The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1918-03-07
BATTERY e.
IS TO HANDLE
THE HEAVIES
Benton COunty's Unit Has Been
Changed from Light to
Heavy Artillery
AT FRONT BY APRIL FIRST
People at Home Can Well be Proud OF
Boys Writes Captain We'll
From France

pOyS VAlScS SoEAAdIu VCA
From France
If the much advertised spring drive
of the Germans is delayed until after
April 1, the attacking Huns will be
met by some big six-inch shells in
which the people of Kennewick will
have special interest. By that time it
is expected that some big guns hand
led by the boys of Battery E will be
barking out across No-Man's Land.
The most interesting news which
has been received from the Battery
since their arrival in France is con-
tanned in letter received by the Com
mercial club this week from Capt. F.
M. We'll. Altho Capt. We'll wrote to
ascertain the status of the battery
fund and to give instructions as to
the forwarding of the balances in the
Kennewick and Prosser banks to
France, he gave as much news of the
battery as the rules Of censorship
would permit.
He says: "The time is now arrived
when Battery e will soon go to the
front, as whole or in part, perhaps
by April l. Our regiment has been
converted from light artillery to heavy
six-inch motorized. We are undergo
ing period Of intensive instruction,
both officers and men, by French Off
GERS. Lieut.. Jeffrey has been sent to
---------- with nine other officers of
the regiment to study mechanics per-
tanning to tractors, autos, etc. Lieut..
Tuesley will probably leave soon on
q similar mission to study orientation.
Nine of the men will go this week to
study mechanics pertaining to guns
and tractors and some 40 or so more
to study to be drivers. These different
courses will take from to 6 weeks
to complete, when all will be returned
to undertake their respective duties
with the battery. or the regiment.
Those of us remaining are receiving
intense technical training in higher
mathematics, engineering, etc., and
the physical handling of the pieces.
Some task, too, and more than we bar
gained for, but we are doing our best"
After giving instructions regarding
the closing Of the battery's accounts
with the banks, Captain We'll contin-
ues:
my own time is so completely TAX
en- up with the administration Of Bat
terry affairs and intensive training that
t'scarcely have time to- write my home
folks, but as I have progressed this
far will add few words that may
/ be of comfort to the relatives and
friends of the men in the command.
The camp in which we are located
Is one of the best in France; the cli-
mate is mild and the food and quar-
ters good, an excellent place to train.
In the conversion Of the regiment to
the heavy artillery the command was
highly complimented and played in
great good fortune. The new work
means riding in tractors or autos for
every man, is more advanced in science
and is less dangerous than lighter ar
tlilery. The men of the command have
every reason to be thankful and /
believe are well pleased. The work
Tor the most part will be done from
one to five miles behind the lines so the
mothers of the boys may know their
chances for coming home are greatly
increased. s.
MANY people in Benton county.
have responded to my appeal for let
ters to the homeless ones, and it has
helped, good folks, to do this, too.
There has been much sickness in the
command, scarlet fever (three casesl
measles and mumps. At this writing
4s of the boys are scattered in hospi-
tails over the U. S., England and in
France, but no deaths and none in
any danger that / know of. We will
ultimately get together and get all
Strengthened out. The battery is a
splendid body of men and they have
met all difficulties smilingly and like
men and ] am glad for them of the
: change to this branch of service. Ben
ton county may well hold up its head
"nen speaking of Battery E. Our,
reglmental name has not yet been
changed, and due notice will he given