Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1916-10-05
South Carolina Soldiers
Win LaurelS at Front

cations which were encamped in the
FL Paso patrol district, it is sad
that Massachusetts ranked first In ef-
ficiency, Michigan second and South
Carolina third. Both Massachusetts,
and Michigan had been on the border
six weeks before the Palmetto boys
arrived and it must also be remem-
bered that those States appropriate
many times the amount Of money for
their National Guard that South Caro-
lima does. Their States are more
prosperous, and have more money to
give them, for one thing. I believe
that, given the same length Of train
ing on the border, the Palmetto boys
will rank No. l in efficiency among all
the National Guard organizations Of
all the States.
1t means something to be from
South Carolina. When you told any
one that you were from the Palmetto
States they were as cordial and friend
" as you could wish. It's an open
sesame to have IN. G. S. c." Oh your
uniform and it just naturally made
me feel good all over to observe this
fact.
The soldier boys are all working
hard and doing whatever is given
them without murmuring. OF course,
they think a lot Of home and would
like to be back with their people but
they are not kicking and "cussing"
like some 1 heard. They do feel as
II they ought not to be kept sitting
down on the Texas plains in concen-
tration camp indefinitely. They re-
sponded to the call to arms when 1t
looked as If there was going to be
trouble with Mexico, and they today
would 20 over the Rio Grande with
shout If orders came from Washington
TO invade Mexico. They have been
in camp now >Since June Is, either at
Styx or in their present location
seven miles out Of El Paso On the
lrexss plains Like all spldiers tho
rfaimetto boys, are ready fot a nght
but there is little prospect OF any
trouble with Mexico at present.
Home Within 80 Days.
Since coming back to Columbia
have been asked time and again when
T thought the boys would come PACK
home and I have said in about ~
DAYS. OF course I have no direct In
formation but I believe that either py
November 1 or shortly thereafter all
of the South Carolina soldiers will be
returned to Styx and mustered out OF
t:,e federal service. 1t seems TO DE
tbe plan to return the troops nome
in the order in which they went TO
the border and this means that from
the FL Paso district the Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts, and Michigan National
Guard will be sent back before soutn
Carolina, for they went there before
them. T1,efe are some 14,00o Penn
sylvanians, and probably 5000 troops
from Michigan and Massachusetts,. it
fakes time to move soldiers and the
eouipment which is cafryfag the Geor'
pia. North Carolina and other troops
to the border will be used FOR re-
turning those regiments now on duty
tbpre home. Another reason why
think the boys will be home in 30 days
is that the field manoeuvres Will De
over by October Is and unless tney
are sent on patrol duty along the
border they will have nothing to 40.
know. TOO. from talks i had Win
some Of the higher army officials, that
tbey are expecting the National Guard
to be sent back home and mustered
ont of the federal service In Soyem'
her. 1 think there is good reason 10
hone that the boys can be gotten back
in time for the fair and efforts are
being made TO this end now by the
Chamber of Commerce OF SolumDla.
IT will not do to count too much on
any particular week or day, but am
reasonably certain that they Viii DE
hack either on or Immediately after
November 1.
The people Of the West ar naturally
most cordial to the South Caroilna
soldiers and have made their stay
the border all the pleasanter by rea-
son of the attention which they have
shown the men from time to time.
The peOple Of the West are naturally
a hospitable people and in spite or
the many thousands Of soldiers who
are encamped in and around II Paso
many of the leading citizens of the
CITY have taken time to make the
Palmetto men feel that they are ap-
preciative Of their presence and real
ize fully that they are there to pro
tect and defend them and the other
Americans who live on the boundary
between the two countries. Particu-
larly has this been true OF the First
National bank and the Chamber OF
Commerce, and many other business
places. They make you feel at home
In FL Paso and refuse to let You feel
that YOU are in q strange land.
Changee in Styles.
Toledo Blade.
Soon the vonng men Of the adver-