PREFACE

When Battery A of the 101st Field Artillery was called into Federal service during the summer of 1917 it had a wonderful past record to uphold and carry on. As the "offspring" of Battery A of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia its traditions and reputation had been gradually growing and developing for over sixty years. In reality its History should date back to 1853 when it first began its official life under the name of the Boston Light Artillery Company. It was not until 1895, however, that its career as a modernized Artillery unit began to show results. In that year a number of men prominent in the business and social life of Massachusetts completely reorganized the old Battery. They raised the standard of its personnel to a height seldom found in a military unit. Ninety per cent, of its members were either college graduates or undergraduates. On account of its makeup the Battery soon became known as the "Millionaire Battery" and many were the predictions that it would not "make good." Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that most of its equipment and guns were antiquated and out of date, and in spite of the extremely limited opportunities for practical training,—usually a brief two weeks or so each summer, the work of the Battery improved rapidly and the men steadily in­ creased their efficiency.

From 1900 onward its reputation as one of the best,—if not the best militia artillery unit in the United States was never doubted. It compared favorably in practically every respect with the "regulars"

CONTENTS
INDEX