Smashing Through the World War (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER HI Off To France When the organization of the division was completed, there was no time lost in getting ready for France. It was intended that the Division should go to Charlotte, N. C., for a period of training, previous to embarking for France. According to all the magazines and newspapers of the day, it was the intention of the War Department to first send to France the 42nd "Rainbow" Division, which was made up from the National Guard of about 27 states, but the "Yankee" Division beat them to it. Owing to the zeal and spirit with which the New England troops entered into the game, a high state of efficiency was soon attained. The 26th was ready to go to France before the Rainbow Division was completely organized and realized what was going on. Everything was being done with the greatest of secrecy. None of the men and few of the officers knew exactly what was going on. But "Old Dame Rumor," started things going and sure stirred up trouble for a time. The signs were too pronounced to be mistaken. We began to pack all surplus equipment and mark the boxes, trunks and baggage with the overseas insignia. Then, all knew what was in the air. It was France for us without a doubt. All were in the best of spirits for, at last, we were going to avenge the insult heaped upon our Flag and Country by the German Government. At the retreat formation of the battery, 5.30 o'clock, the night of Wednesday, Sept. 19, 1917, Capt. Daniels issued orders that every man would be allowed on pass all night, until reveille, 6.30 A. M., the next morning. The captain informed the battery that it would in all probability be the last opportunity to go home, but also impressing upon them the importance of being back by 6.30 A. M. the following morning, the penalty for non-appearance being a...