SETTING: PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD PARADE GROUND – OCTOBER 1917:
- The Commandant of the Unites States Marine Corps gives a stirring speech to the 3rd Battalion of the 6th Marines as they head off to war.
SETTING: PHILADELPHIA NAVAL SHIPYARD – OCTOBER 1917:
- Members of Kenneth’s 85th Company discuss the history of the transport, the Von Steuben that will take the battalion to France.
- A major character, 1st Sergeant Douglas MacCallum, is introduced, including a detailed backstory/ background on his childhood, Scottish ancestry, and career in the Marines.
- Embarkation begins and incidents involving a rifle dropped overboard and a confrontation between a member of the Kenneth’s platoon and a Navy ensign ensue.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN EN ROUTE TO NEW YORK HARBOR – OCTOBER 1917:
- Kenneth and Lawrence tour the Von Steuben.
- Kenneth reflects on his first Marine Corps training assignment at the Marine Corps Rifle Range in Winthrop, Maryland in April of 1917.
- Kenneth’s reverie is interrupted by a Private Antony “Tony Muddafukka” Mofifica, a rifleman in his platoon who is requesting emergency leave.
- Kenneth recollects his time at his next training assignment in Quantico, Virginia in June of 1917.
- Kenneth recalls in detail his unit’s participation in the Draft Parade in Washington DC led by President Woodrow Wilson in September of 1917. Top MacCallum gives a poignant talk to the 85th Company. Kenneth is enthralled by the parade route and moved by the patriotic fervor of both its participants and onlookers.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN IN NEW YORK HARBOR – OCTOBER 1917:
- The Von Steuben, as a member of a convoy of four troopships and three destroyer escorts, weighs anchor and departs on a twelve-day ocean voyage to France.
- Private Finn “Red” Murphree, a recent Irish immigrant and automatic rifleman in Kenneth’s platoon, complains to fellow platoon members about going to help the English and recollects his part in Ireland’s Easter Uprising of 1916 and how it led to his coming to America.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- Kenneth settles in on the main deck in the company of his platoon and considers the impact seasickness has had on him and the men of the battalion.
- Pvt. Clarence “Dusty” Rodes, a Texas cowboy and oilfield roughneck, and an automatic rifleman in Kenneth’s platoon, is asked by fellow platoon members to tell his life story and he very colorfully complies, going all the way back to his Grandpappy Augustus.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- Kenneth attends and outdoor mass offered by the Battalion Chaplain, Navy Lieutenant Alfred “Father G” Galasso, who delivers a rousing and impolitic sermon based on his sinful past and anti-German leanings, gives a fire-and-brimstone invocation, and leads his “congregation” in “Bringing in the Sheaves.”
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- In a journal entry dated, 7 November 1917, Kenneth relates how Pfc. Modifica came to die aboard ship under suspicious circumstances. He also relates in detail thoughts and feelings regarding the “ant’s” death and how he was called on the carpet and berated by his Company Commanding Officer for not producing the perpetrator.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- Kenneth heads up the detail that participates in the burial-at-sea ceremony for Pfc. Modifica. The ritual, held in front of the entire ship’s company, is described in detail, including Father G’s commitment remarks, a member of the Marine Corps Band singing “Nearer my God to Thee,” a rifle salute, and taps.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- In a journal entry dated, 7 November 1917, Kenneth relates how YMCA Secretary James Merrill spoke to the 85th Company that day issuing a Y-published pamphlet and presenting its contents which included detailed information on France’s history, geography, people, and language, the French-American connection, and France’s hereditary enemy – Germany.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- It’s a Saturday night, the seasickness is behind them, and the men have gathered in and around the aft well deck to relax and sing the songs of the times. Kenneth, leaning against the rail takes in and describes the scene including the Steinway piano liberated from the formerly German saloon below decks. Apropos song lyrics such as: “We don’t know where we’re going but we’re on our way” and “Let’s go, Let’s go, let’s go and can the Kaiser.” Lyrics from the “Marine Corps Hymn,” the “French National Anthem — La Marseilles,” and “A Soldier’s Farewell” are also included. Kenneth provides a meaningful assessment of many of the other songs of the era prompted by patriotic ardor – their motivation, meaning, and their impact.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- Surrounded by song and the enthusiasm of the men, Kenneth pulls his journal out and reviews its contents which include the organization of the Marine platoon and its 58 billets along with the roster of the men who fill those billets. He then scans the notes he has taken on each of the 2 platoon sergeants, 8 corporals who served as squad leaders, and 46 privates and privates-first-class who served as hand bombers, rifle grenadiers, automatic riflemen, and riflemen. The resulting character portrayals range from 68 words to 614 words and cover, among other things, birthplace, nationality, family history, education, work history, accomplishments, appearance, hobbies, perceived strengths and weaknesses, and reasons for joining the Marines.
- Kenneth ponders the rich collection of nicknames associated with his platoon members.
- The section ends with spirited rendition of “Hail! Hail! The gang’s all here!
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- In the grand saloon, two dozen or so officers of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines gather to hear briefings by two French officers who accompanied them on their trip to France. The museum-like saloon is described in detail.
- Capitaine Jean Berthoud briefs the officers in some detail on the nature and extent of German atrocities in Belgium and France. A confrontation ensues when 2nd Lt. Henry Kirchner, an undoubtedly loyal American but fiercely proud of his German heritage, raises a concern that English and French propaganda machines might be inventing or exaggerating the atrocity claims. Another lieutenant of Teutonic ancestry, Ralph Clause, addresses Kirchner’s concerns.
- Sitting in the back of the room, Lawrence observes the briefing and exchange and reflects on how he came to be battalion adjutant, how he rose to the challenge, and reflects on his myriad responsibilities. He also assesses the battalion’s officers as a whole and his friend Kenneth’s leadership skills in particular.
- Captaine Jacques D’Artagnan follows Berthoud with a lighter and more lively briefing on the rudiments of the French language.
- Already quite fluent in French, Lawrence turns his attention to his adjutant’s daybook. Finding a letter from KatyKay among the enclosed documents, Lawrence contemplates the cardinal flaw in his character and the grievous consequences that it might have on his relationships with KatyKay and Kenneth.
- Lawrence returns to his daybook and, in his unique position as right-hand man to the battalion commander who expected him to have an extensive knowledge of the unit’s leadership (from muzzle to butt plate he had said), he reflects on the backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses of these men who, in the last six months, he had come to know so well – including Major Burton William Sibley, the CO, and, other than Kenneth, 23 majors, captains, and lieutenants spread over the battalion’s 4 companies as company commanders, seconds-in-command, and platoon commanders. The resulting character portrayals range from 58 words to 464 words and cover, among other things, birthplace, nationality, family history, education, work history, accomplishments, appearance, leadership experience, perceived strengths and weaknesses, and reasons for joining the Marines.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- Kenneth scales the rope shrouds to his perch in the crow’s nest to stand his watch where, from the ship’s preeminent location, he will scan the surrounding sea for German U-Boats. From his topmost vantage point, he describes the spectacle of the fast-moving, zig-zagging, razzle-dazzle camouflaged convoy as well as the hive-like activities on the decks of the troopships. He reflects on the training activities of recent days, the precautions taken by the navy, and the immenseness of the ocean’s expanse.
- Scanning the water, Kenneth sights an enemy periscope, communicates the sighting to the Senior Watch Commander, and describes the ensuing response by both sailors and Marines: wailing sirens, machine gun fire, evasive maneuvers by troopships, destroyers on the attack, and depth charges.
- Kenneth contemplates depth charges and the poison gasses being used by the Germans in Europe as the latest in a string of weapons developments since man first fashioned spears out of rocks.
- The Navy having just saved the Marines’ bacon, Kenneth briefly reviews the Naval Service’s brightest moments.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN ON THE HIGH SEAS – NOVEMBER 1917:
- On 9 November, two days out of France, Kenneth is in stateroom gazing at a photograph of KatyKay, entranced by her beauty, recalling his recent visit home on leave. With Lawrence remaining behind in Quantico, he had given KatyKay a tour of his hometown of Worcester, taken her on a picnic, and finally, after more than three years of hiding his feelings, he had professed his love for her. To his pleasant surprise she returned his affections. It was agreed, however, that they would have to wait until war’s end before acting on their feelings.
- Down on the lake below their picnic, Kenneth and KatyKay view two racing shells, one white, one black, engaged in a fierce competition in turbulent waters that is symbolic of the rivalry between Kenneth and Lawrence that is to come.
- After returning KatyKay’s picture to its hiding place, Kenneth opens his commonplace book and selects entries to read at random. Having immersed himself in the content for several minutes, which he likened to taking a deep breath of fresh air, he reflects on book’s importance to him and why he collects the material he does. Once again he becomes absorbed with his bits or treasure, running his fingers over the words, when he is jolted from his rack.
- Kenneth and a group of other lieutenants rush from their rooms on the promenade deck and take the ladder to the main deck where they find that the Von Steuben has collided with a sister troopship, the Agamemnon, and two men have been thrown overboard. Kenneth witnesses the ensuing rescue by a fellow lieutenant, Darcy Overstreet.
SETTING: ABOARD THE VON STEUBEN IN THE PORT OF BREST, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 1917:
- Land ho! On 11 November, the battered Von Steuben completes its transatlantic voyage. They are escorted into the harbor by an armada of destroyers, anti-submarine dirigible airships, seaplanes, porpoises, and Mother Carey’s chickens. The battalion breaks into the Marine Corps hymn.
- Capitaine Berthoud points out to Kenneth the historic fortified castle and other military buildings that overlook the bustling harbor, shares the port’s history, and explains the desolate situation Brest finds itself in today with all its men off to the front and its young women off to ammunition factories.
- Capitaine Berthoud shares with Kenneth his personal intimate history: his upbringing, his family, his education, his professional life prior to joining the French army, his unrequited love of a beautiful woman, his participation in the battle at Verdun, his being wounded, the loss of his brothers and father, his getting into trouble with the French brass for mutilating Germans he had killed, and how he came to be a liaison to the American army.
- Lawrence informs Kenneth that General Black Jack Pershing was planning to keep the Marines out of the front lines, provoking an angry reaction and discussion of Pershing’s dislike for the Marines.
- From the deck of the Von Steuben, Kenneth and Lawrence observe the activities on the quay below and in the adjoining cobblestone streets.
- After Lawrence departs, Kenneth takes in more fully the picturesque panorama of the port scene extending far back into the town itself. As crowded as a Pieter Bruegel painting, Kenneth focuses on the individuals in the crowd and their interactions in the hive of humanity.
- Kenneth then turns his attention to the free and easy banter of his men further down the rail which proves to be both decorous and entertaining.
- The final section of “The Crossing” ends with: Kenneth recollecting the long list of fierce and formidable enemies the Marines had fought throughout their history . . . to which the Germans would now be added; declaring himself fit for the struggles ahead; and his men singing the popular wartime melody “Where do we go from here boys? Where do we go from here?”