""Mad Anthony" looked at me and replied, "h.e.l.l, isn"t one white man as good as three n.i.g.g.e.rs?"
"Not wishing to admit differently I left--satisfied."
CHAPTER x.x.xII.
A FEW GENERAL ORDERS.
"I desire to express to all the men with whom I was fortunate enough to serve, sincere thanks for their universal loyalty and courtesy to me and the other officers who were with me. It was difficult during the active life of the battery to express to its members the affection I felt for them collectively and individually, and the high personal regard I had for them all, both as soldiers and friends.
"We were never fortunate enough to be called into action, but at all times, I am sure, that all those who came in contact with Battery D felt that its personnel could be depended upon to do the right thing at the right time. We all had our blue moments, but, wherever we may go, or whatever we do, the spirit of Battery D and the friendships we made will help us.
"Let me conclude by wishing a life of health, happiness and success to all my old friends in Battery D, and may I further add that, in looking back, I could have no greater wish than to feel that their friendship and respect for me could be as great as the friendship and respect I hold for them all."
CAPT. A. L. SMITH.
"Stepping Stones," Gwynedd Valley, Pa., 1920.
"I had the good fortune to serve with the best Battalion of Field Artillery in the United States Army--the Second Battalion, 311th F. A."
MAJOR D. A. REED.
909 Amberson Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 1920.
"My memories of Battery D are the most pleasant of my army experiences. I know that your book will fulfill the very definite need for a complete and accurate account of the experiences and travels of the members of the battery."
CAPT. PERRY E. HALL.
Springfield, N. J., 1920.
"It would indeed be most regrettable should there be nothing permanent to remind us of those ties of friendship, far greater than those of organization, which bound us together for the greater part of two years. The recollection of the wonderful spirit and morale of those with whom we were so intimately a.s.sociated must ever bring back that old feeling of just pride which we all felt in our battery."
LIEUT. FRANK J. HAMILTON.
4822 N. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa., 1920.
"The happiest days of my life were spent in the 311th F. A. and one of my best friends is Captain Smith of Battery D."
LIEUT.-COL. HERBERT H. HAYDEN.
Army & Navy Club, Washington, D. C., 1920.
CHAPTER x.x.xIII.
MEMORABLE DATES.
1918.
July 13--Left Camp Meade, Md., U. S. A.
July 14--Set sail from Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Pa.
July 17--At anchor in Halifax harbor, Nova Scotia.
July 20--Left Halifax bound overseas.
July 30--Battle with German U-Boats.
July 31--Landed in Barry, South Wales.
August 3--Hiked to Southampton, England.
August 4--Landed in Cherbourg, France.
August 5--Left Cherbourg via rail.
August 7--Arrived in Montmorillon.
September 4--Left Montmorillon via box car.
September 4--Arrived at La Courtine.
November 14--Left La Courtine via box car.
November 16--Detrained at La Tracey.
November 16--Landed in Ville sous La Ferte.
November 26--Left Ville sous La Ferte via motor train.
November 26--Arrived at Blancheville.
December 19--One hundred left on horse convoy.
December 25--Mule convoy arrived at Cirey les Mareilles.
1919.
January 9--Left Blancheville mounted.
January 13--Arrived at Benoite Vaux.
March 19--Trip by road to Boncourt.
April 1--Left Boncourt mounted.
April 3--Arrived in Cirey Les Mareilles.
April 12--Materiel turned in at Andelot.
April 19--Entrained at Rimaucourt.
April 21--Arrived at St. Nazaire.
May 14--Set sail for United States.
May 27--Arrived in New York harbor.
May 28--Debarked at Bush Terminal, Brooklyn.
May 28--Arrived in Camp Dix, N. J.
May 30--Battery officially discharged.
June 4--Discharge papers distributed.
FINIS