Escambia Rifles

The Escambia Rifles are the historical forerunner of Company B, 146th Signal Battalion of the Florida Army National Guard. They trace their history back to 1873.

Company B, 146th Signal Battalion
Active1873-1919, 1936 - Present
CountryUnited States
Allegiance United States
BranchFlorida Army National Guard
TypeInfantry, Coast Artillery, Transportation
SizeCompany
Garrison/HQPensacola, Florida
Nickname(s)"Escambia Rifles"
EngagementsWorld War I
World War II

History

The Escambia Rifles were established in 1873 in Pensacola, Florida. The company was accepted into the Florida State Troops on December 31, 1887. In 1889 the Escambia Rifles were reorganized as Company A, 3rd Battalion, Florida State Troops.[1] Captain Richard M. Bushnell took command of the Escambia Rifles on November 24, 1893 and attended their summer encampment at Camp Dunn, Ocala in 1893; Pablo Beach in 1894; Camp Henderson, Tallahassee in 1895; Camp Bloxham, Jacksonville in 1896; and again at Camp Henderson in 1897.[2]

The Rifles were called into service in May 1898 in support of the Spanish–American War effort under the command of Capt. Richard M. Bushell with First Lieutenant Robert W. Cobb and Second Lieutenant John Whiting Hyer. The company was ordered to rendezvous at Fort Brooke, Tampa, leaving Pensacola on May 13 and arriving the following day. The company was redesignated Company H, First Florida Regiment and entered into Federal service on May 23, 1898. While on federal service the company performed guard and other duties around Florida and Alabama. First, on May 21, they moved to Palmetto Beach, then left on July 21 for Fernandina arriving the next day. On August 23, the company started movement to Huntsville, Alabama where they arrived two days later. On October 6, Robert W. Cobb was appointed Captain and commander of the company. Finally the company was ordered to report to Tallahassee, leaving Huntsville on October 9 and arriving on October 11, where they were given thirty days of furlough before being mustered out of federal service on December 3, 1898.[3]

Escambia Rifles reorganized as Company I, 1st Florida Infantry in 1899, disbanded in 1905 and reorganized as Company I again in 1911. The company again disbanded in 1915 and reorganized on May 16, 1917 as Company I, 1st Florida Infantry and the company entered Federal service for World War I on August 5, 1917.[4] The company most likely served in France as part of the 31st Division and other units; the 31st Division was "skeletonized" to provide replacements for other units shortly after arriving in France.[5]

Type of 12-inch mortars used by Battery D, 265th Coast Artillery.

Seventeen years after being demobilized, the unit reorganized as Battery D, 265th Coast Artillery Regiment in March 1936 under the command of Capt. Archibald S. Mills, First Lieutenant Edson E. Dailey, and Second Lieutenant Samuel Pasco, Jr. By March 26 the battery had 58 applicants and an armory. The battery was designated a Harbor Defense (HD) unit and assigned 12-inch mortars, receiving their initial training at Fort Barrancas and traveling by "motor convoy, train, and boat" to Fort Taylor in Key West for annual encampment and training from 1936 through 1939.[6]

The unit was redesignated Battery C under command of Captain Edson Dailey with First Lieutenant Samuel Pasco, Jr., Second Lieutenants John P. Tarver and Jeptha L. Larkin, and First Sergeant Harry Botts. The battery mustered with 106 total officers and men.[7] Battery C, along with its parent Regiment, was inducted into federal service January 6, 1941 and moved to Fort Crockett, TX arriving on January 15. Elements of the 265th helped man Forts Crockett, San Jacinto and Travis in the harbor defense of Galveston until April 1942 when the 265th was ordered to Key West, FL to man Fort Taylor. The 265th arrived at Key West between April 18 and 23, 1942, and manned Key West and various outposts in the Florida Keys and South Florida until December 21, 1942 when the movement of the 265th to Fort Jackson, SC began. By January 23, 1943 all elements of the 265th had cleared Key West. On February 16, 1943, the 265th CA departed Ft Jackson for Fort Hancock, New Jersey to defend the harbor of Sandy Hook and harbors of southern New York, arriving there February 16, 1943. On June 19, 1943, the 265th started preparing for an overseas deployment. On January 11, 1944 the 265th departed New York for Fort Lawton, WA and deployment to Alaska departing via the Seattle port of entry and arriving at Fort Greely, in Kodiak, AK on January 24, 1944. The 1st Battalion was transferred to Amchitka while the 2nd Battalion went to Adak. On July 31, 1944, the 265th CA Regiment was inactivated.[8] The 1st Battalion was redesignated as the 277th CA (155-mm Gun) Battalion (Separate) at Amchitka in the Aleutian Islands; the Escambia Rifles' personnel most likely remained with this unit. The 277th CA Battalion remained in the Aleutians through the end of the war, and was moved back to the United States via Seattle and inactivated at Fort Lawton, Washington state on 4 December 1945.[9]

Alaskan Defense Command patch worn by the 265th while deployed to the Aleutian Islands in WWII.[10]

Unit designations
  • "Escambia Rifles", an independent company (1873 - )[11]
  • Escambia Rifles, 3rd Battalion, Florida State Troops (December 31, 1887 - )[12]
  • Company A, 3rd Battalion, Florida State Troops (December 31, 1889 - )[13]
  • Company H, 1st Florida Infantry, Florida State Troops (May 23, 1898 - )[14]
  • Company I, 1st Florida Infantry (April 16, 1900 - July 23, 1905)[15][16]
  • Company I, 1st Florida Infantry (October 31, 1911 - March 19, 1915)[17]
  • Company I, 1st Florida Infantry (May 16, 1917 - )[18]
  • Battery D, 265th Coast Artillery (March 30, 1936 - April 15, 1940)[19][20][21]
  • Battery C, 265th Coast Artillery (April 15, 1940 - July 31, 1944)[22]
  • 982 Coast Artillery Battery (February 23, 1948 - September 1, 1949)[23]
  • Battery A, 265th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (September 1, 1949 - April 15, 1959)[24]
  • 1043 Transportation Company (April 15, 1959 - February 15, 1963)[25]
  • 268 Engineer Company (February 15, 1963 - March 1, 1964)[26]
  • Company C (Supply & Transportation), 53 Support Battalion (March 1, 1964 - January 20, 1968)[27]
  • 1043 Transportation Company (Terminal Service) (minus 1st and 2nd Shore Plts) (January 20, 1968 - September 1, 1980)[28]
  • 427 Signal Company (Cable & Wire)(September 1, 1980 - September 1, 1991)[29]
  • Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment, 417th Signal Battalion (September 1, 1991 - October 1, 1997)[30]
  • Company B, 146th Signal Battalion (October 1, 1997 - )[31]

Commanders

The following officers are known to have commanded the company during its existence:

  • CPT George J. Slocumb, Commanded Escambia Rifles, circa 1873 - .[32]
  • CPT S. A. Moreno, Commanded Escambia Rifles, 1877-1878.[33]
  • CPT F. C. Brent, Commanded Escambia Rifles, 1879 - 1882.[34][35]
  • CPT W. F. Williams, Commanded Escambia Rifles, 1883 - 1886.[36][37]
  • CPT George J. Slocumb, Commanded Escambia Rifles, 1887 - circa 1888. Later commanded Chipley Light Infantry of Pensacola from 1889 - 1892.[38][39]
  • CPT J. Thornton Whiting, Commanded Escambia Rifles, circa 1889 - 1892.[40][41]
  • CPT Richard M. Bushnell, Company H, 1st Battalion, Florida State Troops, 10/30/1893 - 10/61898.[42][43][44][45]
  • CPT Robert W. Cobb, Company H, 1st Battalion, Florida State Troops, 10/6/1898 - .[46]
  • CPT S. M. Cross, Company I, 3rd Battalion, Florida State Troops, 4/2/1900 - .[47]
  • CPT W. F. Williams, Company I, 3rd Battalion, Florida State Troops, - 5/21/1901.[48]
  • CPT James C. Watson, Company I, 3rd Battalion, Florida State Troops, 1902[49] - 8/6/1903.[50]
  • CPT Archibald S. Mills, Battery D, 265 Coast Artillery, 3/1936 - 9/9/1940.[51]
  • CPT Edson E. Dailey, Commanded Battery C, 265th Coast Artillery, 9/9/1940 - .[52]


Archibald Mills, CPT, Bty D 265th Coast Artillery, 1939
Edson E Dailey, 1LT, Bty D 265th Coast Artillery 1939

See also

References
  1. Soldiers of Florida in the Seminole Indian-Civil and Spanish–American Wars. Live Oak, Florida: Democrat Print. Pp. 358-359. Found at: https://archive.org/details/soldiersofflorid00flor
  2. Hawk, Robert. Florida Department of Military Affairs, Special Archives Number 102. Florida National Guard Summary Unit Histories, 1880-1940. Pg. 10. Retrieved from: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00047672
  3. Soldiers of Florida in the Seminole Indian-Civil and Spanish–American Wars. Live Oak, Florida: Democrat Print. Pp. 358-359. Found at: https://archive.org/details/soldiersofflorid00flor
  4. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  5. Center of Military History, US Army (1988) [1931]. Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, vol. 2, CMH pub 23-2. Washington, D.C.: United States Army Center of Military History. pp. 173–175.
  6. Historical Annual of the State of Florida, Army and Navy Publishing Company: Baton Rouge, LA. 1939. pg. 147.
  7. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Years 1941–1942. St. Augustine, FL: Department of Military Affairs. December 31, 1942. Pg. 51.
  8. Gaines, William C. Historical Sketches Coast Artillery Regiments 1917-1950, National Guard Army Regiments 197-265. Retrieved from: http://cdsg.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/FORTS/CACunits/CAregNG.pdf
  9. Stanton, Shelby L. (1991). World War II Order of Battle. Galahad Books. pp. 472, 493. ISBN 0-88365-775-9.
  10. Florida Department of Military Affairs, Special Archives Publication No. 119, 265th Coast Artillery, Select Abstract Biographies World War II. Saint Augustine, FL. Pg. 13. "Letter from Brig. Gen. Vernon F. Sykes to Charles H. Bogart, May 6, 1981." Retrieved from: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00047666/00001
  11. Roberston, F. L., 1903. Soldiers of Florida in the Seminole Indian-Civil and Spanish–American Wars. Live Oak, Florida: Democrat Print. Pg. 358. Found at: https://archive.org/details/soldiersofflorid00flor
  12. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  13. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  14. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  15. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Beginning January 1, 1899 and Ending December 31, 1900 (AGR 1899-1900). Tallahassee, FL: The Tallahasseean Book and Job Print. 1901. Pg. 6.
  16. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  17. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  18. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  19. Historical Annual of the State of Florida, Army and Navy Publishing Company: Baton Rouge, LA. 1939. pg. 147.
  20. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958. Note: MG Lance wrote that in spite of 17 years difference, this was the same unit.
  21. Hawk, Robert. Florida Department of Military Affairs, Special Archives Number 102. Florida National Guard Summary Unit Histories, 1880-1940. Retrieved from: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00047672
  22. Gaines, William C. Historical Sketches Coast Artillery Regiments 1917-1950, National Guard Army Regiments 197-265. Retrieved from: http://cdsg.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/FORTS/CACunits/CAregNG.pdf
  23. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  24. Lance, Mark W. Memorandum to Chief, National Guard Bureau, Lineage Florida National Guard, dated 23 JUL 1958.
  25. National Guard Reorganization Order No. 33-59, NG AROTO 325.4-Fla, dated 23 MAR 59
  26. National Guard Reorganization Order No. 19-63, NG AROTO 1002-01 Fla, dated 23 JAN 63
  27. National Guard Reorganization Order No. 28-64, NG AROTO 1002-01 Florida, dated 5 FEB 64
  28. National Guard Reorganization Order No. 76-67, NG AROTO 1002-01 Florida, dated 14 DEC 67
  29. National Guard Organizational Authority No. 167-80, NGB-AR0-0 207-02, dated 25 AUG 80
  30. National Guard Organizational Authority No. 92-91, NGB-ARF-I 310-49c, dated 12 JUL 91
  31. National Guard Organizational Authority No. 11-98, NGB-ARF-IC (310-49c), dated 26 JAN 98
  32. Hawk, Robert. Florida Department of Military Affairs, Special Archives Number 102. Florida National Guard Summary Unit Histories, 1880-1940. Pg. 10. Retrieved from: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00047672
  33. The Adjutant General’s Report 1877–1878. Biennial Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for 1877–1878. Tallahassee, FL: C. E. Dyke, Sr., State Printer. pg 31.
  34. Assembly Journal of the Proceedings of the Assembly of the State of Florida at its Eleventh Session. (Adjutant General’s Report 1879–1880. Tallahassee, Charles A. Finley, State Printer. 1881. Pg. 278
  35. Assembly Journal of the Proceedings of the Assembly of the State of Florida at its Twelfth Session. (Adjutant General’s Report 1881–1882. Tallahassee, Charles E. Dyke, State Printer. 1883. Pg. 237.
  36. Report of the Adjutant General for the Years 1883-84. J. E. Young, Adjutant General. Pg. 11.
  37. Report of the Adjutant General for the Years 1885-86. D. Lang, Adjutant General. Pg. 17.
  38. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Ending December 31, 1890 (AGR 1889-1890). Tallahassee, FL: The Floridian Printing Company. 1891. Pg. 16.
  39. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Ending December 31, 1892 (AGR 1891-1892). Tallahassee, FL: John G. Collins State Printer. 1893. Pg. 14.
  40. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Ending December 31, 1890 (AGR 1889-1890). Tallahassee, FL: The Floridian Printing Company. 1891. Pg. 16.
  41. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Ending December 31, 1892 (AGR 1891-1892). Tallahassee, FL: John G. Collins State Printer. 1893. Pg. 14.
  42. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Ending December 31, 1894 (AGR 1893-1894). Tallahassee, FL: John G. Collins State Printer. 1895. Pg. 31.
  43. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Beginning January 1, 1895 and Ending December 31, 1896 (AGR 1895-1896). Tallahassee, FL: Floridian Printing Company. 1897. Pg. 48.
  44. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Beginning January 1, 1897 and Ending December 31, 1898 (AGR 1897-1898). Tallahassee, FL: The Tallahasseean Book and Job Print. 1899. Pg. 25.
  45. Soldiers of Florida in the Seminole Indian-Civil and Spanish–American Wars. Live Oak, Florida: Democrat Print. Pg. 359. Found at: https://archive.org/details/soldiersofflorid00flor
  46. Soldiers of Florida in the Seminole Indian-Civil and Spanish–American Wars. Live Oak, Florida: Democrat Print. Pg. 359. Found at: https://archive.org/details/soldiersofflorid00flor
  47. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Biennial Period Beginning January 1, 1899 and Ending December 31, 1900 (AGR 1899-1900). Tallahassee, FL: The Tallahasseean Book and Job Print. 1901. Pg. 52.
  48. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Year 1901. Tallahassee, FL: I. B. Hilson, State Printer. 1902. Pg. 25.
  49. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Year 1902. Tallahassee, FL: I. B. Hilson, State Printer. 1902. Pp. 91, 92, 97.
  50. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida for the Year 1903. Tallahassee, FL: I. B. Hilson, State Printer. 1905. Pg. 145.
  51. Historical Annual of the State of Florida, Army and Navy Publishing Company: Baton Rouge, LA. 1939. pg. 147.
  52. Hawk, Robert. Florida Department of Military Affairs, Special Archives Number 102. Florida National Guard Summary Unit Histories, 1880-1940. Retrieved from: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00047672
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