Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1919 — MOTHER PROUD OF SON’S RECORD [ARTICLE]

MOTHER PROUD OF SON’S RECORD

SERGEANT MYRES, SON OF MRs>l GEORGE M. MYRES, SAW • “ ' ■ ~ ; ■- ~i— T - '4 ' -■ i "- 1 « ■ . r* _ Sergeant Harland H. Best, son of Mrs. George M. Myres, has returned to his home in Washington, 111., having been, honorably 'discharged at Camp Grant. He entered the service early, being among the very first to enlist. His company saw active service in three big offensives against the Huns—‘St. Mihiel, Argonne and Meuse. His company covered themselves with glory and were cited for most meritorious service. Sergeant Best was most fortunate, having gone throughout these strenuous campaigns without a scratch, while the loss in his company by transfers to hospitals or discharges was one hundred. The company was associated with a French divisnn on the battle front for some time and the French general commended the Americans very highly and in a general order says: “Thanks to the support given, thanks to the effective fire of destruction made -by the U. S. and the fire made by the French Mortar Battery the results sought by the division have been attained. The general addresses to all officers and soldiers his thanks.” Major General McNair in a copy of a general order pays this compliment to the Army of Artillery, Army, A. E. F.: “The mission intrusted to. you by your country has been ably performed. It has been rendered at all times with a spirit ' of cheerful and steadfast self-sacri-fice,under -conditions- of 'continual hardship and danger.” This was but a brief part of a very complimentary report. Sergt. Best is very modest in telling of his experiences. He tells some most thrilling events and talks plainly of the way the conduct of the war impressed him. Their treatment while in the service in France was very good, with the exception at Brest, where the accommodations were poor and the grub was also not up to standard. Harland lays this to the fact that they had too many troops to handle through that, seaport. While in action their grub of course was limited, but every four hours they made good in getting some kind of food up to the gunners. The French people generally treated them pretty good and they got along first rate when working along with the French troops. However, he says that conditions are so different in that country and the people have different ideas so that it was not the same as if they were living with their own folks at home. The country there is not improved or advanced like our country, but Sergt. Best thinks that their coming in contact with American people and learning our ways will be a wonderful advantage to their country and will help them to advance. Like some of the other boys, Harland does not throw many boqiiets at the Y. M. C. A. workers at the front. He does pay his compliments to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army# When they landed in this country their Captain had prepared a roster and data of their company—Battery E. 51st Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps. It is a little booklet in printed form and a copy was given to each of the company, which will certainly be a valuable relic for them. In the back of the booklet is a picture taken of their fourth gun crew with an 8-inch howitzer at Souilly, Meuse. In this picture Sergt. Best is shown with the squad of five. This picture was printed also a number of months ago in the Chicago and other city papers. . In this booklet is found a complete list of all the officers and men, the losses and a historical sketch of a few of the principal Events of which we give: i Left Fort Wadsworth, N. Y., July 21, 1917, designated as 3rd Co. Arrived at Fort Adams, R. I. Here this company became Battery E, of the Coast Artillery Expeditionary Brigade, which was organizing for over- 1 seas duty. The unit arrived m Liverpool Sept. 15, 1917, and in France Sept. 24. They began actual service on the front at La Gauffiere* on June 27,

1918. . On July 1 the guns were moved forward to Fort Sourville and 200 rounds fired on July 2 and 3, &bq the guns moved back to Bois de Souilly the night of the 3rd. On August 1 moved to Fort de Mam, Meuse, where we remained during the month in contact with the enemy, firing 9-0 rounds intermittently. On August 7, designation of battery was changed to Battery E, 51st Artillery, C. 4. C-, v9th Brigade. Moved from Fort de Marre to Revin des Vignes (near Fluery devant Douamont, Meuse), on September 8 and in action from Sept. 12 to Oct. 22, firing 2,204 rounds during the period. On Oct. 22 left for. Bois de Septarges, Meuse, where remained until Nov. 1, firing 247 rounds. Left Septarges on the latter date of Cunei, but did not fire as enemy retreated too fast, being out of range before guns werte in position. The armistice went into effecf Nov. 11 and on Nov. 11 the battery reassembled at the echelon at Fauiborg Pave, a suburb of Verdun, leaving there bn the 29th for billets in Courcelles sur Blaise, Haute-Marne. Left Courcelles Dec. 24, marching to Wassy, and entraining for Brest, where went into tents in Camp Pontanezen on the 27th. The 'battery fought its hardest and most discouraging fight there, on fatigue details, under adverse conditions of rain, mud, cold, smells and camp and regulations,

but came out on top and was highly complimented for its good work and good appearance. Left the camp at 7 a. m. January 25, and marched into Brest, bound for home, a happy crew. Sailed at 10 a. m. January 26, on U. S. transport Agamemnon, arriving at Hoboken, 'N. J., U. S. A., at 3 p. m., February 3, 1919. Principal offensives participated in were St. Mihiel, Argonne and Meuse.