NYG HISTORY, UNITS and COMMANDERS – By MICHAEL J. STENZEL WORLD WAR I The National Defense Act of 1916 provided cursory authority to organize “State” foces as the last sentence of Section 61 stated, “that nothing contained in this act shall prevent the organization and maintenance of state police or Constabulary.” Governors used this clause as permission to begin preparations for organizing replacement National Guard units. On 3 August 1917, the Adjutant General of New York, in order to comply with the provisions of the State Constitution requiring that troops be available to the Governor for the protection of life and property of the citizens of New York, organized a State Military Force known as the New York Guard under the Home Guard Act of 1917, and the subsequent War Department Circular #3 of March 191 8. Re-organized on geographical lines under GO# 58 AGO November 1917. 1, 2 and 3 WWI Command Room 829, Municipal Building, NYC COMMANDER (* indicates also TAG) DEPUTY COMMANDER CHIEF OF STAFF 1 7 BG Charles H. Sherrill* 1 8 BG Charles H. Sherrill * - 19Sep 20 Sep- actin g Commander – 13 Jan 191 9 14Jan – BG Charles W. Berry* – 30Mar31 Mar- MG John Francis O'Ryan - 29 Dec1Apr - COL Franklin W Ward - 29Dec1 st BDE 104 East 34 th Street, NYC 2 nd BDE 1322 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn 3 rd BDE 176 State Street, Albany 4 th BDE 451 Main Street, Buffalo 7 th , 12 th , 15 th , 69 th , & 71 st 14 th , 23 rd , & 47 th 1 st , 2 nd , & 10 th 3 rd , 4 th , & 74 th 4 SEP 1917 to 19 Feb. 18 BG George R. Dyer19 Feb 18 29 Dec 1919 Not identified 22 Dec 17 to 19feb. 18 BG James Robb 19 Feb. 18 to 31 Mar. 19 BG George R. DyerTo Cdr 87 th BDE NYARNG 23 N ov. 17 to 30 Apr. 19 BG F. DeForest Kemp 30 Apr . 19 - 29 Dec 1919 BG James We stcott Lester, To Cdr NYARNG 1921 24 Sep 17 To 18 Apr. 19 BG Louis L. Babcock 29 Jul 19 – 13 Sep 19 BG Newton E. Turgeon, 13 .Sep. 19 - 29 Dec 1919 BG Edgar Stilson Jennin gs To Cdr 54th BDE NY ARNG 1921 AG Report BG James Robb BG James W. LesterSTATE ACTIVE DUTY - In accordance with Special Orders No. 198, AGO, dated August 6, 1917 First Provisional Regiment created. In accordance with Special Orders No. 311, AGO, dated December 11, 1917, a Provisional Brigade was created consisting of the First and Second Provisional Regiments already on duty. Brigade was disbanded by Special Orders #277 of The Adjutant General's Office on November 18, 1918. CDR PROVISIONAL BDE CDR 1 st PROV RGT CDR 2 nd PROV RGT 11 Dec 1917 – 18 Nov 18 BG F. DeForest Kemp 6 Aug 1917 COL John B. Rose Commenced demob 17 Dec 1918. Completed Mar 1919 6 Aug 1917 to 11 Dec 17 BG F. DeForest Kemp 11 Dec 17 to 1Dec 1918 disbanded MAJ George J. Winslow, The First Provisional Regiment guarded the water supply of the City of New York and was under the command of Colonel John. B. Rose, 1 st Infantry, N.Y.G. Its territory extended from the northern boundary line of the City of New York along the line of the Croton Aqueduct to Croton Lake, from thence to a point near Cold Spring on the east bank of the Hudson river at Breakneck tunnel where the Aqueduct crosses under the river to Storm King Mountain. Thence along the Aqueduct to Aahokan Reservoir, a distance of 96 miles. Two hundred forty-seven vulnerable points were guarded. The headquarters were at Croton Lake for the greater portion of the tour, but were eventually moved to Ossining. The territory guarded by the Second Provisional Regiment, which was commanded by Major George J. Winslow, Inspector General, 3d Brigade, N. Y. G., extended from .Albany and Troy along the line of the Barge canal to Whitehall, and from Waterford along the line of the Barge and Erie canals west to Tonawanda, north from Syracuse to Oswego, southwest from Syracuse to Waterloo with posts at the International Railroa d Bridge at Niagara Falls, the bridge of the Central New England Railroad at Poughkeepsie, public buildi ngs and two New York Central Railroad bridges at Albany. Also the Niagara Falls power plant(s), and various other railroad bridges (near Utica, Elmira) across the state. After the Armistice was signed and the Federalized New York National Guard units were returned to State status, New York Guard units were deactivated. 29 December 1919. Official disbandment orders AGO#4 dated 12 Jan 1923 effective 16 Jan 1923.
