DeKalb Wagon Co. Goes to the Oats in 1918

From the August 22, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"As a diversion from the daily routine of factory work and also as a patriotic movement, 20 employees of the DeKalb Wagon company were sent to Cliff Hunt's farm last night after five o'clock and shocked oats until dark.

"Farm help this year is scarce, and farmers who have large fields of small grain have been compelled to send out S.O.S. calls  for men to get bundles shocked."

There was a major problem in agriculture as far as workers because of World War I.

Young Men Away in the Military.  --Cooter

Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina-- Part 1: Mobilizing for WW I

In my last post, I mentioned the call for 2,395 white men from Chicago to go to Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina to train for war.

From Wikipedia.

A World War I training facility located near Spartanburg, S.C..  It was in operation from July 1917 to  March 1919.

As the United States began to expand its army in preparation for entry into the war through a combination of  mobilizing units of the National Guard and drafting men into the wartime National Army it was determined to open 32 centers to train them.

The centers for draftees would have wooden barracks as it would take longer to prepare them.  National Guard centers would use tents and be located in the warmer Southern states because of that.

Cities and towns lobbied to get one of these because of economic reasons.  Spartanburg was successful in their effort.  Newton B. Baker, Secretary of War, and General Leonard  Wood, commander of the Army's Eastern Department visited the area and approved a location there.

--CootCamp

WW I: October 28, 1918: A Call To Chicago For More Troops

From the October 28, 2018, Chicago Sun-Times  "Chicago Daily News: On This Date."  As reported by the Chicago Daily News, sister paper of the Chicago Sun-Times.

OCTOBER 28, 1918, 100 years ago.

**  A call for 2,395 white men for general military service, to entrain for Camp Wadsworth at Spartensburg,  S.C. (Spartanburg)., the five-day period beginning Nov. 11, was received by Adjt. Gen. Dickenson today.

**  Another call directs the entrainment of 465 colored men, beginning Nov. 13, for Camp Grant at Rockford.

**  These calls exhaust the draft availables in all registration lists previous to that of September 12.

--Cooter

Clinton Rosette Glidden-- Part 2: A Glidden Connection

Ancestry lists him as Clinton Rosette Glidden and that he lived from 1897 to 18 July 1919 and died in France.  In this case, he died a year after he was wounded.  I would think it would have been a 1918 death from the wound.

His parents were Varnum Alexander Glidden and Susie Stewart.

These Gliddens were related to Joseph Farwell Glidden of barbed wire fame..  As a matter of fact, Varnum Alexander Glidden names one of his sons Joseph Farwell Glidden.

--Cooter

Clinton Rosette Glidden-- Part 1: WW I Casualty Named After Clinton Rosette

I clicked on the name of Cunton Rossette Glidden and found out that he had died of wounds.

Further research revealed, as I thought, the man's name was Clinton Rosette Glidden.  He was not the son of Joseph Glidden, however, the inventor of barbed wire.  But related.

He was named after Clinton Rosette, 1850-1909 of DeKalb County, Illinois.  He is considered one of the famous people of DeKalb and was the first editor of the DeKalb Chronicle newspaper (still in business). Clinton Rosette was also instrumental in DeKalb getting what is today known as Northern Illinois University.

In 1968, the DeKalb School District named Clinton Rosette Middle School after him.

--Cooter

WW I: October 24 to Nov. 4: The Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy

ITALY:  BATTLE OF VITTORIO VENETO

October 24 to November 4, 1918

The U.S. 332nd Infantry Regiment's (83rd Infantry Division) 2nd Battalion defeats Austrians at Gravo di Papdopoli on November 3,

Armistice in Italy is declared on November 4 --  one week before the more famous one in France.

--Cooter

Who Was This Cunton Rossette Glidden From DeKalb County?

Yesterday I wrote about four men from DeKalb County going off to World War I.  I decided to look around the web to see if they survived.  Of course, they were going to a training camp in mid August 1918 so it is unlikely they ever even got out of the United States as the war ended three months later.

But, while I was looking at a list of Gold Star families for DeKalb County in World War I and following wars (in which I did not find their names) I did come across a very famous name in DeKalb, the name Glidden.  Joseph Glidden is credited with being one of the inventors of barbed wire and lived in DeKalb, Illinois.

Before I go on any further, I should say that a Gold Star is given to families of those who give their lives in war.

The name I saw was given as Cunton Rossette Glidden.  I knew there was a Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb (where I  did observation and some teaching while at NIU).

Well, perhaps the Cunton was a misspelling of Clinton and Rossette was actually Rosette.

Got me To Wondering.  --Cooter

I Almost Started Another Blog for World War I

I must admit that I seriously considered starting a new blog for World War I, but didn't.

I even had a name picked out for it, "The War That Didn't End All Wars."  I first considered it on the centennial of its beginning in August 2014 and then again on the centennial of the United States' entry into the war in 1917.

But, I didn't start one.  I have way TOO MANY blogs as it is.  That would have been my eighth blog.

But, I have been writing a lot about World War I in this blog an will continue to do so.

--Cooter

World War I Coming To A Fast End 100 Years Ago

After nearly four years of the most horrific casualties ever in any previous war, maybe altogether, "The War To End All Wars,"  World War I was fast approaching an end now.  The arrival of American troops turned the tide.

There were just 20 days more before the Armistice went into effect on November 11, 1918.

Then, we had the Spanish Flu Pandemic.

--Cooter

DeKalb County, Illinois, Goes to World War I

From the August 1, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"A large number in Ohio Grove attended the farewell party at Cortland in honor of four boys who will leave soon for different training camps.

"Roy Whitman, Lloyd Warber, Harry Selgren, and Fred Housewert are now with the colors."

I looked these names up in DeKalb County war casualties and none were listed.  So, that is good news.

The War Needs Young Men.  --Cooter

WW I, October 18, 1918: Shoulder Patches for AEF

One hundred years ago today.

A "shoulder patch" is authorized for the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).

Division also create patches.

I found a picture of every army and division insignia patch at the roadstothegreat war-ww1.blogspot site.

I wish I had known about this site earlier.  A good one and much better than my poor little effort.

--Cooter

War Pigeons

From Wikipedia.

Homing pigeons have long played an important role in the military.  Due to their homing ability, speed and ability to fly at high altitudes they were often used a  war messengers.

Carrier pigeons of the Racing Homer breed are especially sought because of their superior abilities.

During both world wars, pigeons were used to carry messages.    When they landed, special wires in the coop would sound a bell or buzzer and a Signal Corps soldier would know a message had arrived.  He would go to the coop and remove the canister from the bird's foot and send the message by  telegraph, field phone or personal messenger to its destination.

The carrier pigeon's job was especially dangerous as enemy troops knew they were carrying an important message and they became major targets.

I have already written about Cher Ami and President Wilson.   Another famous World War I pigeon was the Mocker.

--DaCoot

WW I Hero Pigeon, President Wilson-- Part 3: Both Sides Used Pigeons in WW I

After his death, Wilson was taxidermied and presented to the Smithsonian Institution before being transferred to the custody of the U.S. Army in 2008.  Today he is in the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

Carrier pigeons were used by both Allied and Central Powers armies during World War I.  They would fly back to their coops bringing important military information.

When they weren't in use. pigeons would be housed in mobile units, often converted  horse carriages or even double-decker buses.

Military carrier pigeons were also used in World War II.  In that war, 32 pigeons were awarded the United Kingdom's Dickin Medal for their heroism.

--Cooter

Another WW I Hero Pigeon, President Wilson-- Part 2

President Wilson was born in France and first assigned to the U.S. Army's newly-formed Tank Corps, delivering messages to tank battalions commanded by Col. George S. Patton in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.

Soon afterwards, the pigeon was assigned to an infantry unit operating  near Grandpre during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918.

On the morning of October 5, his unit came under fire and Wilson was dispatched with a message that the unit needed artillery support.  During his 25-mile flight to headquarters, German soldiers spotted him and  began firing.  Wilson was hit several times, losing a leg and getting a wound in the chest, but he managed to deliver the message in a record 25 minutes.

He survived his wounds and was retired and sent to the U.S. Army Signal Corps Breeding and Training Center at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he would live another eleven years.

--Cootgeon

Another WW I Hero Pigeon, President Wilson-- Part 1

From Oct. 5, 2018, ABC News "Meet the hero carrier pigeon that saved US troops during a WW I battle 100 years ago" Elizabeth McLaughlin.

There is a pigeon on a third floor Pentagon hallway outside the Army Chief of Staff's office.  It is right there with American Revolution bayonets, Civil War uniforms and replicas of Vietnam War helicopters.

And, it looks real because it has been taxidermied and it is missing a leg.

That pigeon's name is President Wilson and he is an unsung hero of World War I where he made a daring flight to save American troops 100 years ago today.

President Wilson was one of many  military carrier pigeons (see the entries on Cher Ami earlier this month)  used in the W.S. Army Signal Corps who delivered messages between commanders and the front lines during the war.  They were especially useful because the technologies of telegraph and telephones were still unreliable.

--Cooter

"Oh, Skinny, Run Like Ev'rything! Car of Watermelons!"

From the July 25, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Oh, Skinny, run like ev'rything!  Car of watermelons!    Such was the cry in the neighborhood of the North Western (railroad), while Corey & Evans men were unloading a big car of the kids' delight.

:"This is among  the first cars of such to be received here, and there was the usual aggregation of little folks hanging around the car, just hoping that one would slop from the hands of the men as they were loading the big truck.

Wonder If Any Watermelons Were Dropped?  --Cooter

Invasion of the Crickets on 1919 (Well, Maybe Crickets)

From the September 5, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Appearance of the hordes of crickets, although many believe they are not crickets,  in  the business area and residential sections of DeKalb earlier this week has caused considerable discussion.

"Although the majority believe that they are crickets many other opinions have been expressed.  Some think they are hemp flies and they have been called many other things, most of them bad.

--Cooter

Cher Ami the Pigeon and WW I Hero-- Part 4: Remembered

To American school children of the 1920s and 1930s, Cher Ami was as well-known as any human World War I heroes.

Cher Ami's body was later mounted by a taxidermist and enshrined at the Smithsonian Institution.  It is currently on display with the body of pitbull Sergeant Stubby in the National Museum of American History's  "Price of Freedom" exhibit.

--CootPigeon

Cher Ami the Pigeon-- Part 3: American Hero and Awards

For this, Cher Ami became a hero of the 77th Division.  Army medics worked to save her life.  They were unable to save it so they carved a small wooden one.  When she had recovered enough to travel, the now one-legged bird was put on a boat back to the United States, with General John J. Pershing seeing her off.

AWARDS

 Cher Ami was given  the Croix de Guerre Medal by the French for delivering 12 messages at Verdun.

She died at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, on June 13, 1919, of the wounds she received.

After that, she was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931.  She also received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers.

The man responsible for training and caring for her in the U.S. Signal Corps, Enoch Clifford Swain, was given an award for his service.

--Cooter

Cher Ami the Pigeon-- Part 2: Made It To Headquarters

Cher Ami was dispatched with a note written on onion paper, in a canister on her left leg which read:  "We are along the road parallel to 276.4.  Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly upon us.  For heavens sake stop it."

As Cher Ami tried to fly back home, the Germans saw her rising and  opened fire on her.  After several seconds she was shot down, but was able to rise again and take flight.  She arrived back at her loft at division headquarters 25 miles to the rear in just 25 minutes.  This helped save lives in the Lost Battalion.

She had been shot through the breast, blinded in one eye and had a leg hanging only by a tendon.

--Cooter

The Lost Battalion's Cher Ami-- Part 1: A Very Famous Pigeon

Back on October 6, I mentioned this pigeon saving the men of the Lost Battalion at one point.

From Wikipedia.

Cher Ami is French for "dear friend" in the masculine. who had been donated by pigeon fanciers in Britain to the U.S. Army Signal Corps for use in France.  She is most famous for delivering a message from an encircled battalion despite receiving serious injuries during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918.

On Oct. 3, Major Whittlesey and his battalion (later known as "The Lost Battalion") were trapped and surrounded by German troops.  He sent runners out to alert Allies of his predicament, but every one of them was captured.  Then, he started calling for help via pigeons which he had along with him.

The first two pigeons were shot down and the third got through, but had the wrong coordinates of the battalion which caused the Allies to open a bombardment on them.

This is when Cher Ami flew her famous mission.

--Cooter

Maj. Charles Whittlesey & "Lost Battalion-- Part 3: Jumped Overboard?

Whittlesey's reply was "You go to hell, though he later denied it.  That night, a relief force made its way to the "Lost Battalion."  Of the original 554 troops, 107 had been killed,  63 were missing and 190 wounded.  Only  194 were able to walk out.

Major Whittlesey received a battlefield promotion to lieutenant-colonel and when he returned to the United States, was awarded a Medal of Honor on December 6, 1918.

The "Lost Battalion" was one of the most talked about events of the war and in 1919 the story was made into a movie.  Charles Whittlesey tried to return to his law practice but was in huge demand for speeches, parades and honorary degrees.  It began to wear on him.

In November 1921, he acted as a pallbearer at the burial of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.  A few days later he booked passage on the SS Toloa from New York to Havana.  After dining with the captain on November 26, 1921, he left the smoking room at 11:15 p.m., saying he was retiring for the evening.  He was in seemingly good spirits according to the captain.

Charles Whittlesey was never seen again and presumed to have jumped overboard.  His body was never recovered.  In his cabin, many letters were found addressed to family and friends.  One even provided for his luggage that he brought with him.

--DaCoot

Charles Whittlesey and the "Lost Battalion"-- Part 2: A Plea For A Surrender From the Germans

Charles Whittlesey commanded a battalion of troops numbering 554.  Supporting units on their flanks  failed to keep up and these men found themselves surrounded by Germans.  The following days were perilous for Whittlesey and his men, who were called the "Lost Battalion" by journalists.

Without food or water, they were assaulted time and again by the Germans.

On October 7, the German commander sent a message written in English by way of a blindfolded American they had captured.  It read:

"The suffering of your wounded men can be heard over here in the German lines, and we are appealing to your humane sentiments to stop.   A white flag shown by one of your men will tell us that you agree with these conditions.  Please treat Private Lowell  R. Hollingshead [the bearer]  as an honorable man.  He is quite a soldier.  We envy you.

The German commanding officer."

--Cooter

Major Charles White Whittlesey, Cmdr. of the "Lost Batallion"-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Jan. 20, 1884--  Presumed dead Nov. 26, 1921.

United States Army officer and recipient of the Medal of Honor.  Led the "Lost Battalion" during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in World War I.

Born in Florence, Wisconsin.  Grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  Law degree from Harvard Law School.  Established a law firm.

One month after the U.S. entered World War I, he took leave from his partnership and entered the Army as a captain in the 308th Infantry Regiment.  Promoted to major by September 1917.

On the morning of October 2, 1918, his division, the 77th, ordered to move forward against heavily fortified German lines as part of the massive Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

--Cooter

WW I October 8, 1918: Sergeant York's Accomplishment

From the April 2017 VFW Magazine.

This date 100 years ago.

OCTOBER 8, 1918

Sergeant Alvin York, of G Company, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Division, is responsible for the deaths of nine of the 25 Germans killed and captures 132 more single-handedly in the Argonne Forest.

He becomes a huge American hero.

--Cooter

WW I's "Lost Battalion"-- Part 3: Saved By Cher Ami

The American's of the "Lost Battalion" suffered many hardships.    Food was scarce and water was available only by crawling, under fire to a nearby stream.  Ammunition ran low.

At times they even bombarded by Allied artillery.

Every runner sent out by Whittlesey either got lost or was captured by the Germans.  Eventually he had to rely on carrier pigeons.

In one incident on October 4, a carrier pigeon delivered inaccurate instructions, causing a bombardment on their positions by friendly fire.  The unit was saved when another carrier pigeon named Cher Ami got through with this message:

"We are along the road parallel to 276.4.  Our artillery is dropping  a barrage directly on us.  For heavens sake stop it."

Despite this, the "Lost Battalion" held its ground and other Allied units were able to break through German lines, forcing them to retreat and what was left of the "Lost Battalion" saved.

Quite the Story.  --Cooter

WW I's "Lost Battalion"-- Part 2: Became Surrounded By German Troops

On 2 October 1918, they launched an attack into the Argonne under belief that French forces were supporting their left flank and two American units were on their right.  Units of the 77th, including Whittlesey's 1-308th were making significant headway.

Unknown to them, the units on either flank had gotten stalled.  They men who would become known as the "Lost Battalion" continued and soon found themselves surrounded by German troops.

Over the next six days, they and the Allied troops trying to get to them would fight a horrific battle in the Argonne.

There were heavy losses all around.

World War I's "Lost Battalion"-- Part 1: A Really Bad Situation

Yesterday I posted about "The Lost Battalion" and what happened to it 100 years ago.

From Wikipedia.

"The Lost Battalion" is the name given to nine companies of the United States' 77th Division, roughly 554 men, who became isolated by German forces during World War I after an American attack in the Argonne Forest in October 1918.

Roughly 197 were killed in action, another 150 missing and 194 finally rescued.

They were led by Major Charles White Whittlessey, who was given the Medal of Honor for his actions.

--Cooter

A Family Squabble in DeKalb in 1918

From the August 1, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The DeKalb police department received a call from the north side and one of the night patrolmen responded to the call..

"Gale Hamilton was working the desk Saturday night, and being a man of details, reported the incident as follows:  "Officer called to the north side, responded and found a family squabble."

Yes, Dear!  --  Cooter

WW I, October 2-9, 1918: Battle of Blanc Mont

OCTOBER 2-9

The 2nd Infantry Division attacks and takes the ridge and village of Etienne after a week's fighting.

The 4th Marine Brigade, part of the division suffers 2,538 casualties.

--Cooter

WW I October 2-7, 1918, "Lost Battalion"

All of these WW I chronologies are from the April 2017 VFW Magazine.

LOST BATTALION

600 Doughboys from the 308th and 307th Infantry Regiments and a platoon of the 306th Machine Gun Battalion of the 77th Infantry Division are decimated at Charlesvaux in the Argonne Forest.

Only 200 remained fit for duty.

--Cooter

USCG Cutter Tampa-- Part 6: Legacy

The loss of the Tampa is commemorated by the U.S. Coast Guard memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and in  the chapel at the Brentwood American cemetery and memorial in Surrey, England.

The Tampa is mentioned in the roll of honor in the second verse of Semper Paratus, the Coast Guard's official march.

On Veterans Day, 11 November 1999, the 111  crew men of the Tampa were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart at Arlington National Cemetery.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tampa's sinking, a permanent glass mosaic has been placed to the facade of the Tampa Bay History Center telling the story of the ship and disaster.

USCG Cutter Tampa-- Part 5: Its Sinking With All Hands Lost

During the late afternoon of  26 September 1918, the Tampa parted company with Convoy HG-107 which she had just escorted into the Irish Sea from Gibraltar.  The ship was ordered to Wales and proceeded independently there.

At 1930 that evening, in the Bristol Channel she was spotted by bu UB-91.  The U-boat dove and maneuvered into attack position. and fired one torpedo out of its stern at 2015 at a range of about 550 meters.

Minutes later, it hit the Tampa portside amidships, throwing up a huge column of water.  The cutter sank with all hands.:  111 Coast Guard, 4 U.S. navy and  16 passengers, consisting of  11 British navy personnel and 5 civilians.

A search and rescue operation soon commenced and lasted three days turning up just some wreckage and a single, unidentified body.  Three bodies were later recovered.

USCG Cutter Tampa-- Part 4: Convoy Duty Between Gibraltar and England

The Tampa was then ordered to duty overseas.  On September 29, 1917, the Tampa departed New York in the company of the USS Paducah, USS Hubbard and five French-manned, American-made submarine chasers in tow., reaching Gibraltar  27 October.

War service for the Tampa lasted just eleven months. where she protected convoys from U-boats from Gibraltar to the southern coast of England.  Between  27 October and 31 July 1918,  eighteen convoys were escorted with two ships lost.

--Cooter

USCG Cutter Tampa-- Part 3: Seized An Austrian Ship

On April 6, 1917, after the United States entered World War I, the Tampa was transferred to from the Coast Guard to the Navy.

On the morning of April 9,  crew members of the Tampa and the Tallapoosa boarded the Austrian  steamer Borneo in Hillsboro Bay near Tampa and seized the ship and arrested the crew.  The Borneo was turned over to U.S. officials.

During the next four months, the Tampa received heavier armament by trading her three six pounders for two three-inch cannons, a pair of machine guns and depth charge throwers and racks.

--GreGen

DeKalb a Bad Place to Be in a Nuclear Attack

From the July 11, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"On an average day, there are about 35,000 people within the city of DeKalb.  If radioactive fallout from a nuclear attack (or from a train or truck accident involving radioactive materials) were to settle in DeKalb only 119 of those people would stand a good chance of surviving.

"The Rice Hotel (148 N. 3rd Street) and the Drs. Smith building (261 East Lincoln Highway) are the only buildings which have been approved by the U.S. Corps of Engineers for shelter space and are stocked."

Very Comforting Thoughts Back Then.  --CootDead