Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-04-24
History of Ambulance Company sls.

A4hNuSN nl 6OAAAN
first advanced dressing station was es-
tablished here on the oath, began op-
Grafton with the offensive on the morn
ing of the 10Th. About thirty-fve
wounded were dressed and evacuated
from this point. The infantry was fol-
lowed up and two more stations were
established, one at Bethincourt and
another further advanced in Ger
man dugout. Approximately $50
wounded passed through these stations.
Following up the advance, a dress
ing station was established at Ger
court, one between Gercourt and Dan
navoux, and still another between Ger
court and Cuisely, and the following
morning one at Dannavoux. Approx
mately $50 wounded were evauated
from these stations. Transportation
of the wounded by the company's own
ambulances, twelve in number, would
not have been possible. u. S. Ambu-
lance Service Units No. 500 and No.
500 assisted in the evacuation. AT
Gercourt a German ambulance was
captured, drivers were detailed from
the company, and this car was also
used in the evacuating. After five
days of strenuous service, the company
was relieved at 9 p. m. and returned
to Bethincourt. The division having
reached its objective, was replaced BY
the 33d division. Bethincourt was not
an ideal place to rest, as it was under
shell fire some time each day. The
men slept in shell holes. Here hand
grenade buried in the ground was ex-
ploded by fire built upon the ground,
and five men of the command were
wounded.
The company again went into action
October 4th. This time establishing
an advance dressing station at Nantil-
lois. Private Charles McCoull, of this
command, was here wounded by shrap-
mel. Approximately four hundred
wounded were evacuated from this
station. Relieved by 320 Ambulance
Company, returned to Bethincourt to
remain overnight, then returned to
Nantillois and again established a
dressing station. Private Lang, of this
command, was wounded by shrapnel.
On the night of October Sth the station
was struck several times by shrapnel.
and once by high explosive shell di-
rect. First Lieut.. Alonzo W. Saunders,
M. R. c., was killed and First Lieut..
Robert L. Ferguson and seven enlisted
men were wounded. Of the wounded,
Private Daniel A. Mcintosh died upon
arrival at the Field hospital. Others
wounded were Privates Hayes, Broit,
Watson, Bauerle, Dunn and Armstrong.
The last two named died subsequently
of their wounds. While on duty at
this station, Private Cardoza, Morris
and Motherwell were gassed and evacu-
ated. From this station four hundred
wounded were evacuated.
The ambulances were in operation
continuously until October 18th. Re-
lieved by Ambulance Company 320 on
October 9th, and withdrew TO a rest
area. The Sanitary Train complete,
resting at Valley and in the woods near
LeCleon.
On the night of October 30th the
company was moved to Fleville, where
a dressing station was established,
to the offensive Of Novem-
ber lst. Litter bearer Siginond, OF
the command, was killed in action just
beyond Fleville. Approximately $50
wounded were handled through this
station. AS the infantry advanced, a
second station was established at lme-
court on November 2, through which
about $50 were evacuated.
Advance was very rapid, the next
station being at Vaux, established No
vember a. Wagner Dalton was
wounded by shrapnel while returning
with a loan of wounded. Evacuation
from this place numbered about Is.
On November 5th stations were
at Beaumont and Sam
mauthe. From these two stations 40
wounded were evacuated.
The 80th Division having again
reached its objective, was Withdrawn,
the ambulance company moving to the
rear by ambulances TO Aubreyville,
where il rested in tents from November
9th to 18th, when it proceeded over
land to Pinnelles (yonne) France,
which was reached November 30th.
Briefly the events in the history OF
Ambulance Company 3l9 may be sum-
married as follows:
Duration Of service to January 81,
1919, sixteen months and four days.
Service in Artois Sector, Eighteen
days.
In reserve, ST. Mihiel Offensive
Corps Reserve) three days.
Service in Meuse Argonne Offensive,
twenty-five days.
Number Of Casualties:
Killed, 2.
Wounded in action, II, Of which three
died subsequently.
Cassed, 3.
Accidentally wounded BY hand gren-
ade, 5.
Total, II.
Total number Of wounded dressed
and evacuated, 2,250.
The transportation facilities consist
ed of II G. NJ. c. ambulances, motor
cycle, 5 horses and equipment, ! G. 5.
wagon I water cart.