Chaplain Sorensen and His Work
A certain writer on psycho-analysis is authority for the statement that "the world is a richer, better and happier place for its men of girth." Chaplain Sorensen isn’t a Fat "Un"—he only weighs 220 ringside---but the rest of the quotation belongs to him as much as to any big, good-natured chap that ever added his quota to the world’s aggregate of joy. He has worked unceasingly to make the army a better and a happier place for us fellows to be; and like all workers for the spiritual and intellectual side, he has builded {sic} better than he knew.
We can remember the first time we met this big, blond Viking from out Montana way. It was on Christmas eve, 1917—our first in the army. Winter was abroad in the land; but things were fairly cozy in the lower room of the annex as we gathered around the furnace to wait for "the New Chaplain." We looked for a bearded patriarch or some sort of "preacher guy," but he didn’t come. Instead an athletic, wholesome sort of chap stamped in, shaking snow from his mackinaw. "Glad to know you, boys," and our "same to you" has carried all the way to hell and back.
Chaplain Sorensen was once an advertising and display man in the Windy City. But he always favored the direct appeal more than the indirect, so he threw away his ad. books one day and took up theological work instead—something he could put his whole soul into. After finishing his course at the Theological Seminary of Grandview College, Des Moines, he hiked for the wilds of Montana and did school missionary work out there. The basketball and football he had played in college days make broncho busting compatible with making the rounds gently.
We neglected to state that the Chaplain was born in Grayling, Michigan, a Wolverine town that has been the scene of many military activities. Maybe that’s where he got his hunch for army work. Anyway, he applied for a commission as Chaplain in Omaha in the fall of 1917 and, after examination, was ordered to report to Custer immediately. We have always been glad that he had jitney fare enough to get him out as far as the 329th.
His work with this regimen has been an inspiration to us all. He isn’t the conventional "Holy Joe." He doesn’t stand on ceremony. He keeps pegging along, rain or shine, and the things he finds to do—always thinking of somebody else—are a caution. He has always held Bible classes, no matter how discouraging the circumstances; in Cöetquidan he held services every Sunday in the "Y"; in Pont-a-Mousson he put the old shell-shocked church back in shape and held services there.
On the boat coming over he dug up entertainment somehow. Afterwards he sat up into the wee sma’ hours of many nights helping censor the 6,000 letters that were written on shipboard. At Messace, when we were literally Robinson Crusoed for smokes, etc., he got hold of a motorcycle side-car from the National Lutheran Commission and carried canteen supplies to all the batteries. Want a book to read? Some writing paper? Pen and ink, etc.? See Chaplain Sorensen. Want seven dozen packages of helmets censored? See the Chaplain. Want to write a tender love note to your best girl , and don’t want the "Lute" to read it? See the Chaplain.
We’ll never forget his recreation room at Pont-a-Mousson—it was "Open House" to everyone. Wherever he went he got set somehow and brightened the corner where we were..
``````````````````````
The Chaplain’s Own Story
Army regulations specify that the duties of the Chaplain shall be to hold religious worship, to take full charge of all educational work, visit hospitals and perform such other duties as his office will require.
Regulations are very brief in stating what his duties are, but this does not in the least indicate that there is but little to do. It is, of course, very natural to consider the service of religious teaching as one of the foremost duties of a chaplain, and unless this be made a primary duty one is apt to conclude that there be a serious lacking in his service. When one accepts the responsibility of administering to the spiritual needs of men he is confronted with one of the greatest tasks with which one can be entrusted, and the performance of this duty requires great tact, especially in the army where so many men are grouped together—men of many minds and different ideas.
In the early days at Camp Custer I was greatly assisted in my work by the Y.M.C.A. religious secretary, Mr. J. Gardner, of Hut No. 1269. My Gardner had already made some efforts in establishing Bible classes in the regiment and two small groups were already upon a good working basis, so in accordance with this plan I made my first talk in the recreation room in Battery A when nearly half the battery attended. I continued meeting small groups from each battery either in their recreation room or mess hall until I had canvassed the entire regiment, and was very favorably impressed with the spirit and co-operation accorded me. The regiment has always given splendid co-operation when called upon to do so.
The Y.M.C.A. Hut No. 1269 served as our Temple of Worship. It also served as a music hall, theatre, writing room, club and home. It was very natural indeed, when a soldier sought this hut for so many of his needs, that when the Sabbath came he would also come there and worship together with his comrades. It became our custom to consider the Sunday morning service as the Chaplain’s service, and attendance was voluntary. Sunday evening was set aside for song service. At this time the hut was usually crowded to the utmost, the singing was wonderful and full on inspiration. A soldier audience is critical. The soldier soon displays his like or dislike in the matter of a speaker, and many were the times when a speaker attempting to be popular found his audience leaving the room. The soldier does not care for a faker, and least of all for one who attempts to disguise his teaching under some different subject about the Master. When the soldier worships he comes for help and inspiration, and only when he finds this presented straight from the shoulder does he really care to listen. Always when men speak of God men will listen and think.
After the ideal conditions of Camp Custer were left behind on July 18th, we met with other environments which were not nearly so comfortable. At Camp Mills our religious activities were all held in one of the big tents supplied by the Y.M.C.A. It is noteworthy that at this camp the largest attendance ever had at a communion service was witnessed. Several baptisms were performed at this place. The Chaplain now began to realize that the men placed more confidence in him and also that they had more need of him than during the days at Custer.
While on board ship our services were held under great difficulty owing to space, but in spite of this and wind and rain, men gathered to hear the words of the Gospel read to them and to join in singing hymns of praise. It was a most impressive scene to gaze into the upturned faces as they listened.
Amid the quaint surroundings of Messac, France, the Sunday morning services were held in a field surrounded by a hedge, with the band to furnish music, a bully beef box serving as a pulpit. Even the peasants gathered around, attracted, of course, by the music and songs. This was our first service in France. At Camp Cöetquidan we were given better conditions for our worship, the Y.M.C.A. having a very large auditorium well fitted for such use. The Chaplain was given many opportunities at this point to come into very close personal contact with the men of the regiment, for there were many needs to be met, questions to be answered, favors to be done.
After leaving Camp Cöetquidan, we were forced to adjust ourselves to varying conditions which at most times were not at all ideal, but we made good use of whatever space was accorded us. In Rimaucourt and Humberville, a hostelry served as a recreation room and chapel, a harness room as office. As we drew nearer the front the battalions separated and the batteries were more scattered.
A Sunday service was held in Bouillionville in a Red Cross Canteen. The following Sunday, Nov. 10th, the ruined church which formerly had been used by the Germans was now serving our need. It is worth mentioning that at this service we were all forced to stand, the Germans having removed all benches, all other furnishings of the church, and in various ways used them to decorate the graves of their dead, who were buried in a German cemetery on the side of a hill near the edge of the village. The wooden bench ends were converted into headboards, the remainder of the bench being used for a similar purpose; but as the end of the benches made the most elaborate headboard they were used especially for those who had been honored with an iron cross. Evidently the Germans had no intention of ever leaving this area, for all manner of means were used in beautifying their billets and making them comfortable. The Chaplains’ writing room and postoffice in the rear room of the regimental headquarters was formally used by the Germans for the same purpose, as the sign, "Soldatenheim," over the door, indicated.
From Bouillionville our regiment moved to Pont-a-Mousson, where another ruined church served as our home of worship. We found the church in a bad state of ruin, but cleaned away the debris and established ourselves there. Here we held our first Sunday morning service after the armistice had been signed. From then on the regular services were continued during our stay at Pont-a-Mousson.
The most unique service held here was that on Christmas eve. At a time when all nature seemed most lonesome and forlorn came the wonderful Christmas with all its great preparation for the celebration of good cheer. Through the regiment there was activity everywhere. Christmas came, bringing with it the first snowfall. This added greatly to the Christmas spirit.
Early in the evening after darkness had closed in on the ruined village the old church bells rang out the old, old message of peace on earth, good will to men. They had been silent for four years, and the message they now rang seemed to be more significant than ever. Soon the soldiers began to gather, and as they entered the ruined edifice each was given a lighted candle by which light they could read from the hymn books. The church had been decorated with evergreens. Trees with lighted candles on either side of the improvised pulpit, everything added to the Christmas joy. There was a very jubilant note in the songs of the evening, and good cheer filled every man’s heart. The spirit of Christmas always comes with a power that reaches all, and makes all want to be more like Him who came to the world that night ages long ago.
When all is said and done there will have been many a soldier who has come through this affair stronger in the faith in his God. He will also have learned to be of help to the weaker brother, and in this service will meet with praise from Him who rules us all.
Chaplain Sorensen
[Your Name Here]
Post a Comment
1st Battalion's Operation Record
War Diary of the First Battalion
1st Battalion arrived from Lagney November 1. Bivouacked at Lagney at 4:30 p.mp, arriving at 10:13. Weather was cloudy; roads and health good---camp poor. Rations for five days---forage for five days; 25 officers and 618 men. On November 2 left Bois de Mort Mare at 6 p.m. for position north of Thiaucourt, arriving 12:08. Batteries A, C, and H. Q. remained in woods awaiting orders. Weather cloudy. November 3, H. Q. Det. left Bois de Mort Mare for post of command east of Thiaucourt at 5 p.m., arriving 10 p.m. Rain. Batteries A, B and C did not change positions. November 4, Batteries A and C left Bois de Mort Mare for Bouillionville at 5 p.m., arriving at 9.
H.Q. Det. and Battery D did not change positions. Battery echelon located and occupied in Bouillionville. Weather good. Camp good. November 5, weather good. No change in position. November 6, Batteries A and C left Bouillionville for Thiaucourt at 5 p.m., arriving at 1 a.m. Weather good. Camp poor. November 7, weather fair. Camp poor. Roads muddy. November 8, Battery B moved from north of Thiaucourt to northwest of same. Left 1:30, arrived 7:30 p.m. Weather rainy. Roads muddy. Camp poor. November 9, Battery P.C. moved north of Thiaucourt into same, arriving 10:30 a.m.. Weather fair. Roads muddy. Camp good. November 10, no change. November 11, no change (except in the war). November 12, 1st Battalion from position at Thiaucourt to Bouillionville, leaving at 11:30 and arriving at 1:30 a.m. Weather fair. November 13, with regiment again. Bouillionville to Pont-a-Mousson. Left 9 a.m., arriving at 4 p.m. Weather cloudy. Roads muddy. Health good. Camp poor. Billets at Pont-a-Mouzzon. Good billets.
2nd Battalion at the Front
The Second Battalion was detached from the regiment and attached to the Division Artillery, 28th Division, on October 29th, by verbal order of the Commanding General, Headquarters 4th Army Corp.
At 8:30 on the morning of November 2nd Major Reynolds, Staff, and the Battery Commanders left Bois Fliery* wood, where the battalion was camped and rode forward to the headquarters of the 341st Field Artillery, where they met Colonel Davis and his staff. From there they proceeded to the positions which they chose, west of Beney.
At 3:00 o’clock the column left Bois Flirey* and two hours later arrived at Essey for evening mess. They waited there until after dark. The firing batteries moved to their positions and the caissons and limbers went under cover of woods one kilometer west of Nonsard, where the echelon was established. The weather was cold and rainy, the roads sloppy and slippery. The health of the men was very good.
Twenty-three officers and six hundred men were available for duty on November 3rd. They worked on preparation and camouflaging of positions until daylight interrupted their operations. The Battalion Post Command was established at Pannes. The weather was fair this day and the night was spent in improving the positions.
The next day Lieut. Stover selected a Battery Observation Post and organized it. In the meantime the telephone net was well under way. Enemy planes were very active. After dark work progressed rapidly. D and F adjustment fire began.
At 2:15 the morning of the 5th Colonel Davis sent work that a drive was on and that the enemy was evacuating. Hasty preparations were made to pull out. Limbers and caissons were ordered up to the positions. The echelon became a moving cavalcade in a few minutes’ time. All surplus baggage was discarded. Battery E was designated to accompany the infantry. The estimation of the enemy strength was found incorrect and between 5:15 and 6:30 a countermarch was made. Batteries D and F fired on cross roads during the offensive. Battery E took cover for the day in the woods southwest of St. Benoit and returned to their old position west of Beney that night. E was fired on while in the woods but no casualties resulted.
During the early morning hours of the 6th D and F fired concentration while a raid was in progress. A normal barrage was sent over.
D and F again sounded reveille for Fritz on the 7th by firing on the important cross roads. So far all firing was done by map. The weather was foggy and observation impossible.
Between 2:56 and 3:30 the next afternoon Battery D fired gas shells on an enemy Infantry Post Command. Battery E concentrated their fire with high explosive on a machine gun emplacement. Battery F fired on a large working party with high explosive. During the day Lieut. Sutliff returned from school and was made Ammunition Officer.
The guns began work at 5:35 the morning of the 9th. D and E fired neutralization on a machine gun nest with high explosives. F fired on a place known as Marimbois Farm, which was infested with the enemy. Rain came down at steady intervals. Major Reynolds was promoted to Lieut. Colonel; Lieut. Gemuend was placed in charge of the echelon.
At 5:30 a. m., November 10th, a special barrage was laid down by the Battalion on a line just north of Donmartin. This fire was part of the offensive action, accompanying an attack of the 4th Army Cops as outlined by the Headquarters of the 28th Division.
At 12:30 we were given the mission of protecting the left flank of the Infantry in our sector during an advance. A standing barrage was laid down with a rapid rate of fire. This barrage lasted several hours. At 4:05 the enemy machine guns became active in Dampvitoux. Battery F concentrated from 4:10 until 4:19. Batteries D and E from 4:15 until 4:19. They then returned to the special barrage. At 4:50 a red flare told them to revert to normal barrage. Firing continued at intervals until 6:00 o’clock.
November 11th. 5:45, Batteries E and F concentrated on machine guns. D fired a standing barrage. At 8:30 the Battalion concentrated on Dampvitoux for fifteen minutes. From 10:20 to 10:59 the Battalion conducted a harassing fire on a line from Lachansee to Hageville. From then on until 11:00 o’clock a maximum barrage was laid on a line in front of Dampvitoux.
At 11:00 o’clock the armistice went into effect. Everyone was on the job for emergency fire until Colonel Davis called at the Post Command station and said the men and horses could move to Beney for more comfortable accommodations. He also said that concealment was no longer necessary.
The band played the national anthem while the regiment marched into Beney and attended a thanksgiving service in an old shell-wrecked church. An allied aeroplane was flying low over the town. Everyone was wearing smiles at the thought of no more mud, gas or cold, corned willy. The Battalion O. P. Stayed on the job until 12: 45 and then moved to Beney. The afternoon was spent by the regiment in policing Beney and selecting quarters.
* [as written in the book]
Regimental Headquarters
Along in the early part of 1918, a first lieutenant, Paul M. Bowen, found the single silver bar on his shoulder changing to two and at the same time the immediate scene of his activities shifting from temporary command of B Battery in Captain Frazier’s absence to the newly created personnel section of the regiment. No one knew what the duties of this office were to be, but in time it developed that the thousands or more daily reports sent to various parts of the A. E. F. originated here, and although this part of the work in the regiment contained less of interest and less of excitement than any other line, Captain Bowen and his capable assistants made this branch the object of more than one complimentary remark from those higher in authority.
The establishment and maintenance of the regimental headquarters while in garrison, on the march, or in the field was the duty of the regimental non-commissioned officers’ staff. We made our camps under adverse circumstances. We frequently accepted as a matter of necessity the discarded buildings for our billets and it may be remembered that at times we made our beds on the ground for want of a better place.
Taking up a position was always attended by excitement and fatigue, but the one section of our regiment which was always first was the regimental headquarters, and in spite of the difficulties they always had an office, whether in tent, cellar or attic, that handled the administrative end of the work, just as well as though they were in their old office back in Custer.
Speed in getting into working order was the long suit of our regimental non-commissioned officers’ staff. When it came to "Opening Station" we hand it to them—they were there.
Their work pertained always to the administration. Snap and accuracy is the keynote of success in operation and it was not less vital to their end than to any other in the army. We have but to look back to our arrival in St. Calais for a bit of news that proves they recognized that fact.
We were transferred again to another division, back to the 85th. Why transferred again? Because we were ready to go home as far as that most important and most difficult task was concerned, the completion of paper work; and the division to which we had been attached for return was not up in their paper work. Who was responsible for our being up to that work? The honors are divided but the regimental non-coms’ staff comes in for its big half. It was on the job or we would not have sailed when we did.
Back in the old days at Custer before we took up foreign travel the staff was composed of but four men. Stg.-Major Balkwell, Stg.-Major Convery, Personnel Sergeant Burkhardt and Color Sergeant Crook. Shortly after we reached France the two Sergeant-Majors forsook the regiment for the Saumur Officers’ Training School. Their places were filled by Stg.-Major Stafford, Stg.-Major Gritman and Stg.-Major Rich. Sergeant Burkhart was made Personnel Stg.-Major. At Cöetquidan the staff was enlarged, Color Sergeant Charbneau and Personnel Sergeant Pippen being added.
When the regiment began actual training on the range at this camp the work of the Stg.-Major doubled. We were training for actual combat and in action the Stg.-Majors head the Operations Detail. Their training there was scheduled with actual field work and from then on until the armistice was divided between their details and the office at headquarters.
Whether the influence of the Headquarters Office or just the natural tendency is responsible for the conduct of these men is hard to tell. We grant that no opportunity came to know them on the outside, because their time was wholly consumed by their duties. But the few times we did come into contact with them we formed an opinion.
Unlike many busy offices theirs was never too busy to grant information. A great deal of experience in the army was not necessary to learn that one of the most embarrassing and disgusting experiences in the life of a fellow is to walk into an office and salute, ten stand there for an hour or so and no one pay attention to him. What would you think about a fellow who is so inconsiderate would never do to tell, but such a thing never happened in the office of the Three Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Field Artillery. We were in the army and at war and that is enough said, but while things disconcerting threw other parts of the organization off balance at times, there was never a time when the Regimental Non-commissioned Officers’ Staff did not have the administrative end of the deal well in hand.
Ordnance Detachment and Equipment
One of the least heard of, and one of the most necessary departments of the regiment is the detachment of enlisted men who draw, issue, account, repair, and otherwise maintain the Ordnance equipment of the regiment.
In order to get men for this special work, they picked men from the batteries of the regiment whose former occupation best suited them for the job, and sent them to the Division Ordnance School at Camp Custer. On completion of the course, the men were transferred to the Ordnance Detachment, 329th F. A.
Out of the little detachment of two non-commissioned officers and two privates, it has grown until before we left Camp Custer it boasted of twelve men; One Ordnance Sergeant, one Sergeant of Ordnance, two Corporals, three privates first class, five privates...
...Everything was going along fine, and not casting any reflections on the efficiency of the family. It might be said that during the training at Camp Custer, before the first real field pieces arrived, the greater part of the Ordnance devised and procured places to spend the time between reveille and retreat (except mess time) in quiet and undisturbed slumber, quite unknown to the daily inspectors, who found great delight in seeing and being sure that no one was "stalling on them." It may also be said that the sleep they lost at the front was simply a draft on the reserve they had acquired in the camp back in the good old U.S.A. However, that cannot be altogether relied upon, as Corporal McNulty claimed that he must have more hours of sleep than the ordinary man because he slept more slowly and therefore required more hours of slumber.
But it was not all sleep for the boys in the Ordnance, and many a meal found them absent from the festive board, and at the warehouse No. 1313 issuing equipment to the men who were always arriving and leaving when Custer was a replacement depot. But now comes the tragedy. Someone in Washington must have had a grudge against the 329th, so ordered four 3-inch guns (in name only) shipped to us. They were the most dilapidated pieces of destruction ever devised by man. It was up to ordnance to fix them up. Many a weary day was spent in repairing and cleaning them up to make them look like something. Then the batteries began using them for drilling purposes. You can’t imagine what a bunch of green hands can do to a gun, unless you are on the repair end. Finally they got used to the old things and got up nerve enough to suggest target practice. More work—ordnance had to handle all the ammunition. Well, they took the guns into a field, well behind a hill so that in case the guns did blow up they would not destroy Officers’ Quarters or Officers’ Mess. Always an ordnance man going to take care of the "duds" and to repair the faulty pieces. It was at target practice that the boys of this regiment got all their muscle—the guns would never return to battery, so the whole gun crew would get on it and push.
Then came the harness. (Oh, sure, the ordnance men handled that, too.) It was worse than the guns. It looked as if it had been used in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Did they use artillery in that battle? Well, if it wasn’t there, it should have been.
But at last came the new harness! It was a joy to behold because, you see, we weren’t used to handling new stuff. They didn’t have to threaten the supply sergeant to take this stuff, they just grabbed it as if it were a dream.
Then came the new British "75's"—more work for the Ordnance to put them in condition. But we were glad to do it, because we knew we would not have to baby them along to keep them in good humor so the batteries could enjoy shooting them.
Do you know anything of army paper work? There is where the Sergeant of Ordnance’s work comes in. It is the most intricate system ever devised for keeping one awake at nights, having to account for every nut, screw or pin ever received. In order to carry all the property on hand in the regiment at one time it takes a large set of books which has to be absolutely correct, because the Ordnance Department is the strictest when it comes to accountability. It is the Ordnance Sergeant’s job to see that everything runs right, from paper work to drawing, issuing and repairing materiel.
But the big time came when we were to leave Custer to travel abroad for a visit with the French. Had to turn in all our guns, caissons, limbers, old harness, etc. They were shipped to Camp Taylor, an officers’ training school. We think they shipped them there to teach the officers to control their tempers.
At Camp Mills where everyone is supposed to rest and get equipped, the Ordnance men again had to work overtime drawing equipment. As it was not issued to the batteries, it was up to the ordnance men to pack it and do the marking necessary for overseas shipping.
The next time we see ordnance is in the little village of Messac, a quaint little old town, full of hard cider and wine. There they again make themselves useful, helping to dispose of the rations and supply their share to the fatigue details.
The long, long trail to Cöetquidan was an unceremonious affair, the Ordnance hiking alongside of their warrior brothers, but when they hit Camp Cöetquidan and Vinegar Hill, their {rear} work began. They had a horror of being quartered in the same stable, it is told, that Napoleon had his horses in during his great war.
They surely believed it because the boards that Napoleon’s horse kicked out were still out and the rats were above the ordinary in size and nerve. Half of the Custer freight did not arrive so they had to be re-equipped, also had to take some American equipment away and substitute French.
Then came the departure to the front. Again they moved with the Supply Cook, and it was a proud outfit that boasted of the Ordnance Detachment being a guest. All was well until a little town called Domgermain was sighted. There the regiment stopped to square themselves with the records. They closed their eyes and turned in everything they could lay their hands on—all that the faithful little ordnance had worked on so hard to supply them with in their training. Again they moved and each move saw them nearer the final test. At Lagney the detachment split, the Ordnance Sergeant with five men going with regimental headquarters and first battalion and the Sergeant of Ordnance with four men going with the second battalion.
Then came the monotonous work of supplying grease, oils, ammunition, replacement of defective equipment and damaged property. The ammunition was handled by the munitions officer, Second Lieutenant Ward L. Stratton. The scheme of handling the ammunition was simple and effective. Every battery was supposed to have a day and a half’s supply of ammunition on hand. Every day at 3:00 o’clock (in France, fifteen heuers) the batteries would make a report showing the amount of ammunition on hand and the kind. The munition officer would consolidate the report and make a report showing shortage which was taken to the division ordnance officer who, after approving, caused it to be sent to the ammunition dump, where the batteries would draw "ammo" that night. Many a good story could be told about the batteries drawing ammunition and taking it up to the guns under fire, but we will leave that for the batteries to tell.
After the armistice was signed ordnance moved to Pont-a-Mousson with the regiment, where a good part of the ordnance equipment was taken away. That necessitated the equipment of the regiment anew, for it was thought we would go with the Army of Occupation, but on receiving orders to get ready for home the batteries had to turn in their own equipment, thereby relieving the ordnance of a good, big job.
With most of the work over the boys are awaiting anxiously for their trip across the deep blue, vowing that if there was ever another war it would not be ordnance work for them if they could help it but, of course, everyone says that about their line of work and if Uncle Sam again called you would see the same ones running for ordnance work.
Ordnance Equipment
The army of the United States was the best equipped army that fought in the war. The gigantic task of handling the equipment fell largely to the ordnance department. Each unit from a regiment up has a separate ordnance detachment which looks after the ordnance issue.
Frequent changes in ordnance are necessary owing to variation in mode of operation, but to gain an approximate idea of the expenditure necessary to equip a regiment of standard issues only need be considered. The fluctuation of prices precludes any possibility of certified costs for all times but a price list taken at random, which appears to be about the average in most respects, quotes the personal equipment for one man at about $28.00. This includes in the greater part such articles as pistol, steel helmet, mess kit, canteens, pack carriers and first aid packets. To equip a regiment at full strength of about fifteen hundred men would cost $42,000.
The light Field Artillery regiment is issued 294 single mounts. Equipment for these animals, including such as saddles, saddle blankets, bridle, spurs, halter and stable blanket, is quoted at $78.80 a piece, totaling $23, 167.20 for the regiment. For the draft horses, numbering 414, the harness and stable equipment for each pair costs $214.84, making a total cost of $50, 060.
The necessary fire control instruments, equipped with the finest grade of lenses and requiring expert workmanship in construction represent a big factor in expenditure for equipment. For operation at a battery commander's station a sissor telescope, an aiming circle or goniometer and other smaller instruments are used, which list at about $1,100. Six such stations with two additional battalion stations and one regimental station (the latter equipped with a range finder) total a cost of $10,700.
The greatest item of expense in outfitting a regiment of 75's for action is the guns with their limbers and caissons. The French 75 mm. which was used by our regiment was adopted for the emergency on account of its superiority in many respects. The advantages it held were largely due to the exacting methods in its manufacture, which added greatly to its cost, a section being quoted at $11,900. Each of the six batteries has four sections and four guns, making a total in cost of $285,600.
The cost of other rolling property such as wagons, kitchens and reel carts is conservatively placed at $23,500. Carpenter's tools, blacksmith, wagoner and shoemaker's equipment figure about $1, 045.
It must be remembered that by adding the cost of all these articles that only the cost of one, and the original, issue is known. The number of replacements necessary depends on the sort of work the organization is doing. In a strenuous campaign a complete re-issue might be necessary in two weeks, while in a garrison perhaps not until the ordnance styles changed.