Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-12-18
TROOPS TOCOME HOME
Baker Promises Virginia Senators
and Representatives That Soldiers
viii Quit Border Before Xmas

Orders to return home Will De Ihe
Christmas gift which the war De-
partment will put in the stockings
1f the Virginia troops now on tne
Mexican border, Secretary OF war;
Baker, Yesterday afternoon told Re
rroscntative Carter Glass that or
ders for thc return of the Virginia
militiamen will be shortly issued.
and the Old Dominion troopers will
either be on their native soil or on
they way by the time Christmas Day
rolls around.
There has heardly been day dur
ing the past month that some mem
Der of the Virginia delegation in Con-
cress has not held conference with
Secretary Baker, in which he was
urged to order home the Virginia
troops, Senator Swanson called at
the secretary's office Friday. Repre-
sentative Glass also saw the Sccre-
tary, and the glad news for the Vir-
ginia troopers was reported to Mr.
Glass.
Senator Swanson, in his confer
cnce with Secretary Baker, referred
to the complaints being made that
the Virginians are Disseminated
against by being kept on the border.
Tie said it has been generally under
stood that the troops would be sent
home in the order in which they were
sent to the border. This understand
ing which prevails among the militia
men, pointed out Senator Swanson,
was not adhered to SO far as the Vir-
eina troops are concerned, as an
Iowa regiment, which went to the
border later was ordered home ahead
of the Virginians.
The Senator made it plain to Secrc-.
tsry Baker. that the Virginians want
to 10 their duty, but they also ex-
pect to be treated with the same
consideration which is shown other
troobs,
9iiere are about 5000 Virginia SOL
ydiers at the front. They consist Of
the First and Second Regiments. and
q number of independent commands.
1t is not known whether all the Vir-
ginians will be included in the orders
which Secretary Baker said will be
issued within the next few days for
their return home The First and
Second Regiments went to the bord-
or about three weeks after the mob-
'lization. The independent commands
did not GO until some time in septem-
her. 1t IS possible that these will be
left behind. The Virginia members
Of, Congress, however, are confident
that all the men in the First and
Second Regiments will be included IN
the homecoming orders.
Virginia guardsmen now ON duty
in Texas completed their sixth month
of service yesterday, having re-
sponded to the call of the President
on June 10. The two regiments of IN
rantry have spent more than five Of
th.. six months in Texas, while the
other units, the cavalry, artillery.
: Signal Corps and engineers have been
away from home for two months or
more.
The Virginia troops are located IN
two sections of Texas, the Browns
will" and San Antonio districts. The
infantry and cavalry are at the for
mer and the artillery, Signal Corps
and engineers at the latter. There are
approximately 5000 guardsmen from
this State in the Federal service. The
two regiments of infantry were
among the first in the country to be
started south.
The Virginia militiamen were mobi-
lied on June 10, the call Of the Presi-
dent having been issued on the previ-
Gus night.
The Virginia units mobilized in
Richmond, being quartered at Camp
Stuart. in the State Fair Grounds,
The first contingent went south on
July 6, both contingents of infantry
cntraining the same day. The field
artillery moved south early in Octo-
bore, while the cavalry, signal COM
pany and engineers were on their
way two weeks later.
The Virginia troops have earned
enviable records in Texas. The in,
fantrymen have seen the hardest SER.
vice, taking part with great credit
in the early 'maneuvcrs in the heat
of the summer. The artillery has al,
ready finished its target practice. hav,