September 20, 1918. Adam O. Dyker was re-christened "Honey-Bee" Dyker. The event took place in a rather stinging manner at Camp La Courtine, France.
On the night in question Private Dyker was on guard duty at the battery kitchen, which was situated under a canvas roof in a locality that was infested at that particular time with bees and yellow jackets.
While walking his post at the midnight hour Dyker thought of a can of strawberry jam that he knew the cooks had deposited in a certain place. Groping his way through the dark Dyker found the can of preserves, also a spoon, and immediately started to fill a sweet tooth.
In a short time the entire battery guard was aroused by a distressing cry from one of the outposts. At first it was difficult to determine whether the call was from a 311 Regiment post or a 312th Regiment post.
The question was soon settled, however, when Dyker appended to the customary outpost call the designation of both the battery and the regiment, and added these words. "For God's sake hurry up, I'm all bee'd up."
The jam which he devoured was full of bees and yellow jackets. While the humor of the incident appealed to the boys of the battery, all sympathized with the unfortunate guard, who had an agonizing time of it in the camp hospital for several weeks as a result of eating honey-bees.
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Shortly after the armistice was signed John J. Jlosky drank too much cognac and fell out of line at retreat one night. He was ordered to report at the battery office. When asked why he did not stand at attention he replied to Lieut. Bailey: "How do you expect a man to stand at attention with sand-paper underwear on?"
The battery had just been issued woolen underwear that day.
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In recalling stable-police duty at Camp Meade, Md., there is one incident that always amused Bill Powell. Here's the story in his own words:
"After the usual morning duties as stable police, 'Mad Anthony' assigned me to load a wagon of manure. After struggling with it for perhapsan hour I felt extremely proud of the transference of the large amount of material from the ground to the wagon. I was then ordered to go with the driver. I thought this pretty soft. It was a zero day and I soon found that I was mistaken. We were on our way to unload the manure in flat cars.
"When we got to Disney, half frozen, the driver disappeared to a position near a roaring log fire and I commenced to unload. Here's where I realized the advantage of being a driver.
"While resting I noticed another wagon being unloaded nearby with a detail of three negroes doing the heaving. This got my ire, and when I got back I looked up 'Mad Anthony' and related what I had seen.
"'Mad Anthony' looked at me and replied, 'Hell, isn't one white man as good as three niggers?'
"Not wishing to admit differently I left--satisfied."
"I desire to express to all the men with whom I was fortunate enough to serve, sincere thanks for their universal loyalty and courtesy to me and the other officers who were with me. It was difficult during the active life of the battery to express to its members the affection I felt for them collectively and individually, and the high personal regard I had for them all, both as soldiers and friends."We were never fortunate enough to be called into action, but at all times, I am sure, that all those who came in contact with Battery D felt that its personnel could be depended upon to do the right thing at the right time. We all had our blue moments, but, wherever we may go, or whatever we do, the spirit of Battery D and the friendships we made will help us."Let me conclude by wishing a life of health, happiness and success to all my old friends in Battery D, and may I further add that, in looking back, I could have no greater wish than to feel that their friendship and respect for me could be as great as the friendship and respect I hold for them all."Capt. A. L. Smith."Stepping Stones," Gwynedd Valley, Pa., 1920.
"I desire to express to all the men with whom I was fortunate enough to serve, sincere thanks for their universal loyalty and courtesy to me and the other officers who were with me. It was difficult during the active life of the battery to express to its members the affection I felt for them collectively and individually, and the high personal regard I had for them all, both as soldiers and friends.
"We were never fortunate enough to be called into action, but at all times, I am sure, that all those who came in contact with Battery D felt that its personnel could be depended upon to do the right thing at the right time. We all had our blue moments, but, wherever we may go, or whatever we do, the spirit of Battery D and the friendships we made will help us.
"Let me conclude by wishing a life of health, happiness and success to all my old friends in Battery D, and may I further add that, in looking back, I could have no greater wish than to feel that their friendship and respect for me could be as great as the friendship and respect I hold for them all."
Capt. A. L. Smith.
"Stepping Stones," Gwynedd Valley, Pa., 1920.
"I had the good fortune to serve with the best Battalion of Field Artillery in the United States Army--the Second Battalion, 311th F. A."Major D. A. Reed.909 Amberson Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 1920.
"I had the good fortune to serve with the best Battalion of Field Artillery in the United States Army--the Second Battalion, 311th F. A."
Major D. A. Reed.
909 Amberson Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 1920.
"My memories of Battery D are the most pleasant of my army experiences. I know that your book will fulfill the very definite need for a complete and accurate account of the experiences and travels of the members of the battery."Capt. Perry E. Hall.Springfield, N. J., 1920.
"My memories of Battery D are the most pleasant of my army experiences. I know that your book will fulfill the very definite need for a complete and accurate account of the experiences and travels of the members of the battery."
Capt. Perry E. Hall.
Springfield, N. J., 1920.
"It would indeed be most regrettable should there be nothing permanent to remind us of those ties of friendship, far greater than those of organization, which bound us together for the greater part oftwo years. The recollection of the wonderful spirit and morale of those with whom we were so intimately associated must ever bring back that old feeling of just pride which we all felt in our battery."Lieut. Frank J. Hamilton.4822 N. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa., 1920.
"It would indeed be most regrettable should there be nothing permanent to remind us of those ties of friendship, far greater than those of organization, which bound us together for the greater part oftwo years. The recollection of the wonderful spirit and morale of those with whom we were so intimately associated must ever bring back that old feeling of just pride which we all felt in our battery."
Lieut. Frank J. Hamilton.
4822 N. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa., 1920.
"The happiest days of my life were spent in the 311th F. A. and one of my best friends is Captain Smith of Battery D."Lieut.-Col. Herbert H. Hayden.Army & Navy Club, Washington, D. C., 1920.
"The happiest days of my life were spent in the 311th F. A. and one of my best friends is Captain Smith of Battery D."
Lieut.-Col. Herbert H. Hayden.
Army & Navy Club, Washington, D. C., 1920.
1918.July 13--Left Camp Meade, Md., U. S. A.July 14--Set sail from Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Pa.July 17--At anchor in Halifax harbor, Nova Scotia.July 20--Left Halifax bound overseas.July 30--Battle with German U-Boats.July 31--Landed in Barry, South Wales.August 3--Hiked to Southampton, England.August 4--Landed in Cherbourg, France.August 5--Left Cherbourg via rail.August 7--Arrived in Montmorillon.September 4--Left Montmorillon via box car.September 4--Arrived at La Courtine.November 14--Left La Courtine via box car.November 16--Detrained at La Tracey.November 16--Landed in Ville sous La Ferte.November 26--Left Ville sous La Ferte via motor train.November 26--Arrived at Blancheville.December 19--One hundred left on horse convoy.December 25--Mule convoy arrived at Cirey les Mareilles.1919.January 9--Left Blancheville mounted.January 13--Arrived at Benoite Vaux.March 19--Trip by road to Boncourt.April 1--Left Boncourt mounted.April 3--Arrived in Cirey Les Mareilles.April 12--Matériel turned in at Andelot.April 19--Entrained at Rimaucourt.April 21--Arrived at St. Nazaire.May 14--Set sail for United States.May 27--Arrived in New York harbor.May 28--Debarked at Bush Terminal, Brooklyn.May 28--Arrived in Camp Dix, N. J.May 30--Battery officially discharged.June 4--Discharge papers distributed.