Army and Navy Review 1915 Panama-California Edition - Balboa Park

BATTALIO N INSPECTION, FORT ROSECRANS
These Coast Artillery Troops went to the border fully prepared for field service,
with equipment in first-class condition. They showed ability to take care of themselves
in the field. No organization of the mobile army has taken the field more promptly.
During this border duty the command spent all available tim e in extended order drills,
and the preparation and solution of tactical problems. This gave the troops variety,
hardening exercise, practice in field problems, and fam iliarity with the country adjacent
to the border. Once each week there was a field exercise with long marches and a
night bivouac. Four field guns were mounted in a concealed position commanding the
border, and the troops were drilled in handling them. A portable searchlight, in a protected
positioii which overlooked the Mexican terrain, was successfully used in night
maneuvers. Signal stations were established on two high mountains, Mt. Tecate and
Mt. Otay, so that uninterrupted communication could be had for a distance of thirty
miles along the Mexican border. Field maps were made by Coast Artillery Officers,
assisted by non-commissioned officers, sketching the border from Tecate to the Pacific
Ocean. This experience satisfied many officers of high rank that our present Coast
Artillery troops when on border duty, in hiking ability, in effectiveness for a campaign
in the field against an enemy, are equally as good infantry soldiers as were the 3rd
Artillery who acted as infantry in the Philippines during the Spanish-American W ar and
Philippine Insurrection, which is equivalent to saying they were as good as any infantry
troops in the field at the same time. The most intelligent observers, including
many veteran soldiers, in the vicinity of the border camps, compared the Coast A rtillery
very favorably w ith the Infantry and Cavalry; saying that none did more or better
work than the Coast Artillery. The efficiency of this command is largely the result of
the history, traditions and experiences of its organization. A brief account of which
should therefore foster the esprit de corps so essential to the Army.