Sidney D. Light's WWI Diary, Postcards & Letters, 329th Battery Book Accounts

Colonel Tillman O. Campbell, commanding officer of the Three Hundred and Twenty-ninth Field Artillery, began his military career in the army of the United States Volunteers as a first sergeant in the company of infantry mobilized in his native state of Arkansas.

         Previous to his first honorable discharge in February of 1899, he was promoted from first sergeant to sergeant major, and to the rank of second lieutenant, U. S. V. In July of 1900 Colonel Campbell re-enlisted in the same organization as a first lieutenant, serving until April of 1901 as battalion adjutant and regimental commissary officer of the Thirty-third Infantry, U.S. V.

        In May of 1901 he enlisted in the regular army of the United States as a second lieutenant in the artillery corps, and was assigned to duty in the Coast Artillery as a commissary officer. After seven months of service in this capacity he was transferred to the Field Artillery, where he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the second battery.

         Until November of 1905 Colonel Campbell remained with the Field Artillery. He was returned to service in the Coast Artillery, receiving a commission as captain in January of 1907. In the same year, and as a captain he was returned, this time with permanent assignment to the Field Artillery.

        Between 1907 and 1917 Colonel Campbell served with the Second, Third and Sixth Artillery in the commissary and quartermaster departments. It was during this period of service that he was advanced to the rank of major.

         When the Three Hundred and Twenty-ninth Field Artillery was organized Colonel Campbell was chosen to command the regiment. He was commissioned a colonel on August 5th, 1917, and assigned to and joined the regiment on September 12th, 1917, remaining in command until its demobilization at Camp Custer in April, 1919.

         Of the twenty years of service seen by Colonel Campbell five were spent on foreign soil. In September of 1899 he was ordered with his company to the Philippines, where he remained on active duty until his recall a year later. Again, ten years later, he was ordered to the scene of action in the Philippines and remained until September of 1914.

         From the time of 329th sailed to France, Colonel Campbell remained always with his regiment. Through the training period in French camps and to the front he was always with the men. Be it said in behalf of the leadership we have had, from comment by those competent to judge, our regiment when weighed in the balance was never found wanting.