Cartoon Extracted from the OoLaLa Times Vol. II No III, February 1919

The 17th Engineers never got to the front lines but they settled for "The Battle of Cognac Hill" as their first battle experience. It became part of the unit's unofficial history although only a few men were involved.

Next to the engineer's camp were the 5th Marines.  On the evening of August 26, 1917  an engineer private was returning from town and came upon a very drunk M.P. of the 5th Marines severely beating one of the colored soldiers.  The private stepped in to stop the beating where upon the drunken M.P. drew his revolver and tried to shoot the engineer. The engineer, who said he was just  "accidentally" carrying a bottle of Cognac in his hand and could not account for it, whacked the M.P. on the head with it knocking him out.  The private took the M.P.'s revolver and promptly reported to the officer of the day turning himself in along with the M.P.'s revolver. There is no report as to the disposition of the Cognac.  The 5th Marine M.P.'s soon heard of the battle and being unhappy about their man losing the fight they started to arrest and beat other engineers returning to camp and eventually about eighteen were in the Marine guardhouse in St. Nazaire.

After an investigation the marine commander apologized to Colonel Sewell of the engineers.  The offenders were punished.  Eventually hard feelings between the groups eased and there were no more Battles of Cognac Hill.

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