“Cactus and Sage Brush, Fleas and Ants” October-December 1916

by Captain William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

Bound for the Border

On October 22, 1916, ten trainloads of Georgia Guardsmen departed Camp Harris bound for El Paso, Texas and service along the Mexican border. To the chagrin of Monroe’s Company H, 2nd Georgia Infantry, Corporal Robert G. Burton recalled that no one from Monroe was present to see them off as the train steamed away from the Macon, Ga. train depot at 1:00 pm.

Burton, and the Soldiers of the Georgia Brigade made the tiresome trip to El Paso in five days. Along the route, the train column expanded and contracted, at times exceeding 150 miles in length. For many of the Georgians witnessing the passing landscape it was the first time they had been outside of their home state. Far different from the familiar green terrain and humidity was the gradual transition to brown, sandy vistas, sandy mountains and dry air.

The first of the Georgia trains pulled into the El Paso train depot on the morning of October 27, 1916. After multiple track changes, the Georgians clacked their way south crossing Paisano Drive to the flat parade ground of Camp Cotton which would be their home for the next several months.

Camp Cotton

The tents of the 2nd Georgia Infantry at Camp Cotton, 1916.
Georgia National Guard Archives

Camp Cotton was located along the Texas / Mexico border with the intersection of Paisano Drive and Cotton Avenue forming the northwest intersection of the camp boundary. The camp extended south to the banks of the Rio Grande River. The eastern border of Camp Cotton was formed by Cordova Island which marked the former location of the Rio Grande before the river’s course changed. Due to the presence of Cordova Island, and its attendant territorial disputes, the south and east borders of Camp Cotton looked out over Mexican territory.

After surveying the landscape of Camp Cotton, the Georgia regiments unloaded the trains and began setting up camp, displacing Guardsmen from Massachusetts who were returning home. The Georgia Brigade, consisting of the 1st, 2nd and 5th Georgia Infantry Regiments established company streets running east from the rail spur. The first tent established on the street of Company H, 2nd Ga. was Captain Aycock’s followed by the kitchen tent. First Sgt. Aralton D. Whitney’s tent was next followed by the supply stores tent of Quartermaster Sgt. Augustus Williams. Squad tents followed with eight men assigned to each tent.

The site of camp cotton in 1917 and 2017
Left: Georgia National Guard Archives. Right: Captain William Carraway

Writing to his mother on October 27, 1916, Burton noted that he had enjoyed the travel west, particularly Louisiana and Texas and that he was settling in to his new environment.

“I like this country just fine and believe that the longer I stay, the better I will like it.”

Company H, 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment on the border,
October, 1916
Georgia National Guard Archives

Shortly thereafter, Burton sent a postcard of himself with six members of Company H. A handwritten note on the front of the postcard notes that the photo was taken within 100 yards of the Rio Grande and the border. Quartermaster Sgt. Augustus Williamson is the first Soldier visible. To his left is Corporal Robert G. Burton. Burton admonished his mother to put this card in his Kodak book. It was the first of many such images Burton would thus save.

As he got used to his new surroundings, Burton found that he liked the camp rather well. Despite the endless blowing dust and early hacking coughs that seemed to afflict everyone in camp, Burton found camp life to be pleasant enough. He reported that food was good but that the water tasted of rotten eggs. Second Lt. Albion Smith, an officer in the 5th Georgia Infantry Regiment reported that the water in Camp Cotton was piped in from town and that each company street was provided with a water tap, a convenience not present at Camp Harris in Macon.

Burton was pleased to discover Camp Cotton had a Young Men’s Christian Association. His letter of October 31, 1917 was the first of many to appear on YMCA stationery.

“The days are warm bordering on hot and the nights are cold or cool,” wrote Burton. “The air is dry and fresh. The camps are well located and all in all we are having a pretty good time.”

Burton recalled the YMCA supplied Soldiers with pens, ink and paper and showed movies at least four times a week.

Danger and Drudgery

Just days after arrival, Burton described his first experience on guard duty.

“Last night we went on guard on one side (our side) of the river. An American Soldier was walking, while just across the river, not more than a hundred yards away, a Mexican Soldier, or ‘Amigo’, was walking... Sometimes we hear a shot from across the river, but they have become so common that we do not pay attention to them.”

Writing to his aunt four days later, Burton reported that the sniping had all but stopped.

“Only sometimes a shot is fired across the river and when one is, it hardly ever does any damage.”

In his November 4, 1916 letter, Burton also made his first prediction about when the 2nd Georgia would return.

“We hope to be back home by Xmas,” wrote Burton. “I think that we will.”

As days passed, Burton’s descriptions of Camp Cotton remained warm.

“I like this camp very much better than the one we had in Macon,” wrote Burton November 6, 1916. “In this camp, we have electric lights and frames for our tents. They are planked half way up and have wooden floors in them.”

Cpl. Robert Gober Burton paints "Villa Georgia" on the side of his tent.
Georgia National Guard Archives

After a month, camp life had settled into a routine. The Georgians availed themselves of the YMCA writing material and wrote of experiences in town. Burton reported that El Paso was a town of 126 saloons but that he had not partaken of them and had instead remained a regular attendee of prayer meetings at the YMCA. During one of these prayer meetings, the chaplain of the 2nd Georgia remarked “God made this country and then forgot it.” Burton agreed with the sentiment finding El Paso to be:

“…the most God forsaken place in the world… There is not very much to this country. Out here it grows nothing but cactus and sage brush, fleas and ants.”

As November wore on, temperatures dropped. Burton’s letters revealed an increasing sense of homesickness, though he assured his mother that

“I am not homesick but just want to be at home with you and papa as I think that I am needed more there than on the border at present.”

Snow fell November 21, but Burton assured his family that he was warm.

Thanksgiving on the Border

The Monroe Guardsmen got a special treat from home four days before Thanksgiving when packages arrived from family and well-wishers. Williamson and Burton enjoyed a feast of Georgia butter, cakes and homemade wine which they poured over the cakes and allowed to sink in.

By Thanksgiving Day, Burton and Williamson were still enjoying the cake, but as Burton writes on December 1, 1916, Thanksgiving Day was memorable not for dinner, but for duty.

“We certainly had a Thanksgiving dinner today. We missed ours Thursday but made up for it Friday. We missed it because we were on outpost duty. We had all the things that go with a Thanksgiving dinner: chicken, dressing, cranberries and everything… The big horseraces took place in Juarez Thursday. Would surely liked to have seen them. They are the biggest events of the year over there.

We are still eating on the cake that you and EB sent. We surely do think it was great of both of you to send it to us.

The news of what we do must travel the rounds in Monroe now. I hope that they don’t hear anything on me. I don’t see where they will tho.

Your devoted son,

Gober

Thanksgiving Day, 1916 Left to Right:  Jack Felker,  Burton, E. J. Moore, Jim Mathews.
Georgia National Guard Archives

As November passed into December, camp life remained unremarkable. The Georgians marched to rifle ranges for target practice where they camped overnight. Burton recalled the temperatures were cold, but not so cold as to be unpleasant.

Christmas and a New Year

As Christmas approached, the Georgians wrapped and sent gifts home to loved ones and wrote letters thanking family and friends for gifts received. One gift from home was particularly well received as Burton wrote:

“The Coca Cola that Mr. Bell sent came yesterday and was fully enjoyed by the whole (company). The taps out here taste different from those in Georgia.”

Christmas morning dawned gusty with winds swirling thick clouds of dust. Braving the wind, Cpl. Burton trudged to the post office and received a money order from home. To his horror, as he was making his way back to his tent, the money flew from his grasp and was lost in the dust.

The other Monroe men of Company H fared better, enjoying a feast provided by Capt. Aycock. After the dinner, the men presented Aycock, Lt. Launius and Lt. Dickinson with custom-made rings with the phrase “from Co H., 2nd Ga.” engraved inside.

Writing his mother, Burton related his Christmas experiences and told her that he would be away on a fifteen-day hike for the first part of January. Burton was optimistic about what the hike portended.

“Do not be worried about me. I will be OK. This is the last thing that the National Guard do before they leave the border so I think that we will be home before long.”

The company would soon leave El Paso, but not for Georgia as Burton imagined.

Next Chapter: Service in New Mexico.

"Loaded Down With Glory": Robert Gober Burton and the 151st Machine Gun Battalion

by Captain William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard 

Introducing the WWI Series

This is the first in a series of research articles the Georgia Guard history office will present on the Georgia Guard’s role in World War I as witnessed by the 151st Machine Gun Battalion particularly through the eyes of Robert Gober Burton. Burton was a 17-year-old student at the University of Georgia when he enlisted in the Walton Guards, Company H, 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment in 1916. He wrote prolifically of his experiences on the Mexican Border and in the training camps of Macon as a Soldier in the 2nd Georgia and later of his combat service in France with the 151st Machine Gun Battalion. He wrote of his friends, fellow Soldiers and comrades, some of whom would not survive the war. His words, preserved for 100 years, reveal to us not only the nature of combat service in World War I, but the timeless themes of sacrifice and valor.

The 151st Machine Gun Battalion was a Georgia Guard unit organized for service during World War I. The battalion was originally composed of three companies of the Georgia National Guard’s 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment. This regiment was designated the 121st Infantry Regiment in 1917 and serves in the Georgia Guard to this day as part of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. 

The members of the 151st came from more than 150 towns across Georgia. It was the only Georgia Guard unit to deploy and remain as a unit throughout the war.In nearly 18 months, as part of the Allied Expeditionary Force, the 151st participated in ten engagements, was in contact with the enemy for nearly 170 days and established headquarters in nearly 80 locations. With an original strength of 581, the battalion suffered 443 casualties including 57 killed, mortally wounded or missing in action.

Prologue: Tales of Past Glory

In 1915, The United States marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War. As the Great War raged in Europe, the American Civil War was still fresh in the consciousness of southern society. Septuagenarian Confederate veterans and former slaves were present in Georgia’s hometowns serving as living reminders of that conflict. Whereas the Civil War exists to us now as some distant memory, those reaching military age at the dawn of World War I heard tales of valor at Gettysburg, Chickamauga and the battles for Atlanta from the lips of participants in those struggles. Additionally, the Spanish American War, just a generation removed, provided even more proximate echoes of glory and triumph.

The Georgia Guard in 1916

The Georgia Guard of 1916 was organized into three infantry regiments, one infantry battalion a squadron of cavalry, a field artillery battalion and a coast artillery battalion. The first, second and fifth regiments of infantry were based in Savannah, Macon and Atlanta with the 3rd Infantry Battalion in Augusta. Savannah was also home to the field and coast artillery units while the 2nd Squadron of Cavalry operated out of Atlanta.

In 1916, Georgia Guard units were present in 24 cities and towns across Georgia. Many of these local units such as Augusta’s Clinch Rifles, The Gate City Guards of Atlanta The Floyd Rifles of Macon and the Walton Guards of Monroe had served in the American Civil War. Following the Civil War and through the years of reconstruction, these units had been disbanded. But beginning in 1872, Georgia’s old Militia companies began to reform. 

Monroe and the Walton Guards

In 1874, The Walton Guards reformed in Monroe, Ga. This unit remained on drilling status until 1899 when it disbanded for three years. Reforming in September 1902, the Walton Guards became Company D of the 3rd Georgia Infantry. The unit disbanded again in 1905 and reformed again in 1907 as Company D. On December 2, 1907, the Walton Guards became Company H of the 2nd Georgia Infantry.

Captain John Aycock.
Photo courtesy of the Georgia Guard History Office.

Commanding the Walton Guards in 1916 was Captain John Aycock, a 32-year-old merchant and

graduate of what is now the University of North Georgia. Aycock enlisted in the Walton Guards as a private in 1902. He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in 1907 and promoted to 1st lieutenant in 1910. He had commanded the company since 1913 and by all accounts was a popular commander.

Assisting Aycock was 1st Lt. Prince Albert Dickinson, a 33-year-old rural mail carrier. Dickinson had also enlisted in 1902.

Rounding out the officer ranks of the Walton Guards was 2nd Lt. Dennie B. Launius, a warehouseman. Launius had enlisted as a private in 1913 and had reached the rank of sergeant before accepting a commission in June 1916.

Not counting civil war service, the Walton Guards had been an established part of the Monroe community for two generations.

Robert Gober Burton

Robert Gober Burton was born June 29, 1898 in Monroe, Ga. to Phillip Franklin Burton and Ida T. Gober. He was the youngest of seven children, and by 1916, was the only one still living at home. Brothers John and Frank were businessmen. Frank worked for A. H. Edwards, a peanut buyer, and traveled extensively. Sister Ida lived in Atlanta with her husband Toombs Roberts.

Gober grew up at 208 Boulevard, just a few doors down from 1st. Lt. Dickinson. Many of the boys Gober knew growing up would serve in the ranks with him. Boys like Tom Hensler, John Felker and Augustus Williamson. It is likely that Gober’s many friends and acquaintances in the Walton Guards influenced his decision to join the local Georgia Guard unit in the spring of 1916. Economics and boredom also may have played a role. In a June 14, 1916 letter, brother Frank counseled Gober to be patient.

“I would not get discouraged over not having anything to do. This is summer time and everything is dull. You pick up enough around there to keep you in smoking material and drinks. I will send you a little money along. You have your clothes for the summer.

Do not get disheartened.  Keep a stiff upper lip.  Everything will come out right. Write me whenever you feel like it. 

I am, 

Your Bro, Frank”

The Ga. Guard mobilizes for Mexican border service.
Photo courtesy of the Georgia Guard History Office. 

Four days later, Gober’s boredom would be relieved. On June 18, 1916, Newton D. Baker, the Secretary of War, advised the governors and adjutants general of President Woodrow Wilson’s intention to call the National Guard to active service on the Mexican border. Gober would soon find himself a part of the largest activation of National Guard units in history. More than 110,000 Guardsmen would head to the border in the coming months in response to cross-border raids by Pancho Villa.

By June 20, 1916, Gober Burton, the Walton Guards, the 2nd Georgia and the remaining units of the Georgia National Guard had been ordered to report to their armories in preparation for assembly at training camps. The 2nd Georgia assembled in Macon and went into training near Crumps Park which would come to be known as Camp Harris. The site of Camp Harris is today marked by Freedom Park.

Writing home, Gober expressed his sense of adventure.

June 29, 1916

Mobilization Camp

Macon, Ga.

My Dearest Mama,

We had the physical examination this morning. I have just come back from the field hospital.  I stood the examination perfectly and was vaccinated and took the typhoid inoculation. Most of the boys in our company came through O.K. All the town boys did.

I am having the biggest time of my life.  I always did like this kind of life and I am not disappointed in the real part.

With lots of love and a kiss I am,

Your Devoted Son

Gober

PS: Did you know today was my birthday?

Burton's promotion orders.
Photo courtesy of the Georgia Guard History Office. 

Burton was promoted to corporal August 4, 1916 as his regiment continued training at Camp Harris.

In the ensuing months, the units were provided with uniforms, equipment, horses and ammunition as well as basic Soldier training. Burton’s letters reflect uncertainty. Rumors flew about possible mobilization dates and of the possibility that they would be sent home without mobilizing to the border.

In the meantime, Gober enjoyed the life of a Soldier, rising early for drill and having the opportunity to take in the sites of Macon by night.

Learning of Gober’s impending departure, Frank Burton wrote a brotherly letter of advice.

Oct 15th 1916

Dear Gober,

I note from the papers that you will go to Mexico next week.  Now Gober, I have a request to make which is that you leave whiskey and bad company alone and always be square in your business dealing and truthful with everybody and be careful with yourself. Write to Mama regular and write me often and let us know if anything should happen to you at once.

I trust you will have a good trip and that your conduct will be such as to command the respect of everybody. 

I send my best wishes and trust you will be returning soon loaded down with glory.  Be sure to let us know your address at all times.  Wishing you the best of good luck and God speed. I am,

Your Bro

Frank

Remember at all times that you are a gentleman and of fine stock.

One week later the 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment began movement to the Mexican border. At 1:00 pm, Gober Burton and his fellow Soldiers were crammed into rail cars for the beginning of a five-day journey to El Paso, Texas.

Next Chapter: The Mexican Border.

Post card from Pvt. Robert G. Burton to his mother written
from Camp Harris near Crumps Park, Macon, Ga. August 1, 1916.
Photo courtesy of the Georgia Guard History Office.