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'''MY EXPERIENCES IN THE ARMY'''

By Casey Barthelmess

[[Fanning the Embers]], 1971, Range Rider Reps, Miles City, Montana

The first familiar face that I saw after my assignment to the 6th Cavalry was that of 1st Sgt. W. E. Drennen of our Headquarter Troop. He had been a trumpeter with the D Troop stationed at Ft. Keogh during '03 to '06. I recognized him immediately. One day, months later, in France, I saw another familiar face. It was George Snell, a lieutenant, in charge of a truck delivery to our regiment. He asked for me! Only God knew how glad I was to see him!

Twice we were stationed at St. Nazaire, France. One of those times our troop was ordered to dock to unload a boatload of horses from the States assigned to the Field Remount. I did not see the men who accompanied the shipment. A request was made for men familiar with horse shoeing. That included me! Later our Regiment was moved to Javres and we were issued horses. The Field Remount and the Field Veterinary Corps were stationed there, too. One day when we were marching to the stables in preparation for mounted drill I saw a man some distance away. I recognized him, Billy Richardson, by his cowboy posture on his horse. Was I glad to see him? Another man from Miles City! Soon I was to learn that he had been in charge of the horses unloaded at St. Nazaire, and other men from home were with him and in camp. Billy had served as stock inspector in Custer county, special deputy at the Sheriff's office, and twice as arena director for the Miles City Roundup. Maj. Jackson of Wibaux was in command of the Field Remount and Field Veterinary. Others from home also were in the camp. Some of them were Ed Gunderson, Clarence Bishop, Red Johnson, and a man named Weaver. Lt. Richardson arranged to have me transferred temporarily to the Veterinary outfit. My job was to accompany a veterinarian and rope the horses for him when a close examination was to be made.

After the war ended we were all craving to go home but had to wait for our orders. Much consideration was given to ways to keep us busy and happy. A field day was put on at Javres. Our cavalry outfit put on a show of horsemanship, drilling. hurdling, races and such. Lt. Richardson staged a rodeo. Plenty of horses from the Field Remount qualified for rodeo performances. I offered to ride a bucking horse bareback. My outfit was shocked. Many thought it couldn't be done. I had to get permission. Word was passed up the line to my Regimental Commander Stevens. He ridiculed the idea and asked Cpl. Barthelmess to report to him. He was still very doubtful when I explained to him that back home we did this regularly for fun, excitement, and competition. Permission was granted. Lt. Richardson led a salty acting critter into the arena. He was then securely snubbed to the lieutenant's horse at top and underneath to prevent rearing. He was blindfolded. The surcingle was secured in place. To my surprise one of our lieutenants legged me on. The halter ropes were cut. The blindfold was jerked off. The excitement began. That big brown horse ran a short distance. Then he turned everything on! He greatly resented a human package being on his back. He bucked toward the picket line where many horses were tied. Nearing this point he eased up on his bucking. and I stepped off then fell. Our old 1st Sgt. Hinz came to meet me and walk back with me. The old fellow was greatly excited as were our cavalrymen and the hundreds of French spectators. Then came the big surprise, It was an order to report at once to the commanding officer. He apologized, then highly complimented me for the ride. So did my troop members. They had never seen anything like that and were really thrilled.

It would be July before we'd be returned to the States. A long waiting time. Then Congress passed General Order No. 3 which enabled a soldier to be transferred into a special casual company for immediate return to the States and discharge if he had an urgent reason for same. I had that reason. I had a homestead and horses on the range. Lt. Richardson was familiar with my status at home. He gave me an affidavit which I used with my application. I was discharged on Easter 1919.

It was strange to me that so many of the enlisted recruits in the cavalry had had little or no experience with horses. One day in what was termed the bull-ring I was instructing recruits in riding. We were traveling in the slow trot and increased it to a fast one. Holly, the man in front of me, lost his balance and fell from his horse. The saddle went with him but only turned under the horse's belly. The animal took fright, goated a few jumps, disrupted the formation and headed for the stables. Instinctively, I broke rank and took after him. Unused to this sudden action, my horse also goated a couple of jumps. He got his head jerked up fast. After a short chase I caught the runaway horse and brought him back. My action was rewarded, when I broke that rank. Our instructor, Sgt. Halpin, bellered at me "Get that horse back here, Buffalo Bill! Where in hell do you think that you're going?" I followed his instructions, but I brought both horses back. The memories are still thrilling to recall.