Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-08-26
They're Off!

After a whole year spent in waiting, the Perth Amboy Battery
as Battery E, Second Regiment, New Jersey Field Artillery is popu
larry known, is off for camp. To be sure, it is only for fifteen days
according to present orders, but there are good reasons to believe
that it will be a long time before the battery as a unit returns to
Perth Amboy.
Battery E was organized with a great deal Of enthusiasm a little
over a year ago. There was every reason then to believe that it
would begin active service as soon rs recruited up to full strength.
1t was at the request of the federal government that New Jersey,
along with a number of other states, undertook to organize another
regiment of artillery. The proposition was put up to Perth Amboy in
q most attractive manner and local boys glady responded to the call.
Here was to be a real Perth Amboy unit to carry the Perth Amboy
spirit to France in the great battle for humanity.
Perth Amboy watched the progress of the battery with unusual
interest. 1t was Perth Amboys own and nothing was too good for
it. Mess funds were readily subscribed to; donations of all kinds
were made by patriotic citizens and the boys were made to feel that
the folks at home were back of them to the limit.
Then began the long delays and unexplained postponements on
the part of the government with conflicting rumors as to the fate of
the organization. Week after week passed and then the months
went by and still the battery did not move. After a while the bat
terry was treated by some people as a joke and the members were
-nejected to jibes and sarcastic remarks that were entirely unwar-
~Anft4. The battery was organized in good faith at the request of
the federal government and there was every reason to believe that
it would be on the firing line even before the men who waited for
the draft. That this was not the case was no fault of the young men
who periodically enrolled in the organization.
But at last they are off. To be sure, the ranks are somewhat de-
pleted, due to some of the members growing tired of waiting and
enllstlng In other branches or the service. The federal government
has furnished complete equipment for every man and regular army
men have been assigned to train the men while in camp. When there
is such a demand for men at the present time it hardly seems likely
that this regiment, together with the other regiments in other states,
will be longer ignored. 1t looks as if they were being tried out as an
organization and if they make good, as there is no doubt they will,
they will be sent from Sea Girt to- some national army camp for in
tenaye training before being sent overseas.
We know that every member of the battery is anxious to get
into active service and it is their fondest desire that they be sent to
France as quickly as possible. We are sure that Perth Amboy shares
the enthusiasm of the men and will await the next move with interest.
For the time, then, boys, it is good bye and God bless you. You
are Perth Amboy's battery still and should the start made today
lead sooner or later to France we know that the reputation of this
old, historic city is safe in your hands. The best wishes of the folks
you have left behind are with you no matter where you may be.