that end, dates and
places are indicated fully, and pains have been taken to have these
accurate and exact.

To Lloyd Holton, Stuart Lawrence, Waldo Magnusen, Harry E. Loomis, Jr.,
and Harland Beatty thanks are due for the photographs supplying the
interesting illustrations, which tell better than many words how the men
of the battery lived. The meagreness of the illustrations is due to the
army order forbidding cameras being taken to the front. We regret that
this order was in rare instances violated, but are glad to be able to
publish the photographs which resulted from such violations.

This book itself is a lasting indication of the gratitude of the men of
the battery to the relatives and friends included in the Battery E
chapter of the 149th F. A. War Relief, from whom came the funds for the
publication of this volume. The acknowledgement of this generosity is
made with the recollection of many previous kindnesses, so numerous,
indeed, that an adequate appreciation of the services and sacrifices of
those at home is impossible to express.

PREFACE

Battery E of the First Field Artillery of the Illinois National Guard
was organized at Chicago, October 23, 1915, Captain Henry J. Reilly in
command. On June 27, 1916, it was mustered into federal service for duty
on the Mexican border, and mustered out October 28, 1916, after training
at Leon Springs, Arkansas, and taking part in the famous "Austin Hike."
The battery met for drill at the Dexter Pavilion, Union Stock Yards,
Chicago, on Monday nights.

After the United States declared war, April 6, 1917, the battery began
recruiting to bring its strength up to war basis, and drilled Monday and
Friday evenings. Sergeants Herman Leprohon and Thomas Atkinson, of the
Regular Army, who directed the drill at this time, were commissioned
first lieutenants in the regiment before it left Chicago. May 22 Paul E.
Landrus was appointed First Sergeant, John J. O'Meara, Supply Sergeant,
and F. O. Johnson, Stable Sergeant.

Governor Lowden ordered the battery into service June 30, 1917, when
drill became daily. July 9, the battery entrained for Fort Sheridan with
its 30 horses, guns, caissons and supplies. First Lieutenant Irving
Odell was in command, Captain Reilly having become colonel of the
regiment, now the 149th U. S. Field Artillery. The regiment was mustered
into federal service July 20, as part of the 67th F. A. Brigade and of
the 42d Division, already named the R