World War I 100 Years Ago: Sept. 2-8

From The Indianapolis News, Monday, September 4, 1916: The five officers and 141 enlisted men of Battery D, First Field Artillery, Indiana National Guard, began their physical examinations today at Ft. Benjamin Harrison. When the examinations are completed tomorrow, the War Department will be notified that the battery is ready to be mustered into federal service. Battery D men have been quartered in barracks at the fort since arriving last Thursday from Ft. Wayne. Before leaving for Llano Grande, Texas to join other Indiana National Guard units, the men will be vaccinated and get as much drill as possible. Battery D commander Captain John C. Scheffer does not expect more than a few men to fail their physical examinations. Battery D’s commissioned and non-commissioned officers have previously seen service in the United States Army, the Navy or the National Guard.