Hezekiah Scovil Porter

June 4, 1896--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is born.

Nov. 20, 1907--Hezekiah Scovil Porter inherits from Caroline Anne Bonfoey Scovil the "Hezekiah Scovil homestead," situated in Higganum in the town of Haddam [Connecticut], bounded northerly by highway, easterly by land of D. & H. Scovil, Inc., southerly by highway and land of Jacob Johnson, and westerly by lands of D. & H. Scovil, Inc. and Jacob Johnson, containing twenty acres, more or less, with brick dwelling house and other buildings thereon, subject to certain rights of flowage and of taking earth for repairing dam, or otherwise as described in will of Caroline A. Scovil, recorded in Vol. 15, pages 183 and 184 of Haddam Probate Records." [Needs to be confirmed whether Hezekiah alone inherits the entire parcel of real estate]

July 27, 1910--Hezekiah Scovil Porter's mother [Florence Gesner Wells Porter] dies.

Fall, 1910-Hezekiah Scovil Porter enters The Choate School.

1912 (summer)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is with his widowed father (Wallace Porter) in Higganum, Connecticut. In a letter dated August 11, 1912, Wallace writes to another son (Philip Wells Porter, Sr.), who is temporarily residing in Dillon, Colorado: "Hezzy and his friends are spending considerable time in the shack. They took up the hammocks and a cooking outfit with dishes. They often stay there nights and cook their breakfast. Last evening they ate their supper there and stayed all night."

Dec. 16, 1912--Hezekiah Scovil Porter's father [Wallace Porter] dies. Joseph S. Porter becomes his court-appointed guardian.

July 11, 1914 (Saturday)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pitches for the "Higganums," the town team of Higganum, Connecticut."Higg's won 9 to 7." As per a July 11, 1914 entry in the diary of his brother, Ralph W. Porter.The temperature was 76. Skies were cloudy. [In 1915, Hezekiah Scovil Porter will be Captain and starting pitcher of The Choate School's varsity baseball team. Here is an excerpt from the 1915 "Baseball Resume," appearing at page 84 of The Choate School's yearbook "The Brief": "No team could have asked for better pitching. Captain Porter went into it game after game, always at his best form. Combining excellent speed and curves with a perfect control, he forced his opponents to hit if they could. There was no other way to get on base. The season's success, in a large measure, was due to Porter's splendid box work." The Manager of the 1915 Team was a one James T. Pratt, [III?] (referred to in "The Brief" as James T. Brief, Jr.). It is believed that this is the James T. Pratt who would go on to marry Hezekiah's sister, Esther Caroline Porter. This needs to be confirmed].

Feb. 18, 1915--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is in New York City visiting the aunt of a friend [Jim]. He writes in his diary: "Went out to Brooklyn this A.M. to the navy yard. Walked across Brooklyn Bridge twice. Brooklyn is a dirty hole in some places. Went to "Watch Your Step" this evening. Corking good play."

Spring 1915--Hezekiah Scovil Porter, President of the Sixth Form, graduates from The Choate School. He has just "almost unanimously" been chosen as the member of his Form who had "done most for Choate." He has also been voted--and there were no near competitors--the "most popular," as well as the man in his class "most to be admired." His "favorite expression" is recorded in the 1915 "The Brief" (the School's yearbook) as being "John Old Hemlock."

Fall 1916--Hezekiah Scovil Porter begins his Freshman year at Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut. He resides on campus in Durfee Hall, Room 268.

Spring 1917--Hezekiah Scovil Porter becomes an active member of the Book and Bond fraternity at Yale College. [May 11, 1917--He attends the Book and Bond Annual Spring Dance, which is held at the Racebrook Country Club, New Haven, Connecticut. The handwritten notations in his leather-bound dance "engagement" card reveals that he danced with the following ladies: Margartt (sic) Beebe (One Step); Lucile Boyle ( Fox Trot); Beatrice Morse (Fox Trot); Mary Edna Wright (Waltz); Lucy Delano (Fox Trot); Mary Edna Wright (One Step); Marion Henry (Fox Trot); Helen Butler (Fox Trot); Constance Butler (One Step); Helen Cameron (Fox Trot); Gladys Gogarn (One Step); Miss. Mead (One Step); Helen Merrifield (Fox Trot); Charlotte Woodford (Fox Trot). The Eli Society Orchestra supplied the music. He sat out eight numbers].

Summer, 1917--The Third Separate Squadron , Connecticut Cavalry, is called out on July 25, 1917 under command of Major James L. Howard. The Squadron was made up of Troops A, B, L and M. Troops A and M were New Haven organizations, formed with the original Troop A as a nucleus; while Troops B and L were composed chiefly of men from Hartford and vicinity. The latter troops were formed by splitting the old Troop B into two new ones and bringing them up to required strength by means of enlistment. Both of the original Troops had seen four months in Federal service on the Mexican border during the previous year. It is Troops B and L that formed the 101st Machine Gun Battalion. Shortly after the call to colors the Third Separate Squadron was ordered to the mobilization camp at Niantic, Connecticut. On August 5, 1917, it was federalized. On August 20, 1917, it was assigned to the 26th Division; and the next day came an order from Division Headquarters transferring the Third Separate Squadron wholly to the 101st Machine Gun Battalion. The following day the Battalion's four companies appeared on the morning report as A, B, C and D. Each company at war strength carried a complement of 172 enlisted personnel. Thus there was much recruiting that needed to be done. Non-commissioned officers were given passes to Hartford, New Britain and New Haven, and through their recruiting efforts the Battalion was brought up to war strength.

Oct. 1, 1917-- Hezekiah Scovil Porter, a fledgling 20-year-old Yale Sophomore, enlists at Niantic, Connecticut, in the 101st Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division. [His m.o.s. is Wagoner, which, by war's end entails maintaining and driving motorized vehicles out of the motor pool.]

Oct. 9, 1917 (Tuesday)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter departs Niantic, Connecticut at 11:05 a.m. on board a troop train bound for Canada. The train passes through Higganum, Connecticut, the location of his home. He will never see Higganum again.The train passes through Hartford where a few relatives who had gotten wind of the move were waiting for a farewell glimpse of their soldiers. Hezekiah falls asleep after passing through Lyndonville, Vermont.

Oct. 10, 1917 (Wednesday)--The train arrives at the docks in Montreal at 6:00 a.m. At 7:00 a.m. Porter and his comrades board the H.M.S. Megantic. His 3rd class quarters are "rotten." At 10:00 a.m the ship separates from the dock and begins to travel up the St. Lawrence River. The scenery is "pretty." The grub is "poor." At 8:00 p.m. the ship docks temporarily at Quebec to take on some Servians [Serbians], after which the journey up-river is resumed. As Porter turns in for the night rats scurry "around the bunks."

Oct. 11, 1917 (Thursday)--The ship, Hezekiah Scovil Porter on board, continues its journey up the St. Lawrence River.

Oct. 12, 1917--Heavy sea in Gulf of St. Lawrence. Many are sea sick.. B Company is on guard. As night falls the sea calms.

Oct. 13, 1917--The ship, Hezekiah Scovil Porter on board, "pulls into" Halifax, Nova Scotia about 9:30 a.m. and takes on "some Canadians." [A hundred Canadian artillerymen from Toronto to be exact]. Other transports loaded with American troops are in the vicinity.

Oct. 14, 1917 (Sunday) (Halifax, Nova Scotia)--The ship, Hezekiah Scovil Porter on board, at 3:30 p.m.sets out across the Atlantic. It is part of a 10-ship convoy. One cruiser, three freighters, and five transports. Cheering crowds line the shore as the convoy pulls out. Ships dip their colors, while the bands of British men-of-war play The Star Spangled Banner.

Oct. 15, 1917--Sea calm. Convoy, steaming slowly, is following a zig-zag course. Calls are about the same as in camp except drill.

Oct. 17, 1917--The fog lifts. All ships present. Boat drill. Setting-up exercises. Line forms for mug of beer in late afternoon.

Oct. 18, 1917--Hail and squalls. Heavy sea.

Oct. 19, 1917 (Friday, cold and clear)--"Sighted a ship this P.M., which proved to be a freighter." Hezekiah Scovil Porter.

Oct. 21, 1917--Hard gale. British destroyers join convoy at 3:00 p.m. Much rolling and pitching. In submarine danger zone. Sea sickness epidemic.

Oct. 23, 1917 (Tuesday)--The ship, Hezekiah Scovil Porter on board, docks in Liverpool, England at 4:00 p.m. "Off the boat & right onto the train. [7:00 p.m.] On train all night. Queer trains. Small, jerky. Didn't sleep much. 8 of us in one compartment." HSP

Oct. 24, 1917--Train pulls in to Borden, England about 5:30 a.m. [near Aldershot]. Hezekiah Scovil Porter and his fellow soldiers are marched with packs about two miles to camp. It is rainy and blustery. Much mud. "Pretty cold." [Accommodations were leaky Gallipoli tents. There had been a lot of pushing and shoving as everyone tried to buy beer in the train station at Birmingham. Had been the Battalion's first encounter with English bar maids.]

Oct. 25, 1917 (Thursday)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter reports for KP at 4:00 a.m. Camp is broken after breakfast. He and his fellow soldiers are marched to the train station. They board a waiting train. The train arrives in Southhampton, England about 11:00 a.m. Porter and the others are marched 3 miles to camp."Lots of Americans downtown." Porter has "a good feed." [The Battalion marches through Southhampton to camp. Accommodations are "Gallipoli tents." They have wooden floors, hard but not as wet as the bare ground.]

Oct. 26-28, 1917 (Friday-Saturday)--Cold as blazes. Pipe-buying mania grips the Battalion.

Oct. 28, 1917 (date of postmark) [Sunday]--Hezekiah Scovil Porter and his unit (Company B, 101st Machine Gun Battalion) are temporarily in Southampton, England in a "rest camp." In a letter to his sister (Louise) he writes: "I am now in "Blighty"...We had quite a trip to this place. Aside from everyone being sick the first couple of days out, our trip was entirely without excitement. Didn't see a sign of any submarines. First we went to a quarantine camp when we landed and the mud was so thick there that a germ wouldn't have a [show?] of navigating it...There are ...German prisoners working about camp. There seem to be plenty of flying machines around here and I've got a sore neck from looking at them. So now when one goes over my head I don't bother to look up at it...It's been so long since we've seen a lump of sugar that we don't know what one looks like..." [ Porter penciled that Sunday the following in his diary: "Wrote letters this A.M. Went on a short hike this P.M. Downtown this evening and had a feed."].

Oct. 29, 1917, Monday, In Southhampton]--Hezekiah Scovil Porter and his fellow soldiers roll their packs in the a.m. At 1:00 p.m. they leave for the boat that will take them across the English Channel to Le Havre, France. It is not until 5:00 p.m. that the boat [S.S. Londonderry] gets underway. [ After hanging around in the lower harbor the Londonderry put out at 10:00 p.m. Fearful gale and sea. Ship was blown out of its course and came within a couple of feet of being wrecked on the Isle of Wight. Many were seasick], "Awful trip across. Very rough + no place to sleep." HSP

Oct. 30, 1917--Boat docks in Le Havre, France, at 8:00 a.m., Hezekiah Scovil Porter and his fellow soldiers aboard. It is snowing. He pencils in his diary: "Long hike to camp. All up hill. In tents again on board floors. Raining + muddy. Lots of Canadians here. 7/8 of them are Americans. Good night's sleep."

Oct. 31, 1917 (Wednesday) (France)--Battalion sets out on foot in the afternoon for the R.R. station. Duration of hike: Two hours (about 7 miles). The Battalion waits 6 hours for train.

Nov. 1, 1917 (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is aboard a troop train bound for Neufchateau. French officials hand out hot "café, oh rum" when the train stops at a station. "Bully beef + hard tack for grub. Another night of bum sleep."

Nov. 2, 1917 (France)--It is Friday. The troop train, Hezekiah Scovil Porter aboard, arrives in Neufchateau about 9:00 a.m. "Hiked...[in rain]...over to...[Mont les Neufchateau[...this A.M. Other American troops. Saw lots of them on way today. Put in small new Barracks with headquarters. Pretty good quarters."

Nov. 4, 1917 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter goes for a "short hike" in the morning. Later he fills beds with straw.

Nov. 5, 1917 (Monday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter goes on a six-mile hike in the morning. Sitting up exercises afterward. Back to camp double time. He receives a letter from his sister, Florence Adeline ("Polly) Porter.

Nov. 6, 1917 (Tuesday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Walked to town this A.M. All got steel helmets ["tin derbies"]. Back late. Dinner late. Hungry. Little talk by Hartford pastor this P.M. then hiked to woods for firewood [for kitchen fires]. Tired + sore feet tonight."

Nov. 10, 1917 (Saturday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Rain hard this A.M. No calls. Went on guard this P.M. at 1:30. On 1st relief 1:30 to 5:30. Quite comfortable in guard house by fire. Got feet warm + dry for 1st time in about a week. One fellow came down with measles tonight + all in our barracks are quarantined."

Nov. 12, 1917 (Monday) (France)--B company moves from barracks to the "château," the "Red Barracks" behind the church, and sundry other billets.

Nov. 13, 1917 (Tuesday) (France)--Measles in "Red Barracks." Quarantine. [Those quarantined were referred to facetiously as "prisoners." They were isolated from rest of the Battalion and could not frequent cafés, etc.] Hezekiah Scovil Porter plays cards in the morning. In the afternoon he "hikes" after wood.

Nov. 17, 1917 (Saturday) (Mont les Neufchateaux, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his pocket diary: "Cards this A.M. Examined practice trenches + bombs this P.M. + got wood. Mail this evening. Letter from Louise [Harriet Louise Porter Walker, one of his three sisters]."

Nov. 18, 1917 (France)—Hezekiah Scovil Porter writes to his brother (Philip Wells Porter, Sr.), who is in the process of joining the Army Air Corps: “...How are you making out on the aviation scheme? I think it is a good thing to stick to and hope you will have luck soon. Sometimes when I see those old airships floating around here overhead I wish that I was in one of them sailing along. Wish you had time to join us before we left. I really had no idea we would pull out so soon…There were a bunch of aviators on our boat with us and they stayed with us for quite a while. Last I saw of them we left them in England. Got acquainted with some of them. They were mostly young college men and several of them knew a lot of fellows that I know. ..We are now in France and like it a whole lot better than Eng. The French people are willing to do most anything for the Americans…The only thing disagreeable about the whole place is mud. This town was the muddiest place I ever got into in my life when we struck it, but we cleaned it all off the streets now and the old place looks pretty slick…If you are coming over soon…perhaps we can see something of each other. I don’t see why you couldn’t be transferred to our company if you are stationed near here…If you come over I can tell you a few things you’ll need most of all. They are a small pair of boots of some kind, not over knee high, but water-proof and durable, 3 or 4 pairs of heavy knitted long socks, a good pair or two of warm strong gloves, a helmet, a sheep skin or leather vest of some sort or a heavy sweater, and two or three hundred cigarettes—Camels or Fatimas are the best for this. I think Camels or Fatimas are the best for this I think (Camels are considered a luxury over here) or the makings. These things you’ll need and need bad, take it from me…Louise [Hezekiah%E2%80%99s sister] said [wrote] you had a game supper up at Joe’s shack. Would like to put my tooth into some good old partridge or rabbit…”

Nov. 21, 1917 (Wednesday) (France)--French Hotchkiss machine-guns are issued to the Battalion. They are set up in the billets where they can be studied. In the morning Hezekiah Scovil Porter attends a forma lecture on the weapon. In the afternoon a "hike" and calisthenics.

Nov. 26, 1917 (Monday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Out of quarantine [measles] today. After wood."

Nov. 28, 1917 (Wednesday) (France)--Quarantine on "Red Barracks" is formally lifted.

Nov. 29, 1917 (Thursday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter finishes guard duty at 1:30 p.m and sits down [at 2:30 p.m.] to a "big" Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, cranberry sauce, apple sauce, and crullers. After dinner he walks to Neufchateau with Rogers and Day. He returns with Tracy and Dennis, stopping at Cafe Menager.

Nov. 30, 1917 (Friday) (Mont-les-Neufchâteau, France)--The 101st Machine Gun Battalion hikes to the machine-gun range at Midreveaux. The machine guns are fired for the first time. The rolling kitchens go along to serve a hot meal. Hezekiah Scovil Porter fires in the morning. "Big 'red dog' game this P.M."

Dec. 1, 1917 (Saturday) (Mont-les-Neufchâteau, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Signed the pay roll this A.M. After a load of wood. Headquarters went after wood this P.M. Wasted all P.M. trying to find wood. Walked all over hell + brought back a small load just before supper. "

Dec. 2, 1917 (Sunday, Cold, Snow Squalls) (Mont-les-Neufchâteau, France)--William Irwin lectures on the "Italian situation" in the "Y tent." Hezekiah Scovil Porter finds the lecture "very good."

Dec. 4, 1917 (Tuesday) (Mont, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter takes out an insurance policy on his own life, face value $6,000.

Dec. 5, 1917 (Wednesday) (Mont, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter receives a letter from one of his brothers (Philip Wells Porter, Sr.).

Dec. 6, 1917 (Thursday) (Mont, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter receives a letter from Harriet Louise Porter Walker, one of his sisters.

Dec. 8, 1917 (Saturday) (Mont, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is out after wood in the morning. In the evening he receives a package from Harriet Louise Porter Walker, one of his sisters.

Dec. 9, 1917 (Sunday) (Mont, France)--Wallace Brown, Company B, dies in an English hospital [Asian flu?]. Hezekiah Scovil Porter goes down to Neufchâteau in the afternoon. There he sends a cable to Whitney Scovil Porter, a brother of Hezekiah.

Dec. 10, 1917 (Monday) (Mont, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter receives a letter from Harriet Louise Porter Walker, one of his sisters.

Dec. 11, 1917 (Tuesday) (Mont, France)--In the morning Hezekiah Scovil Porter is paid for the first time since he enlisted. On wood detail in the a.m., in the p.m. machine-gun drill, down to the Y.M.C.A. in the evening.

Dec. 13, 1917 (Thursday) (Mont, France)--In the a.m. Hezekiah Scovil Porter is out after wood. He goes on guard at 1:20 P.M. "Good bunch on." He receives mail from Orvilla Virginia Benson Porter (a sister-in-law) and Florence Adeline "Polly" Porter (a sister).

Dec. 14, 1917 (Friday) (Mont, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Portr pencils in his diary: "Off guard at 1:20 P.M. Down town for supper with Tracy Goodwin, Mathews."

Dec. 15, 1917 (Saturday) (Mont, France)--Hezekaih Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Cleaned up the town [Mont] this A.M. On detail this P.M. to fix up new orderly room. Y.M.C.A. this evening."

Dec. 21, 1917 (Friday) (Mont, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter receives letters from his three sisters and from the wives of his two brothers (Philip & Whitney). He is issued a gas mask.

Dec. 23, 1917 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Day Beach + I walked to Domremy [Domr%C3%A9my-la-Pucelle]. Visited home of Joan of Arc, Church where baptized, place where saw vision basilique [basilica]. Great place."

Dec. 24, 1917 (Monday) (France)--Company B has a Christmas Eve party in the mess-shack. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Fine day. On special detail this A.M. Went to Neufchâteau this P.M. Little celebration at mess hall. Young show, present to officers, feed, giving out of packages. I was S.O.L. [late for or missed altogether mess?]. Big time in the old shack tonight."

Dec. 25, 1917 (Tuesday) (Mont les Neufchâteaux, France) [Mont was a village two and a half miles south of Neufchâteau, a "metropolis" of eight thousand people]--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Xmas tree + combined young festival with people of town. Presents for kids. ["kids of Mont."] Packages from Mabel [a sister] and Whit [a brother]. Down at Y.M.C.A this evening. Favors, free sandwiches, cocoa. Talk by Mr. Kearney [Kenney? Kerney? Kinney?] ambulance driver." [Ernest DeF. Miel, D.D., American Red Cross, A.E.F., had held a church service at the "Y." One of the huts that had been built for the Battalion's use had been appropriated by the Y.M.C.A and used as a canteen; here is where the men had usually wrote letters to the folks back home. Packages from the States had poured in by the ton and the billets had been a litter, and nobody had cared, for army discipline had been allowed to slacken up a little for the time-being. The Battalion had erected a"municipal tree" in the little square in front of Mont's village church. A detachment of volunteers had then set to work decorating it with flags, silver and gold stars, and other bright things. ].

Dec. 30, 1917 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Great day. Fooled around."

Jan. 1, 1918 (Tuesday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Holiday. Fooled round all day. Down to Mlle. Alice this eve for tea. Another big game in the shack this evening."

Jan. 27, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Two "dog tags are issued to each man. Trucks come and take the Battalion to an artillery range for combined barrage practice with all the other Machine-Gun units of the Division. Some noise! It is a novel sight. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Over to range at Goncourt all day. All machine guns in 26th Division on one range. Great sight. Home late. Talk by Col Parker."

Feb. 3, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Great day. Off guard at 8 A.M. Wrote letters + read all day. Letter from "Bill" [Orvilla Virginia Benson Porter, wife of Philip, one of Hezekiah's brothers] this eve." [Around 1:00 a.m. B Company's kitchen and mess-shack had become engulfed in flames. Still, a side of beef had been rescued. The entire Battalion had participated in a bucket-brigade. Hezekiah had been called to go on guard at 3:30 a.m.]

Feb. 5, 1918--(Tuesday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: " More cleaning and inspection this A.M. Went to Mont les Neufchâteaux this P.M. + brought up Fords for Company. Supper at Mlle. Alice's this evening."

Feb. 6, 1918 (Wednesday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Another trip to Mont les Neufchâteaux for Fords this A.M. Worked on cars this P.M.

Feb. 7, 1918 (Thursday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "More cleaning up. Worked on cars all rest of day. Mine is in fine shape now. Supper at Mlle. Alice's this P.M."

Feb. 8, 1918 (Friday) (France)--Last farewells having been said to the good townspeople [village of Mont], the Battalion departs in flivvers at 3:15 p.m. It arrives in Liffol-le-Grand at 4:00 p.m. Mess is had and then the men find "any old place" to sleep. Some sleep in the flivvers. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "On K.P. Up at 4 A.M. Company left for Liffol-le-Grand at 3:00 P.M. Went with the kitchen. Arrived there about 6:30 p.m. Had to get supper, pack stuff on cars. Off at 9:30 P.M. -- some day. Tried to sleep in barracks with no blankets, etc."

Feb. 9, 1918 (Saturday) (France)--The Battalion is routed out at 3:00 a.m. Mess at 4:00 a.m. [The cooks had worked most of the night] Fords are loaded on flat-cars, men in "40 Hommes 8 Cheveaux." The train pulls out at 6:00 a.m. The kitchen prepares meals en route on the flat-cars. The train progresses all day through pleasant scenery. Châlons and Bar-le-Duc are passed through. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Up at 3:30 A.M. Marched to station with junk & loaded it on cars. Were off after breakfast at 6:30 A.M. On box cars--37 in ours. Some crowd. Rode all day. Slept but little."

Feb. 10, 1918 (Sunday) (France): Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Detrained at about 4 A.M. at Braisne. [25 kilometers from the Front]. Unloaded our Fords, etc. Had breakfast + started out in Flivvers [Model Ts]. Ate dinner at a town all shot to pieces. Continued in afternoon thru wrecked towns + landed at CheVregny. Town completely wrecked - not a house left. I live in barracks - some in dugouts. Got better sleep." [Vregny is on a plateau om the Chemin des Dames region and was in German hands in October of 1917. The Battalion was housed in an immense chalk cave, with the exception of a part of Company B., Headquarters Company, the Sanitary Detachment, and the officers. A wooden barracks was used by B Company.]

Feb. 16, 1918-- (Sunday evening) (France): Company B takes its position in the line, Company C remaining at Vregny.. One part goes to Tour de Pinon and the other to D'Ailleval. Each gun-squad consists of six privates and one corporal. A section consists of two gun-squads, a section sergeant, a mechanic and liaison messenger. The post of the Commanding Officer, Company B is established at Hill No. 154 (near D'Ailleval, P.C. Isère) [The company and platoon sergeants and liaison men and such special grades as were needed also went to the front]. Hezekiah Scovil Porter, presumably back in Vregny, pencils in his diary: "Cold. Off guard at 4:30 this P.M. Appointed a driver again. The Company went to trenches tonight. Bob Skinner drove my car up."

Feb. 17, 1918 (Sunday) (France): It is a "fine day." In the a.m. Hezekiah Scovil Porter witnesses the downing of a German airplane. He takes an "all-day" walk, which brings him nearly to the "3rd lines."

Feb. 25, 1918 (Monday) (France)--Sergeant Howard R. Manning [of 123 Sigourney St., Hartford, Connecticut and a Yale student] is slightly wounded in the face by a shell-splinter. This marks the 101st Machine Gun Battalion's first battle casualty.

Feb. 26, 1918 (Tuesday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Worked on cars all day. The Bosch shot down a balloon that was over our heads here this P.M. Some noise."

Feb. 27, 1918 (Wednesday) (France)--B Company returns to Vregny after being relieved by C Company. The relief is pulled off without any accidents and on schedule, it being a quiet night and rainy. The Battalion Headquarters is at Cruete D'Allemant." Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "On K.P. all day. Drove up to front this eve - took some "C" men up + brought back some of our fellows - they returned tonight. Awful night. Dark as pitch - raining hard."

Feb. 28, 1918 (Thursday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Nothing much doing today. Worked on cars this P.M. Got orders tonight to be ready to go to Front tomorrow."

March 1, 1918 (Friday) (France)--Cold and snow. Dr. Shankin, President of Wesleyan, gives a talk in the "Cave" in the evening. Lt. Amory with two guns of B Company are sent down to front line position at Vauxaillon to reinforce Capt. Westbrook's M.G. Company of 104th Infantry. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: " "Spent most of day getting ready + packing up to go. Order came about 6 P.M. that they didn't need me. Heard Dr. Shankin of Wesleyan speak this eve over in dug out. Snowing + cold - not so sorry I'm not going."

March 8, 1918 (Friday)(France)--The special insignia of the 101st Machine Gun Battalion, a green diamond, is painted on the helmets of its members. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Warm + like spring. Drill this A.M. Played ball + quakes this P.M."

March 12, 1918--Hezekiah Scovil Porter writes to his sister (Louise): "This is probably the first letter that you have received from the trenches. We are in again for the second time now...The other morning we had lamb chops for breakfast. Can you imagine anything like that for meals in the lines. Uncle Sam sure does treat his soldiers in a first class fashion and we are beginning to realize that fact more and more every day."

March 16, 1918 (Saturday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "On guard again from 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Heavy gas shelling. Packed up + left for Vregny." ["Boche poured gas shell in a steady stream into town of Pinon from 5 to 8 o'clock...Some Frogs came past our place driving a small herd of pack burros to get them away from the gas. Gas began to sift up to our positions and we had to put on masks for a while." History of the 101st Machine Gun Battalion (1922) at pg. 95].

March 18, 1918 (Monday, France)--The 101st Machine Gun Battalion departs Vregny at 8:30 a.m. The rolling kitchens nearly fall apart from the towing over the rough roads. It passes through Soissons to Mercin, where it entrains at 1:00 p.m. At 4:40 p.m. the train pulls out. ["Boche planes flew over and some big shells burst not far off as a send-off."] Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Rolled packs - in cars + off at 9 A.M. Drove to one station beyond Soissons - dinner - loaded cars + luggage on train. Off at about 4:30 P.M. In box cars - no sleep."

March 19, 1918--(Tuesday) (France)--The 101st. Machine Gun Battalion arrives in Brienne-le-Château at 7:20 a.m. The "Fords" unloaded and the "flivvers" loaded, the Battalion moves on. It passes through Bar-sur-Aube reaching Fontaine at 11:00 a.m. The two companies are quartered there in an "old, but roomy and picturesque," lumber mill. The officers, Hqrs. Co. and Sanitary Det. are billeted around in private homes. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary "Nice little town [Fontaine]. On guard + drew 'orderly.' Couple of luxurious chateaus -- officers quarters. Whole bunch of us quartered in a big old mill."

March 22, 1918 (Friday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter takes a swim.

March 23, 1918--(Saturday, fine weather) (France)--The 101st Machine Gun Battalion is up at 5.15 a.m. Packs having been "rolled," it moves out at 8.00 a.m. It reaches Colombey-les-deux-Églises at 10:00 a.m. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Slept in a regular bed with 'Bo' + 'Dock.' Great sleep." [Nearby a big staff-car at some point had come "bowling through" with klaxon shrieking like a fire-engine. It was Gen. Pershing and the Secretary of War.]

March 24, 1918 (Sunday) (Colombey-les-deux-Églises, France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Moved out at about 10 A.M. Stopped at Vignory...[at noon]...-- all put up in a big barn. Downtown in evening. Took a walk -- Old Castle on hill. Slept in hay." [Actually some are billeted in a cheese factory near the Marne. Destruction of war has yet to come to Vignory and vicinity.]. March 25, 1918 (Monday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Up early and off at 7:00 A.M. Stopped at St. Blin [11:00 a.m.] Expect to stay here a while. Spent day in straightening out."

April 1, 1918 (Monday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter and his fellow soldiers are up at 3:45 a.m. Company B, 1st. Platoon departs St. Blin in French trucks 8 a.m.. Although assigned to the headquarters of Company B, it appears Porter is with the 1st Platoon on the ride. They pass through Neufchâteau and halt at Toul. From Toul they hike about 21/2 miles to Menil-la-Tour, where they encamp. "Mud a foot deep all around. On guard worst luck. Punk night. Borden was a picnic side of this place." H.S.P. In the vicinity is La Grande Harcourt, where the Officers' barracks are located. Mud is knee-deep there. The Harcourt installation is nicknamed "The Swamp." Also located at Harcourt are the kitchen gang for B and C companies, as well as the Battalion barracks. [The Battalion's headquarters are located at La Grande Harcourt.].

April 3, 1918 (Wednesday, cloudy)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter visits Ménil-la-Tour in the afternoon "with Bill Hart + had supper -- eggs + wine."

April 26, 1918 (Friday evening)--Company's B's platoons, Hezekiah Scovil Porter with them, move up on a hill near St. Agnant and set up a barrage-battery of eight guns camouflaged in the woods, They wait for S.O.S. signals from the front trenches.

May 22, 1918 (Wednesday) (France)(beautiful weather)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter emerges from his "pup tent in the woods" to attend "outdoor entertainment" put on by the YMCA. The featured artist is the "Sweetheart of the AEF," a one Elsie Janis (1889-1956). The American actress and songstress, born Elsie Bierbower, will have logged six months in France entertaining front line troops before returning home to resume her career. "She sure did give us all a great time," writes Porter, who concludes the day's diary entry with: "Northy and Stan went up to front this evening."

May 25, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is off guard duty at 1:00 p.m. He takes a bath and walks to the town of Sanzey.

May 26, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is in Ménil-la-Tour in the afternoon. "Ball game with 101sr Eng. Boxing, band." In the evening he is on guard duty.

May 29, 1918 (Wednesday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter gets off guard duty at 1:00 p.m. and heads over to Ménil-la-Tour. After supper he attends a minstrel show that is supported by a. Dixieland band. He then goes up to Royaumeix “to see couple Lieutenants.” All in all a “fine time.”

May 30, 1918 (Thursday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Went to Bouque this P.M. in Trucks. Punk ball game and punk boxing bouts."

June 2, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter takes a walk in the afternoon. He watches a ball game. In the evening he attends a concert put on by the 101st Machine Gun Battalion Band. The featured guest artist is Grace Kerns, Soprano (1866-1936). [Grace Kerns, a.k.a. Miriam Clark, was known as the "Nightingale of the Trenches," this because she spent eight months entertaining American troops in France during World War I. She was bon in Norfolk, Virginia. Hezekiah noted in his diary that she was with the Metropolitan Opera, which is unlikely].

June 5, 1918--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is in France. From his "dugout" he writes to his sister (Louise): "...Had a letter from Bill [Orvilla Virginia Benson Porter] the other day from Ft. Worth--said that Phil [Philip Wells Porter, Sr.] is now in flying school. I suppose he will be over here before long...We played ball last evening over here. We have had several games lately. Always play after supper for it is plenty light enough to see to play up until 8.45...We have several kinds of entertainments up here too. We have heard good singers--some from Metropolitan Opera. Elsie Janis has been all around this sector making amusement...The other evening in the midst of a concert--a Boche machine came over and the entertainment was broken up for a few minutes. They were shooting shrapnel at him right over our heads. Then two of our machine put chase after him and finally brought him down and the concert continued after the excitement was over..."

June 9, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Hung around. Walked to Royaumeix this A.M. Ball game this P.M. concert band + speaker after supper."

June 10, 1918 (Monday)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Came up to front tonight + took Morril's place. In big woods."

June 12, 1918 (Wednesday)--Hezekiah Scovi Porter pencils in his diary: "All had to 'stand to' from 2 A.M. on. Some big shells dropped very close. Slept all morning. Came home this evening. Shelled road while we were walking down to Bernicourt. One darn close call."

June 22, 1918 (Saturday, P.M., Rainy) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter and those who had been with him on a work detail in the morning over at Mandres-aux-Quatre-Tours take baths in the town of Boucq.

June 24, 1918 (Monday)(France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his dairy: "Off guard at 1 P.M. Short drill. On working detail all afternoon. Ball game. [The 101st. M.G. Battalion's baseball team beats the 101st Engineers and wins a purse of 3,000 Francs. The score is 9-4.].

June 25, 1918 (Tuesday, P.M.)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter relocates with his unit to Foug, France. "Nice town--quite large. In good barracks."

June 26, 1918 (Wednesday) (France--Hezekiah Scovil Porter motors to Dommartin-lès-Toul, where he manages to get a "good bath." He finds it a "nice town." For whatever reason he is taken through an ammunition factory. Supper at the local Y.M.C.A. "Wonderful feed." On the way back to camp he stops "to see" the 82nd Division "five miles over."

June 29, 1918--(Saturday)(France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter is in Void-Vacon. "Large town but nothing doing." He takes a swim. "Promenade ce soir."

June 30, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Up early for breakfast. Started on journey at 6:30...stopped at Vitry-le-François. Good ride was lot of country. Large town -pretty - good time ce soir."

July 1, 1918 (Monday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Up early + early start - long ride to Coulommes. Saw lot of country - farming. aviation - camps. In late. Good supper at one of houses. Pup tent camp."

July 4, 1918 (Thursday) (France)--Company B and Company C compete in a track meet in the a.m. Company B wins. In the afternoon there is baseball and a short parade. It is reported that "[t]he gang got to rough-housing and pulling shirts out of breeches." Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "On K.P. no rations till 3 P.M. Only coffee for dinner. Paid at 5:30. Great feed at house with couple fellows. Everybody happy ce soir."

July 5, 1918 (Friday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Nothing doing all day. Had a wonderful feed this eve at 5:30 P.M.at farmhouse. Broke camp + loaded on cars at 8 P.M. On trucks. Rode till 10:30 P.M. Held up in La Ferté-sous-Jouarre until 5:30 A.M. Met 59th going in."

July 6, 1918 (Saturday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Slept in Fr. taxis parked in square. Started off at 5:30 + went about 2 mi to next town. Stayed here all day. Slept - only cup of coffee to eat. Pulled out at 6 P.M. Stayed up in patch of wood till dark - then came up here to woods on road to Château-Thierry. Supper at 12 o'clock. Slept in shallow pits in ground." [The woods is about 15 kilometers from Château-Thierry..]

July 13, 1918 (Saturday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter writes to his brother (Philip Wells Porter, Sr.)--"...Just a line or two to let you know that everything is O.K. and we are still on the job...We are now in a patch of woods living in shallow square holes in the ground. Since we have been here we have improved them some making them deeper and putting log and dirt roofs on them to make them rain and shrapnel proof. Not more than three men live in a hole. Ours is just large enough so we can sit up in it if we go easy. If we move around it too much the dirt sifts through the logs and we usually get a neck full. We have just had an awful shower and I'm having a hard time trying to keep the mud off this paper...Not long ago we had a long trip over land in our cars and had a fine opportunity to see a lot of the country. We stopped one day for a few minutes at an aviation field and had a fine chance to see the machines maneuver on the field. It was the first time that I have ever seen them starting and landing and I was very much interested...We spent the Fourth of July in one of these little two-by-four towns over here and there was no excitement at all except what we tried to cause ourselves and that was mighty little...If you run across 'Speigle' Spanburg again I wish you would remember me to him. He used to catch for the Choate baseball team. Webby is over here somewhere. I haven't run across him yet but have had a couple of letters from him. There is not a whole lot of news or excitement just at present. Will try and write again soon. Good luck and love to you and Bill [Orvilla Virginia Benson Porter, a.k.a "Bill"]. Hez."l .......Here is the July 13, 1918 entry in Hezekiah's diary: "Went into Montreul [Montreuil?] this A.M. to infirmary. Saw kitchen. Packed up this eve and moved about mile farther toward line in another woods. Hiked. Had to 'stand to' all night with rest of division in expectation of attack. Nothing doing. Cold."

July 14, 1918--(Sunday) (France): Company B moves into woods near Bezu-le-Guery. Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Got settled in new place this A.M. Pup tents in wood. Slept most all. day."

July 18, 1918--(Thursday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Nothing doing all day. Rest of us got orders to move up tonight. Carried grub from cars to bunch with full pack. Hell of a racket. Laying around in woods."

July 19, 1918--(Friday) (France) (Aisne-Marne Offensive)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter and his unit [Company B, 101st Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division] are dug in the woods "in front of" Torcy. They are "in support." Company B is ordered to move back into reserve in the afternoon. On the way shells can be seen dropping along crests of the hills to the left, an "impressive sight." They wait in some woods for the trucks to come and transport them to their "old place" in Bezu Woods (Bois Bezu). They get in at 11 p.m. "Late supper."

July 20, 1918 (Saturday) (France)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter pencils in his diary: "Pitched shelter halfs this A .M. Nothing doing all day. Good reports from front. All got baths this P.M. We needed them."

July 21, 1918 (Sunday) (France)--Here is the final entry in Hezekiah Scovil Porter's combat diary: "Up + rolled packs before breakfast." [They were routed out at 4:30 a.m.] In the morning the Battalion is ordered to pursue the retreating Germans, with Trugny as the objective.The Battalion advances at 11:30 a.m. in vehicles [Fords] by way of Bouresches, Grande Picardie Farm, and Sacerie Woods. Its purpose is to close with the enemy and hinder his withdrawal. On reaching the western edge of the Sacerie Woods, the Battalion leaves the vehicles and continues forward on foot. At the railroad cut, beyond the Chateau-Thierry--Bethune road, B company takes the left of the Breteuil Farm road running east from La Sacerie, and pushes on ahead of the infantry. B Company works its way to a strip of underbrush some 200 meters from the Bois de Breteuil. The decision is then made to postpone closing with the enemy until the next day. Accordingly, the Battalion withdraws to the infantry line in Bois de Breteuil, where it goes into bivouac.

July 22, 1918 (Monday)-- A daybreak Hezekiah Scovil Porter and the others in Company B are sent into some woods overlooking Trugny to assist the attack of Major Rau's battalion against the town. The attack crumbles in the face of "impossible odds" and the troops are withdrawn to their old positions. The guns are set up on the edge of the wood in a defensive position. B Co. is ordered to support an attack of the 102nd Inf. on the town of Epieds [north of Chateau-Thierry] over on the left flank The company forms a fourth wave behind the infantry, and spreads out into a long skirmish line. The advance starts over the open wheat field at a slow walk...M.G. bullets begin to kick up little puffs of dust all around them, and the enemy artillery barrage comes down fiercely just ahead...Company B soon finds itself in the midst of it--direct fire at that, mostly from one pounders, and 105's and Austrian 88's which come with the shriek of a thousand devils...It is here that Hezekaih Scovil Porter, following his platoon leader, is instantly killed by shell fire...About 6 p.m. the Germans put down a fearful artillery barrage close in front of the advancing Americans, who are pulled back a hundred yards to escape the effects of this fire. A detail has been digging a grave for Hezekiah, but is unable to finish.

July 25, 1918--A detail returns to finish burying the remains of Hezekiah Scovil Porter [in a temporary makeshift grave near where he fell]." As per History of the 101st Machine Gun Battalion (1922), at pages 110-112. [As noted above, Hezekiah Scovil Porter, a member of B Company, is first hurriedly buried in a makeshift grave at the edge of a field near where he fell. A photograph of the temporary gravesite is in the possession of Charles E. Rounds, Jr., 107 Mt. Vernon St., Boston, MA 02108 (2013). In the photograph are two of his comrades who had survived the battle. One is from Wethersfield, Connecticut (State Street) and one is from Waterbury, Vermont. The Vermonter is Wagoner Arthur A Barlow, a farmer, who was born Aug. 10, 1895. The Connecticut man is Sergeant Everett H. Hart, born July 10, 1894, who in civilian life had been a "member" of the Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Bordering the field, just beyond the grave-site, is a thick forest of mostly birch saplings. The underbrush is heavy. Presumably the photographer is Ist. Lt. Philip S. Wainwright, who was also present at the make-shift burial: "After we had moved on, I went back with several of his friends in his squad who volunteered to bury him...We laid him to rest reverently under the trees in the edge of a forest, and offered a simple prayer over his grave before we left...The grave is some distance from the spot where he fell but on account of censorship regulations I cannot give you its location at this time." From the letter excerpted in the next paragraph below.]

July 27, 1918--In a letter of that date more details of the initial "make-shift" interment of the remains of Hezekiah Scovil Porter are communicated in a letter from his commanding officer (Philip S. Wainwright) to Whitney Scovil Porter (one of Hezekiah's brothers): "...The grave is marked near the head by a cross-shaped blaze on a tree with "Hezekiah S. Porter--101st. M.G.B. U.S.A.--July 22d, 1918" carved into the wood. His helmet is also placed at the head on a bayonet with his name scratched on it. I removed his wallet which contained a small sum of French money and his diamond ring, which was all the personal property we could find." [The referenced wallet, which is bloodstained, is in the possession of William Porter Wightman, grandson of the said Whitney Scovil Porter (2017)]. Location of Hezekiah Scovil Porter's permanent grave site in France, and related information: WAGR (Wagoner) Hezekiah S. Porter, 101st Machine Gun Battallion, 26th Division, Plot A, Row 4, Grave 18, Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Fere-en-Tardenois (Aisne), France, Date of Death: July 22, 1918. Death was by shell-fire. As per a June 1, 1987 letter from Col. William E. Ryan, Jr. , Director of Operations and Finance, The American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington, D.C., to Charles E. Rounds, Jr. The cemetery is near the hamlet of Seringes-et-Nesles, approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Paris.There is a visitors' room and cemetery office in the superintendent's quarters, on the south side of highway D-2 directly opposite the main entrance to the cemetery.

1919--Had Hezekiah Scovil Porter not enlisted, he would be graduating from Yale. A total of 30 members of the 101st Machine Gun Battalion died serving in the First World War. Two more died after leaving service.

Oct. 22, 1936 (Thursday)--Hezekiah Scovil Porter's nephew, Philip Wells Porter, Jr., then 17 years of age and a student at Worcester Academy, Worcester, Massachusetts, pens the following entry in his diary: "Dreamed about Uncle Hez last night." [Philip Wells Porter, Jr. will go on to become a naval officer and survive unscathed his service in the Second World War. (As an LCI skipper he participated in numerous combat operations and was decorated for his valor)].

Feb. 11, 1937--Mrs. George C. St. John [Clara Seymour St. John] (wife of the Headmaster of The Choate School) writes to Orvilla Virginia Benson Porter (sister-in-law of the late Hezekiah Scovil Porter) to assure Mrs. Porter that Mrs. Porter's daughter (Winifred Lucile Porter [Rounds]), who has been invited to attend certain "Festivities" at The Choate School the following week, will be well-chaperoned while on the School's campus. Mrs. St. John uses the occasion to share her recollections of Hezekiah: "It is a very real pleasure to get in touch with your family again: Hez was one of the dearest fellows who ever came to Choate, and I shall want Winnie Lou to notice - she can't help noticing - his name over the mantle in the Memorial House. The whole building is in memory of the fellows who died in the War. Hoping that I may perhaps have the pleasure of meeting you, if you bring Winnie Lou over..." [July 2016--Winifred Lucile Porter Rounds informs Charles Elder Rounds, Jr. that Mrs. St. John did, in fact, follow through and point out to her Hezekiah's name above the mantle].

July 7, 2016 (A.M.)--Charles Elder Rounds, Jr. is given a tour of Memorial House. Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT by someone employed in the School's alumni office. There is a large fireplace in the back of the building's foyer. Above the mantle are painted the names of 15 alumni of the School who perished [1917-1919] in World War I. Hezekiah Scovil Porter's name is among them. In and about, as well as above and below, the names are multi-colored painted depictions of heroic figures and vegetation--subtle greens, blues and scattered highlights in gold. The style is art nouveau. Rounds is also given a tour of Hill House, the very dormitory in which Hezekiah resided during his time at Choate.

July 7, 2016 (P.M.)--Charles Elder Rounds, Jr. is given a tour of Yale University's Woolsey Hall [New Haven, Connecticut]. The Hall is entered via the Memorial Rotunda, a vestibule containing memorials to sons of Yale who lost their lives in all American wars from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War. Prominently displayed in the Yale Class of 1919 section is "Hezekiah Scovil Porter." It is etched into the cream-colored marble in large letters. [also etched into the marble below his name is his Army unit, date of death, and place of death] The atmosphere of the memorial venue is classical and imperial, quite a contrast from the more provincial, colorful, and less formal Choate war commemoration.