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 9
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
The Regiment has authority to place silver rings on the lances of its colors, engraved as follows:
"On the National Color-War against Great Britain, 1812-1815: N. Y. Harbor, June 22-Dec. 15, 1812 (North Battery) : N. Y. Harbor, Sept. 2-Dec. 3, 1814 (West Battery) .- War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865: Harper's Ferry, Va., July 4, 1861 ; Warrenton Junction, April 6, 1862; North Fork River, Va., April 18, 1862; Rappahannock River, Va., May 5, 1862, Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862; Rap- pahannock River, Va., Aug. 22. 1862, Rappahannock Station, Va., Aug.23,1862, Thoroughfare Gap, Va., Aug. 28, 1862, Bull Run, Va., Aug. 30, 1862; Chantilly, Va., Sept. 1, 1862; South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14, 1862; Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 11-16, 1862; Pollock's Mill Creek, Va., April 29, 1863; Chancellorsville, Va., May 2-3, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-4, 1863; Hagers- town, Md., July 12-13 1863. Liberty, Va., Nov. 21, 1863; Mine Run, Va., Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 1863, Wilderness, Va., May 5-7, 1864; Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 1, 1864; Piney Branch Church, Va., May 8, 1864; Laurel Hill, Va., May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va., May 13, 1864; North Anna, Va., May 22, 1864; Toto- potomoy, Va., May 27-31 1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 1-7, 1864. Spanish- American War, May 2-Nov. 15, 1898.
On the State Color-N. Y. Harbor, June 5-July 28, 1812; Sag Harbor, L. I., N. Y., May 1-Aug. 1, 1814; Brooklyn Heights, Aug. 15, 1814; Brooklyn Heights, Oct. 4, 1814; Abolition Riot, Jan. 11-12, 1835; Great Fire, Dec. 17, 1835; Police Riot, June 16-18, 1857; Dead Rabbit Riot, July 5-6, 1857; Orange Riot, July 12-13, 1871 ;
Digitized by Google
-- -
103
THE NINTH COAST
West Albany R. R. Men's Strike, July 24-28, 1877; Buffalo R. R. Men's Strike, Aug. 18-27, 1892; Brooklyn Trolley Men's Strike, Jan. 20-24, 1895; Albany Trolley Men's Strike, May 17-19, 1901."
The first and possibly the most important duty was the choice of the officers. George W. Burleigh, who had been Battalion- Adjutant in the V. C. A., and whose executive ability and skill in handling men had been shown in many instances, especially in helping to procure the Government's approval and support in sending our officers abroad, and who had just been appointed aid on the Staff of Brigadier-General Charles H. Sherrill, the new Adjutant-General, was the unanimous choice for Lieutenant- Colonel. The unanimity with which his appointment and its ac- ceptance was urged was something quite unusual in military life. The historian has read letter after letter by officers who would be jumped by his promotion, strongly urging the appointment and then as strongly insisting on its acceptance. He had recently de- clined a commission as Captain of Infantry in the New York Guard to accept one for the same rank in the V. C. A.
Hardly less important was the choice of Adjutant. For a while Captain Lane of the Seventh Battery acted in that capacity, but the call for active service was too strong for him and he went into the First Provisional Regiment, N. Y. G. Since then Teddy Lane has gone. A devoted son, a true patriot, an efficient officer. We record here respect to his memory. These verses were written after his death.
"TAPS." (In Memoriam) Captain Theodore Twyford Lane.
A hill of green, a firing squad And above a weeping sky; A heart of gold, in the still brown mould And the long days marching by.
A hill of green, a firing squad And the sharp word of command,
Guns that flare, in the silent air, While his pals around him stand.
Digitized by Google
104
THE MINUTE MEN OF '17
A hill of green, a firing squad And a bugle's far, clear note, Sounding taps, "Lights Out !" and there's never a doubt Of the catch that's in your throat.
A hill of green, a firing squad And a little flag that waves In the April air, on the low mound, where It flutters among the graves.
A hill of green, a firing squad And a hush in the wintry blast ; The buds of spring-the birds a-wing And a soul at rest-at last. F. D. S.
April 17, 1920.
(For photo of Capt. Lane, see p. 232.)
The choice of Adjutant then fell on Frank E. Davidson, Battalion-Adjutant in the V. C. A. It was a wise selection. An old National Guardsman, he made a splendid adjutant and did fine work in helping build up the Regiment.
Captain Howard Thayer Kingsbury, who had been Paymaster of the V. C. A. was given command of the Supply Company, and Walter Lispenard Suydam, sometime Brigade-Major of the Vet- eran Corps, came into active service as Second Lieutenant and Assistant Supply-Officer. In a very short time Captain Kingsbury was called to the very important position of Judge-Advocate and Suydam was promoted Captain and Supply-Officer.
The Rev. Dr. Howard Duffield, for so many years the pastor of the Old First Presbyterian Church, was made Chaplain. The historian remembers vividly the Washington's Birthday Service held in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine that winter. It was the most impressive religious service he has ever seen. The great church packed to the doors, an audience noteworthy for high character and intelligence, wonderful music, a most eloquent and patriotic sermon, but in it all nothing more impressive than the.
Digitized by Google
105
THE NINTH COAST
Chaplain of the Ninth, who in his uniform, with sonorous voice, defying the echo, read the marvellous message of the Prophet of old.
Dr. Charles Alexander Clinton was made surgeon. He had volunteered as a private in the V. C. A. in which he was an hered- itary member. While doing a private's duty in the First Pro- visional he was promoted to be Assistant-Surgeon.
(At the close of the War of the Revolution, Alexander Thompson and Alexander Clinton were lieu- tenants in the Second Regiment of Artillery, Continental Line. On the same day in 1786 they were commissioned Captain-Lieutenants in Bauman's Regiment of New York Artillery. In 1917 their lineal descendants, Charles Alexander Clinton and Alexander R. Thompson, served together in the V. C. A. and in the Ninth, in the twentieth century, renewing the friendship begun by their ancestors in the eighteenth.)
Colonel Delafield accepted his appointment as Colonel, and brought to the arduous task of organization of our new Regiment the skill and ability which has since won him such a high position in the army of the United States.
The first appearance of the new regiment was a review given to Colonel John B. Rose, commanding the First Provisional Regi- ment, N. Y. G., in which so many of our men had served. After the review Colonel Rose was asked to address the officers and men of the Ninth, most of whom had served in the First Provisional. We give some extracts from Colonel Rose's eloquent speech which is reported quite fully in No. 7, Vol. I, of the "Watch Dog," the official paper of the First provisional.
"I come to speak to the men of the Ninth Coast Artillery as one who is coming back home to talk with old friends. During the time of Service of the V. C. A. along the Aqueduct it was not my good fortune to meet the men of this splendid organization, but I want to say that I am not coming here to express in a perfunctory way my appreciation and that of the city of New York for the protection of the New York water supply which you men gave in the early days when the protection was most needed. I am coming here to say that it was the personality of the officers and men of your organization which established in the early days that splendid esprit de corps of the First Provisional Regiment which made possible what seemed to be an impossible task. On Friday morning we assembled in the Mess Hall at Peekskill. I made an appeal to you men. I told you we had the biggest job in the State of New York and one that was next to that of going across.
Digitized by Google
IO6
THE MINUTE MEN OF '17
I asked you to enter into this work determined to build up an esprit de corps which would enable us to do the work before us; for, with such a task facing us accomplish- ment was impossible unless the men had the right spirit.
And I say to you, Colonel Delafield, the First Provisional Regiment owes largely to your organization the splendid esprit de corps it has built up.
It is very fitting that I should express my appreciation not only for what you did while in our organization, but afterwards. I congratulate you, Colonel Delafield, and I know that after the war this command will have brought credit not only upon its, but also upon your name and that of the City and State of New York, from which it comes."
The Ninth was but partly organized when there came a sudden call for duty. A Battalion was ordered out for active service. In an incredibly short time the First, Second, Fourth, and Sixth Companies, were under arms, nor was this all, four hundred rifles and four thousand rounds of ball cartridges were distri- buted among the other Regiments of the City who had none. It is said that when the truck containing its share of those rifles and cartridges drove into the Armory of a great historic Regiment, the officer in command exclaimed, "Thank God for the Ninth." Not only was the Battalion mobilized with celerity, but ample provision was made for the care of the men; blankets and cots procured, rations provided, and this all done under orders so quietly that no account of it appeared in the newspapers.
The Regiment had reason to be proud of itself. The men who had patiently and persistently drilled, the men who had swallowed their disappointment and who had worked to obtain subscriptions to the special fund and those who had contributed, were now amply justified. When those in authority saw the danger, they called on the Ninth. It was ready-yes, more than ready for duty. It was ready to help the others and it did.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER ELEVEN THE SUPPLY COMPANY Some Special Regimental Activities
A T the time of the reorganization of the Ninth, the military regulations placed unusually great responsibility on the Sup- ply Company. As a matter of fact every item of mate- rial used by the Regiment must be procured and issued by this Com- pany. This small unit must account for everything received, must procure everything needed. It must furnish the Regiment with every article of its equipment, supplying food, ammunition, trans- portation, no matter for what kind of service the Regiment may be called upon. Not the least of its many duties is keeping many and always accurate accounts, including accounts showing each article issued to individuals connected with the Regiment. No mistakes are tolerated. The inventory must show where, how, when and by what authority the different articles have been received or dis- posed of and the stock of everything on hand. When the Regiment is on duty, away from its base, the Supply Company must have everything it may need from the shoe lace to the first aid packet.
The commanding officer of the Supply Company is a member of the Regimental Staff, who must at all times be ready to supply the Regiment with a complete Field equipment in case it is ordered on some urgent duty. He must furnish food for all Field Days, Rifle Practices, or for any duty that the Regiment may be called upon to perform. Numerous questions are always to be answered and problems solved, and it seems that any question or detail that does not actually belong to the duties of the other Regimental De- partments must be solved and handled by the Supply Officer and his men.
The Supply Company of this Regiment, when first organized, had many obstacles to overcome, as there existed the almost utter lack of equipment of any kind or character; but by hard work the Regiment was equipped with the most necessary articles, and be-
107
Digitized by Google
108
THE MINUTE MEN OF '17
fore many weeks had passed, and owing to the generosity of its friends and members, it became the most completely equipped Regiment within the State.
The Supply Officer is responsible for all property, whether Federal or State, and his responsibility covers all Quartermasters', Ordnance, Engineering and Signal property so issued. These items amount to a very considerable sum, and it is therefore apparent that more than the usual care must be taken on account of their value.
On Monday November 19, 1917, the Supply Company of the Ninth was mustered in: Captain Howard Thayer Kingsbury, Sec- ond Lieutenant Walter Lispenard Suydam, First Seargeant Ray- mond Newton Hyde, Sergeants Andrew Parker Nevin, Alexander Ramsay Thompson, and Walter Pierce Plummer.
This Company was typical of the Regiment: Kingsbury, a mem- ber of one of the great law firms of the city: Suydam, of Colonial ancestry, formerly Brigade Major V. C. A .; Hyde, prominent in artistic circles; Nevin, a lawyer of high standing who rendered distinguished service to the Government; Thompson, the fourth of his name to wear the uniform in time of war and a founder of the Sons of the Revolution; Plummer, an eminent engineer of great ability.
Each member of the Company carried the night and day address and telephone number of all so that notice to any resulted in the rapid assembling of the group; frequently used the call never failed. On December 15, 1917, Captain Kinsbury was promoted Major and appointed Judge Advocate, and on December 26, Lieutenant Suy- dam was appointed Captain. February 28, 1918, Sergeant Thomp- son was apointed Second Lieutenant, and after he was retired for age. Sergeant Plummer was appointed Second Lieutenant on May 20, 1918, Captain Suydam was retired for age and First Lieutenant Louis Dos Passos, Battalion Adjutant, was promoted Captain and given the command of the Company. Shortly after the muster in, J. Edward Weld and Charles A. Schubert were added to the Company.
Digitized by Google
109
THE SUPPLY COMPANY
Commencing with two somewhat worn flags and a few printed blanks, which were supposed to be a gift but for which a receipt was long after asked by the State, the Supply Company began its labors. Any duty not provided for became the duty of the Supply Company. The first demand was for wool clothing, canteens, cots and blankets, all to be obtained without money and without price. The men of the Regiment had most of them supplied themselves with cotton uniforms while in the V. C. A. Owing to the urgent need of the United States Army, the State of New York could only procure woolen uniforms after long delays. However, four hundred heavy overcoats were soon obtained and the "Supply" had something to issue.
Permits for gasoline and automobiles at the Armory were ob- tained, repairs requested from the Armory Board. Food provided for the night guard and for the men on duty at parades, drills and escort.
Joint arrangements with the Sanitary Detachment were made that cots might be ready in case of an urgent call from any part of the city. In cooperation with the Inspector of Small Arms Practice, the Supply Company had the duty of providing ammuni- tion, also such articles as were needed by the Machine Gun Company and the Regimental Band; the latter a never-failing source of interest and hard work, the ability of its members to seek shoes was wonderful.
Very many different properties make up the needs of a Coast Artillery Regiment, and each must be receipted for when received and again when issued. The Ninth also had much property ob- tained by gift or purchase, and a separate record was kept.
To the ladies of the Canteen we owe a debt of gratitude for services and for an efficient coffee urn equipment. In addition to its special work, a Supply Company maintains the military dis- cipline and drill, is armed and equipped, and parades with the Regiment.
A study of the various blanks and forms required by the Military Law was made, and though at times there was a lot of apparently
Digitized by Google
IIO
THE MINUTE MEN OF '17
unnecessary red tape involved, the records of the Supply Company were thereafter kept in accordance with the State forms. The Ninth New York owes a great debt of gratitude to Lieutenant Plummer for his preeminent ability in starting the paper work of the Supply Company in exactly the right way, and for training the non-coms in the Company. As a result of his efficient labors the various inspection officers and officials of the Adjutant General's office have commended the manner in which the records of the Ninth have been kept.
Captain Dos Passos had been instrumental in the creation and preservation of our celebrated Band and he brought many of its responsibilities with him. In the Ninth the Band was always favored. The constant changing, loaning uniforms to the men of the Band and field musicians, and the volunteers in the various parades and reviews brought lots of additional work for the Supply Company. Many of the musical instruments were furnished by the State and were kept in the Post Property account.
The Krag Rifles used by the Regiment were the property of the 1790 Rifle Club and special accounts had to be kept for them. There was also a large amount of property charged to the Supply Officer as Federal Ordnance, including the major caliber guns, the mortar and their various appliances. The various electrical devices used in connection with these were carried as engineer property. In all, about three hundred articles were included in the accounts of the Supply Company. All transportation was arranged for by the Supply Company all the way from subway car fares to transporting baggage.
In 1918 a Dodge Automobile Truck was donated to the Supply Company. This was a great help and proved to be very useful. The four Ford Trucks owned by various companies of the Regi- ment were turned over to the Supply Company for operation and maintenance.
One event in the history of the Regiment always gives a feeling of satisfaction to the officers and men of the Supply Company. When the Old Ninth was welcomed on its return from the World
Digitized by Google
III
THE SUPPLY COMPANY
War the Supply Company furnished the dinner. Sixteen hundred men participated, and a complete and substantial dinner, prepared in the kitchen of the Armory, was served.
In the fall of 1919, when the Regiment was changed to the Ninth Coast Defense Command, the Supply Company was mustered out. At that time it consisted of the following officers and men: Cap- tain Louis Hays Dos Passos, Second Lieutenant Walter P. Plum- mer, Regimental Supply Sergeant Raymond N. Hyde, Battalion Supply Sergeants, John T. L. Doughty, Joseph L. Mulligan, John D. Champlin, Jr., Battalion Supply Corporals J. Hart Welch, Fred H. Conklin, and Harry O. Donoghue.
This fine command maintained its high character to the end. Every man in it manifested fidelity, zeal, efficiency. Captain Suy- dam and Captain Dos Passos were both good disciplinarians, and were both greatly respected and admired by every one who ser- ved under them. The writer cannot close this article without referring to the long, faithful and efficient service of Sergeant Hyde, later Lieutenant in the Ninth, and of Sergeant Doughty, whose vigor and activity at the age of sixty-eight are so remarkable. It will always be a matter of pride and satisfaction that I served in this company.
Another war activity of the Regiment was the formation of the Machine Gun Company, which was mustered in on April 27, 1918. Captain Charnley L. Murray, of the Second Company, commanded this interesting and efficient unit, which owed its inception largely to his energy, skill and zeal. This well-armed and thoroughly drilled Company, on its many appearances in public, never failed to evoke much enthusiasm among the onlookers, and must indeed have been a thorn in the flesh of such as hoped to start any mani- festations of disloyalty within the city.
The Company, as finally organized, paraded four sections of four guns each-Lewis guns, on Cygnet pneumatic-tired carts. The Lewis guns, purchased originally from the V. C.A. fund, were acquired from the British, and calibred .303; the Company had, however, a great quantity of Mark VII .303 ammunition therefor, and was at all times well prepared for any emergency.
Digitized by Google
112
THE MINUTE MEN OF '17
At different times guns were sent by order of the Governor to various County fairs in charge of a non-com and a detail of enlisted men to show the people of the State what was being accomplished by New York's military forces. We believe that this was the first machine gun unit in the Guard to discover how to use blanks and so simulate actual machine gun fire.
The following officers served in the company: Captain Charn- ley L. Murray; Ist Lieutenants Bernard Callingham and William H. Young; 2nd Lieutenants Reginald C. Knickerbocker and Lester F. Scott. Lieut. Young later took the Field Artillery training course for officers at Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky .; Lieut. Knicker- bocker later became Captain, 1st Field Artillery, and 1st M. G. Battalion, N. Y. G. When the Regiment was transferred into the 9th Coast Defense Command this fine Company was disbanded.
An enterprise of a different kind was the "9th Coast News." This was a paper published monthly by the Regiment. Its life began in August, 1918, and lasted till April of the following year. It was a bright, newsy illustrated sheet of eight quarto pages, and is today of no small historical value to veterans of the Regiment. The Historian is glad to seize this opportunity of certifying to its usefulness. Its columns have been helpful in many ways in the work of compiling and writing this book.
In addition to the genial humorous gossip of the times it con- tains much interesting matter; an article by Major Clinton entitled "The Old and the New Ninth" is a very valuable contribution to local military history. The illustrations were well selected and nicely printed. The Editorial Staff, as given in the first number, were: John Clyde Oswald, Publisher; Sergeant Raymond N. Hyde, Business Manager; Frank W. Nye, Advertising Manager; Sergeant J. G. Phelps Stokes, Secretary; Corporal Wm. B. Cass, Editor; Travis Hoke, Associate Editor; Gene Carr, Art Editor.
Whoever has kept his copies will derive great pleasure in occa- sionally looking them over and reviving the pleasant memories of the active days. Copies of the paper are in the invaluable collec- tion of War Papers in the New York Public Library and at the New York Historical Society.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER TWELVE (I) OFFICERS ABROAD
T HE preliminary arrangements having been made and all papers being in due order the Commission set sail the night of August 29th, 1917. After a voyage through the submarine infested Atlantic, they landed in Bordeaux on September 9th. No attacks were made upon the Chicago in which the Com- mission sailed, a circumstance which was considered especially fortunate as the boat just preceding the Chicago and the one just following were torpedoed. From Bordeaux the Commission pro- ceeded at once to Paris, taking up headquarters at the Hotel Lu- tetia, on the left bank of the Seine. They then reported to Gen- eral Pershing at Chaumont, delivering to him in person the confi- dential dispatches from General Bell which had been intrusted to them. General Pershing directed Colonel Harbord, later General Harbord of Chateau Thierry fame, to afford the Commission every facility for the carrying out of the purpose for which they had been sent to France. So well were these instructions carried out that the members of the Commission were soon installed at the anti-aircraft artillery school at Arnouville not far from the great aviation field at LeBourget. Additional quarters were assigned in the old Cha- teau which was part of the school and the work of investigation and compilation began at once.
It was found that all three officers were not needed at the school, and because of the limited time allowed the Commission to col- lect the desired information, Major Stoddard directed that Captain Wilder remain at Arnouville to continue the work there, Lieuten- ant Ward to remain at the Lutetia and study the defenses of the French Capital while he proceeded to England to handle that branch of the work. Major Stoddard forthwith departed for Lon- don, where after calling upon Ambassador Page and meeting the proper British officials he engaged in an extensive investigation of the defenses of London and the British methods of fighting air-
113
Digitized by Google
114
THE MINUTE MEN OF '17
THE FOREIGN MISSION.
Digitized by Google
115
OFFICERS ABROAD
craft. He was later joined by Lieutenant Ward. The following story is told in his own words.
The day after I arrived in London, the first raid occurred. At about 8 o'clock that evening, several bombs were dropped on London. The next day I endeavored to learn where they had landed, but I found it very difficult to obtain any informa- tion, for the reason that the military authorities suppressed all news concerning damage done by the raiders.
While calling on Brigadier-General William Lassiter, then in command of the American troops in England, I met an American who was applying for assistance at the American embassy because his house had been bombed. I asked him to take me to the scene of the damage, and this he did. He lived in a five story wooden frame house beyond St. Pancras Station, from which a section 40 x 40 x 40 had been taken as if cut by a knife. I also saw where a bomb had fallen in St. James Park and also where a bomb had landed by the entrance to a hotel near mine which killed several persons and wounded an American Lieutenant.
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.