The First Vermont Infantry was celebrating at Fort Ethan Allen on this day in 1917. The cause of the celebration? The Infantry had just been given a brand new motorized ambulance, donated by the Proctor family.

This was the first ambulance powered by electric motor in the regiment. It weighed one and a half tons and had a 40 horsepower engine.

The cab of the ambulance was dark green with a dark brown canvas top to cover the patients in the back. Canvas was preferred to help keep patients cool during the summer. A red cross and the words, “Red Cross, First Vermont Infantry” were displayed on each side.

Image courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.