USA > New York > The first hundred years : records and reminiscences of a century of Company I, Seventh Regiment, N.G.N.Y., 1838-1938 > Part 38
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Taylor, T. B., Major U.S.A. Cav. Trowbridge, Augustus, Lieutenant-Colonel
U.S.A. Eng. Uhl, H. J., Second Lieutenant N.G.U.S. 108th Inf. Value, B. R., First Lieutenant U.S.A. C.E. Wadsworth, Philemon T., Second Lieutenant
A.S. S.C.
Warren, Charles Elliott, Lieutenant-Colonel
U.S.A.
Wenman, Byrd W., Captain U.S.A. C.W.S. Wiedersum, Ray, Second Lieutenant U.S.A. C.E. Wilcox, D. A., Captain U.S.R. Q.M.C.
Wilkins, R., Second Lieutenant U.S.A.
Wilson, Kenneth C., Captain 107th Inf.
Wright, G. K., Second Lieutenant U.S.A. Inf.
X THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
REBUILDING ON THE OLD FOUNDATION
THE DEPOT BATTALION
W HEN in 1914 the Federalization of the National Guard became an obvious fact and it was also apparent that this would leave the State without any troops of its own, the organization of depot units was authorized for each regiment, battalion, separate company, squadron or battery. These depot units were to replace the parent organizations whenever the latter should be called into Federal service.
Consequently when the call came to the 7th Regiment in 1916, the skeleton Depot Battalion which had promptly been organized was ready to become at once an active force.
This Battalion did daily guard duty at the Armory for the preservation of public property and the maintenance of order in case of need. When the Regi- ment returned from Texas and was mustered out of Federal service on De- cember 2, 1916, the Depot Battalion reverted to its former status with the ex- ception that the men were enlisted and the officers retained their commissions, ready to function again when needed.
Thus on July 15, 1917, when the Regiment again entered the service of the United States, this Battalion was ready to resume its duty. It did not have long to wait for active work. In August of 1917, the designation of all State units was changed to "New York Guard" and certain units of the several depot battalions were ordered to active duty at vital points along the city water-supply system.
One company of our Battalion left shortly for guard duty at Pleasantville, N.Y., followed at intervals of two weeks by another, etc. The Ninth Company men serving in this force were: First Sergeant G. Fred Hawkins, Supply Ser- geant Clinton S. Martin, Corporals Albert Bardes and Martin S. Hebert, Privates Robert A. Bonner, Octave B. Hébert and Charles S. Lowther.
COMPANY I, SEVENTH INFANTRY, NEW YORK GUARD
On September 18, 1917, orders were issued "for the organization of the 7th Infantry, New York Guard, as a regiment of Infantry to consist of a total strength of not to exceed 600 officers and men." This reorganization took place at once under the command of Colonel De Witt Clinton Falls, and Henry R. Burt was designated as Captain of Company I. To this new company the
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THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
Captain William F. Wall
Ninth Company men in the Depot Battalion, previously mentioned, were transferred.
Prominent in the work of building the new Regiment were the familiar Ninth Company names of Major Buchanan Houston and Regimental Adju- tant Captain William F. Wall.
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THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
It was a difficult job, well done. And too much credit can never be given the patriotic veterans of the Old Seventh who worked tirelessly to keep the priceless spirit and traditions alive during the absence of the 107th overseas.
COMPANY NOTES
On January 10, 1918, First Sergeant G. Frederick Hawkins was promoted First Lieutenant, Sergeant John F. Hahn to Second Lieutenant, and both were assigned to Company I.
At the same time Private Gordon H. Grant was made First Lieutenant and assigned as Adjutant to the 2nd Battalion.
Thus a new entry was inserted in Company I's illustrious family bible, to the effect that a new Company was born October 23, 1917, christened the middle of November and showed a growth of 250% by the 1st of January 1918-our original nucleus of 10 men having increased to 25, including 3 officers.
We already had a lot of enthusiastic military material, some old in service perhaps but still young in years and pep, intermingled with rookie blood, a few of whom are "Plattsburgers." The combination is rapidly acquiring poise and precision and, though small in numbers, shows real promise of becoming a unit worthy of Ninth Company's traditions.
Already we have been honored by the selection of one of our men, Porter C. Shannon, as Regimental Color Sergeant.
1918
We are frequently visited by our ex-members who have either gone into the service or retired to civil life. In April our visitors were Captain George Nichols, on leave from Spartanburg, Captain Frank Hubby and Lieutenant John A. LeBoutillier, all of whom spoke most interestingly of past service in Company I. Captain Burt also formally introduced us to that grand veteran of bygone "days, Harry C. Du Val, ex-Captain and Poet-Laureate, who served more than thirty years with the Company and is now Vice-President of the Ninth Com- pany Veterans' Society.
Some of us had heard vaguely of Captain Du Val; that as private secretary to Chauncey M. Depew, president of the New York Central Railroad, he used to have a "private car" chartered to take the men to the State Camp for shoot- ing; of how as "sweet singer" of Company I he had always a song for an occasion, or a poem of stirring quality; but most of us considered him more or less of a myth. But here he was before us in the flesh. Captain Du Val held us spellbound for some forty minutes and concluded his talk by presenting a check from the Veterans' Society, large enough to cover all expenses necessary to repair the Company room which was in pretty bad shape after last summer. Captain Du Val was cheered enthusiastically when we recovered from our
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THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
surprise. We certainly appreciate our veterans and trust we can live up to the glorious traditions they have set for us. Here we venture to state, with all due modesty, that our Company of forty-three men have subscribed $55,600 to the Third Liberty Loan and were instrumental in selling a total of $920,000 worth.
The resignation of Captain Burt was announced July 9, 1918, and was a great shock to us all. He has accepted a rank of Lieutenant, junior grade, in the Navy Aviation and we of course wish him "Godspeed." The Company, without a doubt, has been built around Captain Burt, and his personality. Fairness to and interest in, each and every one of us, has won him the regard and respect of all. His leaving is not only a personal loss to our Company but also to the 7th Regiment. "Good luck, Captain, our hearts are with you." Captain Burt was tendered a farewell dinner at Keene's and presented with a handsome wrist watch.
At our first September drill we were delighted to hear that Lieutenant George F. Hawkins had been appointed our new Captain; Second Lieutenant John F. Hahn promoted to First Lieutenant and Guy O. Carleton to Second Lieutenant.
Although only indirectly affecting us, we here record the historical date of November 11, 1918, the signing of the Armistice and the end of the great World War. No one who lived through these strenuous years and took part in the celebrations of the "false armistice" and the true one, is likely to forget it.
1919 LIEUTENANT COLONEL BUCHANAN HOUSTON
Again Company I is filled with pride, and it has good reason to be. A Ninth Company ex-Captain, who because of long and faithful service in the 7th Regiment, plus all the ability, efficiency and other qualifications that go to make a hundred per cent soldier, has been elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Regiment. On a cold, wintry night in the early 'nineties to be more ex- plicit, January 11, 1893, Buchanan Houston enlisted in Company I, 7th In- fantry, N.Y.N.G. He went through the various grades and on September 17, 1908, was elected Captain and served in this capacity until March 11, 1912, when he resigned. Captain Houston was placed on the Reserve List of Na- tional Guard Officers on June 17, 1917, commissioned Major, October 11, 1917, and was assigned to the 7th Regiment in command of the 1st Battalion. His promotion to Lieutenant Colonel became effective November 14, 1918.
*
In March 1919, Company I was the recipient of a handsome silk banner proclaiming us Regimental Basketball Champions. Those mainly instrumental in gaining these honors were: William F. Kolbe, Sidney W. Goldsmith, Leroy Frantz, Alvin F. Bradley and William E. Kurtz.
Colonel Wade Hampton Hayes
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THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
THE NEW COLONEL
The application of Colonel Howard E. Crall, commanding the 7th Regi- ment, for transfer to the reserve list was filed early in the spring of 1919. Colonel Crall had come back to the 7th for the emergency, succeeding Colonel DeWitt Clinton Falls, in October 1918.
This left the old Regiment without a pilot at a particularly strenuous period of its career. The post-war period of any military organization is always a trying time, and there were anxiety and foreboding in the minds of every veteran until the glad news came through that Colonel Wade Hampton Hayes had been assigned to the command. Here was a new commanding officer who typified all the traditions of the old Regiment and represented at the same time the new spirit of the National Guard.
Colonel Hayes, in addition to being a 7th Regiment man, also met Major General O'Ryan's often expressed desire to have the National Guard officered by overseas men. The 7th, which sent to various Army organizations during the war more than fifteen hundred officers, or about one-half the total number of West Point officers in the Army at the beginning of the war, took a special pride in Wade Hayes. He had been prominent in all of the activities of the Regiment since January 1905, when he enlisted in Company I as a Private. He was the only National Guard officer selected for service on General Persh- ing's staff, and his promotions respectively from Captain to Lieutenant Colonel were all made while he was on active service, and in recognition of his work in France.
He comes of a military family. His father, Colonel William Arnold Hayes, served with distinction in the Confederate Army for four years. Wade Hayes was born in Norfolk, Va., and became the youngest commanding officer of the 7th Regiment, in his thirty-ninth year. At eighteen he enlisted in the 4th Vir- ginia Volunteers for the Spanish American War and saw service in Cuba. After this he came to New York to complete his college course at Columbia University. After graduation he entered business, was eight years with the American Tobacco Company, then Sunday editor of the New York Tribune.
At the time of the Mexican Border trouble he had risen from the ranks of Company I through all the grades to that of Captain, September 28, 1914. He commanded this Company during its Mexican Border service, and after war with Germany was declared, again entered the Federal service in August 1917. He was the only officer of the 27th Division selected for a special course in the War College at Washington, which he completed before going to France. On rejoining the Regiment at Spartanburg he was placed in command of Head- quarters Company, 107th Infantry, by Colonel Fisk. During his captaincy this unit was expanded from 57 to 387 men. Later at Camp Wadsworth he was made Executive Officer of the Divisional School and practically took charge of the training of young officers for the 27th Division.
As the first officer of the 27th Division to go overseas Colonel Hayes has a longer record of service in France than any other officer in that Division. He was promoted Major in the 107th Infantry in August 1918 and a Lieu-
+
Y
Captain George Frederick Hawkins 1918-1919
439
THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
tenant Colonel a month later, although continuing on General Pershing's staff at Chaumont. He travelled over 22,000 miles covering the entire Western Front from July 15 to December 15, 1918, and reported the Big Show which began September 27 for General Pershing. During his service in France Colonel Hayes served with two British, four French and eleven American Divisions and participated in all the major operations of the A.E.F.
Destined for distinction in any walk of life, he has lived up to the prophecies of all his friends and becomes Company I's first contribution to the list of 7th Regiment Colonels and the youngest commanding officer of that historic or- ganization.
Extremely popular with all ranks, past and present, there was an expression of great satisfaction around the Armory when the news of his assignment became public. Wade Hayes in command of the Regiment means a continuation of 7th Regiment spirit and a perpetuation of 7th Regiment ideals. His work is cut out for him. His well-known energy, his personality and his wide experi- ence spell sure success !
CAPTAIN GEORGE FREDERICK HAWKINS
The drill season opened on October 8, with a large and enthusiastic at- tendance. It was with sincere regret that we learned of the resignation of our beloved Captain Hawkins, a fine officer, looking every bit the part and known to be every inch a man. He commanded not only the respect but the friendship of every member of the Company. Captain George F. Hawkins, one of our Spanish War veterans, served as Volunteer Aide on Major General Shafter's staff at Santiago, Cuba, 1898. He enlisted in Company I, May 4, 1898; was appointed Lance Corporal, September 27, 1900; Corporal, December 20, 1900; Sergeant, March 27, 1903, and was discharged October 5, 1904. He reenlisted in Company D, Depot Battalion, 7th Regiment, N.Y.G., June 29, 1916, and was at once selected as First Sergeant. He served fifteen days on Aqueduct Service, Pleasantville, N.Y., September 1917; was transferred to Company I as First Sergeant, November 15, 1917; elected First Lieutenant, November 23, 1917, and Captain, July 18, 1918. Captain Hawkins in stepping aside is following the present custom of giving way in favor of World War veterans.
CAPTAIN RALPH POLK BUELL
Captain Hawkins was succeeded in July 1919 as Commander of Company I by Ralph Polk Buell. .
Captain Buell, a buck private in 1909, was one of the fifteen volunteers of Company I who were transferred to the newly organized Company L of the 7th Regiment, and after ten years he now comes back to his first love as Com- pany Commander, with a record to make any soldier envious. Before he was of age Ralph Buell enlisted in the 1st District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry on May 10, 1898. He served in Cuba during the Santiago Campaign, con- tracted typhoid and barely escaped with his life. In 1916 he was with Com-
440
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD STUDIOS, N. Y.
Captain Ralph Polk Buell, 1919-1920
pany L on the Mexican Border as Quartermaster Sergeant and, the follow- ing year, as First Sergeant of that Company, took part in the formation of the 107th Infantry at Camp Wadsworth. On December 3, 1917, he was com- missioned Second Lieutenant and attached as aide to General Lester at head- quarters of the 54th Brigade. Just before going overseas he was transferred back to the Regiment and assigned to Company K. In July 1918 he was pro-
441
THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
moted to First Lieutenant and assigned as Battalion Adjutant. In August, he became commander of Company C.
It was at the head of this Company during the attack on the Hindenburg Line near Ronssoy that Captain Buell was desperately wounded, September 29, 1918. He still carries the marks of wounds that would have been fatal to any man but one of his marvellous constitution. For unusual leadership and gallantry on the field he has been cited in orders, 27th Division, and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
When Captain Buell was formally introduced to the Company by ex-Captain Hawkins, he made an excellent impression by one of his characteristic speeches setting forth some of the unwritten history of the old Company and outlining briefly his hopes for the future. But it was his manner and the effect produced by this veteran who had been through the ordeal of battle and spoke with difficulty due to wounds received that won him the hearts of all the men of Company I.
As soon as drill was over the entire Company met the new Captain socially and discussed refreshments suitable for the occasion.
*
Lieutenant Guy O. Carleton, to the regret of the entire Company, has resigned on account of increasing business demands.
THE PRINCE OF WALES VISITS THE SEVENTH
An outstanding event in the history of New York City, as well as the 7th Regiment, took place on Friday evening, November 21, 1919. The occasion was the reception graced by H.R.H., the Prince of Wales.
The entire Regiment had been detailed as Guard of Honor and paraded in full dress uniform and white trousers-the first time since 1914 that the old grey and white has been worn. Needless to say, the Armory was packed to the doors. When erect, handsome, dignified, and with the winning smile that has led so many to call him the "Prince of Smiles," Edward Albert, Prince of Wales, entered the historic portals at 11:15 p.m., he received a welcome fitting the occasion and fully up to the 7th's best form.
The Prince, wearing the full-dress mess jacket of a Captain of the British Navy, with his staff, was greeted by Colonel Hayes, Lieutenant Colonel Hous- ton and Captain Adjutant Toussaint and escorted to the Colonel's room. Here General Appleton, General Debevoise, Colonel Fisk and other officers of the Regiment were presented to the Prince. Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. Rodman Wanamaker and the Royal Staff joined the party. Led by the Prince, Mrs. Wanamaker and Colonel Hayes, amid loud and enthusiastic applause, the guests walked through an aisle formed by solid ranks of 7th Regiment men, to a raised platform midway on the south side of the Armory.
The entire main drill hall was beautifully decorated with Allied flags draped from the roof girders and extending out from the balconies until the vast room seemed solidly banked with banners and ensigns. The platform was covered
a
Col. Fisk Buell
The Seventh Regiment entertains the Prince of Wales, 1919 Colonel Dan Houston Hayes Debevoise
Tobin
Gordon Grant
44.3
THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
with crimson plush on which were placed a number of gold chairs. A handsome canopy extended overhead while at the back was hung an elaborate tapestry showing the British Coat of Arms in the center. The whole platform was taste- fully ornamented with palms and gold columns, while a heavy crimson cable surrounded it at a distance of about two feet. Upon reaching his place on the dais, the future "First Gentleman of England" saw Mrs. Wanamaker to a seat and then advanced to the edge of the platform, and acknowledged the prolonged applause with several bows and his winning smile.
After remaining about an hour and a half, the Prince and his party left the platform and, again passing through an aisle of 7th Regiment men hold- ing back his now more than ever enthusiastic admirers, proceeded to the Board of Officers' Room. Here to the music of a private orchestra a supper was served for about fifty. The Prince evidently enjoyed his 7th Regiment welcome for he remained for nearly two hours more before he was finally escorted to his auto by Colonel Hayes. Thus ended one of the most, if not the most, brilliant social events in the history of New York and an occasion of international importance.
All of the foregoing might undoubtedly be omitted from a company history because of its regimental character, were it not for the fact that it was a Com- pany I Colonel who was largely responsible for the whole magnificent affair. The Company itself was there en masse and in fact formed a part of the line directly in front of that part of the platform where the Prince stood. The writer (one of those present) dares to offer these, his impressions of this glorious event and his second Regimental Review.
-R. T. W.
1920
The Company was agreeably surprised when Captain Buell announced the appointment of Washington Irving Clayton, one of our recent World War re- cruits, as Second Lieutenant, effective January 10, 1920. We had all formed an immediate liking for "Wash" and feel sure that he will more than succeed in his new position. Our officer personnel, however, was no sooner filled than the announcement was made that Lieutenant Hahn had applied for and re- ceived his discharge, to accept promotion in the 15th Infantry, N.Y.G. While glad of course to hear of his promotion, the news was received with much regret as Lieutenant Hahn was most popular with the entire Company.
ANOTHER COMPANY I ADJUTANT- CAPTAIN C. HAROLD FLOYD
Promotion is, it seems, the order of the day and it is announced through regimental orders that another Ninth Company man, Charles Harold Floyd, has been promoted to Regimental Adjutant succeeding Captain C. Otto Toussaint, resigned. Captain Floyd enlisted in Company I October 30, 1913, served through both Mexican Border and World War services, was wounded Septem-
444
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
,
Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Wade H. Hayes
B. Houston
Captain C. Harold Floyd, Adjutant
ber 29, 1918, at Ronssoy, France, cited in 27th Division Orders, mustered out April 2, 1919, with commission as First Lieutenant. Any man might justly retire from the activities of military life with such a record, but Captain Floyd took a different view of the matter, for barely six months passed before he was back at the game again and was assigned to duty as Adjutant of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, N.Y.N.G. He was made Captain, February 6, 1920, and elected Regimental Adjutant February 13, 1920. Captain Floyd's promo- tion is a matter of congratulation for the Regiment. Company I, that "mother of men," has produced few finer officers than Hal Floyd.
Camp Upton, 1920
446
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Additional honor has also been bestowed on Colonel Wade Hayes through his election on February 14, as Commander of the New York State Depart- ment of the American Legion.
On April 28, 1920, Washington I. Clayton was commissioned First Lieu- tenant and May 11, 1920, Theodore Tyler Johnson Second Lieutenant, both being assigned to Company I. "Tip" Johnson, while possibly not so well known to the present Company, is an old Ninth Company man, having served with it through both the Mexican Border and World War campaigns.
FEDERALIZATION
Federalization of the New York National Guard units was authorized under the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916, became a law July 11, 1919, but had made little progress up to January 1, 1920. At that time, however, real work was started. Two federalized companies were formed in the Regiment, designated as Companies G and I. Men were transferred from the other Com- panies in order to give the required strength. Company G was accordingly rec- ognized as National Guard, April 12, 1920, and Company I, May 26, 1920. The two federalized companies entrained for Camp Upton, Long Island, as a part of the 1st Provisional Regiment, N.Y.N.G., on August 15, for two weeks of real army camp life which proved most interesting as well as instructive, particularly as it was an entirely new experience to a large majority of the boys. Company I was first "inspected" then "visited" by Colonel Wade H. Hayes and Mr. George W. Chauncey, who was introduced by Colonel Hayes as the "best First Sergeant Company I ever owned," a statement we fully be- lieved after meeting and eating with him.
William F. Hutchinson, one of our most distinguished members from 1914 to 1917, was killed in the mysterious Wall Street bomb outrage of September 16, 1920. He was one of the Regiment's as well as Company I's famous shots and his name appears on the McAlpin trophy. Funeral services were held Sun- day, September 19, and a firing party from the Company he loved so well, under command of Lieutenant Clayton, paid him the last honors. In his pass- ing the Regiment and particularly our Company have lost a fine soldier and a tried and true friend.
NINTH COMPANY MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LIEUTENANT PERCY M. HALL
On Sunday, November 14, 1920, at 4 p.m., the Society of Ninth Company Veterans held a Memorial Service in the Veteran Room at the Armory for Lieutenant Percy M. Hall, D.S.C., and members and former members of the Company who lost their lives in the war. During the services a memorial bronze tablet to Lieutenant Hall and smaller tablets to the others who made the su- preme sacrifice, were unveiled by little Miss Howe, a niece of the Lieutenant.
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THE FIRST POST-WAR DECADE
IN MEMORIAM
Lieut. PERCY M. HALLD.SC Co.1,1070 Inf. U.S.A. Enlisted in Co.1.7 hI.N.G.N.Y. Doc.12-1903 Killed in Action, while in Command ofthe Company at Ronssoy, France Supl. 2901913
The Guard of Honor, in field-service uniform with trench helmets, except for the two sentries at the tablet who wore the grey full dress, was supplied by the active Company.
The Rev. Joseph P. McComas, Regimental Chaplain, opened the service with prayer after which Lieutenant J. Fred Hahn, Chairman of the Memorial Committee, introduced Colonel Hayes. The Colonel spoke feelingly of the sunny disposition, unselfishness and cheerfulness under all circumstances, how- ever adverse, of Lieutenant Hall. He told of the Border days when the Colonel commanded Company I and Percy Hall was its First Sergeant and of that terrible but glorious 29th of September, 1918, when Company I advanced at dawn across No Man's Land against massed enemy machine guns which not only mowed down from the front but enfiladed it from both sides, finally to dash what was left of itself against the strong point at Guillemont Farm, believed by the Germans to be impregnable. Then how, with bulldog tenacity, it held against every effort to dislodge it until relieved the next day. The Com- pany had forty killed and sixty-two wounded, all in the course of that one day.
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