MEMORIES OF BATTERY "C"

     It seems a long time back to that hot, sunny September afternoon 
in 1917, when the first contingent of Wheeling and Marshall County 
boys, who were to form the nucleus of what is now known as Battery 
"C," 314th Field Artillery, arrived at Camp Lee, Va. We were "all in" 
from the twenty-four-hour ride. The hike from the station to the 
unfinished barracks will never be forgotten.
     In the light of future events we were inducted into the service 
of Uncle Sam expeditiously. In a very short space of time we were 
assigned permanent quarters, "shot in the arm," issued clothing, a 
tentative battery organization was formed and we were being taught 
the intricacies of "Squads Right" before we realized what it was all 
about. We were fortunate in the formative period of our battery in 
having officers who had at once the implicit confidence of all and 
the ability to administer those functions that go to make for a good 
organization.   The tentative soon developed into the permanent 
organization, non-commissioned officers' schools were launched, 
various athletic teams formed and "esprit de corps" rapidly 
developed.    In fact, in one short month we had buckled down to the 
military game in dead earnest.
     Early in September the regiment received enough material to 
equip one complete firing battery. This was used alternatively by the 
different batteries for instruction in "standing gun drill," 
nomenclature and the laying and serving of the American three-inch 
field piece. We soon became proficient and an artillery range was 
established at Camp Lee. The elements seemed against us, but on a 
cold day in January, with a blinding sleet pelting against our faces 
and slush and mud up to our knees, the firing battery was dragged out 
to the artillery range, just outside of camp, and we had our first 
taste of service firing. The remainder of the winter was spent in 
ordinary garrison routine and special classes of instruction. It was 
uncertain whether we were to be a horse-drawn or a motorized outfit. 
However, versatility was our forte. We studied both.
     On March 4, 1918, orders were received to prepare the Division 
for overseas. With this end in view a larger, direct observation 
artillery range was secured at Dutch Gap, Va., on the James River. 
Our battery left Camp Lee for ten days' service, firing on this range 
on Easter Sunday morning, 1918. On our return to Camp Lee it was 
definitely decided that we were to become a horse-drawn outfit.  
Orders came out that the artillery brigade would not accompany the 
division overseas and each battery transferred forty-seven men to 
fill up the infantry, which was to move at once. The infantry had 
hardly started moving when the artillery brigade was ordered to 
follow at once, making it necessary for us to fill up again to war 
strength. These recruits, some fifty in all, came from Eastern 
Pennsylvania.
     At 1.00 A. M., Friday, May 24, 1918, the battery was formed on 
the Battery Parade with full packs, overseas bound.  Marching to the 
station, we boarded train for Lambert's Point, Va., arriving at 8. 10 
A. M., going aboard ship at once. We were berthed on the SS. America.     
On Sunday, May 26th, at noon, we left the pier, moving down to 
Hampton Roads, and at 5.20 P. M. headed out into the Atlantic. We 
were accompanied by a battleship well beyond the Capes, and late next 
day were met by boats out from Hoboken. Our convoy now consisted of 
ten transports and one destroyer.  The voyage over was uneventful, 
the weather fine, the sea unusually quiet. The days were spent in 
dull routine, life boat drills and schools. The "mess" was very bad.        
Four days out from the French coast we were met by six American 
destroyers.  Daybreak, the morning of June 8, 1918, the Coast of 
Brittany was sighted, and at 9.00 A. M., the same day, anchor was 
dropped in the Harbor of Brest.
     Debarking at 4.30 P. M., we marched five kilometers to 
Pontanezen Barracks. REST CAMP! Ye Gods! They called it a Rest Camp 
and told us it was built by Napoleon Bonaparte, but we absolutely 
refused to believe that that old warrior was responsible for the 
conditions we found at this so-called Rest Camp. We were quartered in 
squad tents pitched on a sand lot, compared to which "The Sahara" 
would be a paradise. No water, no bathing facilities, nothing but 
dirt and inconvenience, and we remained here four days.
     On June 12th we marched back to Brest and entrained for Redon, a 
distance of 192 kilometers. It took us fourteen hours to make this 
short run. Upon reaching Redon we were billeted on the outskirts of 
town, in Chateau-du-Buart, an imposing castle of the Middle Ages, 
beautifully situated in a large park of century-old trees. Redon, for 
most of us, will always be a place of pleasant memories. We were the 
first American troops billeted here and the natives could not do 
enough for us. It was here that we made acquaintance with the famous 
75 mm. field piece, receiving our material, which consisted of four 
Seventy-fives and four French caissons, on July 6th. Officers and 
non-commissioned officers' schools for the study of the 75 had 
already been started and under both French and American instruction 
the mysteries of the gun were soon mastered. In an incredibly short 
time we had succeeded in developing three complete gun crews for each 
piece. During this time the Instrument and Signal Details were 
receiving special instruction in the use of the Fire Control 
Instruments and the establishment and maintenance of communication. 
Horses were received and the battery was soon fully equipped. Mounted 
drills, battery and battalion problems, simulating actual war 
conditions, became part of the daily schedule.
     Intensive Gas Defense Training also became part of the daily 
routine at this time. Although the days were long and the schedule 
exacting, our evenings were spent in promenades along country roads, 
which were beautiful. Sunday was almost entirely a day of rest and 
recreation. At least twice a week the battery was marched to the 
Canal to bathe. Oh, Boy! It was some old swimmin' hole. Happy days!
     By this time our gun crews had become expert and our drivers had 
succeeded in making French horses understand "mule skinner's" 
English. We were now sufficiently advanced in our training to enter a 
French School of Artillery Fire. On August 8th, 1918, we left Redon, 
moving overland for Camp de Meucon, a distance of 70 kilometers, 
arriving there Sunday afternoon, August 1lth. We were quartered in 
barracks, had sheds for the horses and an ideal gun park. Here we 
were to get our first actual firing experience with the French 75 mm. 
gun. Special schools were conducted here for both officers and 
enlisted men. The firing battery went on the range almost daily. The 
march to and from the range was long and dusty, but the satisfaction 
gained through the knowledge that we were fast becoming efficient 
artillerymen compensated for all of this. Under the supervision of 
the French instructing officers, September 5th, 6th and 7th were 
devoted to a brigade problem, simulating as near as possible actual 
conditions at the front. This was the culmination of the course at 
Meucon. The 155th F. A. Brigade had qualified. We were now ready for 
the big adventure. However, we remained at Meucon for several days,
performing ordinary garrison duties, getting our material in 
traveling order and turning in equipment that would be unnecessary at 
the front.
     On Friday, September 13th, at 2.30 P. M., we left Camp de Meucon 
for the city of Vannes, a march of nine kilometers, where we 
entrained for the front on the 8: (Chevaux) 40 (Hommes).
     On September 16th, at 3.00 A. M., we detrained at Longeville, a 
small village beyond Bar-le-Duc, marching from there to Tamois, a 
distance of about three kilometers, where we took cover in some 
woods.  We were here held as Corps Reserve for the St. Mihiel drive, 
but due to the success of this operation, did not go into action, and 
on the evening of September 16th we started on the first leg of a 
long march to the Meuse-Argonne sector.
     Long forced night marches, followed by frantic camouflaging of 
material upon arrival at our destination at daybreak, with cannoneers 
marching under full packs and guns and caissons loaded with 
camouflage, telephone equipment and fire control instruments, wore 
out both men and horses, and when at 11.00 A. M., September 20th, we 
pulled into Camp Gallieni, all were thankful for the much-needed rest 
that followed, while preliminary reconnaissance was made of the 
battery's position just south of "La Morte Homrne" (Dead Man's Hill).
     Our infantry joined us here and the 80th Division was now 
together. About 6.00 P. M., September 23d, the battery left Camp 
Gallieni to occupy its position. Fair progress was made for about 
twenty-two kilometers and the roads were good until we reached the 
vicinity of Montzville.  At this point the road became so congested 
that it was practically impossible to continue our advance. A solid 
double line, at least two kilometers in length, of French trucks, 
tractors and tanks, American artillery, ammunition trains, ambulances 
and ration wagons forced us to halt, while for the first time we 
heard the sinister whine of the Jerrys coming our way.
     The road at this point was under enemy observation and with fast 
approaching daylight it was obvious that we could not reach our 
position under cover of darkness.  It was then decided to turn back 
into the woods just south of Montzeville, where we spent the day. In 
the evening we again took the road and without difficulty reached our 
position about 9.00 P. M. The guns were immediately layed, camouflage 
erected, and, except for the necessary guard, the firing battery 
turned in for the night, utilizing an old trench of the 1916 Battle 
of Verdun. Next day was spent in an effort to get enough ammunition 
to fire our initial barrage. The supply was irregular, the shell had 
to be carried quite a distance and it was only with much labor that 
we secured enough to serve the battery.
     By nightfall we were ready. At 11.30 P. M., September 25th, the 
entire horizon in our Year, as far as the eye could reach, burst into 
flame. Thousands of artillery weapons of all calibres hurled forth 
their death-dealing missiles, and the air was filled with the 
incessant rumble of the big guns and the constant screeching of the 
"G. I. Cans" "Berlin bound." At 5.30, the morning of September 26, 
1918, the battery opened fire for the first time against a real 
enemy, in the Meuse-Argone offensive.  "Doughboys" from the 320th 
Infantry went over under the protection of our barrage. At 9.00 A. M. 
we received word that our barrage was a success and we were ordered 
forward to Hill 281, an advance of seven kilometers. On this march we 
began to have our first doubts about the Allied Air Service, for just 
as we were coming into position, two Boche planes, unmolested, 
swooped down on the column, bracketted us with bombs and made the air 
sing with machine gun bullets.
     On September 28th the battery moved to its third position, in 
the Bois D'en Dela, soon to be known as "Hot Stuff Hill." The move, 
like those to follow, started at dusk, the carriages covered with 
camouflage nets, ammunition, machine guns and telephone and fire 
control instruments, the roads muddy and filled with shell holes, 
occasional shelling either in the immediate vicinity or, on roads 
themselves, and always black, inky darkness and uncertainty whether 
the road was right or wrong. It was here that we had our first taste 
of Time Shell Adjustment by the Boche, and the sharp cracks in the 
air above, followed by puffs of black smoke, as he found his bracket, 
always meant at least a few chance shots in our immediate vicinity.
     On October 3d a move was again made to a position just west of 
Bois-de-Septsarges, from which position an accompanying barrage was 
fired almost before there was time to dig trail pits. At 6.05 the 
next morning the battery was ordered forward as an accompanying 
battery and one officer was sent to report to the commanding officer 
of the leading infantry battalion, at Cunel, for orders. It was found 
that Cunel had not been taken, but the infantry were held up in the 
woods north of Nantillois.  No tenantable position could be found and 
the infantry commander could furnish no information as to the 
position of his front lines, or as to any special mission to be 
fulfilled by the accompanying battery. It was accordingly decided to 
move the battery back to its original position in the Bois-de-
Septsarges, where it remained until October 10th.
     On that date, after firing a barrage to accompany an infantry 
attack, a move was ordered to a position just south of Madeleine 
Farm, but again resistance met by the infantry made this move 
impossible and the battery went into position on the southern edge of 
the Bois-des-Ogons, just north of Nantillois.  Here, for the first 
time, some progress was made in the construction of gun emplacements, 
but when the work was just well under way a move was again ordered to 
a position north of Rornagne. This move was marked by some confusion 
due to a false report that a Boche counter-attack had broken through 
and that the guns would have to be unlimbered and the men prepared 
for a hand-to-hand encounter.  This rumor soon proved to be false and 
the battery proceeded into the position, which was in the open, and 
under direct observation, making the question of ammunition and food 
supplies very difficult. A German dump nearby furnisher an abundance 
of material, with which splinter-proof dugouts were constructed for 
the first time, but while these were in process of construction the 
Boche, while harassing the ravine near our position, secured a direct 
hit on one of the temporary "bivvies," killing one man and wounding 
six.
     Little by little artillery of all calibres moved into position 
around us and finally we learned that November 1st would be "de" day. 
Harassing fire started at 2.30 A. M. and lasted until 5.15. At 5.30 
A. M. barrage began and lasted for six and one-half hours, a barrage 
that exceeded in intensity even that of September 26th.  Late in the 
afternoon of the same day a move was made through Bantheville to a 
position just west of Grand Care Farm, where camouflage was set up 
and the battery had commenced to dig in, when at about 4.00 A. M., 
November 2d, the battery was again ordered forward to a position in 
the Chelene Ravine, where we remained two days without firing a shot.
     On the night of the 3d, with only twenty-six horses left in the 
battery and some of those so weak that the off-horse would lean 
against his teammate to keep from falling, the battery started 
forward to take up position in the Bois de Grand Rappe. Frequently 
the carriages could only be moved through the mud and shell holes one 
or two at a time by utilizing every available horse. Congested 
traffic made passage difficult and as if to cap the climax, as the 
battery mounted the last hill, before turning into the position, we 
were met by a short bracketing volley of harassing fire from Jerry, 
the sharp explosions and blinding flashes being greatly intensified 
by the black confining stillness of the woods. Some harassing fire 
was delivered from this position, but for the last three days a heavy 
fog settled down so that not even a plane could be seen. Quiet 
reigned and it seemed almost as if we were once more back in the S. 
O. S.
     We were soon disillusioned, however, for we moved again, and 
after crossing the Meuse at 2.00 A. M., November 10th, and making our 
way through a battalion of infantry forming for the attack in the 
town of Mouzay, we moved into our last position, near Chateau 
Charynois. Just as we turned off the road and were unlimbering, Jerry 
harassed the area with a shower of 77's, and only soft ground and 
"delay fuzes" saved us from heavy casualties.
     At 9. 00 A. M. of the 11th the news came down that an armistice 
had been signed and that all firing would cease at 11.00 A. M.  Darne 
Rumor had fooled us before and we were incredulous, but when 11.00 
o'clock came with not even the "pep! pep!" of machine guns to break 
the silence and evening found the surrounding country almost alive 
with bonfires, the welcome truth gradually began to dawn upon us.
     Reports that we were to accompany the 90th Division as part of 
the Army of Occupation soon proved false and after transferring two 
officers, forty-two enlisted men and all our horses to the 69th Field 
Artillery Brigade, we settled down to await orders moving us to the 
Year. On December 1st, just as we were about to reach the conclusion 
that we were really the "Lost Brigade," our orders came and on 
December 3d we marched to Dun-sur-Meuse, where we entrained for the 
15th Training Area.
     We were billeted in the small town of Argentenay, on the 
Armancon. Here any fond hopes we may have had that war was over were 
soon shattered when we received horses, mules and material, were 
filled almost to war strength by replacements, and in almost 
continual mud, slush and rain settled down to the old routine of 
grooming by detail, horse exercise, cleaning material and range 
practice. After a terrific battle of rumors, in which we went to 
Germany, Russia, Turkey and other countries, including several trips 
to the United States, the welcome orders came to turn in horses and 
material and, after participating in a Divisional Review by General 
Pershing on March 26th, we left Argentenay on the 31st of March and 
entrained at Pacy for Chateau-du-Loir, in the Le Mans Embarkation 
Area.
     After Argentenay, Chateau-du-Loir seemed almost like a 
metropolis, and, as there was nothing but short hikes in the mornings 
and baseball games in the afternoons to disturb our slumbers, we 
managed to survive the ordeal of numerous inspections and were soon 
pronounced ready for the next step in our journey home.
     On May 11th we entrained for Brest, which we found had sprung up 
into a completely equipped and thoroughly organized camp. The five 
days spent at Brest were devoted to re-equipping the organization and 
on May 17th we boarded the U. S. SS. Zeppelin, homeward bound at 
last.

(Typed by LINDA FLUHARTY.)