davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
Calais Man Tells How 1t
Seems to Be Shot in Battle

Comrade James r. Eaton of Calais
Fl Co, Sd Maine and Co, 18th Maine,
Volunteer Infantry, records his own
personal experience on the battlefield
in the Civil war
AT, the battle Of Cold Harbor," he
says, II was shot behind the left ear
tie ball coming out behind the right
ear, was left on the field for dead pub
lished as killed and had the rare ex-
perience of reading my obituary in
local paper several months afterwards
1t was a fine piece Of writing, full Of
pathos and affected me strangely.
When the shot struck me it seemed
as If | had been hit with a crow bar
coming endwise at great speed--a
thought Of that kind passed through
my mind at the time. ! felt the missile
tear through my head as plainly as
ever felt anything. and / felt the air
rush through after il and chill my
brain. was conscious for what
seemed to be two or three minutes from
the amount Of thinking l did. but it
might not have been more than as
that the mind can sometimes work with
inconceivably rapidity.
THE first feeling that came over me
was one Of the most terrible disap-
pointment 1t was absolutely crushing.
II was not feeling OF regret that
was cut down at the dawn OF manhood.
never thought OF that, but 1t was a
feeling Of cruel disappointment that
had not been spared to get the battery
upon which we were charging at the
time. moment before my blood had
been seething with that indescribable
frenzy Of excitement, which only can
be experienced when the veins are
bursting with that thrill that goes
through them when a charge into the
very Jaws Of death is being made.
was too much maddened by the intox-
ication Of battle to think Of personal
danger. not a thought of that kind
crossed my mind.
II felt tigerish and thirsty for re-
venge. I was straining every nerve to
that end. and to be cut down at the
moment when victory was almost with
iI- grasp.- with shouts Of defiant triumph
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02

bursting from my powder stained lips,
tell you. was simply awful Nothing
In language can paint the wretched
feeling of disappointment that over
whelmed me at that cruel moment.
Immediately after being hit 7 felt
myself sinking into a dazed condition,
and then came a season Of debate with
myself as to whether | was alive or
dead. | had a hole straight through
my head big enough TO admit a good
sized cane. | thought. therefore, must
be dead. man in my fix would have
been killed instantly, hence was most
ccrta My dead. so far as the body was
concerned. l could rot he alive 1t
was contrary to all precedent. But
some other faculty of mind would
combat this Argument and try to con-
vince me that l was still alive
can move my hand or my foot I
would reason, and corpse couldn't do
that; so I'm alive after all But I
dent move my hand or my foot the
other faculty would insinuate. I sim
ply think do. SO I must bc dead
And so il went, until lost all con-
s0iousncss; one part of the brain
" al e,
all in dreamy sem conscious sort of
way. gradually growing fainter and
fainter. somewhat like the sensation Of
gong to sleep.
There was no feeling of pain: no
thought of death, except as stub
born fact that could not be avoided.
Not a thought of my past life: no
thought If friends or home Not the
slightest regret at my untimely taking
OIL aside from the temporary feeling
o. disappointment above referred to.
Not single pang that all my hopes
and ambitions had come to q stand
still My future status was not once
considered. | remained in a senseless
condition four days, and when I came
to myself, the noise Of battle was still
ringing in my ears. The debate was re-
sumed, but instantly dropped by the
introduction Of convincing testimony
tfat was still among the living"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02

that the State will receive credits in
the draft for the enlisted membership
Of the regiment as 1t stands at mid
night June thirtieth. 1t further means
and this is of the greatest importance
to the men in this State eligible to
the draft-that every man in the State
subject to draft, who enlists in the
Milliken regiment prior to the calling
into the Federal service of the Nation
al Guard of this State, will be exempt
ed from the provisions of the draft.
The work Of the several recruiting
organizations in recruiting the re-
spective batteries of the Milliken reg
iment Of field artillery has been Won
derfully successful l have been very
fortunate indeed in my selection of
the men who have associated them
selves with me in organizing the reg
iment. Without exception every single
man has been loyal and faithful in the
performance of the duties assigned to
him, and the most wonderful thing
about it all is that every bit of work
done has been entirely voluntary.
con Friday, June o. notified YOU
to begin recruiting. In eight days YOU
have raised five Of the six batteries OF
the regiment TO maximum peace
strength. The personnel Of this regi-
ment consists of the finest type of
manhood in the State OF Maine, as I
have been assured recently by the sur
geon general of the State.
81 am now calling on YOU to engage
in another task which 7 know you will
perform with continued enthusiasm.
I desire to raise this regiment to war
strength, or 10 men to battery, by
July 20. at which time I believe the
National Guard will be called into
federal service.
II desire to emphasize that I am
taking no credit upon myself for our
wonderful success in recruiting this
regiment. The actual hard grueling
work has been yours. do take credit
however for my ability to select such
men as You for tho performance of
what at first seemed an impossible
task"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
HOW HISTORY
REPEATS ITSELF

tWilder w. Perry in Camden Herald,
1t has been said that history repeats
itself, The school boy who heard
that remark, with much interest re-
piled: Gee. I wish my history would
repeat itself, then l would not have
to study it,"
History, however. Is not dry when
or local interest, and we find that some
passing event has a well connected
relation to some historical event of an
earlier date.
The enlistment: of two Knox County
boys in the American Ambulance Field
Service Of France. Nathan A. FarvelI
Of Rockland and George w. Perry. both
Of whom are sailing June IS on the
same steamer and service for France
reveals the fact that both of these
young men are great great -granGchil-
dren OF Captain John Perry Of Iinal-
haven and East Thomaston, tnow
Rockland) who commissioned under
John Hancock of Massachusetts. as
captain Of the Sloop Fly "a suns),
guarded the Penobscot Bay during the
war Of the Revolution, while the Eng
lish held Castine. and were making
depredations among the early settlers
among the islands and along the coast
Although Capt. John Perry had his
house burned twice by the English
once in Vinalhaven and the other time
in Rockland, near the spot where now
stands the residence Of the late Hon.
Sidney NJ. Bird. and the English had
high price offered for him, dead or
alive, he escaped alive, after doing VAL
liant service in protecting the Bay. and
scattering the British vessels. Once.
however. out by Monroe's Island alone,
in his little boat shooting ducks, he
was seen by British boat. containing
several men. and ordered TO surrender.
Instead Of doing so, with mastery
stroke he pulled for the shore at Rock
land some over a mile distant. amid q
shower Of bullets. and, just as he
landed. caught one OF the bullets. as
a souvenir. in the feshy part Of his
leg. and wore it proudly there to the
day Of his death at the age OF 81
years.
And now in a certain way. history
repeats or reunites itself in these two
Knox county boys. descendants in the
fifth generation from the same Capt.
John Perry, and also through him
away back to the brave Huguenots Of
France in their both enlisting, without
concert on their part in the same Field
Ambulance Service in France. against .
foe, whose record for diabolical warfare
IL too black to cover the pages q civil.
ICED history.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
Burleigh Battery Appeal
Saturday Night by Mayor
and Five Enlisted Men

Rallied to Market square by the martial
music of the Second Regiment Band. a
Rig throng in which were many of Au-
gustas eligible young men listened Sat-
urday evening to & series of terse and
eloquent appeals to enlist in the Burleigh
Battery Of the Milliken Regiment. The
speakers. besides Mayor Swift, were all
Young men who are enlisted in the bat
terry and who are active in the campaign
:nr recruits. At the close of the meeting
in the square the crowd followed the band
to recruiting headquarters on Water
street where there was a gratifying in
fux Of applications for enlistment.
Mayor Willis E. Swift presided at the
rally. After speaking some compliment
airy words for the battery md saying that
i. will be one Of the grandest military or
carnations that has ever gone forth from
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
Balentine's Maine Recruiting
Campaign Registers Success
FIVE BATTERIES REPORTED AT PEACE STRENGTH
IN MILLIKEN REGIMENT OF HEAVY ARTILLERY

raise two, as Augusta would then be do
ing twice as well, for her size, as Port
land, and could do that any time. The
speaker ridiculed the assertion that the
Battery is a silk stocking" or
a kid glove" organization.
The purpose of the boys Of the Bur-
leigh Battery he said, is to get over
to make their little dent in the Kaiser S
crown" We'll have a full quota in
two weeks" he remarked in closing.
Keith Ryan was introduced as a
young man who already has brother
fighting in the trenches Telling Of a
remark made to him predicting that
the battery wouldn't leave the country
for two years, Mr., Ryan likened it to
one he heard made in Canada. when
the second Canadian contingent was
preparing to start for Europe. To one
Of the soldiers of the contingent he
heard a man say: You'll never see
contingent, but is men survive" said
Mr.. Ryan. Arguments and thinks
Cont go when men are going to die. y
he said. Some one must die that 10
others may be safe. If I am a we'll
man ard can go I would rather be the
man to die than one of the TO-"
Sewal Webster made a brief and
spirited speech. and like preceding
speaker paid his respects to the claim
that the battery was silk stocking
clique. He extended a cordial invita-
ton to every eligible young man to
join.
Frank F Southland gave an interest
ing explanation of the various details
Of equipment and organization of the
battery ard emphasized the fact that
in its ranks were splendid opportuni-
ties for young me- Of specialized train
ing, in various branches.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
HASTINGS SUCCESS
Bridgton R e cruz til g Officer
Comes Through

Portland, Me-, July 1.-(SpeciaD.-
Hastings, in charge of recruiting the
Neal Dow Battery Of Bridgton. Fryeburg
and surrounding towns. thus far holds
the palm for recruiting N the Milliken
Regiment The examining surgeon ar
rived at Bridgton Friday afternoon.
When men should have been arriving for
their examination a downpour Of rain
made the roads nearly impossible
throughout the broken district from
which Mr.. Hastings expected to draw
his recruits. Then he showed the stuff
of which the Milliken Regiment officers
must be made. Despite the discouraging
conditions Mr. Hastings requisitioned au-
tomobiles and went after his prospects.
Covering a territory with radius Of .
miles he brought in, had examined and
sworn 50 men before the surgeon closed
his work Saturday night.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
Malicious Rumors Fail
to Stay Success Of
Battery Recruiting
Burleigh Organization Attains Peace Strength
of 100 Men Saturday Night - False Story Re-
garding Use of Regiment Has Temporary Eff
feet

unfortunate story, patched out of
whole cloth, has retarded recruiting
seriously. The spreading of the false
and unfounded rumor deserves sting
ing rebuke, for not only has it retard
ed recruiting for Burleigh Battery but
it makes all men of military age sus-
picious of the government in every
branch of service and raises questions
Of the governments good faith. The
story has been fairly well downed and
traced to the lair of the liar and re-
cruiting for the heavy artillery will
doubtless speed up again today.
Augusta leads in membership in the
battery at the present time with AZ
men; Waterville is second with 49,
Hallowel third with 10; Gardiner
fourth with ,.
The Journal has been asked to notify
all men of military age that the prop
er place to gather information about
the Burleish Battery is at 225 Water
street and that no Credence is to he
placed in cheap street rumors hand
ed from mouth to mouth and soiled
with every change. The next group
of men will he examined Thursday
probably, and applications for the ex-
animation already make a neat pile
of prospects which will count up to at
least 50 by Thursday morning.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
Intensive Recruiting Campaign Makes Brilliant
Finish Saturday Night - Batteries M At
tain War Strength of ITO Men Each by July 20
FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF RECT
AND PROPER CREDITS ACCORDED

With single exception the batter
les which will form the Milliken reg
iment Of heavy artillery reported them
selves at peace strength when the in
tensive recruiting campaign, covering
a period of less than two weeks, clos
ed last night. Despite the fact that
these who, under the leadership Of
Capt. A T. Balentine, are to be cred
tied with this remarkable success were
confronted with a task requiring the
utmost exertion they reported them
selves not lacking in enthusiasm for
the fight that now must come-that
Of placing the six batteries on war
footing, 10 men 10 the battery. The
slogan under which the big drive for
the accomplishment Of war strength
for this regiment viii, be exempted
from draft"
Launch New Campaign
Capt. Balentine, as soon as he had
received the reports Of his recruiting
details. took the necessary initial
steps for launching the new campaign.
He forwarded to each detail a letter
in which he first explained the mean
ing of the slogan, quoting a telegram
from Gen. Mann. chief of the Militia
bureau of the war department as fol-
lows.
"Washington, D. c.,
June 2, 1917. go p NJ.
"Adjutant General. Augusta. Me-:
After full conference with provost
marshal general and this bureau the
Secretary of War extends Federal rec
ognition to all authorized new Nation
al Guard organizations existing on
this date, June twenty fifth. not here
tofore recognized, in order that State
may receive proper credits for enlisted
membership of said organizations as
they shall stand on June Goth.
Mann.
"Chief Militia Bureau,
"S46 P. NJ"
The extending Of Federal recogni-
ton to the Milliken regiment of field
artillery. which is a newly authorized
National Guard organization, means
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
NINE KNOWN DEAD
Continued from Page One)

free, but were unable to get footing on
the steep bank There was a mad scram-
BILE in the shallow water between the
the river side the bodies of at least two
Of the passengers were seen to be caught
in the swifter waters and were carried
down the whirlpool
Members of a national guard regiment
who were on guard at the cantilever
bridge saw the accident and were the
first to the rescue. The soldiers worked
in water up to their waists getting in
jured passengers free from the wreckage
and passing them up the bank. where
an emergency car had been placed to car
ry them to the Niagara Falls hospital.
The supports of the roof on the forward
part of the car had been crushed by the
impact on the rocks in the river bottom.
throwing the seats together. This PIN
toned many of the passengers below the
surface of the water and it was in this
part of the car that most of the fatali-
ties occurred.
81 believe at least half dozen bodies
were carried down the river to the whirl-
POOL said one Of the soldiers. who was
taken to a hospital to recover from ex-
haustion. when 7 was running down
the railroad tracks saw out in the
stream what seemed to be two arms rails
ed above the surface. Ten feet away
from them I am sure I saw the bright
color Of a woman's dress near the sur
face. and still further down man was
swimming in an effort to get out Of the
rapids He disaD red ="
Conductor Alexander Heron was in the
forward part of the car collecting the
last of the fares. He was thrown from
the runningboard and crushed to death
as the car toppled over.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
CREEK LIBERTY
Premier Venizelos and
His Attitude
Certain Officials to Retain Their
Positions

Athens. July 1.-Liberty of opinion will
be a cardinal principle of the new govern
ment of Premier Nenizelos. Officials OPP
posed to the premier who have observed
a passive attitude and fulfilled their du-
ties will retain their positions. Officials
who have interfered in party politics,
however, and have taken advantage Of
their positions to further the anti-Liberal
cause will be dismissed and prosecuted.
The minister of war has instructed all
officers and men Immediately to take an
oath of fidelity to King Alexander.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02

the Capital City. he introduced the speak
ers. the first of whom was Judge Emery
o. Beane of Hallowell. Judge Beane OPEN
ed his remarks with complimentary ref
erence to the spirit which is being shown
among the young men of his own city,
where but 200 young men are eligible for
the draft and 40 have already enlisted
for service. Eleven from his city. the
speaker stated. have passed their exam
nations and been accepted in the bat
terry.
Next to speak was Councilman e. B.
Hinckley. who is in charge of the recruit
ing for the battery. He told of a CONVEX
sation over the wire with Capt A. T
Balentine, who is in charge of the regi-
ment recruiting, in which the captain ask
ed If Augusta would raise an artillery
battery if Portland would raise two. Mr
Hinckley said his answer was that Au-
Elsta Mould raise oIs i Portland would
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02

The Burleigh Battery of the Milliken
Regiment of Heavy Field Artillery
won its first victory Saturday evening
when it succeeded in recruiting 100
men as planned. BY careful corrected
count the full number of men recruit
ed for the battery to midnight Satur-
day amounted to 102. Augusta has
again proved her right to he the Cap
ital city and again shown her power as
leader in patriotism
The battery is now al organization
strength and must Immediately he re-
cruited to full strength, 100 men. 1t is
expected that the enlistment will not
he far short of 100 by next Saturday
evening; IS more recruits are needed.
Malicious Stories
The enlistment might easily have
reached 125 by Saturday evening but
for malicious stories which We're crcu-
lated throughout Friday and Saturday
and greatly restrained the recruiting.
II was said that as soon as the regi-
ment was recruited it would he put
into the field as infantry and not as
artillery. AS the ma iority of men who
have enlisted and who have planned to
enlist are men who are attracted to
the branch Of the service because of
their preference for big gun work, the
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
P0RTLAND'S 1872
Examined with 30 More
Who Had to Wait
Edgar Curtis. Son of the Ex-
Governor, Enlists

Portland, Me- July 1.-(SpeciaD.-
Edgar o. Curtis, son Of Ex-Governor
Oakley c. Curtis. is one of the latest
additions to the Milliken Regiment Of
Heavy Field Artillery He has success
fully passed his examinations for en-
listment as a private in the Thomas B.
Reed battery being recruited in this
city.
Mr.. Curtis is a graduate of Dart
mouth. football player of renown,
and is married.
Portland now has 1872 men examined
and passed, and had 40 more ready
for the examination when the examin-
ing officers closed their war; at mid
night. SATURDAY..
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
NEW STATION
AT LEWISTON

Lewiston. Me, July lon Sunday
the new Bates street station of the
Maine Central Railroad will be formal
passenger end VIII be opened, while
the express and baggage rooms will be
in readiness early in the week.
The building. which has been under
construction for several months, cost
approximately $50, 900 and is considered
one of the finest in the State.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02

Three-base hit-Collins. Tuo-base hit
p Reed. Struck out-Wiliams 8, Mea-
der Hits-Of Williams 8, off Meadsr
T. Double plays-Blake to Harlow to
Hutchins; Latin to Overlook to Webb.
Hit by pitched ball-By Meader. Harlow
by Williams Greeley. Passed ball-Gree-
ley. Base on balls-Meader g. Williams
s. Sacrifice hits-Oakland 3. Umpires,
York and Johnson. Time. 1.4o Attend
ance, 15Q.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
TWO MEETINGS
IN ANDROSCOGGIN

Lewiston. Me, July 1.-(SpeciaD.-
Two big meetings are to be held in
Androscoggin county next Tuesday
evening, both to aid recruiting in the
Nelson Dinglsy battery of the MILL
ken regiment.
One Of the meetings will be held here
under the direction of the local publ"
safety committee, and the other at Me
chanic Falls where great interest mas
been manifested in the battery. Cap
tain Balentine who is in charge of re-
cruiting the regiment, has consented
to address the Mechanic Falls meeting
where Hon. J. NJ. Libby will preside.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
LEGAL Government

Saloniki, July 1.-The provisional gov
eminent which was established here nine
months ago by Premier Nenizelos and his
followers was merged on Saturday into
the legal government of United Greece.
Saloniki thus returns to normal condi-
tions. Greek steamship companies an
nounce the resumption of service between
Saloniki and other Greek ports.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
$4,000 FIRE AT
PROUT'S NECK

Prout's Neck, Me, July Fire FRI
day night destroyed the cottage here
owned by the Marrett estate of Port
land. causing loss of $4,000. A lamp
overturned and caused the blaze. The
cottage was occupied by ]. w. Wheeler
Of Portland. The housemaid, bewild-
cred, was rescued with difficulty.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
Another American Gun
CrewReports U-BoatH lit

London, July 1.-The gun crew ol an
American liner fired upon two German
submarines during her voyage from
the United States to England. Both
targets were at a considerable range
but the report to Washington Of the
commanding officer will express the
belief that one periscope was shatter-
ed.
A third submarine was sighted. but
at a great distance, and it submerged
Immediately.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-02
400 Passengers

There were said to be approximately
400 passengers on the whaleback, in
Guiding a number of students from the
University Of Chicago, who were re-
turning from an outing.
The first bodies recovered were
those of girls. later three others were
brought in. None Of the dead have
been identified. The crash Of the water
tank tore through the bridge. pilot
house to decks and slide into the river
when it struck the steel main deck.
The officers of the boat could give
no explanation for the tragedy. They
said James Brady, pilot, was at the
wheel at the time and that his wheel
failed to respond. An unconf1rmed re-
pert was to the effect that one Of the
tugs guiding the big vessel had its
hawser cast off too soon.
Fire Chief Clancy and Chief of Po-
lice Jansen ordered every available
man under their command to assist in
the work Of rescue.