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 Aurenia. 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.