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100 Years Ago This Week: First Battalion is Trying to Organize a Band.

Background:  In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, enlisted in the United States Army’s 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers. In November he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  

From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday July 7, 1918– Very hot today.  All stay in camp.  Hanger (?) and Kraft put on real party.

Monday July 8– Whole detachment is confined to camp on account of some parties pulled off during the last few days by sergeants, M.E and sailors (?).

Tuesday July 9– First battalion is trying to organize a band.  I should be ashamed of my spirit but I do not care to play and have tried to keep out of it but have been ordered out to practice every night this week.   Needless to say I did not argue, just went.

Wednesday July 10

Thursday July 11– A wonderful letter from Marion today.  I am very happy tonight. I am most anxious than ever to return alive now.  Notified to attend examination for E. O. R. C.

Friday July 12– Major Wiesel is today transferred to a training school.  Everyone in camp are very happy for Capt. Elam  is to take his place.

Saturday July 13– Capt Campbell (?) and Lt. Benjamam were today notified of their transfer to training (?) camp.  I sure hate to see Capt. Campbell go.

First Battalion Band

Tuesday July 9– First battalion is trying to organize a band.  

Does Poppa have musical talent that he can contribute by being part of the band?  The grocery store in Poynette has a display of historical pictures.  In a picture of the Poynette High School band from about 1908 Poppa is shown with a trombone.

Engineer Officers Reserve Corps

Thursday July 11–   Notified to attend examination for E. O. R. C.

EORC apparently stands for the Engineer Officers Reserve Corp.  The following description of the EORC is from the The Journal of the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia and Affiliated Societies:

Candidates for appointment in the Engineer Officers Reserve Corps will be examined either a. for duty with combatant Engineer troops or other duties in the service of the front or b. for special service on the lines of communications or other points in rear including Engineer work in connection with seacoast defenses as hereinafter indicated Officers appointed under b will not ordinarily be assigned to combatant duties but will be subjected to such assignment whenever needed.   The examinations shall be especially directed to ascertaining the practical capacity of the applicant and the record of previous service and training of the applicant shall be considered as a part of the examination Military experience or training in the Regular Army Volunteers or National Guard or at training camps or educational institutions will be noted and reported by the board and considered in making the recommendations.

New Commanding Officer

Friday July 12– Major Wiesel is today transferred to a training school.  Everyone in camp are very happy for Capt. Elam  is to take his place.

The first commanding officer of Poppa’s unit was Edwin E. Hartwick.  After he died on March 31st, 1918 Major F. R. Weisel took command.  Now Captain Arthur W. Elam has become the commanding officer of the Company A.

Arthur W. Elam

Prior to entering the army Captain Arthur W. Elam was president of the A.W. Elam lumber company of San Francisco and was a logging engineer at Elam, Ormsbee and Staples.

From the March 1918 edition of the Timberman: “AW Elam of San Francisco Cal of the well known logging engineering firm of Elam, Ormsbee and Staples has arrived safely in France.   He is a captain in the 20th Engineers Forest and will give a good account of himself.”

According to a blog called Coast Redwood Adventures: “Elam Creek in Redwood National Park that crosses the Redwood Creek Trail was named after Captain Elam.”

Here is a video about the 20th Engineers in WWI.

Next Week: Exam very unsatisfactory

Sources:

“20thEngineers.Com.” 20thEngineers.Com – World War 1 – 10th Battalion, www.20thengineers.com/. Accessed 19 June 2018.

“Captain A. E. Elam. Redwood Forest Engineer.” Redwood Facts. Redwood Information. Sequoia Sempervirens., www.mdvaden.com/redwood_elam.shtml. Accessed 22 June 2018.

The Journal of the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia and Affiliated Societies

 

 

 

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100 Years ago This Week: The Newspapers are Very Encouraging

Background:  In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, enlisted in the United States Army’s  20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers.  In November he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  

From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday June 23, 1918– Rather quiet day. The past two weeks have been wet and rather cool.  Today is again warmer.

Monday June 24– Some mail today.  Two wonderful letters from Marion.  I am very happy today and henceforth.  Also letters from home.

Tuesday June 25– The newspapers are very encouraging.  Austrias failure of her offensive timed to Italy’s victory.  

Wednesday June 26– The hospital is rapidly getting into shape.  Have a good crew of carpenters who should not take long to build it.  

Thursday June 27– Not very busy today.  Weather warm. A few more letters from home.

Friday June 28– All quiet on the Dax sector today.

Saturday June 29– Took supper at Cheval Blanc.  Went to picture show in evening.  

Monday June 24– Some mail today.  Two wonderful letters from Marion.  I am very happy today and henceforth.

What was it about his latest letters from Marion Clarkson Brown that made him “very happy today and henceforth”?  Have they some how taken their relationship to a new level through the mail?

Italy Pushes Back

Tuesday June 25– The newspapers are very encouraging.  Austria’s failure of her offensive timed to Italy’s victory.

In 1915 Italy joined Britain as one of the Allied Powers.  Austria was on the German side.  On June 15th, 1918 Austrian troops began an offensive along the Piave River in Italy, at the urging of the Germans. Although suffering from a lack of food, horses and supplies, they crossed the river and established a 12-mile front, but then realize they can not hold it against the Italian Army and withdraw after suffering 150,000 casualties. Following this, Austrian soldiers in Italy begin deserting. This  Second Battle of the Piave River,  which ended on June 23rd, was a decisive victory for the Italian Army.   It would later become clear that the battle was in fact the beginning of the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Regimental Hospital

Wednesday June 26– The hospital is rapidly getting into shape.  Have a good crew of carpenters who should not take long to build it.

In a previous entry (Friday April 26, 1918) Poppa wrote– “Started survey for hospital site down the river around the hotel and seminary.  Many very interesting things around these places and have met several English speaking people.”  And, on Wednesday June 5, “Grading and setting sills for regimental hospital which will be located here.  Consisting of 5 large tents, five small and two buildings.”

Poppa refers to the ‘seminary’ in Dax, France.  The seminary was named for St. Vincent de Paul who was born in Pouy, near Dax, France  in 1581.  In the later half of the 19th century his followers built the seminary near the birthplace of Vincent.   The bull ring where Poppa served as part of Company A of the 20th Engineers is nearby.  During the WWI, the Great Seminary of Pouy was used as a civilian Hospital from September, 1st 1914 to January 27, 1919.
Apparently Poppa and the other engineers were engaged in building an American Army hospital near the existing civilian hospital which was housed in the seminary built to honor St. Vincent de Paul.  This hospital had been authorized by Poppa’s commanding officer Major Edward E. Hartwick prior to his death on March 31, 1918.  (Thank you to Michel Boquet for providing information about the seminary and hospital).
The Cheval Blanc (or White Horse) where Poppa had dinner on June 29th, 1918
Next Week: Dominion Day and A July Fourth Fire
Sources:
“Second Battle of the Piave River.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 June 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_the_Piave_River. Accessed 19 June 2018.
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100 Years Ago This Week: An Easter Tragedy

Background:  In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, joined the United States Army.  He was assigned to the 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers. In November he sailed to St. Nazaire, France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is now based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  

From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday Mar 31, 1918– Not a very pleasant Easter as today at 3:25 Pm Major Hartwick died.  There will never be another major after service under this man. Body shipped to Bordeaux tonight. Hq Dept. bought nice wreath of flowers.

Monday April 1– Funeral at  B ———- today.  Several of the boys were allowed to go, I could not go.  Rained nearly all day here.

Tuesday April 2– Major Weisel has taken over command of our battalion.  Rec’d notice to go to B— tomorrow for examination for Corps of Engineers U.S. Army.

Wednesday April 3– Did not go to B—— for exam, postponed.  Some real nice mail today.

Thursday April 4 –Working each day at building garage and machine shop.  Building in all 36×60. Have had 8 men each day on the job.

Friday April 5– Took exam for Corp of Engineers today.  Two Colonels gave it. Not very much encouraged over outcome.  Going to B—- this PM for physical examination.

Saturday April 6– Spent day at B——. Took physical exam at base hospital (?) 6 , saw many interesting things.  “Skin clear except for recent ? Bites. 3 of us took exam. Brundage an (?) Johnson were the others.

Death of a Commanding Officer

Major Edward E. Hartwick

Sunday Mar 31– “Not a very pleasant Easter as today at 3:25 Pm Major Hartwick died.  There will never be another major after service under this man. Body shipped to Bordeaux tonight. Hq Dept. bought nice wreath of flowers.”

Edward E. Hartwick had graduated from West Point and served in the Spanish American war.  He retired from the army and went into the lumber business in Grayling and Detroit Michigan until he rejoined the army in 1917 to work as an officer in the 20th Engineers.  It appears that Poppa worked closely with him and for a time was his orderly.

According to the book ” A Biographical Study of Major Edward E Hartwick” by Gordon K.Miller the Major died of meningitis Sunday March 31,  1918 at 3:25 Pm French time and he was buried at 3 PM Monday in Bordeaux, France.

It appears that Poppa and his mates had great respect for the Major.  One of his soldier friends that Poppa mentions frequently in his journal is M.Malone who wrote this letter to the Major’s widow:

“I am only a private but having been in the office with and around the Major since the organization of his battalion in Washington I naturally came to know him and I consider it not only an honor but a revelation to have been associated with and commanded by a man of his character and ability.  He was never tiring in his labors never weakening in his undertakings, and always looking out for the comfort and welfare of his men.  He was faithful to his country, he was faithful to his family, and thus he came to the end of a perfect day on this earth And now I would write across his records here was a MAN and a SOLDIER to the end.”

(Apparently private M. Malone was later promoted to sergeant.   According to Poppa’s address book Sgt. Malone was later involved in the lumber business in Beaumont Texas.)

Two years after Hartwick’s death his body was removed and buried in Detroit Michigan.   In 1927, his widow purchased more than 8,000 acres  of land in  Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and donated the parcel to the state of Michigan in her husband’s name. This became the  Hartwick Pines State Park, the largest state park in the lower Peninsula.

“Monday April 1– Funeral at  B ———- today.  Several of the boys were allowed to go, I could not go.  Rained nearly all day here.”

Was Poppa disappointed that he was not allowed to attend the Major’s funeral?   Bordeaux is about 90 miles from Dax.

Tuesday April 2– “Major Weisel has taken over command of our battalion.”

In this screen shot of officers of the 20th Engineers Captain F.R. Weisel is number 6.

The only other reference I could find to Major Weisel was in this article from the 1918 edition of the American Lumberman.

 

Bordeaux

In his journal entries this week Poppa referred to Bordeaux or B—- almost every day.  He reported that Major Hartwick was buried there and later in the week Poppa received his physical exam there at Base Hospital 6.

Bordeaux , a French city about 90 miles from Dax, where Poppa was stationed is the world’s major wine industry capital and in 1918 had a population of over 250,000 people.

Base hospital 6 was located near Bordeaux.  It was organized at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and traveled to France a a unit.  They left New York on July 9, 1917 and were treating patients in Bordeaux by August 21st.

According to Michel Boquet:  “Foreign soldiers who died there were buried at the Talence Communal Cemetery extension. The Americans were later exhumed and buried or in their country or at the Suresnes American Cemetery. Mainly, the Canadians stayed there.”

A drawing of Base Hospital 6
This picture of a portion of Base Hospital 6 was taken in April of 1918.

I wonder how long it took to travel from Dax to Bordeaux in 1918?  Did they drive a military vehicle or did they take a train?

Next Week:  We all Hope That the French and English Will Hold Them

Sources:

“A Biographical Sketch of Major Edward E. Hartwick.” Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2018.

“Edward Hartwick.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Mar. 2018. Web. 22 Mar. 2018.

“American Forestry.” Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2018.

“American Lumberman.” Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2018.

“Bordeaux.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Mar. 2018. Web. 07 Apr. 2018.
“OnViewCurated Content from the Center for the History of Medicine’s Extraordinary Collections.” Omeka RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2018.
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100 Years Ago This Week: We are Due for a Furlough

Background:  In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, joined the United States Army.  He was assigned to the 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers. In November he sailed to St. Nazaire, France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is now based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.

From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday Mar 24, 1918– A very beautiful Sunday.  Weather for last few days has been hot during middle of day.  Very wonderful nights.

Monday Mar 25– Reg. Headquarters arrived today, 36 in all.  Pass privilege has been much restricted. Mail today only about two weeks in route.

Tuesday Mar 26 –Major H– taken sick last night.  This life is getting to be a grind and would welcome a change.  Hope to hear some news to go soon.

Wednesday Mar 27–Some back mail today.  All dated around Feb 1st.  Have run out of American ink.  

Thursday Mar 28– Have been in France four months today.  We are due for a furlough now but no one seems anxious to go at present.

Friday Mar 29– Major is very sick.  All are wishing for is recovery to good health.

Saturday Mar 30– Half a days work today.  Are building a garage now.  About the same job I had two years ago this spring.   

Thursday Mar 28– “Have been in France four months today.  We are due for a furlough now but no seems anxious to go at present.”

At the beginning of the WWI the commanders of the countries involved expected that the war would be short and did not consider letting soldiers have have time off.  However, as the war dragged on the morale of the soldiers became more of a factor and those in charge began to experiment with short periods of leave for the soldiers.  Originally the British decided that soldiers were entitled to a leave after 15 months.

However, by the time America entered the war in 1917 it was general practice for soldiers to receive 3 short leaves per year.

According to the book “World War I” by Jennifer D. Keene wrote the army preferred that soldiers spend their leave in YMCA run resorts instead of cities where they would be harder to recall in an emergency and where they were more likely to be faced with temptations such as liquor and/or women.

WWI soldiers on leave

Poppa’s statement that after 4 months in France he was due for a furlough seems consistent with the practice of 3 leaves a year.

Friday Mar 29– “Major is very sick.  All are wishing for is recovery to good health.”

Poppa is referring to his commanding officer Major Edward Hartwick.  Based on previous entries it appears that Poppa and his colleagues respected the Major.  Now it appears that they are concerned about his health.

Although he did not name Major Hartwick’s diagnosis, the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918  was just starting to be identified.  Only 3 weeks earlier, on March 8th the first case of soldier with the flu was diagnosed in Fort Riley, Kansas.  Of course as soldiers were transported overseas the flu travelled with them.  Within a year over 20 million people world wide would die from the flu.

Next Week:  An Easter Tragedy

Sources:

“Soldiers on Leave.” New Articles RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2018.
“World War I.” Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2018.
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100 Years Ago This Week: Each Company Gets a Victrola

Background: In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, joined the United States Army.  He was a private in the 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers. After training at Camp American University  he sailed in November to St. Nazaire, France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is now based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.

From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday Feb 24, 1918– Field meet tonight.  Nearly  5000 people saw Co. A win the meet.  It reminds me of meets in the U.S.A.  Hdq won second in relay race. Supper at White Horse.

Monday Feb 25– Drew plan of garage and machine shop today.  Minstrel (?) show practice tonight.

Tuesday Feb 26– Mrs. Hartwick(?) has given a Victrola  to each company and one to hdq.  Ours was handed over to us tonight.

Wednesday Feb 27– Received a package of candy from Marion today.  I was wishing for some when it came.  Some candy too.

Thursday Feb 28– This is my father’s birthday.  Good luck to you dad and lets hope that your next birthday we will spend together.

Friday March 1– Joe and I claim the billiard championship.

Saturday March 2 – Shorty and Brundage with men from companies go after trucks and automobiles. Rainy season is on now with snow today.  

The White Horse Restaurant

Sunday Feb 24, 1918– “ …Supper at White Horse.”  

It appears that the White Horse ( Cheval Blanc in French) was a popular place for Poppa and his buddies to have dinner as he mentions it frequently in his journal entries.

A circa early 1900s picture of the White Horse restaurant in Dax, France.

Victrolas

Tuesday Feb 26– “Mrs. Hartwick (?) has given a Victrola  to each company and one to hdq.  Ours was handed over to us tonight. “

A pre-1920 model Victrola

Thomas Edison invented the Phonograph in 1877.  Victrola was a brand of phonograph manufactured by the Victor Talking Machine Company.  By 1915 many average Americans could afford to have one in their homes.

Sometimes Poppa’s handwriting isn’t legible.  It’s not clear in his journal who was making the Victrola’s available to the soldiers but it appears to be Mrs. Hartwick.  Edward E. Hartwick was Poppa’s commanding officer so maybe his wife provided the phonographs?   I have uploaded a picture of the journal page here.  Can you decipher the name?

In 1915, after a year of war in Europe, the phonograph was pressed into military service.   They could be used to provide entertainment for soldiers.  Apparently they were also used as an instructional tool.

 

Poppa’s older brother Hugh Clancy Jamieson (Great-Uncle Clancy) was also in the army in 1917.  It appears that he served in the states as the only address for his  brother in his journal is Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois .  An article published in the (Madison) Wisconsin State Journal on Oct 15, 1917 indicated that “the Madison Boys in Company I want a Victrola to pass the time…”   According to the article the Victrola should be sent to Uncle Clancy at Camp Grant.

October 15, 1917 article from Wisconsin State Journal Journal
Camp Grant, Rockford Il, Early 20th century

Thursday Feb 28– “This is my father’s birthday.  Good luck to you dad and lets hope that your next birthday we will spend together.” 

Poppa’s father was Addison Jackson Jamieson (28 feb 1858- 22 April 1943). 

Addison Jackson Jamieson in undated photo

According to the “History of Columbia County Wisconsin” Addison’s older brother (Poppa’s uncle) Hugh Pierce Jamieson was said to be  “the first white chid born in Columbia County WI” in 1852.  HP also served in the Wisconsin State assembly in 1893.  Note that Poppa’s grandparents gave their sons middle names after US presidents that they liked.  

Poppa’s parents Eliza Duff Jamieson and Addison Jackson Jamieson circa 1921.

 

Saturday March 2 – “Shorty and Brundage with men from companies go after trucks and automobiles.”

Poppa mentions Shorty and Brundage frequently in in his journal.  It appears that they were friends.  Shorty is obviously a nickname for an unknown soldier.  In his address book Poppa wrote “M.R. Brundage, Sonora, California”.

Thanks to Michel Boquet for finding this picture of M.R. Brundage

Next Week:  A Lecture on “German Kultur”

Sources:

Schlenoff, Dan. “The Phonograph Goes to War, 1915.” Scientific American Blog Network. N.p., 06 Nov. 2015. Web. 21 Feb. 2018.

“The History of Columbia County, Wisconsin, Containing an Account of Its Settlement … Its War Record, Biographical Sketches … the Whole Preceded by a History of Wisconsin, Statistics of the State, and an Abstract of Its Laws and Constitution and of the Constitution of the United States.” Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2018