42nd Artillery, CAC
Battery B, 42nd Artillery
The history of Battery "B" 42nd Railroad Artillery CAC, can be traced back from organization to organization to the period of the American Revolution. The early Artillery Companies of which Battery "B" is a lineal descendant, fought in the War of 1812, In the Florida War, in the Mexican War, in the Civil War and several other campaigns and expeditions. The service of Battery "B" 42d Railroad Artillery is written in golden letters on the pages of American History.
On July 6, 1917, the 2nd Company, C.A.C., Fort Adams, R.I., with 3 officers and 182 enlisted men, were transferred to Battery "K" 7th Provisional Regiment, Coast Artillery. On August 17, 1917 Battery "K" 7th Provisional Regiment, C.A.C., with 3 officers and 181 enlisted men, left Fort Adams, R.I., on the Steamer Plymouth en route for New York City. On August 18, 1917 the Battery left New York for Foreign Service on the RMS Aurania. They arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 20, 1917. Anchored in Bantry Bay, Ireland, on August 31, 1917 and arrived in Liverpool, England, September 2, 1917 and finally arrived in La Harve, France on September 11, 1917. On February 5, 1918, pursuant to War Department Orders dated December 27, 1917, the Regiment was changed to the 52nd Artillery, C.A.C.
During the period from May 6, 1918 to September 27, 1918, the Battery participated in 15 engagements with the enemy and fired a total of 1,282 shots from 240mm French Epis Rifles, mounted on railroad carriages. The designation of Battery "B" 42nd Artillery, Railroad, C.A.C. occurred on July 15, 1918 during a reorganization of Artillery units in France.
The Battery returned from France on February 6, 1919 and was assigned for station to Camp Eustis, VA. The entire personnel of Battery "B" have changed since its return to America and have been recruited from the New England States. The Battery took part in the first Railroad Artillery Maneuver in America. Leaving Camp Eustis, VA. for a trip in New England, where it engaged in firing Artillery problems at Rockport and Provincetown, MA., returning to its proper station on October 22, 1920, making the complete trip without an accident.
The Battery was afterwards stationed at Camp Eustis, VA, the home of "The Railroad Artillery". This camp is called the "best camp in the Army", and is located about sixteen miles from Newport News, VA, on the east bank of the James River.
Regimental Muster of the 42nd Artillery, CAC
As I find names and information about men who were in the 42nd Artillery I will list them here. If you have information on someone who was in this regiment please email me and I will add their story.
Private First Class William D. Smith, 151260, Battery D
William D. Smith was born in June of 1899 in Salem, Ohio and at the age of 18 years, eleven months he enlisted into the regular Army on May 3, 1917 at the Columbus Barracks in Columbus, Ohio. Smith was first placed into the 3rd Company C.A.C. at Fort Hamilton, New York and was there until January 19, 1918 when he was transferred to Battery M of the 7th Provisional Artillery, C.A.C. On August 18, 1917 Pvt. Smith sailed on the HMS Aurania with the 7th Provisional Artillery for Europe. Smith was advanced in rank to Private First Class on April 13, 1918 while in France and then as the 7th Provisional Artillery was reorganized Smith was then placed in Battery D of the newly formed 42nd Artillery, C.A.C. PFC Smith then returned with the 42nd Artillery on February 18, 1919 and was Honorably discharged on March 10, 1919.
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