us. The Captain and the mayor of the city led us to believe it would be fine, but when we sat down, oh boy! It exceeded the fondest expectations. Everyone ate until their interior capacity was exceeded at least 20%. The ladies of St. Elmo were thanked heartily for this hos- pitality and many times later on as we sat beside the road in France eating our hardtack and "corn willie" we would think and talk about the dinner we had in St. Elmo.
Sept. 21st, we began an overland trip. Ramsey and Pana were visited the first day and the night was spent in Taylorville. Exhibition drills were given at
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IN THE WORLD WAR
Ramsey and Pana and a short one upon our arrival at Taylorville, then we were dismissed for the day. Citi- zens of Taylorville grabbed soldiers right and left and took them to their homes for the night, entertaining them in a manner never to be forgotten. The Company did very little drilling Saturday and on Sunday morn- ing the Company left for Nokomis by way of automo- biles. The Nokomis Band was out to meet the boys. The company kitchen in charge of Sgt. Card was get- ting a regular workout on this trip. After dinner a two hours' close order drill was given with a Guard Mount as a special. The Company returned that afternoon to Vandalia all having enjoyed the trip.
Sept. 28th, Lieut. Cecil Volberg and Miss Anita Bell were united in marriage. They were hauled from the train in a cart propelled by some of the members of Co. I, and with the Regimental Band leading the pro- cession they were taken to their home in the north part of the city.
On Oct. 5th occurred the last drill ever given in Vandalia by Co. I. It was advertised as "Field Day," and despite the windy weather an enormous crowd was present. The afternoon was spent in exhibition drill, both close and extended order and included a machine gun drill by the 130th Machine Gun Co. The music was furnished by the Regimental Band.
Off to Camp
Preparations were being made by the Company to leave for their training camp which was to be Camp Logan, Texas. Orders were expected daily. They were accordingly received on the 7th of October. The orders were that we were to leave at 5:00 P. M. Oct. · 9th. At 2:30 the Company formed in front of the Arm- ory Hall and were marched to the depot in formation. Here we were dismissed to talk to our parents and rela- tives until train time. The crowd was large and emo- tion ran high. Some mothers bade their boys good-bye for the last time. At four minutes past 5:00 o'clock the boys boarded the train. The Company numbered
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FAYETTE COUNTY
174 men as follows:
CAPTAIN Fred G. W. Easterday
LIEUTENANTS
1st. Lieut. Henry W. Bullington 2nd. Lieut. Cecil Volberg
SERGEANTS
1st. Sgt. Charles L. Davis Sup. Sgt. Elvin M. Colbert Mess Sgt. William Card
Harry M Starnes
Leslie J. Hanauer
Frank Stubblefield
Slater H. Vollentine
Gustavious A. Schert
Anselmo F. Dappert
W. R. Bell
CORPORALS
William G. Kile
William G. Durbin
Merlin L. Dappert
Thomas C. Pippin
Jess Bagley
Elden R. Carson
Oscar G. Goodwin
Ivory Bush
Jess M. Cheshier
Fred Cox
Frank Parish
COOKS
William J. Redding
Arthur N. Berndt MECHANIC Frank Griffith BUGLERS Cameron B. Withers
Ralph E. Blalock
PRIVATES 1st CLASS
Tyner B. Alsbury
Fred Pruett
William Cates
Jess E. Smith
Noah D. Colburn
Charles Scott
James Ivan Dappert
Albert O. Sapp
Walter Emert
Charles F. Snerly
Clifford F. Paschal
PRIVATES
Arthur C. Arnold
William T. Bone
Harry .E. Ashton
John W. Bail
Hallie V. Avis
Noah S. Barr
Fred M. Britton
Frank Belcher
Melvin A. Bolt
Allie Brown
Chesser W. Brown
James A. Burcham
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IN THE WORLD WAR
Henry Bruce Elmer W. Causey Wendell Causey
George B. Lake
Roy Logsdon
Joseph E. Logsdon
Otis J. Chappell
Harold J. Lynam
Allen R. Clark
Isaac N. Linton
Leander Chitwood
Lloyd H. McFadden
Claud H. Curry
Charles W. Miller
James C. Cunningham
Clarence W. Miller
John E. Cunningham
Philip Mckean
Wilson J. Crutchley
Roy Milligan
Lloyd E. Doty
Robert Matson
Theodore R. Depew
William A. Matson
Melvin F. Denning
Charles A. Mathewson
Dean S. Dorman
John Mason
John V. Dappert
Mike Mason
John Emert
Lewis Miller
Jess Evans Otto Feller
Rolla S. Mears
William T. Marrs
Clayton C. Frailey
Earl W. Muma
Marlon A. Feezel
John D. Finley
Earl Nicol John Nichols
Fred E. Gelsinger
Charles C. Neimier
Harold C. Goodbrake
Theodore Oliver
Homer E. Grubaugh
Guy E. Perkins
John E. Grubaugh
William M. Porter
Glenn Goodsen Harry L. Hyatt
Earl Robertson
Charles L. Hammer
Howard Heather
James E. Hunt
Sidney D. Radcliff
Carl A. Hall
Harry Reynolds
Charles F. Reed
Fred Rowland
Christopher Rowland
Harry F. Ray
Austin G. Sayles
Donald C. Smith
George Smith
Cecil Smith
John W. Ketterman
Joseph E. Smith
John H. Smith
Jesse F. Smith
Lester R. Langley Frank E. Lofland
Pearl E. Parks
Hiram S. Rhodes Dan Reeter
Francis R. Hall
Robert Hathaway
Elmer W. Jones
John D. Jenkins
Lloyd E. Kinney
Elmer Kinney Lloyd Kinsey
Clarence E. Koontz
Vallee B. Keesecker
Albert Sickles
1
William H. Fellwock
Gilbert Nolan
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FAYETTE COUNTY
Lawrence E. Stone
Virgil E. Tedrick
Hallie W. Sharp
Clayton J. Vance
Dale Sturgeon
Harry G. Walton
George Schuler
Robt. L. Wade
Edward F. Stevenson
Floyd L. Williams
Elza L. Willis
TRANSFERRED PRIVATES TO HQ. CO. 130th INFT. Walter Shives
TRANSFERRED PRIVATES TO CO. L.
Fred R. Hensley
Eddie G. Orr
Calvin E. Jernigan
Harvey Williams
Eugene Neese
William R. Pettie
James E. Orr
Charles C. Buchanan
RECRUITS AND MEN UNASSIGNED
Andrew Newman
Nolan Smith
Dwight Sawyer
Tony Aden
Elmer Daugherty
Troy Grant
Charles Shehan
William Bertrucci
Patrick Halpin
Harry Bush
Stephen Halpin
Ross Hensley
CIVILIAN COOK Michael J. Schmulen
It became dark about the time the train arrived at Centralia. Most of the boys retired early. The next morning found the Company in Tennessee. The "Ghost walked" and the fellows had plenty of money for the rest of the trip. Stops were made at Memphis, Tenn., Canton, Miss., New Orleans, La., LaFayette, La. The Company arrived at Camp Logan about daybreak Oct. 12th. They detrained about 6:30 a. m., and arrived at the allotted area about 7:30 a. m.
Life at Camp Logan
Much of the time of the week following arrival was taken up in cleaning the camp, grubbing stumps
Ernest A. Shadrick
Leonard M. Taylor
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IN THE WORLD WAR
for a drill ground, and erecting tents. The Dappert brothers surveyed the Camp and ditches were dug to carry away the water. Preparations were made for a long stay.
October 20th, the boys had their first experience with a sand storm, there being plenty of sand and wind in that particular locality. October 24th, the 129th and 130th Infantry participated in the Liberty Loan Parade at Houston, Texas. They were reviewed by Gov. Frank O. Lowden, Adjutant General Dickson, and Major General George R. Bell, the Division Command- er.
November 8th, Co. I received about 50 new men from Camp Dodge, Iowa. It was the signal for the mess sergeant to scare up rations for these hungry men from a scanty supply and for the supply sergeant and 1st sergeant to contend with such names as Marcus Zougenalis, Guiseppe Pucciarelli, Joseph Klimesewski, August Baranowskis, Gregor Golja, Joe Dubunski and others as hard to handle. About 40% of these men were suffering from some sort of disability and the re- sult was that many of the men were discharged within the next month.
A trip was made to the rifle range a few days later. After several days of rifle practice the scores were compared and Capt. Easterday was found to be in the lead with William G. Durbin second and Albert O. Sapp a close third. The Company returned to camp and began to take more advanced drills and maneuvers.
1st Lieut. Reuben S. Denny was assigned to Co. I, which brought the officer personnel up to 1 Captain, 2 1st Lieutenants and one 2nd Lieutenant.
Sergt. Hanauer was assigned to trench construc- tion, Sgt. Cheshier to bayonet instruction, Sgt. A. F. Dappert to machine gun instruction and the Company as a whole was beginning to grasp the finer points of maneuvering.
Thanksgiving Day was fittingly observed. The dinner consisted of 221 lbs. turkey stuffed with dress- ing, mashed potatoes, baked beans, celery, cranberry sauce, fruit salad, coffee, 46 pies and 11 gallons brick ice cream. It was enjoyed by everybody.
The drilling was becoming more strenuous every day and the entire Division received a field inspection
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FAYETTE COUNTY
to ascertain the condition of their equipment. The equipment was of the old issue and unserviceable and a poor showing was the result.
New equipment began to come in and the Company began to assume a more war-like appearance every day.
With Christmas coming the boys began to think of getting a furlough, but only a few of them were able to get them so the rest had to make the best of it. Christ- mas dinner through the efforts of Mess Sergt. Fleming was a decided success, and in addition the Red Cross distributed, through the Regimental Supply Officer sev- eral Christmas boxes, so on the whole the boys spent a very enjoyable Christmas.
Most of the winter was damp and foggy. Hikes took the place of drills, and when the weather was un- fit for hiking the Company stood inspections. It was very necessary that the most rigid rules for sanitation be established and adhered to as the open winter was very conducive to ill health.
During the month of January 1918, the Dappert boys, Anselmo and Merlin, were sent to Leon Springs to take the Officers training course. Up to this time there had been 48 men transferred from Co. I and they were replaced with men who could hardly understand English. But the non-commissioned officers began to get the men in shape and it was not long until they began to make good soldiers.
Wendell Causey died Feb. 4th, at the hospital at Camp Logan of measles and mumps. His body was sent to his home in Sharon township accompanied by Capt. Fred G. W. Easterday. His death cast a gloom over the entire Company. He was missed by all.
An abundant supply of clothing had been issued to the entire Division. Rumors were afloat that we were going across. A Division Field Inspection was held. It was found that the 32nd Division National Guard troops from Michigan and Wisconsin, were in better condition. Most of the clothing and equipment was therefore recalled to supply the 32nd Division and the 33rd was short again. The 32nd Division embarked in February. Some of the units of that Division were on the British troop ship Tuscania which was sunk off
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IN THE WORLD WAR
the coast of Ireland.
The boys had just about decided that we were not destined to go to France. Our officers were being trans- ferred to other companies and we were very short of equipment. Then came the rapid German advance on the Somme late in March. Large lots of equipment be- gan coming in and it seemed as though we were des- tined to go at last.
Capt. Fred Easterday was transferred from Co. I to Co. C. in the latter part of March. Genuine regret was felt by all, and all eyes were turned on Capt. Earl Hunter of Co. D. who was to lead Co. I through the re- mainder of the War. Capt. Hunter soon won the con- fidence of the men however and things began to take shape for the final equipment of the organization.
During the month of April drilling was almost en- tirely dispensed with and the time was spent in draw- ing new equipment, standing inspection and getting everything in readiness to leave. Hope ran high and the boys were "rarin' to go." A large contingent of drafted men was transferred to the company which brought the Company personnel to about two hundred men.
As April neared its close it became almost impos- sible to get any sleep. Equipment was drawn at all times of the night. Sizes of clothing and shoes were sadly neglected. The main idea was to get the men equipped in time, sizes could be handled later. After all equipment was packed and we were ready to leave we received 4 men attired in civilian clothing, one of them having been drafted April 21st. It was necessary to draw clothing and equipment for them.
Off For The Coast
On May 1st, all cots were turned in and we were "outta luck" for any place to sleep until we left Camp Logan, Saturday May 4th. Co. I boarded the train about 4:30 P. M. There seemed to be no regrets at leaving Texas and everybody was wanting to be on the way. The same route was followed to New Orleans that was taken, going to Camp Logan. At New Or- leans we headed north still on the same route.
The boys were becoming hilarious. The rumors
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FAYETTE COUNTY
passed around that we were going back through Van- dalia. The boys were going wild. Everything went fine until we stopped in Kentucky. It was Paducah. Then we gave up hopes. Some of the boys swore, oth- ers tried to interest themselves playing cards, but the majority of them looked as though they had lost their best friend. It was a bitter pill to swallow. But we soon became reconciled to it.
We traveled through Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsyl- vania, stopping about five hours at Wilkesbarre, Pa. The City Common or Park on the banks of the beauti- ful Susquehannah River as seen in the glow of an ideal spring sunset was the most beautiful bit of scenery that it has ever been my pleasure to see. We left Wilkesbarre about dusk, and as the train reached the top of the winding grade the lights of Wilkesbarre could be seen blinking in the distance.
We arrived at Camp Upton, Long Island about 10 A. M. the next morning. Here we were to be fitted up as completely equipped for foreign service. The Com- pany Officers, 1st Sergeant, Supply Sergeant, Mess Sergeant and Company Clerk were so busy that sleep was a matter of secondary importance. Clothing and equipment was drawn at all times of the night. The click of a typewriter could be heard any time. Here we drew our steel helmets or "tin hats" as they were better known.
On May 15th, the Company was fully equipped, the passenger list made out, everything packed for shipment including the Victrola which the Red Cross Chapter of Vandalia had given the boys.
The Infantry soldiers when fully equipped carried the following articles :
CLOTHING
1 Belt, Waist
2 Ornaments, Collar
1 Breeches, W. O. D.
1 Overcoat
1 Cap, Overseas
1 Slicker
1 Coat, W. O. D.
2 Shirts, Flannel
2 Drawers, Prs. Woolen
2 Pr. Shoes, Field
1 Gloves, Pr.
1 Pr. Leggins, Canvas
1 Poncho
4 Pr. Stockings, Woolen
2 Undershirts, Woolen
1
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IN THE WORLD WAR
ORDNANCE PROPERTY
1 Can, Bacon
1 Can, Condiment
1. Bayonet
1 Bayonet Scabbard
1 Brush and Thong
1 Canteen
1 Canteen cover
100 Cartridges Ball Col. 30
1 Cartridge Belt Dismtd.
1 Cup
1 Fork
1 front sight cover
1 Gun sling
1 Haversack
1 Helmet, steel
1 Knife
1 Can, meat
1 Oiler. and thong case
1 Pack carrier
1 Pouch for first aid
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