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 41
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Society of. The
PARK AVE
E 66 ST.
91Co. Vele ans
INNUAL DIN March 19 - 1932
NER
Tiordon Gran
"General Washington" lands at the Battery, 1932 Garey
ELLI
The
"Washington" bids farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern, 1932 Garey Devereux
477
1930-1938
In explanation of this cover design, one has only to refer back to those now famous and immortal words Major Landon used in rallying both Actives and Veterans to the fracas:
A Very Blue Army under General Depression has for some time been endeavoring to complete an enveloping movement which would result in the surrender of Forts Courage and Hope and the final collapse of Desire to Live. The situation is serious but viewed with entire complacency by our High Command which relies upon the traditions of a century that have instilled a determination to refuse to recognize defeat. Our forces consist of veteran troops with high morale and equipped with unlimited supplies of guts, optimism and razzberries to cut down enemy snipers. On this occasion the Ninth Company will be used as Shock Troops to deliver the main attack. Every man is expected to do his duty on this occasion and be present to smite the enemy hip and flask.
I wouldn't quite dare suggest who the two "snipers" are that Gordon has shown in action, though their faces seem vaguely familiar. Suffice it to say that the general feeling resulting from this clash of Actives and Vets was that the good old Company will survive at least another decade or so.
THE WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL
The success of the George Washington Bicentennial celebration, staged by the City of New York, April 30, 1932, and described in the New York papers as being "probably the most colorful parade and pageant held in New York City," was largely due to the officers and men of the 7th Regiment.
Some two hundred members portrayed the Revolutionary heroes and worthies who took part in the Inauguration of the First President, while the balance of the Regiment in full dress escorted "General Washington" and party from the Battery to the replica of "Federal Hall" in Bryant Park just off 42nd Street.
Company I's contribution to the pageant was a prominent place in the escort and the casting of Major Phil Garey as "General Knox" and Richard Devereux (then Sergeant) as "General St. Clair." Sergeant L. T. Miller of "I" was also on the staff of "General Washington."
1933
At the Regimental Games on March 24, the Ninth Company took second place in the Military Event with a total of 10 points, placing third in the Halstead Relay, first in the wall-scaling (Captain Morris and Sergeant Waite set a new two-man team record of 30.9 seconds), while S. Martinus won the one- mile roller-skating event.
*
Following drill on Wednesday evening, March 22, the Company held a farewell party in honor of Lieutenant Farley, who has been transferred to the Howitzer Company. As a mark of appreciation of his services in the Ninth Company, in which he has truly "grown up," Captain Morris, on behalf of
478
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
all our members, presented him with a handsome cigarette case bearing his initials and the regimental insignia.
During his nine years' service with us Lieutenant Farley has endeared him- self to all, both as a loyal officer and one of our most popular men.
Joe was always ready for work or frolic and amongst other things, his 200- yard leg in a certain inter-squad relay will be long remembered.
Saturday, May 27, the Company took part in the full dress review in Central Park honoring Brigadier General George R. Dwyer, a former "Grey Jacket," now retiring as commander of the 87th Infantry Brigade of the 44th Division.
PEEKSKILL, 1933
The Camp this year was the fiftieth since the inception of the State Camp idea based on Captain William Casey's famous Company I Tarrytown Camp in July 1878.
At the first Peekskill Camp in 1883, the Ninth Company had 103 men on its rolls and 31 of them are alive today. Veterans' Day, August 1, was therefore a. decidedly "gala and festive" occasion. The Evening Parade caused many a thrill to course up the spines of the youngsters as the cheers thundered out from
Marching through Central Park, 1933
479
1930-1938
the veterans who completely surrounded the field-the "I" cheer seemingly loudest of all.
Following the ceremony, actives and vets hobnobbed in the Company street and enjoyed a fine buffet supper.
It is safe to say that all of the actives present absorbed more of the Simon- pure 7th Regiment spirit as a result of this day's celebration than during the rest of the enlistment period.
LUNDBERG
"REVERIE"
AT RETREAT That night I stood with my left
THUMB firmly clasped
BY my right hand and with my
LEFT KNEE slightly bent, my right
HEEL to the right and to the rear of my LEFT HEEL which was nestling IN A puddle of clean brown
WATER, while a gentle spray dropped
FROM MY HAT brim onto my NOSE
AND I thought WHAT A funny idea it was FOR GROWN MEN
TO stand LIKE THAT in the rain
WHILE a squeaky bugle was CROWING LIKE a rooster
IN the distance. But JUST THEN the sun CAME OUT AND A gleam caught the folds OF the
STARS AND STRIPES
AND ONE of those old
THRILLS went down my SPINE AND I thought that perhaps IT WAS not SO foolish or
1 FUNNY
TO BE standing there AND I was glad that I WAS ONE of THAT BUNCH * * * I THANK YOU.
-RUPERT T. WAITE
480
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
LIEUTENANT RICHARD A. DEVEREUX COMES TO COMPANY I
Sergeant Richard Devereux of the Seventh Company has come to replace Lieutenant Farley, and we are all expecting big things from him in the way of rifle instruction, for he has, during a period of eleven years served in the Regiment, acquired many accomplishments along this line of military endeavor.
Lieutenant Devereux was a member of the International Team which went to England in 1926 and successfully defended the Sir Howard Vincent Shield. He has been on the regimental rifle team since 1922 and was a member of the New York State rifle team during the years of 1923, 1924 and 1925 and on the pistol team for the years 1924, 1925, 1930 and 1931. During all these years he has ably represented the Regiment on the State team at Camp Perry.
The Ninth Company extends to him a most cordial welcome and sincerely hopes that he will enjoy his duty with us as much as he did with his old Company.
The Veterans some 200 strong with about 35 Actives as their guests met on the evening of April 8 for a smoker in the Appleton Memorial Hall. Major Landon presided and introduced Mr. Gustave Kirby, who gave a very graphic and entertaining description of the Olympic Games last summer, illustrating his talks with excellent pictures.
The Company's shooting took a decidedly upward trend during 1933.
On the outdoor range there were 30 qualifications with the service rifle in- cluding 6 experts (Lieutenant Devereux, Privates Languth, Bainbridge, Down- ing, Sergeant N. E. Smith and Private C. G. Martin) and 7 sharpshooters.
With the automatic rifle 11 men qualified.
Lieutenant Devereux led the way with both the service and auto rifle, scoring 241 x 250 and 448 x 500 respectively.
1934 A MEMORABLE SHOOTING YEAR
The new year opened with the loss of another fine officer in the resignation of First Lieutenant Frank S. Kent, after nine years of faithful and outstanding service to the Ninth Company. He will be greatly missed.
Second Lieutenant Dereveux was promoted to fill the vacancy, his commis- sion dating from January 12.
In the Regimental Games Sergeant Waite and Corporal Pettinato again won the wall-scaling, time 37 7/10 seconds-and while our other athletes were not so successful, the Company was soon due for signal honors in another field.
A BIG DAY FOR "TOUJOURS PRET"
Wednesday, March 12, 1934, marked a red-letter day in the annals of 7th Regiment rifle practice.
481
1930-1938
On this auspicious occasion the Company I shooters took over, first, the Kemp (25-man team) Trophy and then the Clark (50-man team) Trophy.
The Kemp "Oldenburg Horn" has visited our Company room but once in the forty-four years of this competition and our winning score of 1104 has been beaten but four times.
With the time for shooting for the Clark match about up, it was extremely doubtful whether Company I could muster the necessary 50 men for the con- test. However, a final roll call gave us a total of 52 and the battle was on. When the smoke had at last cleared away the scores posted were, "I" 2067, "K" 2043 and "L" 2030; and for the first time in the thirty-five years of com- petition for the "Drummer Boy of Arcole" he moves into the Ninth Company room for, we fondly hope, a long, long stay.
Company I took part with two battalions of the Regiment, on May 5, in opening Lafayette Centenary Exhibition at Rockefeller Center, commemorating the death of the Marquis de Lafayette, May 20, 1834.
The Grey Jackets in full dress never looked smarter as drawn up in hollow square formation they encircled the sunken court of the Plaza, with Company I lining both sides of the entrance stairway.
"I" Company's Regimental team members, Lieutenant Dick Devereux, Frank Glinsman, Jack Batstone, and Bill Languth helped nobly in again mak-
Lafayette Centenary Celebration, Rockefeller Center, May 5, 1934
482
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
ing the 7th, New York State champions this year and we are proud of the record they made.
Not only did the Ninth Company representatives do a great deal to help the Regiment win first place, but they also won their share of individual glory. Lieutenant Devereux, Glinsman and Batstone, shooting as a team, won the Adjutant General's trophy for Company I. Lieutenant Devereux won the State pistol match and finished second in the sporting Thurston Memorial Match. Lieutenant Devereux and Frank Glinsman also shot on the team which again won the State match.
We all, of course, look for and in fact expect great things from "Smiling" Dick Devereux and "Chortling" Frankie Glinsman (and they seldom dis- appoint) but the real surprise and thrill was furnished by our "rookie" team candidate, Sergeant Jack Batstone. This was Jack's first time out for the team but he performed like an old seasoned campaigner throughout the entire week, crowning his splendid work by winning the most difficult Governor's Run.
OUR RECORD AT CAMP, JULY 8-22, 1934
An account of the Ninth Company's doings in Camp makes an exceedingly pleasant chapter, for "I" Company was everywhere in the van. Whatever our shortcomings may have been, they were far outshadowed by the record of good work done. Our guard mount was "par excellence"-our contribution towards making the "overnight hike" a success "outstanding," while our work on the range-well, as the schoolboy said when he turned in a correct answer to the teacher's remark : "Johnnie, that's very good." "Good ? Hell-it's perfect."
We weren't quite perfect but did qualify all but two with the rifle and but one with the auto rifle. Special mention is here made of the eleven "Expert rifle qualifications" and the eight auto rifle "Sharpshooters" which were:
RIFLE
AUTO RIFLE
Lieutenant R. A. Devereux
236x250
Private Chas. H. Hallden
455×500
Private F. H. Glinsman
233
Corporal Chas. F. Pettinato 447
Captain A. M. Morris 233
Captain Alfred M. Morris, Jr.
443
Private W. Bainbridge
231
Sergeant John R. Downing 435
Private R. Munsell
231
Sergeant Wilson Potter, Jr.
430
Sergeant F. R. Johnston
230
Sergeant William O. Torpy
422
Corporal R. J. Matthews
230
Private Robt. D. Reynolds
406
Corporal S. S. Irsay
227
Private Jas. M. McGuire
403
Private M. Pasche
227
Sergeant J. K. Batstone
225
Sergeant C. G. Martin
224
Our sympathy is extended to Corporal Gustav I. Lundberg and Private Clinton N. Williams who made scores of 223 respectively thereby missing their "Expert" by one point.
Thursday, July 19, we had a large number of enthusiastic veterans as our guests and during supper Major Landon, former Captain, Company I, 1895- 1902, and at present President of our Veterans' Society, made presentations of
483
1930-1938
the season's various shooting trophies. Private William H. Languth won the beautiful silver cup, presented by Captain T. T. Johnson, for the five best in- door scores made off-shoulder, open to all except rifle team members. Bill was remarkably consistent and scored 49-48-47-47-46, winning by a large margin. Bill promises to develop into one of the best shots the Company ever had.
Private Frank Pfaff was presented with one of three silver shooting men, presented by the Veterans' Society for his remarkable feat of making "Dis- tinguished Expert" in the Rifle Club in his first year's membership. "Nice work, Frankie." The second went to Private, First Class, Charles H. Hallden, for his outstanding shooting with the auto rifle. Charlie was one of the high men in the State, with 455 out of a possible 500. Last but not least was our Johnnie Clancy who took home the third silver shooting man, presented as a reward for the most outstanding improvement.
FIFTEEN MEN ON A DEAD MAN'S CHEST' YOHOHO AND A BOTTLE OF RUM"
OFF ON THE "JOY"
Sunday, August 19, saw the Company playing a new rôle. We have been Troopers, Artillerymen and Infantrymen; so nineteen hardy "I" men, headed by Captain Morris and Lieutenant Devereux, scurried out to Classon Point by various modes of transportation and commandeered the good ship Joy. A crew was hastily thrown together consisting of Maury Morris, Captain; Dick Devereux, First Mate; Johnnie Clancy, Second Mate; Linc. Miller, Bos'n Mate; Charley Hallden, Cookey; "Snatch" Derning, Cabin Boy, and Charley Wieboldt, Lookout (in the crow's nest). By 11 a.m. we were "Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main." Bridge, poker, checkers and sundry other modes of amusement were indulged in while our humorist, Cabin Boy "Snatch" Dern- ing, entertained a large crowd with his original monologues and new jokes. About 1:30 p.m. we hove to with anchors dragging fore and aft off North- port, Long Island. There the crew deserted and all hands were soon in swim- ming and a grand time was had all afternoon. Strange to say, the good craft got back safely to Classon Point about 8 p.m., reporting no casualties.
484
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Captain Richard A. Devereux, 1934-
1930-1938 485
PROMOTION OF CAPTAINS WOLTZ AND MORRIS
Congratulations are here extended to Captain George W. Woltz, former ex-"I" Company graduate, for his promotion to Field and Training Officer. Also to our own Captain Alfred M. Morris who assumes Captain Woltz's former important position of Regimental Adjutant. Captain Morris is the sev- enth Ninth Company Regimental Adjutant. The others were: Charles G. Bacon, 1877; Francis G. Landon, 1891; George J. Weaver, 1895; William F. Wall, 1917; Charles H. Floyd, 1920; George W. Woltz, 1922. We will sorely miss Captain Morris who was an outstanding drill master, rifle shot, athlete and all round good fellow.
Captain Morris enlisted in Company I, January 16, 1925; appointed Cor- poral, January 7, 1926; Second Lieutenant, January 7, 1927; First Lieutenant, July 9, 1929 and Captain, April 1930.
HAIL CAPTAIN DEVEREUX!
It was a foregone conclusion that the next man we should salute as com- manding officer of the Ninth Company would be Richard A. Devereux. He came to us from the Seventh Company where he had served since 1922. Lieu- tenant Devereux was commissioned Second Lieutenant, April 5, 1933; First Lieutenant, January 11, 1934, and Captain, the same year.
Lieutenant Devereux was commissioned and appointed to Company I mainly to make it a creditable rifle unit and the fact that we captured the Regiment's most prized shooting trophies, namely, the Kemp 25-man and the Clark 50-man matches, during the 1934 season speaks volumes for itself as to results of his efforts. Himself one of the best shots, if not the best, the Regiment ever had, he is most modest and retiring as far as his own achievements are concerned, but he can transmit the knowledge of how to use shootin' irons to others with rare success. In radiating and spreading enthusiasm for rifle practice, in stir- ring up the members of the Company to go out and do the impossible, oh boy, the man isn't born who can hold a candle to our new Captain.
Company I's future in his hands is secure and the outlook isn't merely rosy, it looks like an Aurora Borealis!
ANOTHER ACQUISITION
"Lieutenant Thomas A. Moore is assigned to duty with the Ninth Company, effective October 10, 1934." This announcement brought forth a spontaneous cheer and applause, as the name "Tom Moore" is as well known to the 7th men as Will Rogers is to the readers of the New York Times. Tom's career with the 7th Regiment began November 1925, when he enlisted in Company K. He graduated from the Regimental Candidate's School, May 1928, and was promoted Sergeant in 1929. In January 1933 he temporarily resigned to take advantage of an art scholarship to study in Europe. Tom, while rank- ing high in the art world, was always a man's man and could not resist the call
1
486
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
to arms. He reenlisted, was commissioned Second Lieutenant, November 4, 1933, and assigned to duty with Company E.
We welcome Tom into Company I with open arms. His collection of shoot- ing medals ranks second only to that of our Captain Devereux and the com- bined collection, together with Frank Glinsman's ever steadily mounting cache, gives Company I a corner on the World's Medal Market.
This makes 1934 a very high point in our history.
1935
By no means resting on the laurels of 1934, the Company to a man buckled down to hard work to maintain the honorable place won in shooting.
Following long weeks of steady hard practice under the eagle eye of our Captain, we were finally called on to demonstrate what we could do in the competition. for the Regiment's Abeel Trophy on February 6.
It proved to be so difficult to pick a team of the ten best shots in the Com- pany that it was finally decided to enter three 10-man teams instead. In all, fifteen teams competed and Company I's first team (Devereux, Moore, Down- ing, Hallden, Glinsman, Batstone, Irsay, Matthews, Johnston and Waite) were returned the winners with a fine score of, standing, 295 x 350; prone, 346 x 350; or a grand total of 641. The prone score of 346 tied the Regi- mental record score made also by a Company I team, February 17, 1911.
The 71st Regiment Trophy was next, and on February 8, our team of five (Devereux, Moore, Batstone, Downing and Glinsman) shot, standing, 154 x 175; prone, 172 x 175; making a total score of 326. Company K was second with 317 and Company L third with 316. This gave Company I a nice 9-point lead to carry over into the second half of the match, which is shot on two nights, total high of the two nights to count. March 13, however, was the big test, as on that night the Abeel Trophy. (challenge round) 10-man team; Kemp "Oldenburg Horn"-25-man team; and Colonel Emmons Clark Trophy, "The Drummer of Arcole" -- 50-man team match, were all to be shot for.
As 8 p.m. rolled around many of our men had more or less severe "jitters." The 10-man team led off and returned a neat 640 in the Abeel, leading Com- pany L's 634 and K's 622 by a comfortable margin. The 25-man team next returned a nice 1,099 to lead K's 1,081 and L's 1,062. Company I's 1,099 total was split 511 standing and 588 prone, the prone score of 588 being a Regi- mental record score. Last, but far from least, came the 50-man team match, considered by many to be the most highly prized of all the Regiment's trophies as it exemplifies the work of not one or two but of the entire Company.
The final count showed Company I again in the van with a handsome total of 2,120, Company K second with 2,074. Our winning score of 2,120 was divided-standing 969, prone 1,151-and we again set a Regimental record by our prone shooting. March 22 was the date of the second half of the 71st Regiment Trophy match and our team of five again proved its superiority by winning with 328. This made us winner of the two matches with a total score of 654, Company K second, 638, and Company C third, 635.
487
1930-1938
1935
COMPANY DOINGS AS RECORDED BY OUR OWN "SAM PEPYS"
Friday, April 5. Direct to the New York Athletic Club, there to celebrate the Annual Ninth Company Veterans' Dinner. The young men of years past awake from semi-lethargic state and do become as youths again. A sight wel- come yet publicly rare. Lord, what pathos and heartbreak, what keen humor and furious satire. Mr. H. Bottome, Toastmaster, and Mr. G. Grant, dialec- tician, proved most mirthful and interesting. Colonel R. C. Tobin did favor us with his presence and spake amusingly far into the evening. Major Landon, beloved of us all, elected to listen rather than act but said many interesting things anon. The Captain spake forthright, as is his wont, clarification and illumination of certain events being his main interest, much to delight of all present. Activities ceased at the stroke of eleven o'clock but not so for the hardy who betook themselves to inns and taverns for further celebration. The better we to home, which we did, and so to bed after lengthy discussion on subject akin to temperance with mistress of household.
Friday, April 12. This night the Regiment all aglitter for visit of His Excellency Mr. Andre de Laboulaye, Ambassador E. and P. of France, who did review troops. Colonel complimented men for excellent method of march and soldierly bearing. Company room later scene of much mirth and glee. Strange uncouth sight greets eyes of warriors.
Closer look proves HE IS of modern time and none other than our soldier- of-fortune, Private (rear rank) Joseph A. Adams and sporting the most luxuri- ant batch of "whiskers" ever grown in two weeks' time. Private Wm. Baxter, who has tried earnestly but futilely for six months to grow something resem- bling a mustache, gazed enviously at him. When asked to explain his Civil War disguise, Joe claimed to have bet somebody something that for one month's time he would neither look a fayr ladye in the face or enter a tonsorial salon.
Wednesday, May 8. Contest at baseball replayed this night. Stupendous! Tremendous ! Close! Tallies amassed by "I" overshadowed those amassed by "K" by one point, 6-5. Recruit J. Moffit did finally disrupt proceedings by a colossal blow into left center thereby enabling himself to pass the bases even to the home plate. When "K" finally retrieved the ball at 12:10 at 223/4° azimuth or from behind third truck from left, not counting Ford lorry, all was lost. Alack and alas, "K". There was ne'er a fumble nor a toss to parts un- known. Team is to be commended, etc. Huzzah!
Wednesday, May 15. Examination re Combat Principles. Company agog for to learn rudiments of subjects in but brief time. Many, however, studying mightily for to smite down barriers to NCO clan. To home before man up street doth release burly hounds for nightly prowlings about vicinity which serve to make area mighty hazardous for passersby.
Wednesday, May 22. Of no consequence.
488
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Wednesday, May 29. Upon entrance of Company portals did find men shout- ing uncommon words as "Da-da," "Pop," etc. Made inquiry and found that Sergeant R. T. Waite had ecstatically announced paternity of a baby girl. Heard sage remind him that event was not in keeping with recruiting program, whereupon another sage averred that matter would be rectified. R. T. did bear it all with customary good humor.
Sergeants J. K. Batstone, J. R. Downing and Private First Class F. H. Glinsman not in line but reports from Camp Smith regarding their progress towards places on Regimental Rifle Team gratifying though many sate "gold- bricks" about them.
Wednesday, June 5. Huzzah! Report is Captain Devereux won "Members" shoot at State Rifle Matches also that Captain Devereux, Lieutenant T. A. Moore, Sergeant J. K. Batstone and Private First Class F. H. Glinsman won 4-man Company Team Match. Heard later Captain Devereux won Governor's Run with perfect score, second time accomplished since event was first started in 1893.
Thursday, June 27. Advance calculations show our five rifle team shots placed high on the State list. They were in order :
1. Captain R. A. Devereux 509
31. Sergeant J. K. Batstone, Jr. 467
20. Lieutenant T. A. Moore 476 33. Sergeant J. R. Downing 465
27. Private F. H. Glinsman 470
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1930-1938
Conditions of "The Governor's Honor Men" are that "the number of men so designated will not exceed thirty in any one year, etc." It therefore follows Sergeants Batstone and Downing are without the "charmed circle." Regrets, but then last year's hats can now be used. Company busy on preparations for camp. New men or "Boots" wearing worried looks and wondering what will be their fate. Informed we will abandon trains and use trucks going to camp this year. What, no march down Park Avenue or Roa Hook to Camp?
CHARLES SAMUEL "PEPYS" NATO
1935 CAMP
1935 Camp training tour will go down in Company I records as the most successful in many a year. We may not have won the coveted Regimental Guidon, but we are mighty near the top and will finish no lower than third place. In rifle qualifications we shot 48 men, 18 making expert, 9 sharp- shooter, 16 marksman, with 5 unqualified. High scoring honors in the Com- pany were as follows:
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