Page:History of the Sixth Regiment, United States Marines.djvu/9

4 was sounded twice a day. General quarters and abandon ship drill were a frequent occurence. The ship was darkened every evening at sunset, no smoking and lights of any kind were allowed. Two full companies were quartered on the decks of the superstructure and the other two companies were assigned spaces below the deck. Hammocks were provided for those who were fortunate enough to get them, but the majority of the new men of the Marine Corps fell it a trifle safer sleeping on the deck. No submarines were sighted on the way over, but on several occasions other ships of the convey fired at suspicious-looking objects reported by the men on submarine watch. On October 5, 1917. the 1st Battalion of the 6th Regiment, Marine Corps, landed at San Nazaire, France.

The departure of the 1st Battalion quite naturally caused speculation to rise as to who would be the next to go. The 2nd and 3rd battalions went about their daily routines of drill and exercises with renewed determination and increased energy, as did the 73rd and Headquarters companies. Lists of articles required for service in France were issued to officers and rumors of imminent departure were common. The atmosphere was charged with uncertainty and impatience and the question "when do we leave" was on everyone's lips. With October came colder weather and the business of issuing overcoats and winterfield uniforms to the men was begun. This was accomplished by stages and it was not until the fourth week of October that the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, in view of imminent departure, were completely outfitted with winter clothing and articles of equipment contemplated for overseas service. In the meantime, the 73rd, Headquarters and Supply Companies had been completely equipped and on the morning of October 16, 1917, left Quantico for League Island, Philadelphia, preparatory to embarking for France. Colonel Albertus W. Catlin and the Regimental staff, with the exception of Lieut. Colonel Harry Lee, left this time also. Lieut. Colonel Lee being ill, Major Holcomb assumed command of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, which remained behind. Arriving at League Island late in the afternoon of October 16th, the Regimental Headquarters Detachment lost no time in getting aboard the transport U.S.S. DeKalb. All baggage and freight were placed on board that night and at 8 A.M. the next morning the DeKalb got under way for New York, which it reached on the morning of the 18th. The day was spent in the harbor and the convoy formed and set sail during the night for France. The voyage across the ocean was uneventful, drills were held each morning and afternoon and general quarters and abandon ship drill were held regularly. On the morning of November 1, 1917, the DeKalb reached San Nazaire and dropped anchor. In the meanwhile the 2nd and 3rd Battalions in Quantico had reached the advanced stages of their training. The construction of the