Rewind:  November 1, 2022

Company K, Pride of Warren County

Company K Had Start in Hughes Light Guards

The following article was taken from the Glens Falls Centennial Edition of ‘The Post Star,’ dated Monday, April 24, 1939.  It is a perfect article to publish in honor of Veteran’s Day.  We present it here as it was published in that paper.  There is reference to the World War as WWII hadn’t been fought at this time (1939).  We have pulled out the names of the men associated with Company K and included them at the end.  Perhaps one will find family members among the ranks.

Infantry Unit Which Served in Spanish and World War I Established in Glens Falls in 1876; Armory Was Erected 44 Years Ago

With peace between the North and South established after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate cause to General U. S. Grant at Appomattox, Va., in 1865, public spirited men of Glens Falls began to look into and think of possible future wars when the young manhood of this section would again be called to defend the nation against an aggressor.  As a result of this farsightedness, the Hughes Light Guards, forerunner of Company K, 105^th Infantry, came into being in 1876 and since that day the military-minded men of the city have carried on the tradition of preparedness for any eventuality with the result that today Glens Falls is the home of one of the most efficient military organizations in the State of New York.

The Hughes Light Guards were organized at South Glens Falls with Fred Gleesettle as the first commanding officer.  Two years later it became the 18^th Separate Company.  In 1880, James S. Garrett became captain and shortly after the company was moved to Glens Falls and the name changed to the Rockwell Corps.

Made Citizens’ Corps

In 1888, the name was again changed, this time to the Glens Falls Citizens’ Corps.  Captain Garrett served until 1892, when he was succeeded by Loyal L. Davis, who was captain of the company until 1899.  This company continued to be known as the 18^th Separate Company until the Spanish-American War when it was changed to Company K 2^nd N.Y. Volunteer Infantry.  Following its return from the South at the conclusion of hostilities between the United State and Spain, the company became known as Company K. (18^th Separate Company) and Infantry Regiment.  Later the term infantry regiment was changed to regiment.  Then came Company K. 2nd Regiment, N. Y. N. G. and Company, 2^nd Regiment, New York Guard, which developed into Company K, 105^th Infantry, 27^th Division, U.S.A., during the World War.  Today the company is known as Company, 105^th Infantry, New York National Guard.

Captain Davis was succeeded in 1899 by Sheldon W. Mott who gave way to Daniel J. Hogan, who served as captain of the company until 1913, when he was succeeded by Robert S. Hall, Jr., who commanded the local organization during the World War.  Captain Hall resigned from the service April 1, 1919.  He was succeeded by Russell M. L. Carson, who resigned April 10, 1924.  Ralph W. Hamilton, present captain of Company K, assumed his place as head of the company a few months later.

Russell M. L. Loomis acted as captain of Company K, a group organized while the 2^nd New York Volunteer Infantry company was in Florida.

Although they took part in no engagements, members of Company K were in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War, leaving Glens Falls on May 2,1898, to be mustered into the service.  At that time the company consisted of 100 men and officers.

Spanish War Officers

The late Loyal L. Davis was captain of the company at the time and other officers were first lieutenant, the late Sheldon W. Mott; second lieutenant, the late Daniel J. Hogan; first sergeant, the late William B. Stevens; quartermaster sergeant, Andrew J. Simmons; sergeants Harley L. Cushman, Frank H. Scott, the late Nelson A. Moss and the late William H. White; buglers, Loren A. Barney and the late Adelbert Reynolds; waggoner, Carlos C. Patterson; artificer, the late William W. Baldwin.

From Glens Falls the company went to Camp Black, L. I. where it was stationed until May 16 when it was mustered into the U. S. Army as Company K, Second New York Volunteer infantry, and transferred to Chickamagua Park, Georgia.  On May 30 of that year, the company was ordered to Tampa, Fla. where on three different occasions its baggage was loaded aboard transports for Cuba, the orders to leave being countermanded each time.  The company was then sent to Fernandina, Fla., on July 20 and on August 24 it was returned to Camp Hardin, Averill Park, Troy.  On September 14 members of the company were transferred to Glens Falls and were mustered out of the service on October 29.

Twice on Strike Duty

After the Spanish-American War, Company K was twice called out for strike duty, once during the labor troubles at the International plant in South Glens Falls and also when trouble occurred between the workers and officials of the Hudson Valley Railway.  During the latter strike, Company K and the remainder of the regiment, was encamped near the old [illegible word] in Queensbury.

Not until 1916 did Company K again see military service, the guardsmen being sent to the Mexican border in June of that year when the U.S. attempted to curb bandit activity along the Rio Grande.  The company saw service in Texas until October 8. 1916 when it returned to headquarters in the local army.

World War Service

Then came the World War, and Company K, 2^nd Infantry, N. G. N. Y., received orders to hold itself in readiness for federal service.  Later came official orders, and the company was mustered into federal service in Glens Falls on March 30, 1917.  The company was reorganized as Company K, 108^th Infantry, 27^th Division, U.S.A., at Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, S. C., on October 1, 1917 and sailed from Newport News, Va., for France on May 18, 1918.  Landing on French soil a few weeks later, Company K and other groups in the 27^th Division received additional training and soon advanced into the front line trenches against the armed forces of Germany.  The Glens Falls soldiers took part in several battles on French soil, as well as in many minor engagements in France and Belgium.  Company K played a major role in smashing the Hindenberg Line, September 29-30, 1918, was in the Battle of LaSelle River, October 17 of the same year and also in the Battle of Jone de Mer Ridge the following day.  At the conclusion of the World War, Company K was returned to the United States and mustered out of federal service on April 1, 1919.

Ten Killed in France

During service overseas, Company K was commanded by Robert S. Hall, Jr., as captain; L. J. Howard, first lieutenant; Vincent C. Welsh, second lieutenant; Nelson A. Moss, first sergeant; Clifford R. Cooper, supply sergeant; Frank J. Nicholas, mess sergeant; Arthur B. Benway, James T. Casey, John E. Delislle, cooks; Harold J. Lawrence and William B. Mattison, buglers; Carlos R. Davis and Horace F. Weaver, mechanics.  These officers also served at the head of Company K during service on the Mexican border.

Ten Glens Falls boys, members of Company K, were killed in action during service with the A. E. F. in France.  They were Frank O’Connell, Francis J. Clear, Louis H. LaFarr, Clarence J. Orr, Wilfred B. Putney, George H. French, Raymond W. Harvey, Roland J. Mayotte, Frank Seelye, and Morton K. Wells.  Others who died of wounds received in action were Joseph P. Pouliotte and George E. Fish, while those dying of disease or who were killed in the line of duty included Arthur H. Johnson, Eugene Towne, Vernon W. Blanchard, James P. Davis, Leonard W. Mayrand, Seward Dorvee, Raymond W. Harvey, Clifford D. Howe and Francis J. VanHeusen.

The Armory in Warren Street, which is the home of Company K, was erected in 1895.  The original appropriation from the state for the construction of the building was $40,000, and later an additional $12,000 was appropriated.  Before the first state appropriation was made, the Board of Supervisors appropriated $12,000 or the purchase of the site and the laying of sidewalks and curbing.

The men mentioned in the article: