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68th Regiment of Coast Artillery
McLean County, Illinois

[McLean County, Illinois, in the World War, 1917-1918; by Edward E. Pierson & Jacob Louis Hasbrouck c 1921]
(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

The second largest contingent of draft men which went out of McLean county at any one time was that which departed in April, 1918, for camps in the east. Most of that contingent became absorbed into the 68th regiment of Coast Artillery, which was organized at Fort Wright and other defenses on Long Island. An official history of that regiment published at the end of 1919 was as follows: The Sixty-eighth was organized in the coast defense of Long Island, the first of June, 1918. The officers had been designated earlier in the war department orders. The spirit, energy and discipline of the regiment was exemplified from the first. When each man was asked if he wanted to go across, those who replied promptly, "Yes, sir," were chosen; all others were dropped from the list. At Fort Terry was regiment headquarters, also the medical department and batteries A, B, and C. Batteries D, E., and F were at Fort Wright, also the supply company. Lieut. Col. Henry Fairfax Ayers was in charge of the unit at Fort Wright. Actual work began with a lecture by Col. Ayers, who is a West Pointer, on matters of discipline, dress, personal bearing, etc. The batteries began work at once in target practice, and the supply company in issuing overseas equipment and trying to get what was needed. The regiment was finally supplied with "Class C" equipment, when word came that "Class A" was the last word in European styles. One day after a parade in a sizzling heat thru the streets of New London, when the men returned to barracks "all in," word came that the regiment would leave the next morning. Immediately drooping spirits revived, and the men worked all night packing for the trip. Harbor boats took the men to New London, where Red Cross ladies served refreshments, and then after conflicting rumors of the possible port of embarkation, the trip for Boston began. The regiment detrained at the Cunard docks at Boston, and boarded the British ship Leicestershire. The men were loaded into the hold, which formed their mess halls and their sleeping quarters for the trip across. The start in the voyage was made in a heavy fog and after a day's sailing, much to the surprise of the men, the ship dropped anchor in New York harbor. The stay there was short, however, and the next day another start was made, with the vessel's nose poked out to sea. The fifth day out, the vessel caught up with the rest of the convoy, six transports and a British cruiser. Two days before reaching England, an escort of British destroyers met the convoy. The regiment 's yell or battle cry was originated on this voyage. An assemblage of officers in the lounge one afternoon discussed such a yell. It was agreed that the forceful "Gang-wall,' so often heard from members of the Hindoo crew of the vessel, should be part of the cry. Soon this yell was evolved, 'Gang-wah. Six-Eight. Hoo-Eah." That remained, the official yell of the regiment during the rest of its career. One day a British destroyer, No. 68, crossed the bows of the transport, and when the men from the railing shouted their yell, so appropriate to the destroyer, there came an answering cheer from the warship, and her commander sent a wireless vote of thanks. After fifteen days on the ocean the transport landed at Tillsbury docks on the Thames in London. The ship was given a noisy greeting by the ships in the harbor, and the regimental band and the "gang-wahs" returned the compliment. Just as the ship was docking an alarm was sounded warning of an air raid, which furnished a new thrill to the Americans. They were all curiosity but soon the "recall" signal was given, as the raiders had been driven off. This was the last air raid attempted by the Germans over London. The next morning the regiment went ashore and were welcomed by King George and taken to Romsey, a rest camp. The fifth day, the regiment set out on a ten mile hike to Southampton, which they reached at noon and were issued sandwiches by the British Red Cross. The trip across the channel was made on the Narrangansett, an old ship owned by the Central Vermont railroad, and used on the other side during the war for carrying troops. The boat took half the regiment over, reaching LeHavre at 5 p. m., and the rest of the regiment came on another boat and debarked at the same time. The men were packed into the boats. On the dock at LeHavre they saw German war prisoners for the first time. Here they also saw a long American Red Cross train coming in, loaded with wounded men, the sight of which brought the war closer to them. From the anchorage to the harbor, the men admired a wonderful hill back of the city, but little dreamed they would have to ascend it. After being officially welcomed by the city, they began their long hike up the hill. Leaving LeHavre, the regiment went to Best Camp No. 1, where they spent a day and a half in cleaning up, etc. They left this camp at 11 o'clock at night on August 30, 1918, and marched silently down the hill to the train sheds where they were first introduced to French railroad facilities, cars built for "eight horses, 40 men." The men were crowded so that only half of them could lie down at once to try and rest. On the train they ate British rations, and coffee was served at the stations by the French Eed Cross. On Sunday, September 1, the trains landed at Libourne, where the regiment was split up and billeted in different towns, St. Denis de Piles, St. Pardon, Arvayres, and regimental headquarters at Vayres. The billets consisted of old barns, houses, vacant stores, sheds and cafes that had gone dry. Soon the cooks and K. P.'s had coffee, bully beef and hard tack ready to serve. On September 16 a course of instruction in heavy artillery was established for officers, one for each battalion, conducted by an American and a French officer. Real field problems were worked out, the school lasting until November 4. Special details of men and officers were sent to special schools, such as anti-aircraft, machine gun, gas, radio, aerial observation, and the like. Excitement ran nigh on rumors of an armistice and papers were scanned for "dope." When the news of the actually signing of the armistice reached the regiment, the lid was blown off, and November 11 and 12 given to celebration. Each battalion held a parade and were reviewed by the mayor and regimental officers. From that time on, the exercises were just enough to keep in physical condition. The guns were shipped to St. Sulpice to be packed and ready to ship home. About November 24 another excitement arose on rumors of a start for home soon. It was a race to see which battalion would report ready first, and then which regiment first. All equipment but bare necessities were turned in, and yet no word came to move. It was raining constantly. On account of the rush order, there were pre- mature celebrations of Thanksgiving, with its feast. The country was scoured for turkeys and many secured. With lack of drills on account of constant rains, time hung heavy on the men's hands. The band then did its part to keep up spirits, by going in turn to each battalion for concerts. Inspection showed a fine record in sanitation for the regi- ment. Only five deaths from flu occurred in the regiment, while the disease was ravaging the French population. From the time of its organization the regiment had seen many changes of officers. On January 8, 1919, Col. M. C. Barnes took command and piloted the 68th on its homeward journey. Delay of the embarkation officers at Bordeaux was exasperating, but due to the persistency of Col. Barnes the order to move came on January 23. One cold, bitter day was spent at embarkation camp No. 1 and nine days at Camp No. 2. The Salvation Army supplied little comforts and made the boys feel at least as if they were nearer home. On February 3, 1919, the 68th moved to Bassens docks and then to the S. S. Matsonia. It was a happy day to be really on board ship. The voyage home was rough. The men were given two meals a day. On February 15 the ship emerged from the heavy fog and headed into New York harbor. The ship dropped anchor at Fiftieth street at 5 p. m. The next morning she docked at Hoboken and after debarkation the men were sent to Camp Mills. There they got hot meals, received a real delousing and spent much time on leaves to New York. On February 21 the regiment left for Fort Wadsworth and on the 25th the Illinois detachment left for Camp Grant, and it seemed as if the entire regiment was going. On the evening of March 7 the officers of Fort Wadsworth tendered a farewell dance to the officers of the regiment which was to cease to exist as a regiment after that date.

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