History of the 151st field artillery, Rainbow Division, by Louis L. Collins, lieutenant governor of Minnesota. Edited by Wayne E. Stevens, PH. D. Pub. by the Minnesota War records commission.

ORDERED TO FRANCE

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men in finding work and largely through their efforts the situation was
materially relieved. But upon being called into the state service in
April they were again obliged to leave their employment, only to
learn to their dismay, about a month later, that it was contemplated
to release them from this service, pending their call into federal service.
In spite of vigorous protest an order was issued on May 4, the
effect of which was to discharge from state duty most of the artillerymen and fill their places with members of the 1st Minnesota Infantry.
This action may be explained by the fact that while both the infantry
regiment and the 1st Minnesota Artillery were performing guard duty,
the members of the former were in federal service, being paid fifty cents
a day by the United States government, while those of the latter were
in state service and were being paid at the rate of two dollars a day.
The Minnesota Public Safety Commission had recommended as a
measure of economy that as many artillerymen as could be spared be
released and that their places be taken by infantrymen in federal service. An immediate call into federal service would have been welcomed
by many of the artillerymen, but there was not the slightest indication
as to when such a call might come. Consequently many of those who
were out of employment secured their discharges from the 1st Minnesota Artillery and enlisted elsewhere, in other branches of the service.
This unfortunately resulted in a rather serious demoralization of the
regiment on the eve of the most important service it had ever been
called upon to render.2
Congress had declared war on April 6 and on May 18 legislation was enacted authorizing the President to increase temporarily
the military establishment of the United States. This increase
looked to three sources: the regular army, whose ranks would be
filled by recruiting; the national guard; and the national army.
The act authorized the President to draft into the military service
of the United States and to organize and officer in accordance with
provisions of the National Defense Act of 1916, any or all members
2Special Orders, No. 58, May 4, 1917; Minneapolis Journal, March 27,
28, 30, May 4, 5, 7, 11, 1917. A supplemental order, Special Orders, No. 59,
was issued on May 7, the effect of which was to retain on guard duty in the
state service three officers and two hundred men of the 1st Field Artillery, but
of these all but six noncommissioned officers and twenty-five privates were
relieved on May 19, under Special Orders, No. 66, dated May 16.