USA > New York > The Minute men of '17 - a history of the service rendered during the recent world war by the Ninth Coast Artillery Corps, New York Guard and the Veteran Corps of Artillery, state of New York > Part 14
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Another useful course of instruction was the training school for the officers of the New York Guard held at Camp Whitman, Greenhaven, Dutchess County, New York, from August 31 to September 14, 1918. Among other officers of the Ninth detailed as instructors was Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Burleigh whose subject was "Military Courtesy and Customs."
This lecture delivered on September 2, was not only much appreciated by the officers in command but had a marked effect on the students in the camp. Colonel Burleigh, from his long familiarity with Regular Army officers and his natural aptitude and innate thoroughness, was a master of the subject. A marked im- provement was noticed in all the niceties of military manners. "In all armies men are first judged by the way in which they observe the rules and customs of courtesy. A Zachary Taylor or a Ulysses S. Grant may neglect these small things, but be sure, Mr. Officer, that you are a Taylor or a Grant before you do so." Major How- ard Thayer Kingsbury, formerly of the Ninth, lectured on Mili- tary law. The following officers of the Ninth were detailed to give instruction in the British bayonet drill: Captain Cruse, Lieu- tenants Crawford, Schwab and Gallaher. Their work was highly commended by the commander of the Post, as were the services of Captain Cruse, Lieutenants Messenger, Simpson and Gallaher during the second week.
The Supply Officer of the Ninth, Captain Dos Passos, did a fine piece of work in handling the officers' baggage. Things arrived on time and were handled skillfully and promptly. Sergeant Kelly who drove our truck is entitled to great credit.
When camp was cleared out on Saturday morning September 7th it was the duty of each officer to see that the shacks were left clean and in order. It certainly was a source of pride and grati- fication to the Ninth to see how perfectly this work was done by
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our officers. The cleanest shack of all was that of Company A where Major Gage and Lieutenant-Colonel Burleigh had been located.
On September 4th, while Company A was doing guard duty, Lieutenant-Colonel Burleigh acting as Corporal-of-the-Guard, the Guard was turned out for the Adjutant-General upon his arrival at the camp in his official capacity. Everything was done with snap and precision. A pleased smile came over the General's face when he saw who was Corporal of the Guard. It seldom falls to an Adjutant-General's lot to see how very efficient one of his aids can be as a Non-Com.
During August 1918, two cups were presented to the Regiment. One was given by Supply-Sergeant (later Captain) Robert Sedge- wick, to be given to the Company having the best average in the following tests.
I. The highest percentage reporting for duty on every sudden call during the year.
II. The highest percentage of qualified Armory Markmanship.
III. The highest percentage of men efficient in signalling, both sending and receiving.
The other cup was given by Color-Sergeant (later Captain) T. J. Oakley Rhinelander for sharpshooters.
In 1919 the contest for this cup was won by Lieutenant-Colonel Edward C. Delafield.
During this month Private Oliver W. Mallaby died of pneu- monia. He was an old V. C. A. man who had served in the First Provisional Regiment N. Y. G.
Major William L. Hodges, who was relieved from duty on Au- gust 10th, after one year of service with the First Provisional Regi- ment, N. Y. G., on the New York City Aqueduct, has received a very unusual letter of comment on his record from Colonel Rose
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dated August 17th at the Headquarters of the First Provisional Regiment at Croton Lake, N. Y. The letter is, in part, as follows:
"III. It has been said that the history of the First Provisional Regiment's first year automatically divides itself into three portions: that of mobilization, organiza- tion and standardization. It may be well to add that the period of standardization and in a measure, reorganization does not yet seem past. It was in the mobilization and organization, the latter including construction, that Major Hodges was of such signal service to the First Provisional Regiment. This service was largely due to his special knowledge of varied subjects, particularly those pertaining to communication and housing, together with the large amount of talent which he was able to place at the service of this Regiment, due to his association with men gifted in many ways.
"IV. Camp Rose, selected on Sunday, August 12, 1917, as the headquarters of the First Provisional Regiment, and later amplified into a permanent Regimental Head- quarters establishment, is to all intents and purposes the product of Major Hodges' ability and appreciation of the needs of the men and officers occupying it.
"V. Designated as officer in charge of the construction work, Major Hodges set about the matter of telephone and electric light construction work a few weeks after the Regiment entered the field, and it was no fault of his that both systems were not in operation long before the winter snows set in. It was very largely a result of his representations as an engineer and expert that the relations between the Telephone Company and the First Provisional Regiment, as well as the Electric Lighting Com- pany and the First Provisional Regiment, were as smooth and harmonious as they proved to be in the early days of the construction and as they have remained ever since. Major Hodges' knowledge of the technique of telephone construction work enabled this Regiment to avoid tactical errors in the distribution and operation of its Guard Line Intelligence System.
"VII. Major Hodges' wide acquaintance with experts in engineering and construc- tion enabled him to call to the service of the First Provisional Regiment in the matter of barracks construction Lieut. Herbert W. Lockwood, 9th C. A. C., who, as a steel manufacturer and jobber, was able to secure estimates and make purchases that kept the cost of the barracks of this Regiment well below the sum authorized by the City of New York. In conjunction with Lieut. Lockwood, Lieut. Arthur Wynne, 12th Infantry, and Lieut. Tremain Mckinstry, of the 10th Infantry, Major Hodges supervised the work of barracks construction. . In spite of all obstacles and heedless of the many stumbling-blocks that seemed to be constantly falling in the path of the construction detail, Major Hodges brought to a successful conclusion this vital and immediate work.
"VIII. These three phases of the services rendered the First Provisional Regiment and the State of New York would, of themselves, constitute a record of which any
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officer might justly be proud. But Major Hodges' record does not stop here. He was one of the officers who were able to grasp the larger view of the mission of this Regiment, and who appreciated from the beginning the real and great danger from sinister sources and influences found on every side.
"IX. As Commanding Officer of the entire sector of the First Provisional Regi- ment's line from the Hudson River to the City of New York in the early part of the year's services, and later when this big sector was divided into two battalions, as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Major Hodges maintained the one aim of efficient and unselfish service.
"X. But perhaps of more real value to the Regiment than anything else was Major Hodges' appreciation and exposition of the regimental spirit, which the Commanding Officer strove to inculcate in the period of mobilization and organization. Loyalty, unswerving allegiance to the best ideals of the service, and a kindly, helpful spirit marked the service and administration of Major Hodges from the time of his entry into the field.
JOHN B. ROSE, Colonel."
Major Hodges went to the Aqueduct in command of the two provisional batteries of the V. C. A. on August 9th, 1917. These officers and men made a splendid record in this duty in which the Ninth can always take justifiable pride, for almost all the officers and men of that fine Battalion came into the Ninth. Major Charles Alexander Clinton served with the First Provisional Regiment again in the summer and fall of 1918.
The following lines of Sergeant Pinckney, printed in the Ninth Coast News, show the spirit and feeling of the officers and men of the Regiment during their efficient performance of these manifold duties :
"What are you going to say, my lad, In the long, long years to come, When your children sit on your knees at night And ask what their 'Dad' has done? Or if, old man, you are past that time When you tuck your babies in bed, There'll be lonely moments for you at your club When the tales of the War are read.
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We can't all follow the Stars and Stripes To answer the great appeal; To win for freedom or lie with the dead ''Neath the poppies of Flanders fields.' But to you it is to stand prepared To guard by day and night The homes and loved ones of those who have gone To give their all in your fight."
It was with considerable emotion that the regiment received the news that Colonel Delafield had been appointed Major in the Ordnance Department, U. S. A., and was about to relinquish the command of the Ninth. For many years he had been a devoted member of the Artillery Service Detachment, V. C. A., and with the late Frederick Sanford Woodruff had long been ideal Color Ser- geant, and later Chief of Section. When the prospect of active duty confronted the Detachment the choice of a Vice-Comman- dant to command and organize the active military part of the Corps and Society was felt to be a matter of the gravest concern, The Council of Administration, upon which the duty of making the selection was imposed by statute, after the most careful consideration unanimously selected Color-Sergeant Delafield. A man of force and dignity, inheriting the finest traditions of the American Army officer, possessed of executive ability of high order, he had done fine work in organizing the V. C. A. and the Ninth Coast Artillery Corps.
On September 25, 1918, he was given a review by the Regiment and a farewell dinner by the officers. The review was in many respects like other reviews, but there was a touch of sadness in it for it marked a separation. An officer greatly respected and much be- loved was giving up his command to accept a lower rank in a more important service. Many present remembered him as the stalwart Color Bearer in that small unit of aristocrats. Very many had seen him develop that unit into a large and efficient corps of guards- men, and had followed when duty called him and them into the Ninth.
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DINNER GIVEN BY THE OFFICERS OF THE 5TH CORET ARTILLERY CORTE, N.Y.G. IN HONOROF THEIR BROTHER OFFICERS MAJOR FRANCIS RUSSELL STODDARD SK. CAPTAIN ROBERT H. WILDER CRITRIN CADOT WARD. JARENKY 23.19
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During the ceremonies Colonel Burleigh, who had just been com- missioned Colonel and appointed to the command of the Ninth, presented Colonel Delafield, on behalf of the officers and men, with a beautiful sabre. At the end of the review, before the men were dismissed, the officers formed in two lines in front of the sally port, and stood at salute as the two Colonels passed between them. The officers were transported by the ladies of Colonel Bastedo's Motor Corps to the Union Club, where after an excellent dinner and a few well-chosen speeches they each in turn bade farewell to their retiring Commanding Officer.
READY TO DEMONSTRATE A LEWIS MACHINE GUN AT THE COUNTY FAIR.
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LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BURLEIGH AND HIS OFFICERS AT THE OFFICERS' TRAIN- ING SCHOOL, AT CAMP WHITMAN, AUG .- SEPT., 1918.
COLONEL DELAFIELD AND HIS OFFICERS AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL, CAMP WHITMAN, AUG .- SEPT., 1918.
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COLONEL GEORGE W. BURLEIGH.
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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
COLONEL BURLEIGH TAKES COMMAND
C IOLONEL DELAFIELD, who had previously applied for a commission in the Infantry, U. S. A., had been appointed Major in the Ordnance Department and was immediately ordered to an important post in the Disbursing Bureau. When the armistice was signed Major Delafield developed a plan for the settlement of the innumerable claims against the government, which was approved by the War Department. He was detailed to the organization of the Bureau of Contract Adjustment and promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel and then Colonel. This organization of which he was the head had been invaluable both to the Govern- ment and to the contractors. It may be noted that another of our men served in that Bureau, Private Howard R. Bayne, of the 3rd Battery, V. C. A., and the 3rd Company of the 9th.
The following analytical appreciation of Colonel Delafield has been written by one who was intimately associated with him in his military work during the organization of the Detachment and the Ninth, a period of over a year.
John Ross Delafield is a large man in the best sense of the word. He had a big frame and good health, he had a big heart and sound common sense. He had a clear brain and an absorbing sense o' duty. This steadfast sense of duty is his ruling passion. I saw him in the heyday of success when he had accomplished the impossible. I saw him when his duty called him to give up the Corps he loved so well and the Service dear to his heart without elation in one case and without depression in the other. With no vain regrets br rather with "patience firm and virtue high" he did the work before him and brought to his new tasks the zeal and energy he had shown before. During all the time I was with him, often when circum- stances and people were trying beyond endurance, I never heard him say a discourteous word. There was a natural dignity about
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the man which to many seemed to be austerity, but beneath it was a just and kindly spirit. His view of men and measures was the large just view. He seemed to see through the shams and preten- sions into the real nature of men so that those he selected for com- missions were well qualified and those whose pretensions exceeded their merits were passed by. He had the respect and admiration of his officers and men.
When Colonel Delafield accepted a commission in the U. S. Army, Lieutenant-Colonel Burleigh was promoted to succeed him as Col- onel of the Ninth C. A. C. and continued the vigorous and efficient policy, skill and tact in administration and organization he had al- ready shown. He was thus enabled to perfect the magnificent regi- ment he commanded.
There probably has never been a change in the command of a Guard Regiment which has been so smoothly and easily made as this change in the Ninth. The warm personal regard and professional cooperation between Colonel Delafield and Colonel Burleigh made the transition imperceptible and without friction.
Just as Colonel Burleigh's promotion was a perfectly natural evo- lution, so Major Edward C. Delafield became Lieutenant-Colonel. This very able, efficient and modest officer has been noted for his 100 per cent performance of every duty devolving on him.
Captain Ernest P. Hoes of the Tenth Company was promoted Major. Without a ripple these changes were made, and the work of the regiment went on smoothly and easily. But this smoothness and ease was due to the skill and ability of the officers and the high character and intense patriotism of the men.
Lieutenant-Colonel Delafield and Major Hoes were both not only men of unusual ability in their business and professional relations but were natural soldiers; men who had an inborn aptitude for mili- tary affairs and were both well fitted for high command.
On October 8, a Lewis machine-gun was sent up to the Bronx in charge of Private Henry C. Roe to be exhibited at "Liberty Land" in aid of the 4th Liberty Loan Drive, and on the same day the women of the Army Transport Service were given permission to
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use the Armory for drill purposes in preparation for their participa- tion in the Liberty Loan Parade on October 12. The entire Regi- ment was in this parade and made its usual fine showing. Its equip- ment, Sanitary Detachment Ambulances, Supply Company Trucks, Machine-Gun Company, with its Lewis guns, were noticed with approval.
In addition to its own participations in this parade, Lieutenants Elmer R. Hollander, Leslie A. Messenger, Harry P. Gallaher, W. Douglas Owens, Malcolm D. Simpson and John Messenger were detailed to assist in organizing the Ladies and Allies Divisions, re- turning to the Regiment in time to join their own Companies. Mean- while Lieutenant W. Douglas Owens had been detailed to drill drafted men, who had been invited to appear Tuesday and Friday evenings. In addition to this Liberty Loan work permission was given the Independent Sons of Italy to use the Armory for Liberty Loan celebrations.
On Russian Day, October 16, the First Battalion with Machine- Gun Sections and Field Music formed at the Armory under the Command of Major Ernest P. Hoes and proceeded to the Waldorf Astoria, where it rendered salute to the Russian officers, and then escorted them to the Altar of Liberty in Madison Square, and after the formal exercises escorted them to the St. Regis, where the Field and Staff lunched with the Commission.
Colonel Burleigh participated in almost all of the ceremonies at the Altar of Liberty during the 4th Liberty Loan Drive, and with his Staff attended the final dinner on October 19 at the Army and Navy Club. On the afternoon of October 19 the Second Battalion turned out and collected the Standards in the Avenue of the Allies and carried them with due ceremony to the Army and Navy Club. On the evening of October 16 the Third Battalion paraded in the local rally for the Liberty Loan Rally which was held in the Armory after the parade. The regiment was credited with $2,621,050 in sub- scriptions to this loan. The Band did splendid work in this drive. The members cheerfully responded to every call and the calls were many.
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On October 12 Colonel Burleigh and a delegation from the Ninth attended the formal opening of the United States Navy Rifle Range at Caldwell, N. J.
On October 14 the officers and men of the United States Transport Von Steuben gave a dance in the Armory.
On October 18 a squad was detailed to attend the funeral services of Private Walter E. Mason of the Thirty-first Field Artillery, U. S. A., the quarantine regulations preventing the detail of Regulars.
On October 24 the flag over the Armory was at half staff in mem- ory of Private Harry A. Carroll of the Tenth Company.
On October 26 the following officers were appointed members of the Examining Board: Major Ernest P. Hoes, Captains Horace F. Pomeroy, Leonhard A. Keyes, Willoughby J. Kingsbury, Frederic K. Seward, Lieutenants Oscar W. G. Ericson and Bert Wilcox.
On October 30 the Third Battalion, under the command of Major William L. Hodges, acted as escort to the Polish Veterans.
On October 30 the flag was at half staff in memory of Corporal Archibald B. Dunn of the Eleventh Company.
On November 9 a dinner was given at the Union Club by the offi- cers of the Regiment to Colonel Burleigh. Governor Whitman, Major-General Daniel Appleton, Brigadier-General Charles H. Sherrill (former Adjutant-General of the State), Rev. Dr. William T. Manning, Rector of Trinity Church, and Charles Frederick Hoff- man, President of the Union Club, and Colonel John J. Byrne, U. S. A., were present as guests. It was on this occasion that Colonel Byrne transferred to Colonel Burleigh for safekeeping the old flags of the Ninth with their many battle rings. The old color-guard of the Ninth brought them into the room where Colonel Byrne pre- sented the colors in an appropriate speech-the colors were received by Colonel Burleigh, formally acknowledged, and were placed in the care of a color-guard of Colonel Burleigh's regiment which reported for the occasion. This attention of Colonel Byrne and the very gracious way in which he made the transfer were deeply appreciated by every one present and his generous and kindly act applauded.
On November 11 the Colonel and his staff were invited to serve in
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the parade inaugurated by the Fifth Avenue Association in celebra- tion of the signing of the Armistice. The Parade formed at the Ritz-Carlton at noon and proceeded to the Army and Navy Club. From there the Allied flags were carried to the Public Library and raised on the staffs. A Battalion of the Twenty-second Infantry U. S. A. provided the guard.
In November, Captain Frank E. Davidson, Regimental Adjutant, was placed on the Reserve List at his own request, greatly to the regret of the entire regiment. The following appreciation of Captain Dav- idson was written by Major Hodges for the Ninth Coast News:
"The resignation of Captain Davidson and his retirement from the active duty of Regimental Adjutant fills with the deepest regret the hearts of all connected in any way with this organization.
His broad understanding of men and affairs and universally tactful manner of hand- ling each situation as it arose with the suave diplomacy so inherent in him has assisted very materially in bringing the Ninth Coast Artillery Corps to the position it now occupies.
Captain Davidson has a long military record in the service of the State, being for eight years in the Seventh Regiment, after which in December, 1913, he joined the Military Society of the War of 1812, and rose rapidly in its Uniformed Detachment; the Veteran Corps of Artillery, S. N. Y., being commissioned First Lieutenant, and appointed Battalion-Adjutant in 1917. Captain Davidson did yeoman service with a detachment of our Corps that served in the First Provisional Regiment guarding the New York City Aqueduct when that detachment was placed under orders by the Governor of the State.
Captain Davidson has seen our organization through its formative stages in spite of many calls which would have caused a self-interested man to have ceased giving so much of his valuable time to the organization.
It is understood that he is being retained on the Regimental Staff, and we trust he may never actively, as we know he never will in his heart, become separated from us."
On November 29 the United States Provost Guard under Major P. L. Thomas gave a dance in the Armory. It had been using the Armory for drill purposes every morning except Saturday.
The Ninth provided a special guard of Honor for the Thanksgiving Day Services at Trinity Church; Lieutenant Wilcox was in command in the morning and Lieutenant Richard in the afternoon.
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On November 29 the following orders were issued:
"General Orders
No. 25.
1. The death on November 26, 1918, of Abram Regus, a former soldier of the Ninth Regiment and an employee of this Armory is announced and in respect to his memory the flag on this Armory will be placed at half staff from Reveille to Retreat on Friday, November 29, 1918, the day of his funeral.
Abram Regus enlisted in the Ninth Regiment, June 9, 1870, and faithfully served in the organized militia of the State of New York for a continuous period of forty- seven years until July 22, 1917, when on entry of the Ninth Coast Defense Command into the service of the United States he was found physically disabled and was Hon- orably Discharged as First Sergeant.
He has a record for long and faithful service rarely excelled and to be envied by all true soldiers. At the time of his discharge from the service he was the senior First Sergeant in the State in length of service.
By order of Colonel Burleigh Harry P. Gallaher, Captain, Adjutant."
A review was tendered Brigadier-General George R. Dyer, com- manding the division New York Guard at the Armory on Thursday evening November 21, 1918. The review was the first since Colonel Burleigh took command of the Ninth.
The size and arrangement of the Armory always presented certain difficulties to those in charge of ceremonies, and the Field and Staff of the Ninth received many congratulations for the manner in which they overcame the difficulties. New formations were executed and the disposition of the "elements of the command" was planned be- forehand with considerable care by Lieutenant-Colonel Delafield and Captain-Adjutant Gallaher.
Colonel Burleigh was desirous that the Regiment be presented in "line of Battalions," something which it had been decided on many occasions was impossible. But by limiting the various "fronts" to sixteen files it was found possible to change the Battalion and regi- mental formations as desired. The companies were assembled along the west wall of the drill floor and the Battalions were then formed
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