Horses and final preparations
On December 14th a detail was sent out under sealed orders and when they returned they brought with them eighty-six ponies as a gift to the battery, with instructions from the donor that they should be well taken care of. From that day on our troubles started. Some of the men contended they joined the army to fight and not to learn the livery business, but no matter how good a civilian taxpayer you were before entering the service, you were there to “stand to heel.” Many a time we wished we were in No-Man’s-Land, far away from these four footed, high strung, kicking beasts. At the command of stand to heel one would have to stand at attention one yard in the rear of the horse. If said horse made a pass at you and you knew this pass was going to take effect, attention was your position. At the command of “Commence grooming!” an echo could be heard floating throughout the stables, “Whoa, Mabel,” “Nice boy,” “Get over you ????” and many other familiar army phrases. We all soon conquered the art of caring for horses so the next step was riding. First bareback, then with a blanket and then with the welcome saddle. It only took several weeks until the horses were considered members of the family and had their friends with all of us.
January 23rd found seventy-eight more horses added to our stables, from which lot we derived No.155, as crazy a horse as was ever “well groomed’ between the forelegs.
The months of January, February, March and April were busy months for us, keeping the horses in condition, going to the coal pile, digging in the gravel pits, shoveling show, doing K.P. duty and many other army essentials. Many a cold day did Custer witness, but the barracks were always warm and homelike. Then we had the city of Battle Creek just two miles south of us in which to spend our evenings and pass off our troubles. When the old 85th left Custer, Battle Creek sent her best wishes with us and many a sad parting took place.
On May 10th, Lieutenants Rawlings, Schloot, Yarnell, Adams and Sorensen were transferred to Camp Jackson, thus confirming the rumors that we were about ready to sail for France. June 29th the battery received eighty recruits on a hurry-up order. They were fitted up quickly and put into condition for the trip across. July 12th saw the horses turned back to the remount station and the issuing of all necessary overseas equipment., which facts kept the battery in excitement until the final day came for our departure from Custer, July 16th.
January 23rd found seventy-eight more horses added to our stables, from which lot we derived No.155, as crazy a horse as was ever “well groomed’ between the forelegs.
The months of January, February, March and April were busy months for us, keeping the horses in condition, going to the coal pile, digging in the gravel pits, shoveling show, doing K.P. duty and many other army essentials. Many a cold day did Custer witness, but the barracks were always warm and homelike. Then we had the city of Battle Creek just two miles south of us in which to spend our evenings and pass off our troubles. When the old 85th left Custer, Battle Creek sent her best wishes with us and many a sad parting took place.
On May 10th, Lieutenants Rawlings, Schloot, Yarnell, Adams and Sorensen were transferred to Camp Jackson, thus confirming the rumors that we were about ready to sail for France. June 29th the battery received eighty recruits on a hurry-up order. They were fitted up quickly and put into condition for the trip across. July 12th saw the horses turned back to the remount station and the issuing of all necessary overseas equipment., which facts kept the battery in excitement until the final day came for our departure from Custer, July 16th.
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