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CHAPTER III

ENGINEERS

This 1901 scene shows Company A troops at Camp Ludington, Michigan. Notice the Spanish-American War uniforms. The men were now equipped with the Krag-Jorgenson rifles. (Credit: Battalion Archives.)

On their return from the Spanish-American War, the Upper Peninsula units were part of a reorganization of Michigan units. In July of 1899, Company D (Calumet) was redesignated as Company E, 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment. Most of the old 5th Infantry units were included in this reorganization. Colonel Robert J. Bates, an ex-Lieutenant in the old Company H (Ironwood), commanded the 3rd.

On June 10, 1906, Calumet's Company D was pulled from the 3rd Infantry. They were designated Company A, Michigan Engineer Corps.1 The change to Engineers was a direct result of the effort of Colonel Cox, the Adjutant General of Michigan and a former member of the Calumet Company. It was thought that the reason for the change to Engineers was the unit’s excellent performance as 'ad hoc' Engineers in Santiago. However, for the boys from Calumet, the old joke 'yesterday I couldn’t spell Engineer and today I are one,' was true. The requirement for annual summer camp was generally adhered to, even at the turn of the century. The usual site was Camp Eaton, Island Lake, Michigan. But, in 1901 the site was abandoned due to contamination of the water supply from its’ long occupancy. After that, the sites for summer training varied from such diverse places as Camp Bliss, near Manistee, to Camp Boynton, near Ludington, to Port Huron, with an occasional stay at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana and a camp at West Point, Kentucky. The first stay in the Camp Grayling area, then known as the Hansen Military Reservation, was in 1914. The year following that, summer camp was held at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where they received intensive Engineer training. 2

During this long interval of peace, the most interesting duty performed by the Calumet Company was on August 8, 1911. They escorted President Taft during a visit to Houghton.3

On July 24, 1913, the Copper Country unit was mobilized. They were to keep the peace during the famous Keweenaw copper strike. By order of the Governor, the Battalion and Regimental officers were instructed to proceed to Calumet and to report 'equipped for field duty with riot ammunition.' 4 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At the time of the strike, there were approximately 70 shafts in operation and 15,000 miners on strike. Violence and terrorism by both sides was common.

Eventually the entire Michigan Guard was on duty for the strike. The troops remained at full strength until August 13. Then, a gradual phase down began until the duty eventually ended on January 12, 1914.5 Because of the great local sympathy for the strike, the unit was assigned to non-conflicting duty, protecting outlying property to keep the local unit out of a potentially compromising situation.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Company A arriving at Camp Grayling in 1914. (Credit: Battalion Archives)

CHAPTER IV

ON THE BORDER

Trouble loomed again on the horizon for America as the spark of revolution swept through Mexico in 1911. Concerned over the turmoil raging in her southern neighbor, America watched and waited. On March 9, 1916, the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa rode into Columbus, New Mexico with 1,500 men. They burned the town and murdered 19 innocent Americans. In reaction to this and other incidents, President Wilson authorized a punitive expedition. Under the command of Brigadier General 'Blackjack' Pershing, the expedition was to pursue the elusive bandit into Mexico. Since there was a very real possibility such an action would provoke war with Mexico, National Guard troops were called up to protect the border.

In response to the call, Company A was mustered into Federal service on June of 1916.1 The Company had a strength of 164 men. They were joined by one Company from South Carolina, one from Alabama and four from Ohio. This formed the Engineer Regiment of the 11th Provisional Division.2 The Regiment was under the command of Major U.S. Grant III, the grandson of the Civil War hero.





After being converted to Engineers, the men of the Upper Peninsula received the latest in military technology, an 'Engineer combat wagon.' (Credit: Battalion Archives)

The makeup of an Engineer Company of that day differed substantially from the ones of today. One platoon of the Company was mounted on horses for mobility while the rest were foot powered with heavy emphasis placed on mules and horses for equipment transport. There was even a creature called an Engineer 'combat wagon.' It is interesting that the officer in charge of the mounted platoon was Ralph A. Loveland. He would later command both the 107th Engineer Regiment and, as a Major General, the Michigan 46th Infantry Division.

The border duty was hot, dusty and boring, however, the experience proved invaluable, not only for the Upper Peninsula Engineers, but also for the entire Army. Within a few short months, America would be at war. Her ability to raise, train, equip and control the Army would be vital for her success. The border action was the Army's dress rehearsal.

Mustered out of service on March 23, 1917, the Engineers had a short rest. On March 26 two officers and 40 men were ordered to guard the locks at Sault Ste. Marie against possible sabotage. Ten days later, they were relieved by Regular Army troops. The men returned home to rest, but not for long.

When Company A was mustered out of service, Major Grant, impressed with its performance, had a suggestion for the state Adjutant General of Michigan to form an entire Battalion around the Calumet unit. Apparently the Adjutant General was of the same opinion. Shortly after, the 1st Engineer Battalion was formed consisting of Headquarters, Headquarters Company and three letter Companies. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx






Horsemanship was an important part of duty on the Mexican Border. (Credit: Battalion Archives)






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