The Washington times., 1916-07-05
CAPTAIN TERRY, OF.
SIGNAL CORPS, FIRST
D. c. OFFICER READY
Entrains Men, Followed by Hos
pltaI Corps and CoIored
Troops.

To Capt. oliver c. Terry. commanding
the District Signal Corps. belongs the
distinction Of being the FIRST District
militiaman to comply with President
Wilson's order to proceed to the Mexi-
can border.
Captain Terry was not only the FIRST
commander to entrain his men. but ac-
tually the first man to step into a car
and announce his readiness to start.
As a matter Of fact, however. the First
Separate Battalion's train was the FIRST
. TO leave the railroad yard at Rosslyn
amid cheers. shouts. and the waving Of
hags and handkerchief by a large num-
Der Of men. women. and children.
No Mishaps Mar Departure.
The departure of the First Separate
Battalion. Signal Corps and Field Hos
pital Corps was accomplished without
mishap and only the necessity for COM
pleting railroading details prevented
them from leaving at Q o'clock. the
scheduled hour.
The first section, carrying the four
companies Of the First Separate Bat
Talon pulled out at 706 o'clock. while
Field Hospital Corps. moved South at
Hundreds of mothers, sisters, wives
Snd swe Get nr.,, wept as the signal
started off for the border.
The relatives and sweethearts gath
cred around the cars as soon as the
soldiers entrained and remained at
men until the whistle blew for the
train to proceed.
There were many other men and
the eut}ts entrsned but this nj one mads
no difference. They distributed fruit,
boxes Of food, packages of chewing
gum, sacks Of tobacco and cigars just
the same and the guardsmen were
profuso in their thanks.
All in High Spirits.
All OF the militiamen were In high
spirits and ccnsoled their weeping
feminine visitors by promising to take
the best of care Of themselves and
assuring them they would return be-
fore many months. The women and
airls refused to be comforted, however,
and continued tc weep long after the
trains pulled out.
Each Of the three organizations was
ready when, assembly" was sounded
they accomplished the feat Of drop
ping their tents and packing all their
equipment and impedimenta In less
march tc. Rossiyn.
1t was 4:45 o'clock when the Signal
Corps assembled and 1t was not until
then that the standard bearer pulled
up from the ground the flag which was
put In position near Captain Terry's
tent when camp was first established.
Lecture Given Men.
The. Hospital Corps. commanded by
Major Charles Bowker and Capt.
ito the Fort Myer drill xleid Just ahead
Of the Signal Corps. Both organizations
formed In straight lines, company front,
on the drill field and the command
ing officers gave their men q brief lee
ture on how to take care OF themselves
and uphold the honor of their outfits.
While Captain Terry was addressing
his men General Harvey rode up and
addressed the signalists briefly.
There is no time for ceremony" said
General Harvey. but want TO con-
graduate you on being the first COM
mand out. want you men to take
the best OF care OF yourselves and per-
form your very important duties the
best you know how. You have a good
set OF officers and Il you do what you
good things In store for you under
the army reorganization bill.
Take care of your health and come
back to claim the credit which will be
due you: Go to 1t, Captain. you're the
A private in the rear rank suggested
three cheers for the general" but
General Harvey and Captain Terry sup
pressed the ovation.
Signal Corps Gets on.
The Signal Corps. headed by Captain
Terry, Lieut.. Charles Lands. and Lieut..
Russell McLennan. then quickly got off
the drill field and proceeded with a
swinging stride down the military road
to Rosslyn.
General Harvey then rode UP to the
Hospital Corps and said:
Major Bowker. / congratulate you on
your promotion and your fine organiza-
ton. We expect a great deal from this
corps, and I know our expectations will
not be In vain.
Men. keep straight and clean and take
care OF yourselves so that you may
take care Of the men who have to fall
into your hands and come under your
ministration.
I'VE look to you to bring back a num-
Der of men who might not otherwise
return.
II know you will obey your officers
and perform your duty so as to reflect
credit on the District OF Columbia.
II congratulate you all. The best of
luck to you. Major march your men
to the train"
At this juncture the First Separate
Battalion marched over the hill from lis
whilom camp to the drill field.
The colored militiamen were outfitted
for field service. While the Signal
Corps men carried no weapons, except
pistols. and no blanket rolls, and the
Hospital Corps men were equipped with
with the round tent rolls which they
wore when they marched from the arm.
DRY. the First Separate Battalion sol
d!ers were outfitted In the latest style
Garry "Baby Doll" Rolls.