Fred Wansley returned from the field of fight
With shrapnel in his head,
And at last from his pain-rack body
His soul forever fled.
Fred Cole Wansley, son of Thomas Jackson Wansley and Luella Blanche Ward, was born in Elbert County on Apr 27, 1895. His paternal grandparents are Thomas Nathaniel Wansley and Mary Elizabeth Adams. Maternal grandparents are George M. Ward and Sarah McMullan. Both grandfathers were Confederate soldiers. Fred was a good boy, and at age 15, joined the Rock Branch Baptist church in Gaines District. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood, but did not complete high school. He was a farmer and took great interest in his work.
Fred enlisted in the Elbert Light Infantry, a National Guard unit, which entered the Federal service in early April 1917. It was encamped on the grounds of the Elbert Public Schools from then until Sept. 17, when it reported at Camp Wheeler. There it was designated Co C, of the color company of the 121st Infantry, 61 Brigade, and 31st "Dixie" Division. With this company Fred went to France, where he served from July 1st to Dec 1, 1918. He was painfully and dangerously wounded in the head by shrapnel in the Argonne fight, and for a long time his life hung on a thread. He was brought back to his native land and placed in the hospital at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. We hoped and prayed for his recovery, but his condition was desperate; day-by-day it became more and more apparent that he was fighting his last great battle. He died March 21, 1919, and his remained were brought home and interred beneath the sod of Elbert County.
I care not how many bonds you buy,
Though a million it should be,
You will not do as much as the boys who die
For their country, for you and me.
From book: Elbert Countians in Our Country's Wars by William F. Jones
Meuse-Argonne/Argonne Forest
Specific sites may include any battles involving American forces in the region.
Year of battle: SEP-NOV 1918.
Opposing Commanders / Armies: GEN Pershing commanding the American Expeditionary Force vs. the German Crown Prince commanding an army group.
Battle of the Meuse-Argonne. (SEP-NOV, 1918) The Germans had taken the area and held it for almost four years, heavily fortifying the area. This largest American offensive in World War I began on 26 September, 1918. Thirty seven American divisions (under GEN "Black Jack" Pershing) and French divisions (under GEN Gouraud) attacked on a forty-mile front. The Americans, using 700 tanks for the initial breakthrough, advanced 7 miles. One battalion (the so-called "Lost Battalion") moved ahead too rapidly and was subsequently surrounded by the German forces. The Americans became bogged down because of lack of experience, difficulties with supply and communication, and staunch German resistance. By 11 November (Armistice Day), the Americans and French had taken over 117,000 casualties. There were roughly 100,000 German casualties, plus 26,000 German prisoners. The American Expeditionary Forces had pushed the front 32 miles northward and 14 miles to the northeast before the armistice was signed.
With shrapnel in his head,
And at last from his pain-rack body
His soul forever fled.
Fred Cole Wansley, son of Thomas Jackson Wansley and Luella Blanche Ward, was born in Elbert County on Apr 27, 1895. His paternal grandparents are Thomas Nathaniel Wansley and Mary Elizabeth Adams. Maternal grandparents are George M. Ward and Sarah McMullan. Both grandfathers were Confederate soldiers. Fred was a good boy, and at age 15, joined the Rock Branch Baptist church in Gaines District. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood, but did not complete high school. He was a farmer and took great interest in his work.
Fred enlisted in the Elbert Light Infantry, a National Guard unit, which entered the Federal service in early April 1917. It was encamped on the grounds of the Elbert Public Schools from then until Sept. 17, when it reported at Camp Wheeler. There it was designated Co C, of the color company of the 121st Infantry, 61 Brigade, and 31st "Dixie" Division. With this company Fred went to France, where he served from July 1st to Dec 1, 1918. He was painfully and dangerously wounded in the head by shrapnel in the Argonne fight, and for a long time his life hung on a thread. He was brought back to his native land and placed in the hospital at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. We hoped and prayed for his recovery, but his condition was desperate; day-by-day it became more and more apparent that he was fighting his last great battle. He died March 21, 1919, and his remained were brought home and interred beneath the sod of Elbert County.
I care not how many bonds you buy,
Though a million it should be,
You will not do as much as the boys who die
For their country, for you and me.
From book: Elbert Countians in Our Country's Wars by William F. Jones
Meuse-Argonne/Argonne Forest
Specific sites may include any battles involving American forces in the region.
Year of battle: SEP-NOV 1918.
Opposing Commanders / Armies: GEN Pershing commanding the American Expeditionary Force vs. the German Crown Prince commanding an army group.
Battle of the Meuse-Argonne. (SEP-NOV, 1918) The Germans had taken the area and held it for almost four years, heavily fortifying the area. This largest American offensive in World War I began on 26 September, 1918. Thirty seven American divisions (under GEN "Black Jack" Pershing) and French divisions (under GEN Gouraud) attacked on a forty-mile front. The Americans, using 700 tanks for the initial breakthrough, advanced 7 miles. One battalion (the so-called "Lost Battalion") moved ahead too rapidly and was subsequently surrounded by the German forces. The Americans became bogged down because of lack of experience, difficulties with supply and communication, and staunch German resistance. By 11 November (Armistice Day), the Americans and French had taken over 117,000 casualties. There were roughly 100,000 German casualties, plus 26,000 German prisoners. The American Expeditionary Forces had pushed the front 32 miles northward and 14 miles to the northeast before the armistice was signed.
Fred Wansley returned from the field of fight
With shrapnel in his head,
And at last from his pain-rack body
His soul forever fled.
Fred Cole Wansley, son of Thomas Jackson Wansley and Luella Blanche Ward, was born in Elbert County on Apr 27, 1895. His paternal grandparents are Thomas Nathaniel Wansley and Mary Elizabeth Adams. Maternal grandparents are George M. Ward and Sarah McMullan. Both grandfathers were Confederate soldiers. Fred was a good boy, and at age 15, joined the Rock Branch Baptist church in Gaines District. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood, but did not complete high school. He was a farmer and took great interest in his work.
Fred enlisted in the Elbert Light Infantry, a National Guard unit, which entered the Federal service in early April 1917. It was encamped on the grounds of the Elbert Public Schools from then until Sept. 17, when it reported at Camp Wheeler. There it was designated Co C, of the color company of the 121st Infantry, 61 Brigade, and 31st "Dixie" Division. With this company Fred went to France, where he served from July 1st to Dec 1, 1918. He was painfully and dangerously wounded in the head by shrapnel in the Argonne fight, and for a long time his life hung on a thread. He was brought back to his native land and placed in the hospital at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. We hoped and prayed for his recovery, but his condition was desperate; day-by-day it became more and more apparent that he was fighting his last great battle. He died March 21, 1919, and his remained were brought home and interred beneath the sod of Elbert County.
I care not how many bonds you buy,
Though a million it should be,
You will not do as much as the boys who die
For their country, for you and me.
From book: Elbert Countians in Our Country's Wars by William F. Jones
Meuse-Argonne/Argonne Forest
Specific sites may include any battles involving American forces in the region.
Year of battle: SEP-NOV 1918.
Opposing Commanders / Armies: GEN Pershing commanding the American Expeditionary Force vs. the German Crown Prince commanding an army group.
Battle of the Meuse-Argonne. (SEP-NOV, 1918) The Germans had taken the area and held it for almost four years, heavily fortifying the area. This largest American offensive in World War I began on 26 September, 1918. Thirty seven American divisions (under GEN "Black Jack" Pershing) and French divisions (under GEN Gouraud) attacked on a forty-mile front. The Americans, using 700 tanks for the initial breakthrough, advanced 7 miles. One battalion (the so-called "Lost Battalion") moved ahead too rapidly and was subsequently surrounded by the German forces. The Americans became bogged down because of lack of experience, difficulties with supply and communication, and staunch German resistance. By 11 November (Armistice Day), the Americans and French had taken over 117,000 casualties. There were roughly 100,000 German casualties, plus 26,000 German prisoners. The American Expeditionary Forces had pushed the front 32 miles northward and 14 miles to the northeast before the armistice was signed.
With shrapnel in his head,
And at last from his pain-rack body
His soul forever fled.
Fred Cole Wansley, son of Thomas Jackson Wansley and Luella Blanche Ward, was born in Elbert County on Apr 27, 1895. His paternal grandparents are Thomas Nathaniel Wansley and Mary Elizabeth Adams. Maternal grandparents are George M. Ward and Sarah McMullan. Both grandfathers were Confederate soldiers. Fred was a good boy, and at age 15, joined the Rock Branch Baptist church in Gaines District. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood, but did not complete high school. He was a farmer and took great interest in his work.
Fred enlisted in the Elbert Light Infantry, a National Guard unit, which entered the Federal service in early April 1917. It was encamped on the grounds of the Elbert Public Schools from then until Sept. 17, when it reported at Camp Wheeler. There it was designated Co C, of the color company of the 121st Infantry, 61 Brigade, and 31st "Dixie" Division. With this company Fred went to France, where he served from July 1st to Dec 1, 1918. He was painfully and dangerously wounded in the head by shrapnel in the Argonne fight, and for a long time his life hung on a thread. He was brought back to his native land and placed in the hospital at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. We hoped and prayed for his recovery, but his condition was desperate; day-by-day it became more and more apparent that he was fighting his last great battle. He died March 21, 1919, and his remained were brought home and interred beneath the sod of Elbert County.
I care not how many bonds you buy,
Though a million it should be,
You will not do as much as the boys who die
For their country, for you and me.
From book: Elbert Countians in Our Country's Wars by William F. Jones
Meuse-Argonne/Argonne Forest
Specific sites may include any battles involving American forces in the region.
Year of battle: SEP-NOV 1918.
Opposing Commanders / Armies: GEN Pershing commanding the American Expeditionary Force vs. the German Crown Prince commanding an army group.
Battle of the Meuse-Argonne. (SEP-NOV, 1918) The Germans had taken the area and held it for almost four years, heavily fortifying the area. This largest American offensive in World War I began on 26 September, 1918. Thirty seven American divisions (under GEN "Black Jack" Pershing) and French divisions (under GEN Gouraud) attacked on a forty-mile front. The Americans, using 700 tanks for the initial breakthrough, advanced 7 miles. One battalion (the so-called "Lost Battalion") moved ahead too rapidly and was subsequently surrounded by the German forces. The Americans became bogged down because of lack of experience, difficulties with supply and communication, and staunch German resistance. By 11 November (Armistice Day), the Americans and French had taken over 117,000 casualties. There were roughly 100,000 German casualties, plus 26,000 German prisoners. The American Expeditionary Forces had pushed the front 32 miles northward and 14 miles to the northeast before the armistice was signed.
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