History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 64

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 64

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Fifth Nebraska Infantry was called into service by the president June 18, 1916, and was brought to the mobilization camp at Lincoln, Nebraska, where the men were more fully equipped with cotton blankets and shoes that were anything but regulation and departed for the Mexican border where they arrived July 14, 1916, and went into camp at Llano Grand which is about three miles out from Mercedes and is a wild part of Texas on the Rio Grande river. Our camp was pitched in the jungles amongst the mesquite, briar bush and cactus, all of which had to be cleared away before the tents could be pitched. The greater part of the first ten days or two weeks was devoted to clearing ground for drill purposes after which an intensive course of training was fol- lowed until the men were in splendid condi- tion. Our stay on the border was uneventful and the "watchful waiting" policy became very irksome. In November what was probably the largest maneuver ever held in the United States and participated in by the most troops ever assembled for such purpose, was partici- pated in by all troops in the Brownsville dis- trict and lasted for a period of twelve days. After this maneuver was over, we settled down to the daily grind of drills and parades until the fifth day of February when we returned to

Digitized by

437

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

Nebraska. Arrived at Fort Crook on the took boats to France landing at Cherbourg morning of February 8th and were mustered out of Federal service February 21, 1917, not- withstanding the fact that it was well known at that time that the troops would immediately have been called back into Federal service and the organizations were 'broken up and the men scattered all over the country.

July 15, 1917, the 5th Nebraska Infantry was once more called into Federal service and each company required to recruit and drill at its home station until the 14th day of Septem- ber when they departed for Camp Cody, New Mexico, where their designation was changed to that of the 134th United States Infantry. French and British instructors taught us the latest methods of warfare as conducted in the World War and another period of intensive training was entered into with zest and zeal by all concerned. By March 1st the 34th Division, to which the 134th Infantry belonged, was well trained, seasoned and disciplined and were well fitted and prepared to go immediate- ly to the front lines and participate in the World War, had it not been for the lack of a division commander and a competent and effi- cient staff which positions were filled by gen- eral staff of the regular army.

In June the division was demoralized by the general staff taking away approximately all the enlisted men below the grade of corp- oral whose places were later filled by draft men from Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. These men were then put througgh the same course of intensive training until the latter part of August when the division was ordered to Camp Dix and started to leave when struck by the influenza epidemic which raged over the country with such disastrous results at that time and the division was held in quarantine until the 10th day of October when same was lifted and the division once more prepared to go to France. The convoy leaving New York on the 13th day of October arrived in Liverpool, England, on the 24th day of October and was im- mediately entrained for a rest camp at Camp Codford where we remained three days and then entrained for Southhampton where we

and LaHavre and were then taken to southern France, in the Bordeaux region, where we remained for a period of ten days. We were then sent to LeMans, France, being on the train the day the armistice was signed, and was there met by an officer representing Head- quarters with orders for the men to be taken by one officer for each company in one direc- tion and the officers went in another and this is the last we saw of our men in France. All were used as replacements and were scattered all over. I was sent to the 77th Division, be- ing a National Guard Division from New York, and was placed in command of the 306th Infantry where I remained until I was relieved from my duty at my request to return to the United States and assume the duties of the Adjutant General's Office of Nebraska.

The fate of this division was like that of many other National Guard divisions and when one stops to think of the thousands and thou- sands of well trained, seasoned and disci- plined men belonging to the national guard divisions who were held in the United States the same as was the 34th division while nation- al army divisions whose men were unseasoned, untrained and undisciplined were taken across within a very few weeks of the time they entered the service and were thrust almost immediately into the front line trenches while the men did not know how to load their guns or fire them, who did not know how to put on a gas mask or adjust it, not giving them anywhere near an equal chance, it certainly looks as if there was gross mismanagement on the part of our General Staff which is almost if not criminal in its nature. How- ever investigations are being made at the pres- ent time and later changes will undoubtedly be made in our military system and policy which, when perfected, will make impossible in any future war the rank injustices and in- dignities that were heaped upon the heads of the National Guardsmen during the World War.

In order to give something of the work done by the National Guard in the World War, I will state that eleven national guard divisions

438

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

participated as against seven of the regular army and twelve of the national army and the following, taken from the national guards- man under date of February 8, 1919, is given as the total of killed, died, missing and pris- oners in the respective organizations :

REGULAR ARMY

Killed

Died

Missing

Prisoners 17,688

8,281

3,668

4,934

NATIONAL GUARD

11,555

4,566

5,445;

23,023

NATIONAL ARMY

7,926

3,207

3,890

15,800

thus showing that the National Guard made greater sacrifices than either the regular army or national army owing to the fact that with very few exceptions neither officers or men had had previous experience.

ROSTER OF COMPANY "M" 5TH NEBRASKA IN- FANTRY AT TIME OF MUSTER-IN TO FEDERAL SERVICE FOR SERVICE ON THE MEXICAN BORDER IN 1916

Capt. Robt. N. McAllister, 1st Lieut. Leo G. Allen, 2d Lieut. Ernest J. Meyer, 1st Sgt. Charles Fent, Q. M. Sgt. Robert H. Wood, Sgt, John H. Brown, Corp. William Haight, Corp. Clair C. James, Corp. Walter O. Koss, Corp. Cliff E. Morgan, Corp. Frederick O. Ritterbush, Corp. Harold F. Wright, Artificer, Claud T. Meseraull, Cook, William West, Musician, Clarence A. Smith.

Privates, Aaron, Arthur A., Anderson Chas. H., Atwell, Claude, Bendowsky, Edward C., Bertrand, Ferdinand, Blair, Roy A., Bremser, Benjamin. H., Cabeen, Herbert S., Cain, For- rest W., Clark, John, Cole, Walter H., Cox, Ozies Clifford, Datus, James F., Devoss, William D., Dillon, Pete L., Draper, Frank, Edwards, Todd M., Elben, Charles, Elliot, John R., Gilbert, Floyd L., Haney, Gus W., Harrod, Jay H., Holley, John, Holsinger, Rus- sel A., Iams, John, Johnson, Charles B., John- son, James W., Kidwiler, Leo F., Kleman, Archie E., Klintworth, Gus, Knighton, Ray- mond O., Lambros, John, Lueth, Ernest J., Marquis, Perry D., Millner, William D., Murphy, John F., Nabb, Charles B., Nibbe,

Arthur J., Norgren, Joseph A., Parker, Jack B., Paro, Allan J., Pells, William R., Pfau, Hugo, Rose, John B., Sagesser, Edward H., Smith, Emmett H., Thompson, Otis B., Thornes, George, Tucker, William M., Uehel, William O., Weitzel, John J., Yates, Homer M.

ROSTER OF COMPANY "M", 5TH NEBRASKA IN- FANTRY ON AUGUST 31, 1917

Capt. Leo. G. Allan, 1st Lieut. William R. Gilchrist, 2nd Lieut. Fred H. Schuff, 1st Sgt. Gus Klintworth, Supply Sgt. Ferdinand Bert- rand, Mess Sgt. Roscoe Conkling, Sgt. Chas. Fent, Sgt. Claude T. Meseraull, Sgt. Russel A. Holsinger, Sgt. Jay H. Harrod, Sgt. Wil- liam R. Pells, Sgt. Raymond A. Knighton, Sgt. Ernest L. Harrig.

Corporals, Holley, John, Cox, Ozies Clifford, Gilbert, Floyd L., Evans, Ivan D., Morgan, Cliff E., Sagesser, Edward H., Pritchard, Joe C., Peterson, John C., Petersen, Sam P.,

Cooks, Scarborough, Ira M., Andersen, Martin.

Mechanics, Anderson, Charles H., Kirk- baum, Clude R.

Privates 1st C1., Betz, Adolph, Cornell, Edwin L., Dillon, Pete L., Dixon, Fred E., Jensen, Fred C., La White, James L., Lueth, Ernest, Jr., Mattingly, Clarence, Mattingly, John S., Mattingly, Thomas H., Mulonix, Al- via G., Murphy, John F., Paro, Allan J., Pearman, Robert E., Shafer, Harry R., Smith, Clarence A., Willis, Dwight L.

Privates, Bendowsky, Frank, Bennett, Ralph C., Blair Ralph V., Bohan, Thomas E., Brem- ser, Benjamin H., Buddecke, Conrad L., Davis, Alfred J., Davis, Lee H., Davis, Ora, DeVoss, William D., Dixon, Charles D. Doyle, John F., England, Granville B., Forbes, Roy A., Gaydon, Edmund T., Gestring, John F., Good Victor R., Griffin, Lee, R., Hancock, Harold L., Harshbarger, Ira, Harris, George W., Hart, Donald B., Heckman, Guy H., Jen- sen, Harry E., Jensen, Oscar G. M., Jones, Harry J., Kirkpatrick, Robert, Kuehner, Gott. lob C., Lehinger, John E., Lofholm, Lelon, Love, Frand, Millner, William D., May, Aaron D., Maynard, Evert M., Mckinney, Harold A.,

439

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

Parker, Jack B., Pfau, Hugo, Plath, Fred, Polzel, Charles A., Polzel, Howard L., Powell, William M., Pulec, Otto T., Richards, Cecil, Riggs, Clifford W., Sawicki, Aloyisus J., Smith, Henry, Taylor, Clarence, Ward Beacher H., Wilkinson, William L., Ziemba, Stanley.

Privates Recruits, Beason, Omar A., Bryan, Jesse R., Fulton, Harry M., Hiett, James R., Hofbauer, Frank, Katschke, Harry C., Lacque- mont, Abel, Scarborough, Fred, Sharpe, Emery P.

Losses Discharged, Corp. Gus W. Haney, Cook, Herman Schneider, Pvt. 1st Cl., Roy A. Blair, Pvt. 1st Cl., Arthur H. Eyler. Privates Christofferson, George Fessman, Harry M., Painter, Sewell, Rowe, Ervin, Weitzel, John J., Williams, Clarence D.

THE 89TH DIVISION

A great number of Hall County boys served in the 355th Infantry and were a part of the famous 89th Division. While an account of the participation of this division in the war is slightly out of order in this chapter it will be placed here. The record of this division has been best narrated by Major General Frank L. Winn.

The letter was sent in response to the greet- ings that were delivered to Major General Winn for the division on his arrival in New York by the Union Pacific Bureau correspond- ent.

Headquarters 89th Division Camp Upton, New York, June 4, 1919.

Gentlemen :

I beg to acknowledge receipt of the greet- ings and congratulations to officers and men in the 89th Division received through you on arrival at New York from the Mayors of Omaha ; Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri ; Topeka, Kansas ; Lincoln, Nebraska ; North Platte, Nebraska; Lawrence, Kansas ; Cheyene, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado ; Grand Island, Nebraska; Leavenworth, Kansas ; Colorado Springs, Colorado. The same mes- sage was given to me by your representative at the boat on the arrival of the S. S. Rotter- dam, May 1, 1919. The message is deeply appreciated. At his suggestion I gave an interview substantially as follows :

The 89th Division arrived in Europe at an

opportune moment, and has had remarkably good fortune at all times. France and England in June, 1918, looked to the U. S. soldiers to end the war. There had been an early period of long waiting when some feared that the direct help from the U. S. might come too late, but in June the American soldier had given such a splendid account of himself at Cantigny that the Allies, and the Boche as well, must have realized it was only a question of time when their numbers would turn the tide in favor of our cause. The Division took a part second to none in the Great Offensive of St. Mihiel and the Argonne-Meuse, led the crossing of the Meuse at Stenay and Pouilly on the day of the Armistice, and went to Germany as a part of the army of occupa- tion, where it remained until May 6th, re- turning directly home when Germany was given the final peace terms,

After four weeks of final preparation in the Reynel training area, near the American G. H. Q., the Division went into the front line Northwest of Toul and took over a consider- able frontage, where, by vigorous patrolling, it at once established its reputation of being an aggressive fighting unit, which almost nightly brought in prisoners. The Division received the highest praise from the French Corps Commander and was soon stamped by the Huns in an official report as a first rate combat unit. The sector occupied became the seat of active preparations for the first offien- sive of the American Army.

On September 12th, the Division went over the top alongside the 1st, 2nd and 42nd Divi- sions, and held its own with the best of them in that great operation. The Division had a wider front to begin with than any division, and the very strongly defended position of the Bois de Mort Mare was in its immediate front, but it penetrated as far as any division, tak- ing among others the towns of Boullionville, Xammes and Beney, and sharing with the 2nd Division the occupation of the important city of Thiaucourt. Thereafter the Division consolidated its own front and took over the front occupied by the 42nd and 2nd Divisions, remaining in this position until October 8th, when it was moved to the Argonne-Meuse front.

On October 19th and 20th the Division again went into the front line, clearing the enemy out of the Bantheville forest, consoli- dating its position and making preparations for the next great offensive. On November 1st it went over the top, again in the company of the best American divisions, gaining all its objectives on the first day, The Division took

440

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

the important Barricourt Heights, of which operation it is said Marshal Foch on hearing of it, declared "the war is over." The Divi- sion continued in the front line, advancing day by day until the Armistice of November 11th, on which day it successfully accom- plished the very difficult operation of cross- ing the Meuse river in the face of determined enemy opposition. The names of Barricourt Heights, Remonville, Tailly, Nouart, Barri- court, Bois des Dames, Beauclair, Beaufort, Pouilly, Auterville and Stenay are glorious names, marking the achievements of the Divi- sion in the final and decisive offensive of the World's War.

The Division was commanded by Major General W. M. Wright from September 8th to November 11th, and by Major General Frank L. Winn, who has been with it since its organization, during the rest of the time it was in Europe.

The Division was one of those selected, on account of its record, to go into Germany, where it remained as a part of the Army of Occupation until its return home. The Divi- sion was in active operations against the enemy for 90 days. During that time it captured 5,061 prisoners ; 127 large guns ; 455 machine guns; and advanced a total of 48 kilometers (18 during St. Mihiel offensive and 30 during the Argonne-Meuse offensive). Thousands of rifles, signal equipment, large amounts of railroad material, including en- gines and trains, quartermaster subsistence and sanitary stores in enormous amounts were captured. The grand total of casualties of all kinds amounted to 7,002. Of these, the severly wounded numbered 2,002; the killed 1,185. One officer and four men were cap- tured by the enemy. There have been awarded to members of the Division decorations as follows :

Congressional Medal of Honor 8

Distinguished Service Cross 119

Distinguished Service Medal. 2 Croix de Guerre. 55

In addition the Division Commander re- ceived the decorations of the Distinguished

Service Medal and of Commander of Legion of Honor.

On April 23rd the Division was inspected and reviewed at Treves, Germany by General Pershing, Commander-in-chief, in the pres- ence of the Secretary of War and the House Military Committee. The remarkable spirit and splendid efficiency of the Division were reflected in its appearance on that occasion with which every detail of the review was carried out. The Commander-in-chief highly complimented the command, saying among other things: "It will be a proud thing for you to return (home) and say in future years that you belonged to this splendid division whose record, for the time it was in the line. is unexcelled in the American Expeditionary Forces."

Credit for the brilliant record of the 89th Division belongs to the officers and men. The men were taken in the first instance from the Middle-West: Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota, Arizona and New Mexico. Subsequently replacements came from many other states, but the Division remained to the last the Middle-West Division. The men were the finest type of American man- hood. In character and in intelligence they were equal to the best. They early established a reputation for a high state of discipline, fine morale and the determination to do their best. They have made a remarkably fine record in respect of courts-martial, disease, manly con- duct and clean living. There never was over 3% of illiteracy in the Division, compared with an average of 10%, I believe in the draft, and of the 3% all who have been with the Division throughout its service will be re- turned to civil life able to read, write and calculate in arithmetic. It is truly believed that all return benefited in every way by their experience. Officers and men have done superbly their part in winning the great war and deserve the thanks of the country. The Middle-West may justly be proud of the men of the 89th Division.

Frank L. Winn. Major General, U. S. A.

. Digitized by

Google

CHAPTER XXVII

HALL COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD WAR 1917-1918

NEBRASKA IN THE WAR - NEBRASKA'S WAR DRIVE RECORDS - NEBRASKA'S RECORD ON WAR SAVINGS STAMPS - HALL COUNTY'S SERVICE "BACK HERE"- FIRST MEETING, APRIL 5, 1917 - RED CROSS ORGANIZED, APRIL, 1917 - ENLISTMENTS FOR SERVICE - TO FIRST TRAINING CAMP - FT. SNELLING - DRIVES FAST AND FURIOUS - REGISTRATION DAY, JUNE 5, 1917 - , THE EARLY SUMMER OF 1917 - THE FIRST DRAWING - LATE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL, 1917 - LATE FALL AND EARLY WINTER ACTIVITIES - THE QUESTIONAIRES-THE LEGAL AD- VISORY BOARD - DURING THE EARLY PART OF 1918 - DURING THE SPRING OF 1918-1918 REGISTRATIONS - THE LAST LAP - SEPTEMBER 12, 1918, REGISTRATION - THE THIRD DRAW- ING - THE HAPPIEST DAY HALL COUNTY EVER KNEW - THE HALL COUNTY, NEBRASKA CHAPTER, AMERICAN RED CROSS - ORGANIZATION - WOMEN'S COMMITTEE - MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCIAL CAMPAIGNS - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S. WORK - NEW BOARD AND OFFICERS, 1918 - WOMEN'S BUREAU - FINANCIAL REPORT AND STATUS OF CHAPTER - THE HALL COUN- TY COUNCIL OF DEFENSE - HALL COUNTY SELECTIVE SERVICE BOARD, GOVERNMENT APPEAL AGENT - LADIES AUXILIARY COUNCIL TO COUNCIL OF DEFENSE - WAR ACTIVITIES COMMIT- TEE - OTHER LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS - THE HOME GUARDS - THE FOOD ADMINIS- TRATION - FEDERAL FUEL ADMINISTRATION - FOUR MINUTE MEN - WAR SAVINGS STAMPS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE - UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN-OTHER WAR ORGANIZATIONS - LIST OF 1237 MEN WHO ENTERED SERVICE FROM HALL COUNTY .

NEBRASKA IN THE WAR

Nebraska, as a state, made a brilliant rec- ord throughout the Great War, and in this record Hall County played a consistent and most creditable part. Prompt in all activities, Grand Island was the first city in Nebraska to go over the top in the Victory Bond Cam- paign and Hall County did not require the full alloted time to place every bond of the quota in the hands of its people.

Nebraska claims to have had more soldiers and sailors in the service of the country, in proportion to population, than any other state. Out of the total increment of armed forces of 4,034,743 for the entire United States, Ne- braska produced an increment of 49,614. Of these 29,807, or 60.08%, represented induc- tions under the registrations into the national army ; 14,416, or 29.06%, were enlistments in

the army; 4,944, or 9.96%, enlisted in the navy, and 447, or .90% in the marine corps. The percent of increment in the national army for Nebraska was 60.08% against the average for the entire Nation of 66.10%, and the per- centage of enlistments for all other branches of army, naval and marine service for Ne- braska was 39.92 compared with 33.90 for the entire nation.

Not only in numbers furnished did Ne- braska hold above the national average, but in practically every other feature of securing the men for military service. In the cost per man of inductions into the selective service, Nebraska accomplished this work at a cost of $4.90 per man, against the national aver- age of $7.90 per man. In the matter of physical rejections, Nebraska ranked around 6% against the national average of 8.1%, only Digitized by Google

441

442

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

nine states showing a lower average.

Nebraska claims the record of having sub- scribed more money per capita for Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps, and given more money to the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and K. of C. than any other state. The follow- ing table shows the results of Nebraska's War drives.

Over

Sub-

Quto Subscribed scribed

First Liberty Loan ... $ 18,000,000 $18,206,750

1 %

Second Liberty Loan ..

29,640,000

33,317,200 8%

Third Liberty Loan ...

31,942,800

50,684,850

58%

Fourth Liberty Loan ..

68,350,000

71,000,000 4%

War Savings Stamps ..

25,940,120

32,000,000 23%

United War Work ....

2,000,000

2,600,000

30%

Y. M. C. A ..

250,000

560,302 124%

First Red Cross Fund

700,000

1,020,812 45%

Second Red Cross Fund

800,000

2,300,000 188%

Knights of . Columbus

40,000

225,000 462%

Armenian Relief ......

250,000

265,000

Smileage Book Cam ...

10,000

16,470

65 %

Y. W. C. A.

no quota

58,505

Miscellaneous

165,000

240,000

45%

Total $178,087,920 $212,494.00 19%

Red Cross members in 1917 were 501,939; War Savings Societies, quota 4,300, formed 10,000.

Nebraska was almost 100% on Food Ad- ministration pledges, with 238,071 cards signed. The national average was only 50%.

Nebraska was second in number of four- minute men speakers.

Nebraska was the first state in the Union to go over the top on the War Savings campaign. The War Savings Stamp scheme had been figured out and placed in charge of one of the leading. financiers of the nation, Frank A. Vanderlip, of the National City bank of New York city. But it remained for a little county out in Nebraska to hit upon the most feasible plan of selling the small thrift stamps and war savings certificates. A group of men in Se- ward County, Nebraska, meeting around the holiday season in 1917, shortly after the ap- pointment of county chairmen and local com- mittees to devise ways and means to meet the quota in Seward County, accepted the sugges- tion of W. H. Brokaw, now director of the extension bureau service in the state of Ne- braska under the agricultural department and State University. They drew a plan from this idea to conduct a preliminary campaign of

education and follow it with a set date, upon which there would be called meetings simul- taneously, for the same day and hour, in every school district of the county, and each district would endeavor to subscribe its quota then and there. This plan worked so successfully in Seward County in January 1918, that Seward County's early response to her quota attracted the attention of Ward M. Burgess (of M. E. Smith & Co., Omaha) who had been made state director. Upon inquiry and presenta- tion of this plan to Mr. Burgess, he decided to give it a try-out in the state of Nebraska. A state-wide campaign of education was con- ducted for six weeks, and on March 22, 1918, practically every county in the state except Se- ward held these meetings and subscribed its quota, and the state of Nsbraska was the first state to go over the top on the War Savings Stamps. The success of the Nebraska plan so attracted the attention of those in charge of the national campaign, that Mr. Burgess was called east to assume charge of its application to the nation and a second date set for the stamps campaign in every state in the Union except Nebraska. In this campaign, as in the others Hall County followed the policy of hav. ing a large percentage of her quota subscribed ahead of the date and went over easily on March 22.

HALL COUNTY'S SERVICE "BACK HERE"

Hall County received the news that the United States had declared a state of war upon the German Empire just the same as her sister counties. The great mass of her citizens im- mediately ' dropped all prior opinions or re- , luctance and rallied to the one idea, our country first. The president's message to Con- gress was published in full in the Grand Island Independent on April 3, 1917. Upon the fol- lowing night patriotic citizens inserted the fol- lowing call. This appeared in an insert with the headline, "Let all who are for America first join in this demonstration," with a cut of a fiag appearing neneath these words, and the following call: "All patriotic American citi- zens who desire to show their patriotism and love for this country are requested to meet in

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 64

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011