Evening star., 1914-04-20
u. S. Troops in Texas Halted
in Practice March to Make
Ready to Take the Field

HOUSTON, Texas. April 20.-The ID
Division OF the United States Army. here
on practice march. began a hurried
movement back to Texas City and Gal
weston today on orders received from
Washington at 3 o'clock this morning.
The 5th Brigade Of the division was
rushed aboard troop trains, but the re-
mainder of the big army unit. which
brought nearly 10000 men here, was
ordered to make the sixty-mile hike"
back to the coast on foot Plans were
made for the 4th Brigade to go aboard
transports, although 1t was said no sail
ing orders have been received.
The plan was to have the 9Th. num-
bering nearly 5000 men, ready for sail
ing to Vera Cruz by Tuesday morning in
case a troop movement should be ordered.
grooming in Texas City and Galveston
for a year. had marched to Houston, to
remain until the middle of the week. The
soldiers were to have paraded in local
Jacinto. when Texas won independ-
ence from Mexico. Their march here from
the coast last week indicated the men
are hardy, no case of serious illness ap-
pearing in the big command.
Entrain in Less Than Three Hours.
The fifth brigade, which returned to
Galveston by train under the plans al
ready worked out for troop movements
by sea. would be the first to go aboard
transports unless orders for embarka-
tion should specify some change in
program. By daylight. less than three
hours after the orders to return had
been flashed into q sleeping camp, the
fifth brigade was boarding trains. The
quick movement developed the fact that
trains made up, except for hooking on
in roa RI in ne.s
for just such orders.
The fifth brigade comprises the 4th,
eth. 18th and 2Sth Infantry. and is in
command of Col Daniel Cornman. Its
station is at Fort Crockett. Galveston,
while the remainder of the I'd Division
is stationed at Texas City.
Gen. Frederick Funston, commanding
the division. returned to his headouar-
ters at Texas City in advance of the
army.
Central Division Troops Ready.
CHICAGO. April 2o-An the United
States troops remaining in the central
division. about 1900 cavalry and six
batteries of field guns. are ready to en-
train for the south. and can be on their
way in twelve hours. it was stated at
division headquarters here today. There
are four troops of the 5th Cavalry at
Fort Sheridan and four at Fort Leaven-
at Fort Riley. Five batteries of field
artillery are at Fort Riley. The sixth is
at Fort Smelling. MINI.
In spite of the large numbers of appli-
cants at the recruiting offices in this city,
the officers in charge have accepted only
the few men required to fill vacancies
caused by the discharge of men who have
completed their enlistments.
Each man was carefully examined and
listed In card index. and if troops are
called for the cards are ready to be
rushed out by mail to call the volunteers
in. Each of the eight stations in Chicago
has hundreds of such applications on
file.
Illinois Cavalry on War Footing.
The 1st Cavalry. Illinois National
Guard. notified division headquarters
today that it was ready to move at
three days notice. This Is one of ILL.,
nois' crack volunteer organizations and
is at full strength. and well drilled
and equipped.
Through the Aero Club of Illinois a
dozen of the best known aWiators in
America have notified the army chiefs
OF their readiness for service. The
men are bound by mutual agreement,
entered into four months ago, to hold
themselves at the disposal of the gov
ernment in case Of war. The flyers
nave tnelr aeroplaneS In shape to go
to the front Immediately.
Orders to Sail Received.
PENSACOLA. Fla. April 2O-Orders
were received early today directing the
fiotilla of twenty torpedo boat destroyers
here to put to sea this afternoon. meet
ing Rear Admiral Badgers feet in the
gulf and accompanying it to Tampco.
Officers said the destroyers. with two
tenders. were ready to depart.
The battleship Mississippi today took
aboard 600 marines 1t was said she would
sail for Tampico in accordance with pre-
viously announced orders early tomor-
row. With her will go the scout cruiser
Birmingham. carrying four navy hydro
1t was announced that the Birmingham,
the fastest cruiser of her class in the
navy, would make an effort to reach
Tampico before any hostilities break out,
so that her air craft may be used in di-
recting any operations in the surround
ing country.
First orders were for the torpedo no
tilla to wait here until ordered to sea
by Rear Admiral Badger. a heavy cleo
trical storm, however. prevented the use
of the wireless for communication with
the flagship Arkansas.
The Mississippi and the Birmingham
will be accompanied by the tender Dixie. |
Fleet Will Arrive Wednesday.