a running stream. Fortunately the afternoon was
clear. The horses were lined up on the drill field, paired off in teams,
and assigned to the batteries. Drivers were named to care for teams, and
"Slim" O'Meara became Regimental Stable Sergeant.

About this time came various changes in the battery. November 30, First
Sergeant Vinnedge, Sergeant Weisman and Corporal Richardson left for
officers' school at Saumur. Sergeant Suter filled the position of
"top-cutter" for a short time, being succeeded by Sergeant McElhone
December 16, who was appointed First Sergeant December 27. Lieutenant
Stone had gone to Battery F, taking command when Captain Benedict left.
Lieutenant Smith had been assigned to Battery E on November 20. Later he
followed Lieutenant Stone to F. Lieutenants Ennis, Adams, Apperson,
Cronin, Stapleton and Bowman came to the battery from Saumur early in
January. Lieutenant Ennis had been with the battery as a private on the
border. Mechanic Youngs went to mechanics' school at Grandicourt on
January 4. Lieutenant Waters went to the British front for first-hand
knowledge of trench warfare the same day.

An engineers' squad was formed, consisting of Corporal Pond, Privates
Bowra, Dolan, Dunn, George, Overstreet, Potter, Foster and Vavrinek, who
were mastering the intricate mysteries of trench digging and camouflage,
in order to do skillfully the construction of the battery's gun
positions in the field. In conformance, too, with the new mode of
warfare to be met, a machine gun crew was picked, including Corporal
Buckley and Privates Berney and McCarthy.

Upon returning from a day at the range December 19, the battery was
greeted with the news that the regiment was under quarantine and
confined to camp on account of a few cases of spinal meningitis
discovered that day. That ended the passes to Rennes, and the evening
and Sunday visits to Guer, St. Malo and other neighboring villages. The
weekend passes to Rennes had been much sought for. One left camp
Saturday afternoon and returned Sunday night, making the 40-kilometre
trip in two to four hours, depending on the success with which the
diminutive engine that pulled the train made the ascent of the hills en
route. On one occasion it could not make the grade on either the first
or second attempt, sliding back down hill each time. Finally the boys
all jumped off, and without the burden of their weight and aided by
their pushing, the engine, puffing hard, made the top,