The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-10-23
WHY RECRUITS DID NOT GO.
Continued from Rage ~

company as efficient as any in the regi-
ment. Shall be glad of any report of
situation, which will be of help in MAX
ing corrections.
We We're under orders to 90 to the
border as soon as full equipment was
received. We were still short Of pom
chos, bedsacks, mosquito bars and
some overcoats. On August 16 news
papers reported a suspension of the
order for the sending of the Vermont
troops. On the same day l wired the
commanding officer as follows:
Papers here report suspension of
order for sending balance of Vermont
troops. Will you ask for my transfer
to company Immediately. This course
has the approval of the adjutant gen
eral. y
A reply was received to the effect
that the order of suspension was be
lleVed to be only temporary, but if it
proved otherwise / would be trans
ferred.
The railway strike was then threat
ening and we all awaited develop
ments. On August p an order was
received for movement of all the troops
at the mobilization camp to Eagle Pass.
On August 30 we entrained. We were
turned back at Brattleboro. Before
leaving Brattleboro the adiutant gen
eral by wire urged my transfer We
returned to Fort Ethan Allen Aug 81
Sept. ] Congressman Greene was asked
to intercede to secure a movement of
the Vermont recruits to the border.
Sept. the following telegram
quoted so far as pertinent, was sent to
the commanding officer: "Renew re-
quest for my transfer. My desire is
to serve so far as capable making CON
pany efficient. This is duty | owe it
and community.
| Sept. the following reply was re-
ccived by the adiutant general of the
state Quoting in part): Uniform Hy-
land, Gibson and Sheldon am making
! application adjutant general to have
them sent border Application was
duly made.
| The headquarters company, the sup
ply company and the machine gun com
| pany were ordered mustered out. On
Sept. the following telegram was sent
| to Congressman Greene: VIII YOU as
certain purpose of department as to
myself i'll connection with the recent
order to muster out. During past year
have spent much time and money in
building up Brattleboro company and
ought to be with it since it has no
officer except those attached. This is
| duty l owe to company and commun-
ity."
On Sept. 8 the following telegram
was received from Congressman Dale:
Response to telegram to Greene mat
ter taken up with department. Ther
have wired Eastern department that
| request is made here for order of your
self to border. If he belongs to or
ganization there he should be instruct
ed to Join it.
The Eastern department Immediately
wired Capt. Hyland for information.
On the 18th of September orders were
received for the movement of all the
recruits and officers. Transportation
was arranged and the ears partly load,
ed when the regiment was ordered
of recruits suspended.
It became apparent that we could
not see service on the border with any
Vermont troops. On Sept. 81 with
other officers an application was made
| LOT dlidtI-itIi 10 the Illllld OF SblIt
state then in service This application
was duly approved by the Immediate
commanding officer, but disapprovcc
by the department Of the East on tn,
ground of lack Of warrant in law.
Aside from these efforts Governol
Gates and General Tillotson did all il
their power to secure the transfer o.
officers and men that they might have
the benefit Of experience. Other effort,
were made which ! am not at liberty
to state.
The enlisted men who served at thu
mobilization camp and who met Will
SO many discouragements during thci
tour of duty, are entitled to very grca
credit. In the face of their trouble
they obeyed orders without question
and thereby met the first and last dut,
of soldier in a manner which reflect
ed credit to the organization and t.
the state as we'll as to themselves.
Every effort was put forth to &c
both officers and men at the mobiliza
ton camp sent to Eagle Pass. | hav,
quoted above only a part of telegram
sent and covered only portion of tn
! efforts made.
Very truly,
L. w. GIBSON,
Capt. LIST Inf. v \. G
/ Brattleboro, Vt, Oct. %, 1916.