The History of the 321St Infantry

TH E H ISTO RY O F THE 32 1 ST INFANT RY WITH A BRIEF HI STO RI CAL S KETCH O F TH E S IST DIVI S ION B ein g a vivid an d auth e ntic account o f th e life a n d ex ri n f i e e p e e c e s o American soldi ers n Franc , whil t e t o d an fo t to h y rain e d , w rk e , d ugh ar h e l p W in th e World W . W ILD CAT S C LARE N CE W ALTO N OH NS O N g‘ or ora l o Inf H . S t (C p C , l . ) ’ B O F 1 A . U . N. C . 2 T H R L B YAN COMPANY E . R L B . CO UM IA , S . C 19 19 K-A -M- E-R -A -D 1 T H E 8 I S T D IVIS IO N W IL D C A T S Go i n é O v e r th e T o p M E US E A R GO N N E D R IVE - No th ofVe dun) November 7 11, 1918, ( r r IN TRODUCT I ON . In this day , when we have ceased being sur prised at anything , when the worst tragedies and direst catastrophes no longer shock us , it is only the unusual and extraordinary that gets our attention . When an individual like Sergeant Alvin York distinguishes himself for bravery and conspicuous service in battle , we are inter ested in learn ing all we can about his life and his deeds of heroism . The same is true of a military unit that has won distinction . To excel , to win , is characteristic of the American spirit . As a people , we are still in the period of hero worship . We are proud of that man or team which wins . Likewise , we are proud of an army or a military unit that is victorious in battle . And when that particular unit has a distinguished record , full of daring exploits , we want to know its history . The 321st infantry has a history that is worthy of preserving and passing on to those who served with the regiment, to their friends , and to all people who want to know j ust what experiences the American soldiers passed through in France while they trained , worked , played , and fought to help win the World War . vii INTRODUCTION Every man who saw service with the Ameri can Expeditionary Forces helped in a special way to make the history of the World War . Each of these men , regardless of the nature of r his service , has a peculiar interest in the histo y of the war in which he served . But the pages of glory in this history , so far as any man of the service himself is concerned , are those pages that record the story of his own outfit . Those are the pages in the drama of the World War that will always challenge his attention and grip his interest . All the facts in the history of his own outfit may be well known to him ; yet he wants these facts recorded in a form which can be easily preserved . In the years to come the history of his own organization will be to him the most priceless of all war souvenirs . It will be a precious memoir of his war days—a record of his own life and his soul - stirring experiences during the most momentous days through which he ever passed . This book contains such a record of the 321st Infantry, and was written upon the request of many comrades . viii PRE FACE . The chief value of a history lies in the au th en ticity of its data . The author of this history had access to official records for the verification of historical data , and was a member of the reg imcnt during its entire period of overseas serv ice . He has endeavored to record those events and experiences which best interpret and portray the life and service of the men of the regiment . The little volume is sent forth with the hope that it may serve to keep alive those r cherished memories of ou war days in France , and to perpetuate that spirit of comradeship that bound us together so strongly during our overseas service . The publication of the history would not have been possible without the kindly interest , encouragement and help in the collection and ] preparation of data given by Co . Frank Hal stead , Lieut . Col . Louis E . Schucker , Lieut . Col . Fred H . Bloomh ard t, Capt . Curtis Bynum , First Lieut . Wm . C . Alexander , First Lieut . C . H . Howard , Sergt . P . K . Harrison , Sergt . Daniel Silverman , Corp . Paul A . Jones , Private W . B . Ki Burch , Prof . George McF . Mc e, also by the sergeants of the personnel office and by the com pany clerks . ix PREFACE To these and all others who helped , the author feels deeply indebted , and wishes to extend to l them his sincerest thanks . Special acknow ed gment is gratefully accorded the authors of the poems and songs used WALTON JOH NSON . - 25 27 Haywood Street, Asheville , N . C . G. H . Q . F AM ERICAN E ! PEDITIONARY ORCES . F AN E GEN ERAL ORDERS R C , - F 28 19 1 A 9 . N O . 38 . ebruary , My F ellow S oldiers N OW that your service with th e Americ an Expedi t n o l et ou tionar y F orces is about to termina e , I can t y A h h e go without a pers onal word . t t e call to arms , t patri otic young manhood of America eagerly resp onded and became th e formidable army whose decisive victo i s h e ries testify to its efficiency and t valor . With t supp ort Of th e nation firmly united to defend th e cause r t h f h e o of liberty, ou army has execu ed t e will o t pe ple with resolute purp ose . Our democracy has been tested , and th e forces Of autocracy have been defeated . TO h o f h - o o r o t e gl ry o t e citizen s ldier , u tr ops have faith fully fulfilled their trust, and in a succession of bril liant Offensives have overcome th e menace to ou r civili ion zat . o h As an individual , y ur p art in t e World War has been an important one in th e sum total of ou r achieve t . h men s Whether keeping lonely vigil in t e trenches , ’ or gallantly storming th e enemy s stronghold ; whether o oto enduring m n nous drudgery at th e rear , or sustain th e t at th e ing figh ing line front, each has by cheerful of o o endurance hardship and privati n , by vig r , strength o t f o o o and ind mi able will , made ef ective by th r ugh rgan iz ation o - and c rdial ( to Operation , you inspired th e war worn Allies with new life and turned th e tide of t t t nto o o hrea ened defea i verwhelming vict ry . With a consecrated devotion to duty and a will to o ou c nquer , y have loyally served your country . By xi G . H . 0 . your exemplary conduct a standard has been established o and maintained never bef re attained by any army . With mind and body as clean and strong as th e decisive t h f e o o blows you delivered agains t e o , you are s on t h e t of In h return to t pursui s peace . leaving t e scenes o o t t ou o o Of y ur vict ries , may I ask ha y carry h me y ur high ideals and continue to live as you have served an honor to th e princ iples for which you have fought a h o o n d to t e fallen c mrades y u leave behind . It is with pride in your suc cess that I extend to you my sincere thanks f or your splendid service to th e army and to th e nation . t Fai hfully, OH N R HI G ( Signed) J J . PE S N , o C mmander in Chief . Official OB T ER . R C DAVI S , t t Adju an General . xii C ON TEN T S . IN TRODUCTION PREFACE ETT O H H L ER FR M GEN . J O N J . PERS ING PA RT I . THE 321ST INFANTRY . E AN D N N IN E N M I . LIF TRAI I G AM RICA CA PS . — Organization of Regiment First Days in — Camp Important Events During th e F irst — M onths in Camp Changes in Staff Officers and Company Commanders—Preparation for Overseas Service “ OVER T H ERE . — — The Voyage Hoboken to Liverp ool E xpe — r iences in Historic Old England F irst Impressions Of Franc e and th e French — Through France on Cattle Cars F irst Over — seas Training Area Ordered to th e F ront Under Shell Fire—Experiences in F ront Line Trenches—German Infantry Attack— Sec — on d Overseas Training Area Back to th e — Front F orced Night Marches and Their H orrors “ ” .

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