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 4
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The camp was opened June 30, and the various batteries were assigned special dates as follows:
First-July 7-14. Second-July 21-28. Fourth-August 4-1I. Sixth-August 18-25.
Fifth and Eleventh-August 25-September I.
Seventh-September 1-18.
Eighth-September 15-22.
The dates given the various batteries were not exclusive, in that men from other batteries were included. It was intended that all officers and men should use the camp whenever possible; but when
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THE CAMP AT CITY ISLAND
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GUARD HOUSE.
AIRING TENTS.
MESS HALL.
THE KRAG RIFLE.
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a battery was formally assigned to duty it was expected that every officer and man would be there all the time. A large number of officers and men were in the camp from time to time for longer or shorter periods. It was found to be a splendid experience, even for a man who had to go to town to business. He was up at reveille, had the setting-up exercises, in the afternoon after his return there was some drill-work enough so that when taps came he was ready to sleep and did sleep. All the time he was in camp he was in uniform and subject to military discipline.
The camp was useful also to batteries not assigned, for they were free to use it, and did for competitive or special drills. The arrangements for feeding the men were admirable and well man- aged. The men, as well as the officers, were charged at the rate of two dollars per day each, that is fifty cents each for breakfast and lunch and one dollar for dinner. A covered veranda ex- tended around three sides of the building, on which the mess tables were set, except in bad weather. The men, on the whole, seemed satisfied and pleased with the commissary arrangements; indeed the Sergeant in charge was heard to remark that whatever might be the qualifications or disqualifications of the men in other respects, they were no slackers at meal-time.
The camp was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Dela- field, and Lieutenant George W. Burleigh was Post-Adjutant. Of course in Colonel Delafield's absence the senior officer took com- mand, so that this duty very frequently devolved on Major Stoddard who had made his summer residence close to the camp. The command of the troops was given to the C. O. of the battery present on duty.
Each day a detail of seven "mess men" was assigned to assist the regular hired kitchen men in serving the food between the kitchen and the tables for the ensuing three meals. In order to show what good work was done in the camp and to give an idea of the routine we quote in full the report of Captain (later Major) S. Edson Gage then commanding the Second Battery.
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THE CAMP AT CITY ISLAND
REPORT :
"I beg to make the following report of the work done at Camp, City Island, N. Y., July 21-28, by the Second Battery, augmented by such men from other batteries as were present at camp.
Previous to 12 M., July 21st, when the Second Battery took over the Camp from Captain Chester of the First Battery, the following had been done :-
The Battery had been ordered to attend Camp, July 21-28. In answer to letters a number of men had been excused by written order and duplicate order sent to First Sergeant. The Squads were then recast. A sketch map of the streets and tents was made and the tents numbered. The Sergeants and Squads were assigned to tents by printed list. It had previously been arranged with Captain Chester to move all men from other Batteries into the four tents nearest the Headquarters house. At 11 : 30 A. M. July 21, a Post and Bulletin Board was planted at First Sergeant's tent and on it was posted the papers showing-
Squads as rearranged Map
Assignment to tents.
The men found their places without confusion. At 12 M., July 21, the following details were on duty :-
Dr. Brannan A mess detail
Hopkins to assist Sergeant Spencer Mallaby to assist Lieutenant Burleigh
The various calls were sounded from 6 A. M. to 10 P. M. except on the half-days of Saturday, July 21 and Saturday, July 28.
Attendance-
The morning reports showed on Saturday, July 21, 65, and on two days showed 79. On Saturday, July 28, it showed 60 men present, and at 8 A. M. of that day a pano- ramic photo was taken.
Roll Call-
Roll call was made at first assembly and to those present were added such men as reported later in each day.
Setting-up Exercises-
Setting-up exercises were executed on seven days.
Sick Call-
Dr. Brannan's report is made separately, and I concur in his recommendation for a standard ration if such can be furnished without extra cost.
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Morning Drill-8 A. M .-
On Sunday was commenced extended order drill. The Battery was first put through the elementary drill and was then divided into two platoons under the Lieutenants, who carried the men through the forming of skirmish line from all formations.
On Monday the Battery was marched to Pelham Bay Park and extended order was carried out for about a mile with points and flankers and support, and after with- drawing the points and throwing in the supports, the Battery made a charge. The Battery was marched back to Camp. A few were sent back in autos.
On Tuesday the Battery was marched to Pelham Bay Park and instructed in taking advantage of cover, and then marched to Pelham Parkway and to the Golf Grounds, where the skirmish line was moved to the oblique and to the rear, and turned to right and left. The Battery was divided into three platoons. Two were sent to develop lines to cover and were then assembled in line of platoons past a bunker where they received a surprise attack. All were then marched back to Camp except Callingham who sprained a leg, and one or two affected by heat who were returned by auto. Estimated distance covered, 8 to 9 miles, time about 3 hours 40 minutes.
On Wednesday was commenced drill with Lewis Gun. The drill as formulated by Major Delafield and Captain Chester was first given to all present, and was then expanded to extended order by five gun squads, one being advanced while the remainder maintained fire. The Battery was then assembled and divided into two platoons under Lieutenant Campbell and Lieutenant Perry. Lieutenant Campbell guarded an ammu- nition base and was attacked by Lieutenant Perry. It proved to be an interesting problem. In the late afternoon at a supplemental drill, Major Stoddard gave the new Bayonet Drill and the men were put one at a time to attack the dummy figures. These dummies and the rack supporting them had been made on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Thursday the men were given further drill with the bayonet-low point, long thrust, short thrust, jab, butt stroke 1-2-3; and the launch having been put in com- mission, it was given to Lieutenant Rogers who made a surprise attack from the water side. At 1: 30 P. M. twenty-one men were carried in our launch to Great Neck dock where autos carried the detail to the range.
On Friday a problem of transportation was worked out. At 8 A. M. assembly was blown and after forming the Battery, they were marched up Pilot Street in Column of Squads. Without previous knowledge that they were to be carried, they were put into autos and delivered at a point North and East of City Island Station at 8: 30 -distance of three miles. They were then taken into the fields and put into extended order by machine gun squads supported by infantry and moved at two miles per hour. Losing communication with their flankers they were assembled and the previous infan- try support were sent out as gun squads. They moved through rough fields, pasture and thick woods, guiding by their shadows and came out in very good line on a cross
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THE CAMP AT CITY ISLAND
road. Here they were assembled and marched to Pelham Manor Station, and from there to Parkway. One man had fallen out. One man was here returned by auto.
The Battery was then marched to the autos which had been left with one guard. All were given the opportunity to ride to Camp, or permission to march. Lieutenant Burleigh and the three officers of Second Battery and private Post marched the three miles to Camp and were dismissed in good condition on the parade where assembled. At 1: 30 about sixty men were put aboard four launches and taken to Fort Totten. Lieutenant Brown and a regular sergeant ordered up a gun crew of nine men to operate a three-inch gun. Lieutenant Brown gave a talk. Our men manned two guns and were instructed by regulars. The men were returned to Camp at 5: 30.
On Saturday the Battery was given close order drill and a remarkable improvement was noted, although no close order work had been done in Camp, except such as was done in getting to or from some point.
Inspection of Quarters-
The Camp was inspected on each day at 1: 30 P. M. except Saturday, July 28, and on this date orders were given to turn in everything in the tents except cots. Police-
A police detail worked each day and were not excused from School or any drill. Mess Detail-
A mess detail worked each day and were not excused from School or any drill. Guard Duty-
Formal guard mount was made on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednes- day, and Thursday, advancing the different ranks as far as possible. On Friday an informal guard mount was made. Thirteen men were put on guard each night for twelve hours and the Camp was guarded at each mess and at such times as the Battery was absent.
School-
School call was sounded at 2: 15 and continued 11/2 to 2 hours. On one day the work on Lewis Gun continued until 4: 45. The subjects covered were as follows :-
Talk on Camp Sanitation by Major Harlow Brooks, Medical Corps, N. Y. N. G. (later Colonel U. S. A., A. E. F.).
The Krag Rifle-
Its magazine, sights, cleaning rods, etc., bolt and mechanism, cut-off, safety, what causes jam, what causes miss-fire, finding the normal windage, testing sights for eleva- tion, sighting tests, triangles. On each Thursday a detail is sent to Great Neck.
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SETTING-UP EXERCISES.
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THE CAMP AT CITY ISLAND
Lewis Gun-
Range. Twenty-one went on Thursday of Camp. Its uses as a defensive weapon and as an offensive weapon. Practically every man took down and assembled the Lewis Gun, the time running from four minutes to forty-odd minutes.
Note .- A machine gun skirmish drill was developed. Problems in offense and de- fense with machine guns were worked out. The Second Battery is about to receive, as gifts from members, two auto mounts.
Military Surveying-
Map reading, explanation of contours, the pocket level and experiments in its use, standardization of pace, ranging, pacing survey and plotting same, the pocket compass, orientation of map, a N. & S. line was established.
Tent Work-
The Sibley Tent, to stake it out, to drive pegs, to erect, to take down, to fold, to carry, two tents were dropped, the guys removed from pins (pins not removed), pole moved from under tent and the tent set up again complete in two minutes.
Signal Work with Flags-
Very little was done in this.
Church Service-
On Sunday, July 22, at 11 : 30, a service was held, Private Rev. Charles E. Brugler officiating on the lawn of Headquarters House adjoining the shore.
Trumpeter-
Trumpeter Gordon was present Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 and was obliged to leave. A trumpeter was developed in the Battery and he was furnished with a trumpet.
Launch-
The launch was delivered late Tuesday evening, it having broken down on the way over. Corporal Story (1), Callingham and Corporal Murray (1) put it in working order and it was used for Battery work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I am informed that after July 15 the law requires a license. We ran it with our own men. Before leaving I instructed Sergeants Spencer and Hopson to put riding light on her each night. I forgot to tell them to arrange for a man to run her.
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Visitors-
Officers, non-Commissioned Officers and men from other Batteries were attached to Second Battery and put to work in the rank they hold in their own Batteries.
Ammunition-
In addition to the two hundred rounds which the Battery was authorized to pur- chase through Captain Thebaud, the Battery has bought through the 1790 Rifle Club one thousand rounds of Krag ammunition, and each Thursday a detail is sent to Great Neck Range and given practice at one hundred to two hundred and three hundred yards. Forms and Reports-
Morning reports were handed in to Lieutenant Burleigh for eight days and on an abridged form recommended by him. Guard reports were also made on regulation forms.
Purchases-
There were bought and charged to V. C. A. ten lbs. of nails, some rope for the dummies and a pair of oars. I also took the responsibility to order the plumber to repair two leaks. Aside from this I authorized no work or purchases. Ten gallons gasolene, sacks for dummies and false faces, etc., were paid for from private funds.
Battery Fund-
Following your suggestion a Battery fund has been started. Lieutenant Rogers is Treasurer. I understood you to say that half the money collected from the men by V. C. A. was to be paid into the Battery funds. We shall be glad to receive this money.
Second Camp-
The men of the Battery requested that a second Camp be held and I have your permission to order the Battery into Camp at City Island for one week beginning September 15, 1917.
Captain Praeger-
To carry out your instructions of July 26, 1917, I am sending a copy of this report to Captain Louis J. Praeger, c/o Messrs. Wendell, Fay & Co., 19th Street and Fourth Avenue, New York City."
On August 7, the Fourth Battery, under the command of Lieu- tenant John Moore Perry, was on active duty in the camp. Offi-
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cers and men were greatly delighted at the receipt of orders to re- port at once at the Armory for duty with the First Provisional Regiment, N. Y. G., in guarding the Aqueduct. The men pro- ceeded to the Armory, and the rifles and personal effects were very kindly transported by motor trucks furnished by the Mayor's De- fense Committee and by automobiles of the Women's Motor Corps of America, commanded by Captain (now Colonel) Helen Bastedo. The Grizzled Old Sergeant writes the historian: "These automobiles were driven by lady motorcorpists of superior pres- ence, each more attractive than the other."
The prolonged service in guarding the Aqueduct prevented the re-opening of the Camp, and the Supply Company closed the Camp, storing the tents and other material in the H. Q. house. The Captain Commissary writes : "I am very sorry that the Camp could not have been actively open for another month or six weeks, as by that time I think the receipts would have paid all the expenses and costs." The Detachment was indebted to Major Herman F. Stone, Quartermaster's Department United States Army, for the tents used in the Camp.
"AT THE DOUBLE."
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CHAPTER SIX THE LOST ORDERS
T HE orders which sent two provisional batteries of the Corps to the important work of guarding New York City's water supply follow :
"STATE OF NEW YORK THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE ALBANY
August 6, 1917.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 198 A
I. Two provisional batteries of the Veteran Corps of Artillery of the State of New York to consist of three battery officers and one hundred men each are hereby placed on active duty under the terms of Special Orders No. 198, this office, August 6, 1917 and will constitute a part of the military force called out in aid of the civil author- ities of the City of New York under that order, which military force is to be organ- ized as a provisional regiment and said batteries will form two of the twelve units authorized for said regiment.
II. The Commanding Officer Veteran Corps of Artillery will designate the officers and men to compose said provisional batteries and the commanding officers of said batteries so designated will at once report to Colonel John B. Rose, Ist Infantry, New York Guard, for instructions.
By command of the Governor :
LOUIS W. STOTESBURY The Adjutant-General.
Official : Edward J. Westcott Major, Assistant to the Adjutant-General
C. O. Veteran Corps of Artillery."
It may puzzle the reader that a Corps organized for anti- aircraft defense and riot duty in the city should have been de- tailed to the Aqueduct, but it was a matter of military necessity. Troops were needed for this work, and the Corps had the men and equipment ready and waiting.
About the middle of July, General Dyer, commanding the new
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THE LOST ORDERS
military force called the New York Guard, which was to take the place of the National Guard, then in the service of the United States, had been in consultation with Colonel Delafield in relation to the serious problem of furnishing adequate guards for New York City's water supply. The National Guard units doing this duty would soon be ordered away. The new organization, the New York Guard, being recruited, was hardly strong enough. He asked Colonel Delafield if the Detachment would take over the guarding of a section of the Aqueduct, presumably the lower sec- tor including the great Kensico Dam, for about sixty days. Col- onel Delafield promptly offered the services of his command, and this action was cordially approved by the Council of Administra- tion. At this time, General Dyer told the Colonel that he thought it wise for the Corps to go on and complete the batteries. This guard duty was, in a way, foreign to the plan of anti-aircraft de- fense and riot duty, but it was strictly in accord with the tradition of the Corps-an excellent opportunity to serve the State, and would give splendid training to officers and men. The destruction of the Catskill Aqueduct, just finished, would have been a great catastrophe, bringing death and dire calamity to the City. This marvellous engineering achievement runs through some of the wildest parts of Putnam and Westchester Counties, and was built with no idea of its becoming an object of enemy attack, so of course was vulnerable in many places.
An Armory or camp is a breeding-place of rumors; at times the air seems to be surcharged with them, and such was the condition of this particular Armory on the afternoon of August 6th, the eve of the day of "The Lost Orders." The historian, then sergeant in the Headquarters Company, came to the Armory with papers for the Lieutenant-Colonel. Two batteries had been drilling. He was hardly inside the doors before he was bombarded with questions. "Did he have the orders?" "Had he seen them?" "Were we all ordered out?" "Did the Second Battalion go to the Barge Canal?" "Was it only the First and Second Batteries?" He did not know anything about it, and said so, and no one believed him. For once
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the enlisted men were right. They were under orders, but they did not know it.
The next morning, after long and patient inquiry, it was found that orders had been issued. A sergeant was directed to proceed to the Arsenal, and try to get copies from Captain de Garmo. He proceeded with alacrity and celerity, but when he got there he found a long line waiting for Captain de Garmo who was listening to a tale of woe from a voluble lady. The sergeant slipped to the head of the line, and, as the lady paused for breath, attracted the Captain's attention by a very snappy salute, whispered his request for copies of the orders, received them, and was off as the lady continued her remarks to the kindly, patient officer.
The orders so obtained reached the Vice-Commandant a little after 12 o'clock. They required the Corps to have two hundred men at the Armory at 7 o'clock that night, ready for duty. They were green troops, but they knew it. They never had had a hurry call to duty, but they went at it. The Vice-Commandant was as- sisted by Major Hodges, Lieutenant Montgomery and the Head- quarters Company. Fortunately, the Fourth Battery was in camp at City Island, under command of Lieutenant Perry. It was or- dered to the Armory, where it arrived at 6:55 P. M., all present, except for six "medically unfit" privates who had been left at Camp to guard Corps property.
At the designated hour, over five hundred men had assembled, and all through the evening they came pouring in. As they ar- rived, they were lined up in provisional formations by Major Edward C. Delafield and his Adjutant, Lieutenant Burleigh, who had just returned from official duty in Washington. Meanwhile, many reported by telephone.
The men were formed in line of masses and briefly addressed by Colonel Delafield, who explained the emergency, the necessity of the duty, calling for volunteers. These were lined up under the direction of Major Hodges and Regimental-Adjutant Smith; first those who would go at once, then those who could go on the 15th or later dates.
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THE LOST ORDERS
It was an interesting and inspiring scene. There were many questions to be answered. The fine thing was the number of men who were ready to make sacrifices to perform this unlooked-for duty. The volunteers were formed in a battalion and were re- viewed by Brevet Major-General Asa Bird Gardiner, the learned and venerable Commandant, who made a short address, describing his own experiences during the Civil War and the services of the ancestors of the Corps in the War of 1812. The vigor of his elo- quence and the strength of his voice were remarkable when we remembered his age. Orders were received to dismiss the men, and have them assemble ready for duty the next morning. This was done, and on Wednesday they were at the Armory bright and early. One or two middle-aged privates were heard to mutter something about "ungodly hours," but they learned a lot about hours in a few days. Then came a long, long wait. The monotony of this inaction was relieved by the Hippodrome Chorus which were rehearsing at the Armory. Later, orders were received to dismiss the men, with directions to report early the next morning.
Colonel Delafield, from his experience in the open and his recent care of troops in the field-having been in command of the Training Camp-realized the prime importance of supplies and equipment for the comfort and efficiency of his men, and with Lieutenant Burleigh had been in consultation with the Supply Officers in the Arsenal. The State was to furnish blankets and ponchos; those were delivered at the Armory Wednesday after- noon. While there, he was advised by an experienced Staff Offi- cer to go to the State Camp with his men or before their arrival, and to see Colonel Rose about the issue of proper rations, equip- ment, etc., to the men. It was most excellent advice, and very fortunately for the men and the success of the expedition, he did SO.
On Thursday morning, August 9th, 1917, the two provisional Batteries assembled at the Armory under the command of Major Hodges, with Battalion-Adjutant, Lieutenant Frank E. Davidson, Sergeant-Major Lloyd R. Stark, and Lieutenant Jerome Kings-
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bury, Assistant-Surgeon, Battalion Staff. The Officers of our two batteries were Battery A: Captain, S. Edson Gage, First Lieuten- ant, Theodore T. Lane, First Lieutenant, Raymond L. Taft; Bat- tery B: Captain, Adam T. Shurick, First Lieutenant, John Moore Perry, Second Lieutenant, Electus T. Backus. The State had fur- nished blankets and ponchos; the men took their rifles. Each man was furnished with rations supplied by the Corps. This was a very fortunate precaution ordered by the Vice-Commandant. They found these rations very useful. The Battalion marched to the Grand Central Station, receiving great applause as it passed, and with the other New York City Detachments, all under the com- mand of Major Hodges, entrained for Roa Hook.
Meanwhile, Colonel Delafield, with Lieutenant Burleigh, mak- ing an early start, went in a high-powered French car with an experienced French chauffeur, placed at their disposal by Mr. George T. Brokaw, a private in the Command, to the State Camp at Peekskill. On their arrival they found the Camp empty. There was no evidence of any provision having been made for the troops soon to arrive. The whole place looked deserted. After some hunting around, Major William L. Burnett, in charge of the State Camp and designated second in command of the First Provisional Regiment was found, but he was blissfully unconscious of the fact that a large part of his Regiment was to arrive in a very short time, and when asked if there was any officer of the Provisional Regiment in the Camp, he did not seem to understand. Appar- ently, he had made no preparation for the issuing of supplies and equipment to the men of his new command, and said that he could do nothing until he received orders. More lost orders! He only had a few men employed by the State Supply Department and they were exhausted, having worked until 2 A. M. putting away tents, cots, etc. Colonel Delafield tried in vain to get Colonel Rose, the Commanding Officer of the new Regiment, or his Adju- tant, on the telephone. At Major Burnett's suggestion, Colonel Myers was reached at the Arsenal, who said that the number of men to mobilize at Peekskill had been reduced from eight hun-
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