PREFACE.

To him who wishes to read this book, let it be known that there is no fiction contained herein; neither is there wit nor humor. In so far as it has been possible to obtain it, only the truth is given here -- minimized rather than exaggerated. This is a history of the deeds accomplished by the men of the Second Regiment of Engineers of the Second Division, and is written for them that they might carry to their homes the honest records of their proud Regiment. Words are insufficient to express the honor and praise due those who dropped the pick and shovel and took up the rifle and bayonet in Belleau Woods, Vaux, Soissons and Champagne. Space is too limited to name all the heroes here and it is regretted that their praises cannot be sung.

This Regiment has experienced greater losses than that of any other Engineer or Artillery regiment, and greater than that of many Infantry regiments. It has a record of which every member is very proud, but it is felt that if the war were refought, and this Regiment were called upon as before, it would make a better record still. The morale of the Regiment has always been very high, and its esprit-de-corps exceptionally good. It has never failed to accom­plish its assigned missions, and it never lost an inch of ground to the enemy. The deeds of the heroic dead cannot be forgotten, though they sleep in peace. Each in his own conflict with the enemy and death was true to his duty and fought a good fight to the very end.

In the preparation of this work an earnest endeavor has been made to give proper credit to whom it justly belongs. If errors or omissions have been made be lenient in your verdict. Grateful appreciation is extended to those who gave their very able assistance, and to that great body of men who do not wear bars or leaves or eagles on their shoulders whose actions made the book possible.