Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-02-22

I company station and recruit its per-
sonnet up to $50 men as quickly as
! possible. Soon companies began arriv-
! ing at Fort Harrison until by April s
all organizations we're present and on
April Z were sworn into federal service
with 1899 officers and men.
continental railway lines open during
the period of mobilization was appar-
ent, so with this in view the greater
part of the regiment was assigned the
duty of guarding bridges, tunnels and
other elements that might easily be
damaged and would interrupt traffic.
Two companies were stationed at Butte
during the greater part of the summer
while two or three remained at Fort
Harrison.
Sail on Leviathan
Early in the fall one battalion was
ordered to Camp Green, South Caro-
lima, where the 41st division was mob
ilized, the other two battalions re-
naming on duty in Montana until
the first week in October, when the
remaining two entrained for Camp
Mills. Long Island, when they were
equipment was issued, sailing lists
made and everything put in readiness
for the trip overseas On Dec. / the
regiment moved to Camp Merritt, New
Jersey, and on Dec IA marched aboard
the u. S. S.. LeViathan and departed
for the great adventure; all was sup
pressed and eager excitement. Our
march from Camp Merritt to the trains
was through two feet Of fresh snow,
while at the station we had to wait
three hours for the trains that were
all but blockaded by the snow, but
there was no complaining. I've often
out for tough guys" At the dock as
my old company was going up the gang
plank, two men showed who had been
left in the hospital and they were
broken hearted when they were turned
over to the medical officers at the i,
dock. On the great ship there was in |
addition to the old Second regiment, |
which then numbered over 5000 men, |
the 164th Infantry. Bind Infantry Brig
ade Headquarters. a detachment OF |
medical troops and 500 nurses, in all |
about 10000 persons in addition TO the
crew.
The voyage was uneventful, and we
landed at Liverpool Dec. "a, 1917,
from the ship to the trains
which were waiting for us. We were
7lshed across England TO the great
lamp at winchester, where we spent
Christmas day. but began departing on
he last leg Of our Journey on the fol-
owing day.
First Box Car Journey
After the stormy trip across the
.hannel we landed at lie Havre and
marched to British Rest Camp No. 2
and on Dec. 20 began our
irst box car journey TO the French
garrison town Of La Courtine.
This was the last time the regiment
vas all together, one battalion under
Aajor Williams was sent TO Bordeaux,
me to Langres and the other to ST. [
Aignan. About this time we learned /
nth heavy hearts that the division /
Vas 70 be broken up and most Of its ]
,ersonnel used as requirements. In
february the dissertation started, near 1
y 8 900 men were transferred from
ur regiment 10 the LIST. 18th, Sind and
End division. leaving what was known I
s a training coterie Of 50 non-comS ,
, each company. /
In March the remnants Of the regi- {
rent was reassembled In the St. Aig- (
an district and It's duties as q re- {
lacement and training unit began {
Iere replacements were received from c
he states; equipped, drilled in the use 4
gas masks, bayonet fighting, etc, d
nd sent up TO the front. During the c
INNER Of 1918, 10000 men passed s
trough the camp of the 41st division,
nd though the men longed 10 get 10 +
le front and away from the heart a
reaking work that they were called ,
pom 10 perform, they realized that this I.
oTk was necessary and performed It n
a manner that brought them many 4
'mpliments from those higher UP. d
The old Second regiment was never a
-ivileged TO meet the enemy IN battle q
one organization, but the individual p
Ulcers and men who did battle with q
her units wrote q record In history It
lat Montana may well be proud Of d
UP losses were as follows: 4
Three offtcers. 90 men killed IA &C. "a