New Britain herald., 1917-08-24
Merging of Connecticut Troops Into New Unit at Yale Field Is Thrilling
  ; Spectacle.
COL. ISBELL CHOSEN
 AS ITS COMMANDER

Brig. Gen. Peter B. Traub, at Head
 of Brigade of Which It Is Part,
 Tells New Proteges He Is Proud of
 Them and Cautions Them Never to
 Forget Their Flag, Their Town or
 Their Homes.
 New Haven. Aug. 24.-The 102nd. United States Infantry was created by the merging of the First and Sec- ond Connecticut Infantry today. and in orders of the day Col. Ernest l.. Isbell of New Haven became the com mander. The new regiment is joined with the 1O1st. U. s. Infantry, which is the merged 9th. and 9th. Massa- chusetts regiments, as the 51st. bri- grade under Brig. Gen. Peter B. Traub, and attached to the 26th. divi- sion under Major Gen. Edwards, late commanding the northeastern de- partment.
 By the ceremony on the old Yale field today two state regiments of the noble history went out of existence. The ceremony was one of striking picturesqueness There were present besides the two regiments, group of high officers, and a few spectators in the ball stands. The ceremony was held at 1O:30 and the formal taking over of the first infantry by the sec- ond, and the publication of the newly created 102nd. was upon the Green sward of the outfield of the baseball diamond. The weather was perfect and after the rain the turf was bright green. There were in the officers group Brig. Gen. Traub, Governor Marcus H. Holcomb, Brig. Gen. G. M. Cole. adjutant general of Connec- 1 ticut, Col Stevens and Col. Newcomb l of general Traub's staff, Col Cowles, | U. 8. A., retired. and several staff | members together with Col. IsbeI and Lieut.. Col. Hall.
 Both March Out From Bowl.
 Both regiments were assembled in their quarters at the Bowl. The Sec- ond under Col Isbell, in light march ing equipment, marched to the ball field by the easterly entrance, and drew up on the field in column masses with the band and co1ors at the ex- treme right. The First Regiment under Col. Goodman entered from the west in heavy marching order, this to signify that the regiment was taking it's effects to the receiving regiment. Just before the First entered the grounds the Seconds band played "Onward Christian Soldiers" AS the music died away the band of the First entered, playing the Second l Connecticut March as compliment. 1 Every officer of the Second stood with | o~,1 yrvnU snT It attention.
 The First marched down the field In column, then inclined by a sharp l angle so that it passed in review be- l fore the Second but between the regiments and General Traub and Governor Holcomb. On the extreme right flank the First was marched to i the rear of the Second and took position on the southerly side of l the field. The colors of each com mand were brought into the center of a square formed on two sides by the treatments, the ranks of which had closed up, and on the sides by the line officers of the regiments.
 Col. Isbeu ordered attention" to be sounded.
 Traub Proud of Command.
 Brigadier General Traub said in part: < "We are here today on a momentous occasion. This marks the birth of & new regim ent of United States infan-I try, the 102nd. This new regiment is formed by taking the two Connecticut regiments that were and merging them into the 102nd, that is. These two regiments have back of them fine traditions. They have the tradition of
 AInk Se,k kI~~ a1r~&$ oP life. From your traditions you make this new regiment. We don't want you to forget the past, for on the past, depends what we have before us in Europe-the spirit of devotion in whatever comes.
 "Bear\ in mind every one of you 1t is not what we are or have been but what We do, in the future depends hpon spirit with which we undertake our duty.
 "I am proud of the 102nd U. s. in fantry because I see in its colonel, its officers and men that spirit of loyalty. obedience and discipline that enables a commander to achieve the result of victory.
 we do not want you to forget the past Think back to your state, and through it to your town and to your family and remember that when you do battle those whom you have left behind look to you to do yourfuH duty to your country.
 There Is also the feeling of regi- mental pride, the feeling that is based upon patriotism and the feeling which goes with the national flag and when the flag marches with you into the trenches what you do for that flag 1eill be what you do for your country. your state and for your home town re- eardless of yourself. We must all
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