The Diary of Captain Clarence James Minick

Captain Clarence James Minick

Born to George and Sarah Minick on January 14, 1893, in Orrick, Missouri, Clarence James Minick, known as “Jim” to his friends and family, was one of many to take part in the Mexican Border Service and World War I.  While little is known about Minick’s Mexican Border Service, he took special care to reproduce his World War I story.  Though Minick’s collection at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial (in Kansas City, Missouri) includes documents and photographs that aid in recreating his view of the war, the one artifact that best summarizes his experience overseas is a diary.

The Journey to the Front

Beginning his diary on Sunday, June 23, 1918, Minick states his conflicted feelings of making the trip abroad.  “I have two feelings toward this day—one a happy feeling—while the other is opposite.  “Happy” because today is the day we start for the “other side”... “Sorry” because I am leaving behind a “Little Girl” who is “broken hearted but who is “brave” as can be.”  In the first few pages, Minick not only set his mood, but also traced the cross-country travel route from Camp Lewis, Washington to Camp Merritt, New Jersey.

Upon arrival at Camp Merritt, Minick is concerned about three things:  quarantine (one of the soldiers in his company has the mumps), distribution of equipment, and a pass to New York City.  After a brief visit to New York City, a trip on which Minick mentioned one soldier went A.W.O.L., and the conclusion of equipment distribution on July 5, Clarence Minick left for “Over There.”  He departed from Hoboken, New Jersey on July 6 aboard the Scotian (of the British Fleet).

After 12 days of sailing, the Scotian landed in Glasgow, Scotland.  Although sailing had not caused Minick any great inconveniences, such as seasickness, he described the voyage as slow and monotonous.  After a day on shore, the ship was unloaded and the soldiers marched to the train station where they boarded boxcars and relocated to Southampton, England.  Two days later Minick embarked for France on the steamer “Viper.” Minick noted, “It took us 11 hours to cross the English Channel and she was a rough old channel.”

Upon arrival in France, but before entering the St. Mihiel Sector, Minick commented often about the beautiful summer weather and his routine duties.  These routine duties included hours of drilling in preparation for movement to the reserve.  Five days after his five-year anniversary with the military, Minick began describing the atmosphere of the warzone but continued to have a positive outlook.  “We are now in Reserve (1^st Army) in St. Mihiel Sector.  Can hear heaving artillery action.  Many German aeroplanes have in sight but are soon chased back by Allied planes.  Rather exciting here.  Everything O.K.”

Company G

Minick’s “Everything O.K.” attitude started to shift after one week of being near the front.  On September 18, 1918, Minick wrote, “We are now getting close to the front in the Verdun Sector about 5 big shells landed in this town late in the evening.  Our first ones to hear “sing” and it is no music to anyone’s ears.”  In another week, Minick’s Battalion went “Over the Top” for the first time.  In this short time, Minick’s demeanor had changed completely and Minick knew the dangers were soon going to escalate.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive

On September 26, 1918, Minick commented, “A more miserable night, I never spent, cold enough to freeze, no room to move about to keep warm, and too cold to sleep.  We are patiently waiting our turn at the Hun for revenge.  Zero hour was 12:00 midnight.  Artillery from all directions broke into the silence of the night.  The war was on for the 361^st Infantry.”  In Minick’s recount of the day’s efforts, the First and Third Battalions went “Over the Top” and across “No Mans Land” to support the 362^nd Infantry. 

This support continued into September 27.  Minick recollected, “We went over the top about noon from the ridge at Death Hollow.  Here many wounded & dead were lying in the road.  Under sharp artillery and machine gun fire we reached the outskirts of Eclisfontaine about 5:00 p.m. and dug in...Very heavy artillery fire G Company suffered no casualties in the trenches but Company E had several men gassed.”

The encounters of September 26 and 27 led up to what became one of the most notable days in Minick’s military experience.  On September 29, Minick wrote, “Today will live in the minds of Company G officers and men forever, all of the 2^nd Battalion 361^st Infantry.”  Minick summarized the potentially catastrophic event of the day, a misunderstanding that ultimately split Company G.  

Captain Minick (left)
with Lt. Davis and Lt.  Lane

Minick described the initial orders he received, “The Second Battalion received attack orders shortly after-noon.  Our Battalion was to follow the 362 at 500 meters about 3:00 p.m.  The 362 front echelons started the attack on Gesnes.  We were to take Gesnes to the Heights beyond at all costs.  About 3:30 p.m. Company G moved out.”  Approximately two hours later Minick expressed his concern of being able to follow orders because the 362^nd Infantry had halted.  After sending a message with a runner, a reply came from Major Ward, “Advance and reinforce the right flank of the 362^nd Infantry at once.”  The runner brought the message to Lieutenant Lane at Miller Ridge who read it aloud in earshot of Lt. Davis, Lt. McKay, and Lt. Sweat.  “Lt. Lane inquired of Battalion Runner (Broughton) if Capt. Minick had seen the message and he replied yes.”  Confirming that the information had been relayed to Minick, Lieutenant Lane continued to advance.  Unfortunately, the same information had not reached Minick and he remained in position with the 362^nd Infantry awaiting his orders.  As the 362^nd gradually withdrew, the detachments fell back behind them.  Both Lieutenant Lane and Captain Minick quickly realized Company G had detached from the rest of Second Battalion.

Although Minick was “slightly wounded” in the leg, he was able to keep up with what he believed was the entire Company.  Upon recognition of Company G’s separation, and with no communication received from Major Ward, Minick decided to take things into his own hands and sent patrols for a report.  One officer, Captain Armstrong of the 362^nd Infantry, reported, “he had orders to withdraw and wanted to know what I was going to do.”  Minick replied that he would “hold this town for it cost too many men to take—to give it up.”  After not receiving orders for several hours, Minick decided to start back to Miller Ridge, the point in which the separation occurred. 

Photograph Taken at Presidio in 1917.
Killed and Wounded  at Argonne Labeled by Minick.
Minick is #10, lying on the floor resting his chin in his hands.

Belgium

After much excitement in the Argonne, on October 17, 1918, Minick’s unit made their way to Belgium for the Flanders Front.  Minick recollected events of November 1 like “the Turnip Top Drive” and the “Sheldt Offensive.”  At the “Sheldt Offensive” Minick stated that he sustained slight wounds from high explosives.  “Can hardly hear anything—but intend to remain with Company.”  These skirmishes were part of an attack in the direction of Audenarde.  For two days, Minick and his Company remained in the Audenarde area but on November 3 moved to an alternate location.  On the night of November 3, Audenarde was gassed and the Germans killed approximately 40 Belgian civilians, another near miss of a gas attack on Company G.

Armistice

In the days leading up to the Armistice, Minick was hesitant to show excitement of the war ending, and for good reason.  On November 8, 1918, he wrote, “Orders received about Armistice.  Was read to Company who was a glad bunch.  Looks like “Peace” is close.  But we are going up to front lines tonight to attack.”  With the rescindment of orders and the passing of a few days, November 11 finally arrived.  Minick, no longer contained his happiness and expressed “Hurray—I haven’t heard a shot since 11:00 a.m. this morning.  Is the war over?  It must be.  How sweet it is to stir about without thinking you will be shot by a Hun sniper.”

Minick remained with the American Expeditionary Forces overseas until April 2, 1919, when he and his Company boarded the Mexican and headed toward Camp Mills, New York.  Minick’s overseas service lasted from July 6, 1918 to April 15, 1919.

By the end of April, Clarence James Minick returned to the Kansas City area where he resumed work as a laborer.  Minick passed away on April 16, 1943 at the age of 50.

Bibliography

Clarence James Minick Collection, 1918-1919. 80.58. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, MO.