The 806th formed at Camp Funston at about the same time as the 805th, and the 815th and 816th, formed there later, were made up in much the same way. Twelve hundred enlisted men of 158th Depot Brigade made the foundation of the 802nd Pioneer Infantry, formed at Camp Sherman, while other groups from the regular army were distributed through the regiment.
The outstanding characteristic of these regiments was their rapid mobilization and departure for France. Very brief, at best, was the training they received in the American camps. In some instances it was as highly intensive and thorough as time allowed. The great mass of these men had known absolutely nothing of military life six weeks, and, in some cases, three weeks, before taking transport for France. But they went as others had gone, resolute and firm in faith. As they sailed away, their folk knew that they had given the residue of their strong young manhood. The last hope of the colored Americans had been cheerfully placed upon the altar as their gift. It was their last grim insistence on the triumph of the Great Cause for which the race stood so desperately in need.
GROUP OF PIONEER INFANTRYMEN
A wonderful sight were those convoys with their mighty hosts, as they plowed their way across those three thousand miles of periled ocean! More wonderful if we can really realize that for them death was ever near, hiding its piratical and cruel head beneath the waves. Relative to a voyage across at that time we quote from the history of one of the regiments the following:
“At least once daily, and often three times, the bugle sounded ‘Boat Call’ and thereupon everyone hurried to his assigned place. Fire drills often accompanied boat drills.
“Each vessel bore a heavy gun astern and howitzers forward for firing depth bombs. Details were told off to help serve the guns. During the last four days out officers were posted alternately with enlisted men on submarine lookout posts, so that there were five officers, and five enlisted men continually on this duty in addition to the regular guard.
“Portholes were closed at dusk throughout the entire voyage and no smoking outside was permitted after dark. Silence on deck after dark was also prescribed during the last four days. No bugle calls were permitted during foggy weather.
“Good ships had gone down in the same area and there were times when there was anxiety. Once a mine was sighted and passed at about sixty feet. The matter was flashed to the destroyers who went to the spot and dropped depth bombs. Two days out word was received that a submarine had been sighted by a destroyer dead ahead. At the same time the cruiser signalled and the whole convoy literally ‘went by the left flank.’ From that time on the course was changed every few minutes.”
So, not only that regiment but others crossed. And some others had far more exciting and hazardous times fighting those German sea monsters. On both sides of the Atlantic there was anxious waiting; and now and then it was useless waiting, for as these brave sons journeyed across, some found their graves in the deep gray fathomless deep. There white crosses and poppies may not be found, but resting in that mysterious sea world, new emblems of honor, beautiful and sparkling, will decorate them for all time.