Hall County, Nebraska - Chapter 26: Hall County's Participation in Military Affairs Prior to April, 1920

Chapter 26: Hall County's Participation in Military Affairs Prior to April

Hall County's Quota in Civil War - Indian Troubles - Fort Kearny - Lyon Post No. 11, G. A. R. - G. A. R. Building Association - -Encampments at Grand Island - Spanish-American War - Co. M of 2nd Nebraska Infantry - Chas. E. Norris Post No. 6 - Spanish-War Veterans - Co. M., Fifth Nebraska Nation.\l Guard, to Mexican Border, 1916 - History of Fifth Nebraska Infantry (134th U. S. Infantry) Mustered Into Federal Service in World War

As has been explained by Augustus Schernekau in an article appearing in an earlier chapter, when the Civil War came on in 1861 Hall County was only a small frontier settlement, four years in existence, and hardly able to protect, itself. It was therefore out of the question for such a settlement to muster a company of men and send forth any large number. Mr. Schemekau was the one member of the settlement here to leave and go into military servi( e at that time. He enlisted October 18, 1863, and served in Co. G of the First Nebraska Infantry, from October 19, 1863, until the expiration of his service, October 22, 1865. The records of the adjutant general's office show one other man enlisted as from Hall County, Benjamin F. Hurley nineteen years of age, who gave his address as Wood River. He served first in Co. K., 2nd Nebr. regiment from January 5, 1863, until December 1, 1863; reenlisted in Co. H, First Nebr., on December 29, 1863, mustered into service on January 7, 1864, and is credited on the records with having deserted or left ranks summarily at Oilman's Ranch, Nebraska, September 5, 1865. It is not certain though that his army enrollment changes the claim that Mr. Schemekau was the only bona fide Hall County settler sent forth to serve at the front.

the men who stayed in Hall County during the Civil War period had plenty of danger, excitement, fighting and anxiety to keep them busy, mentally and physically. The stories of the pioneer settlers as told in the earlier chapters demonstrates that those who stayed behind at that time were really serving their country and were quite realistically "at the front" out here when the Indians decided that the federal government had all it could take care of back east and down south and started to clean the white settlers out of the western prairies.

Indian Troubles

The establishment of the Fort at O. K. Store and the other fortification protection attempted in Hall County, and of the escape of the settlers during the Indian stampede of 1864, have been outlined. Various other stories of the pioneers detail the Indian Warfare incidents of Hall County people. But the military life of Hall County in the early days centered around Fort Kearny.

This notable landmark antedated even the settlement of Hall County. It was situated a few miles west of the Hall County line, in what is now our neighboring county of Buffalo. But inasmuch as for a few years the present Buffalo County was attached to Hall

County, and made Buffalo precinct, and since the protection of the early residents of Hall County and their safety depended largely upon the efficiency of Fort Kearny, it plays such an important part in Hall County's history, that a brief sketch of its career is not out of place in this work.

To those who may desire to become familiar with the very interesting story of the establishment and development of this fort, it may be noted that volume No. 16 of the published collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society, for the year 1911, there appears a very complete history of Fort Kearny, compiled from public documents, and written by Albert Watkins, now historian for that society.

The establishment of Fort Kearny is generally credited with having taken place in May, 1848, and garrisoned with United States tfoops until its abandonment in the year 1871.

While Hall County did not produce many veterans of the Civil War, from the very beginning of the infux of settlers after the war she began to have a large list of resident veterans. A great percentage of the men whose names appear in connection with every activity in the first fifty years of the county's history, were proud of their war records. As early as August 29, 1877, there were enough active veterans here to establish a post, and on that date, Lyon Post No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic, was founded.

From 1895 to the present time, 1919, Geo. F. Ryan has served as adjutant. Very few posts in the country could probably show such a continuous record of service from one presiding officer. Practically thirty years out of the forty-two years of its existence has Mr. Ryan been the adjutant of Lyon Post. Mr. Ryan was a second lieutenant in the war, a member of Co. C, 60th inft. N. Y.

This post has furnished the G. A. R. of the state of Nebraska with three department commanders. General John M. Thayer, who had commanded the First Nebraska Regiment, in the war, was elected department commander for 1886-1887. Eli A. Barnes (Co. G, 9th Cav. Iowa) served 1908-1909 and George C. Humphrey (Co. B, 75 Inf. Ohio Co. L, 133 Inf. Ohio) served in 1915-1916. Mr. Barnes is justice of the peace and the government weather observer at Grand Island at this time, and Mr. Humphrey is county assessor.

Lyon Post now has forty-three members, and the present officers are : Henry K. Bevier, (Co. D, 72 Inf. N. Y.) post commander; A. W. Ryan, (Co. M, 18th Cav. N. Y.) Sr. V. Comdr. George W. Carr, (Co. D, 7th Cav. Ind.) J. V. Comdr, Eli A. Barnes, Quartermaster, Geo. F. Ryan, Adjutant, J. C. Troyer, (112 111. Inf.) Chaplain, C. A. Flippin, (14th U. S. Colored), Surgeon, Ed. Joslin, 1st U. S. Sharpshooters), Officer of the Guard, A. T.' Conkling, Officer of the Day, W. M. Reed, Quartermaster Sergt., Geo. C. Humphrey, Post Patriotic Instructor.

D. W. Hoyt (Co. K, 119 111. Inf.) served as commandant at the Soldier's Home at Burkett a few years ago, and recently served as police judge of the city of Grand Island.

There are now 340 or 350 veterans of the Civil War residing in Hall County, according to the report made in 1919 by the county assessor to the secretary of state. About seventy-five of these are residents of Hall County, exclusive of those who are living at the Soldier's Home at Burkett.

G. A. R. Building Association

The G. A. R. Building Association was incorporated April 1, 1886, by O. A. Abbott, O. C. Hall, C. L. Howell, D. Ackerman, James O. West, John M. Thayer, George F. Ryan, J. W. Liveringhouse, Seth P. Mobley, I. R. Alter and Charles Milisen, all members of Lyon Post No. 11, G. A. R.

The corner stone of the building was laid June 26, 1886, and the G. A. R. Hall dedicated, December 29, 1886. This splendid hall, located on East Third street, just a few doors east of the Palmer Hotel building, has not only provided a comfortable home for Lyon Post but has been the attractive meeting place for many other lodges and clubs, and thirtythree years after its dedication is in use almost every night of the week by some lodge.

The present officers of the Building Association (1919) are Geo. F. Ryan, president, Geo. C. Humphrey, vice-president, Elia A. Barnes, treasurer, and Mrs. J. C. Troyer, secretan,-.

Lyon Post Cemeter)' Association was formed December 13, 1884, and duly incorporated. Five acres of land were purchased for this association, and lots therein sold to members of Lyon Post.

During the 'nineties, Grand Island was the popular spot among the old soldiers for their annual reunions and for years this was the event of the year for the soldiers, their families and friends, and an attendance was gathered from all parts of the state.

Spanish American War Spanish War Veterans Post

During the early part of 1919, a post of Spanish-War Veterans was organized, with about twenty-four members, and the post named after one of the Hall County boys, now deceased, Charles E. Norris.

(Col. H. J. Paul is a native of St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, but after reaching manhood, for fifteen years he served as district court reporter for eleventh judicial district, of which Hall County was a part. He served as a court officer of Hall County, with his father. District Judge J. N. Paul, and for a short period before he went into service in the World War with District Judge Bayard H. Paine. During all those years he took a very active interest in Nebraska National Guard affairs and at the time the Fifth Nebraska National Guard regiment was called into service on the Mexican border in 1916, he was colonel of the regiment. After serving as colonel of that regiment and the 134th U. S. Infantry (its successor) throughout the war he became adjutant general of state of Nebraska, which position he is now filling with credit.)

The Fifth Nebraska Infantry was called into service by the president June 18, 1916, and was brought to the mobilization camp at Lincoln, Nebraska, where the men were more fully equipped with cotton blankets and shoes that were anything but regulation and departed for -the Mexican border where they arrived July 14, 1916, and went into camp at Llano Grand which is about three miles out from Mercedes and is a wild part of Texas on the Rio Grande river. Our camp was pitched in the jungles amongst the mesquite, briar bush and cactus, all of which had to be cleared away before the tents could be pitched. The greater part of the first ten days or two weeks was devoted to clearing ground for drill purposes after which an intensive course of training Was followed until the men were in splendid condition. Our stay on the border was uneventful and the "watchful waiting" policy became very irksome. In November what was probably the largest maneuver ever held in the United States and participated in by the most troops ever assembled for such purpose, was participated in by all troops in the Brownsville district and lasted for a period of twelve days. After this maneuver was over, we settled down to the daily grind of drills and parades until the fifth day of February when we returned to

Nebraska. Arrived at Fort Crook on the .morning of February Stli and were mustered out of Federal service February 2L 1917, notwithstanding the fact that it was well known at that time that the troops would immediately have been called back into Federal service and the organizations were broken up and the men scattered all over the country.

July 15, 1917, the 5th Nebraska Infantry was once more called into Federal service and each company required to recruit and drill at its home station until the 14th day of September when they departed for Camp Cody, New Mexico, where their designation was changed to that of the 134th United States Infantry. French and British instructors taught us the latest methods of warfare as conducted in the World War and another period of intensive training was entered into with zest and zeal by all concerned. By March 1st the 34th Division, to which the 134th Infantry belonged, was well trained, seasoned and disciplined and were well fitted and prepared to go immediately to the front lines and participate in the World War, had it not been for the lack of a division commander and a competent and efficient staff which positions were filled by general staff of the regular army.

In June the division was demoralized by the general staff' taking away approximately all the enlisted men below the grade of corporal whose places were later filled by draft men from Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. These men were then put througgh the same course of intensive training until the latter part of August when the division was ordered to Camp Dix and started to leave when struck by the influenza epidemic which raged over the country with such disastrous results at that time and the division was held in quarantine until the 10th day of October when same was lifted and the division once more prepared to go to France. The convoy leaving New York on the 13th day of October arrived in Liverpool, England, on the 24th day of October and was immediately entrained for a rest camp at Camp Cod ford where we remained three days and then entrained for Southhampton where we took boats to France landing at Cherbourg and LaHavre and were then taken to southern France, in the Bordeaux region, where we remained for a period of ten days. We were then sent to LeMans, France, being on the train the day the armistice was signed, and was there met by an officer representing Headquarters with orders for the men to be taken by one officer for each company in one direction and the officers went in another and this is the last we saw of our men in France. All were used as replacements and were scattered all over. I was sent to the 77th Division, being a National Guard Division from New York, and was placed in command of the 306th Infantry where I remained until I was relieved from my duty at my request to return to the United States and assume the duties of the Adjutant General's Office of Nebraska.

The fate of this division was like that of many other National Guard divisions and when one stops to think of the thousands and thousands of well trained, seasoned and disciplined men belonging to the national guard divisions who were held in the United States the same as was the 34th division while national army divisions whose men were unseasoned, untrained and undisciplined were taken across within a very few weeks of the time they entered the service and were thrust almost immediately into the front line irenches while the men did not know how to load their guns or fire them, who did not know how to put on a gas mask or adjust it, not giving them anywhere near an equal chance, it certainly looks as if there was gross mismanagement on the part of our General Staff which is almost if not criminal in its nature. However investigations are being made at the present time and later changes will undoubtedly be made in our military system and policy which, when perfected, will make impossible in any future war the rank injustices and indignities that were heaped upon the heads of the National Guardsmen during the World War.

participated as against seven of the regular army and twelve of the national army and the following, taken from the national guardsman under date of February 8, 1919, is given as the total of killed, died, missing and prisoners in the respective organizations : thus showing that the National Guard made greater sacrifices than either the regular army or national army owing to the fact that with very few exceptions neither officers or men had had previous experience.

Service For Service On The Mexican Border In 1916

A great number of Hall County boys served in the 355th Lifantry and were a part of the famous 89th Division. While an account of the participation of this division in the war is slightly out of order in this chapter it will be placed here. The record of this division has been best narrated by Major General Frank L. Winn.

The letter was sent in response to the greetings that were delivered to Major General Winn for the division on his arrival in New York by the Union Pacific Bureau correspondent.

I beg to acknowledge receipt of the greetings and congratulations to officers and men in the 89th Division received through you on arrival at New York from the Mayors of Omaha ; Kansas City, Kansas ; Kansas City, Missouri ; Topeka, Kansas ; Lincoln, Nebraska ; North Platte, Nebraska ; Lawrence, Kansas ; Cheyene, Wyoming ; Denver, Colorado ; Grand Island, Nebraska ; Leavenworth, Kansas ; Colorado Springs, Colorado. The same message was given to me by your representative at the boat on the arrival of the S. S. Rotterdam, May 1, 1919. The message is deeply appreciated. At his suggestion I gave an interview substantially as follows : opportune moment, and has had remarkably good fortune at all times. France and' England in June, 1918, looked to the U. S. soldiers to end the war. There had been an early period of long waiting when some feared that the direct help from the U. S. might come too late, but in June the American soldier had given such a splendid account of himself at Cantigny that the Allies, and the Boche as well, must have realized -it was only a question of time when their numbers would turn the tide in favor of our cause. The Division took a part second to none in the Great Offensive of St. Mihiel and the Argonne-Meuse, led the Crossing of the Meuse at Stenay and Pouilly on the day of the Armistice, and went to Germany as a part of the army of occupation, where it remained until May 6th, returning directly home when Germany was given the final peace terms.

After four weeks of final preparation in the Reynel training area, near the American G. H. Q., the Division went into the front line Northwest of Toul and took over a considerable frontage, where, by vigorous patrolling, it at once established its reputation of being an aggressive fighting unit, which almost nightly brought in prisoners. The Division received the highest praise from the French Corps Commander and was soon stamped by the Huns in an official report as a first rate combat unit. The sector occupied became the seat of active preparations for the first offiensive of the American Army.

On September 12th, the Division went over the top alongside the 1st, 2nd and 42nd Divisions, and held its own with the best of them in that great operation. The Division had a wider front to begin with than any division, and the very strongly defended position of the Bois de Mort Mare was in its immediate front, but it penetrated as far as any division, taking among others the towns of Boullionville, Xammes and Beney, and sharing with the 2nd Division the occupation of the important city of Thiaucourt. Thereafter the Division consolidated its own front and took over the front occupied by the 42nd and 2nd Divisions, remaining in this position until October 8th, when it was moved to the Argonne-Meuse front.

On October 19th and 20th the Division again went into the front line, clearing the enemy out of the Bantheville forest, consolidating its position and making preparations for the next great offensive. On November 1st it went over the top, again in the company of the best American divisions, gaining all its objectives on the first day. The Division took the important Barricourt Heights, of which operation it is said Marshal Foch on hearing of it, declared "the war is over." The Division continued in the front line, advancing day by day until the Armistice of November 11th, on which day it successfully accomplished the very difficult operation of crossing the Meuse river in the face of determined enemy opposition. The names of Barricourt Heights, Remonville, Tailly, Nouart, Barricourt, Bois des Dames, Beauclair, Beaufort, Pouilly, Auterville and Stenay are glorious names, marking the achievements of the Division in the final and decisive ofifensive of the World's War.

The Division was commanded by Major General W. M. Wright from September 8th to November 11th, and by Major General Frank L. Winn, who has been with it since its organization, during the rest of the time it was in Europe.

The Division was one of those selected, on account of its record, to go into Germany, where it remained as a part of the Army of Occupation until its return home. The Division was in active operations against the enemy for 90 days. During that time it captured 5,061 prisoners ; 127 large guns ; 455 machine guns; and advanced a total of 48 kilometers ( 18 during St. Mihiel ofifensive and 30 during the Argonne-Meuse ofifensive). Thousands of rifles, signal equipment, large amounts of railroad material, including engines and trains, quartermaster subsistence and sanitary stores in enormous amounts were captured. The grand total of casualties of all kinds amounted to 7,002. Of these, the severly wounded numbered 2,002; the killed 1,185. One officer and four men were captured by the enemy. There have been awarded to members of the Division decorations as follows :

On April 23rd the Division was inspected and reviewed at Treves, Germany by General Pershing, Commander-in-chief, in the presence of the Secretary of War and the House Military Committee. The remarkable spirit and splendid efficiency of the Division were reflected in its appearance on that occasion with which every detail of the review was carried out. The Commander-in-chief highly complimented the command, saying among other things : "It will be a proud thing for you to return (home) and say in future years that you belonged to this splendid division whose record, for the time it was in the line, is unexcelled in the American Expeditionary Forces."

Credit for the brilliant record of the 89th Division belongs to the officers and men. The men were taken in the first instance from the Middle- West: Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota, Arizona and New Mexico. Subsequently replacements came from many other states, but the Division remained to the last the Middle- West Division. The men were the finest type of American manhood. In character and in intelligence they were equal to the best. They early established a reputation for a high state of discipline, fine morale and the determination to do their best. They have made a remarkably fine record in respect of courts-martial, disease, manly conduct and clean living. There never was over 3% of illiteracy in the Division, compared with an average of 10%, I believe in the draft, and of the 3% all who have been with the Division throughout its service will be returned to civil life able to read, write and calculate in arithmetic. It is truly believed that all return benefited in every way by their experience. Officers and men have done superbly their part in winning the great war and deserve the thanks of the country. The Middle-West may justly be proud of the men of the 89th Division.