ainbow Division by Secretary of War
Baker because of its national composition, comprising units of
twenty-six states.

At Camp Geismar, as Colonel Reilly named the regiment's encampment
alongside Fort Sheridan, there was daily drill with the American 3-inch
pieces. On July 30 the regiment was reviewed by General Berry, who was
inspecting units of the 42d Division. Some of the "border veterans" of
the battery had gone to the first Reserve Officers' Training Camp, and
about twenty-five former members of Battery E received commissions.

On September 3, 1917, the regiment left Chicago for Camp Mills, First
Lieutenant Howard R. Stone in command, Captain Odell having been
transferred to Second Battalion headquarters as captain-adjutant.
Sergeant John Cowan and Corporal Russel Royer had shortly before been
commissioned second lieutenants, the former remaining in the battery and
the latter going to Headquarters Company.

September 7, 1917, First Lieutenant Lawrence B. Robbins was transferred
from Battery C to the command of Battery E, and shortly afterwards
commissioned captain.

Having no horses or guns, the regiment received plenty of foot drill,
relieved by short periods of setting-up exercises, trigger-squeeze
pistol practice and instruction in first aid to the wounded. The foot
drill became hikes through Garden City and vicinity, then regimental
reviews, and finally exhibited the accomplishment of the men in reviews
by Secretary of War Baker and Major-General Mann.

Evenings, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, and Sundays gave generous
opportunity for sampling the varied diversions of New York City, and the
hospitality of the residents of the neighboring towns of Long Island.
And these pleasures were well sampled! The batteries of the 149th
entertained the corresponding organizations of the 150th and 151st
regiments on the evening of September 28, when Colonel Reilly's
description of warfare in France furnished interesting instruction, and
abundant refreshments caused general content and satisfaction. The
following week, the 151st returned the compliment, with equal enjoyment.

October 2, an additional detail of men left for Newport News, where they
joined the men who had left Fort Sheridan with the horses, at the
remount station. About this time Lieutenant Packard, from the Plattsburg
camp, was attached to Battery E.

Constant instruction in making packs and rolls hinted at leaving. Then
the making of allotments a