Tag Archives: 1st Division

Travel Tips: Noyers-Pont-Maugis French and German Cemeteries, the “Race to Sedan” and more History

March 29, 2019 by Randy
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Few American battlefield visitors drive as far north as Sedan, because it is approximately one hour (55km / 35 mi) north of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon.  However, for those with the time, it is worth the drive because Sedan and vicinity is steeped in military history.  On 2 Sept. 1870 Prussian troops captured Emperor Napoleon III and a large number of his troops there during the Franco-Prussian War.  (Thereafter, Imperial Germany celebrated Sedan Day annually as a major holiday.)  In August 1914, the Imperial German troops of the Continue reading →

We Forget Today: Update–Argonne Farm, Bridgewater, NJ is for Sale. Own a First Division House–Sort of!

February 3, 2019 by Randy
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We forget today just what an impact World War One had on the lives of its participants and their families.  On 22 November 2014 the Webmaster talked about Argonne Farm in Bridgewater, NJ.  To view that full article, please click on this link:  https://meuse-argonne.com/?p=567. To paraphrase the story, the farm was purchased by Samuel Wishnowitz, a Polish-born immigrant who had fought in the 1st Division during WW1 and who never rose above the rank of private.  He and his father bought the property some time Continue reading →

We Forget Today: Doughboy Day at Fort Jay, Governors Island, NYC, September, 2016

September 22, 2016 by Randy
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Reenactor and NYC tour guide Kevin Fitzpatrick worked with the World War I Centennial Committee for New York and various reenacting groups and historians to organize Doughboy Day at Fort Jay, Governors Island on September 17, 2016.  New Yorkers were reminded of that long-ago war through a combination of displays and speaking programs.  The day ended with a march to Meuse-Argonne Point, where the Webmaster had the opportunity to say a few words about the war, the doughboys and the Meuse-Argonne.  His text is published below: Continue reading → Continue reading →

We Forget Today: Paris, July 4, 1917, “Lafayette We are Here.”

July 1, 2016 by Randy
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  We forget today just what an impact World War I had on the lives of its participants and their families.  That is certainly true for war-weary France; when the first Doughboys arrived in their country.  Ninety-nine years ago, on the 4th of July, 1917, one of the most memorable phrases of American involvement in the Great War was coined.  It came during a speech at the end of a five-mile march by the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, AEF.  Bowing to French pressure Continue reading →

We Forget Today: A Daughter’s Love for her Father, Jean Barnes-Butts and Russell Kingsley Barnes

May 21, 2016 by Randy
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  We forget today just what an impact World War I had on the lives of its participants and their families.   1917-18 and Post-War On August 1, 1917 Russell K. Barnes became a PFC in the 101st Field Artillery Regt., 26th Division, AEF.  On March 4, 1918 he was promoted to Corporal and on May 18, 2018 he became the Regimental Sgt. Major.  On Sept. 8, 1918 he was commissioned a Lt. and was re-assigned to the 1st Division, AEF.  Lt. Barnes would survive Continue reading →

We Forget Today: The Cost of the War–Lt. Col. Whittlesey, 77th Div., and John Nelson, 1st Div

November 25, 2015 by Randy
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We forget today just what an impact World War One had on the lives of its participants and their families.  During these Centennial years it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of commemorations and plans to visit the battlefields again.  (The Webmaster just marched in NYC’s Veteran’s Day Parade with a group of WW1 Reenactors.)  Yet every now and then–sometime between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, perhaps–it’s a fitting time to reflect on the human cost of the war.  Consider the two well-documented cases below; and remember Continue reading → Continue reading →

Then and Now: Exermont

September 20, 2015 by Randy
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    Caption:  “A Man Who Goes Through Battle Does Not Get Over It.”  A moment after the preceding picture had been taken, the screech of a high explosive shell was heard and the men who had been loitering in the street of Exermont, which they had just captured, scrambled for cover. Location:  On the D142, right by the church. Source of Then Photo:  “Forward March!  Section 2.  The Photographic Record of American in the World War and the Post War Social upheaval.”  Disabled American Continue reading →

New Feature Article Added: The Lonesome Death of Marvin Stainton

December 3, 2014 by Randy
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Blog readers are encourgaed to check out a new Feature Article on the website:  “The Lonesome Death of Marvin Stainton.”  The article is an excerpt from James Carl Nelson’s book, The Remains of Company D:  A Story of the Great War. Mr. Nelson’s book is essentially an effort to learn more about the war-time experiences of his Grandfather, John Nelson; but he skillfully brings to life the other members of Co. D, 28th Inf. Regt., 1st Division, AEF as well.  What caught the webmaster’s attention Continue reading →

We Forget Today: Argonne Farm, Bridgewater, NJ

November 22, 2014 by Randy
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We forget today just what an impact World War One had on the lives of its participants and their families.  In the early 1990s the webmaster drove past an aging barn with “Argonne Farm” painted on its side at the corner of Washington Valley Road and Argonne Farm Road in Bridgewater, NJ.  Twenty some years later, the webmaster finally pursued the WW1 connection and spoke with the original owner’s son.  Here is the story: Continue reading →