Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-29

Organization of citizens for assist
ance to the civil officials during the
absence of the military men dur
ing the war was effected very
promptly in Harrisburg and not only
home defense, but military train
ing was provided by body of resi-
dents of this city who drilled regu-
larly for over eighteen months. In
the far greater Importance of every
thing attached to the city's fighting
men, the mobilization of resources
for war and the numerous lines of
activity which national defense
called upon the patriotic people of
this community to do the extent of
the work of preparation 10 uphold
the hands of the constituted auth
critics was not generally realized.
1t was carried on quietly and while
no occasion ever arose to necessitate
n call by either sheriff or mayor for
support of the citizens plans We're
all worked out for speedy assemb-
ling of men from every walk OF life
for any service that might be re-
quired.
As soon as the declaration of war
made certain the early summoning
of the National Guard units, so we'll
organized and fit and ready after
Mexican border service. steps were
taken by residents of Harrisburg to
provide n body of men upon whom
call could be made in event of any
trouble arising at home during the
war. In May several informal meet
ings were held and the first days of
June saw things in full swing and
and over 500 men enrolled to form
a home defense organization.
The first meeting was held June
t. I
Mccormick presiding and a commit
tee composed of Henry NJ. Slime,
Ross A. Hickok. w. p. Mcguire,
w. NJ. Ogelsby, Leon Iowengard,
Norman w. Ream, r., p. Moran,
Evan II. Gabriel, Frank NJ. East
man, and others selected to prepare
and report a plan for permanent
orga nization. The Harrisburg Re-
serves were formally organized as
a result, charter secured from the
court n call issued for all men in
terested to join in the drills. Vance
c. Mccormick was elected the first
president and A. Boyd Hamilton, sec
retary of the civil organization and
James p. Mccullough, treasurer.
Major A. NJ. Porter was chosen as
military commandant. The first drills
were held in the City Grays' Armory,
but the lower end of the city's is
land was secured, electric lights
erected and outdoor drills held twice
a week from June 10 until October
when indoor drills began.
Early in July a battalion was
formed, the company commanders
being William A. Moore, Company
A; Francis II. Hoy. Jr., Company B;
Ross A. Hickok, Company c, and
Harry c. Houtz. Company ID. Major
Porter was commandant, A. Boyd
Hamilton adjutant, and John f.
Sweeney sergeant major. The Re-
serves drilled rain or shine and took
part in farewell parades and in,
October began semi-weekly drills. in
the City Grays' Armory. While coal
shortage and severe weather pre-
vented the armory being available
for regular drills in January, 1918,
officers meetings We're held and
plans made for service in event of
calls Heavy drafts We're made
upon the Reserves during the winter
by operation of the selective service
and a number OF it's men also en-.
listed in various branches and went
to army training camps. Members
of the Harrisburg Reserves formed
the Steelton Reserves and assisted
at the organization of defense bodies
at Hershey. Paxtang and Hummels-
town.
At the close OF the first years