Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-06


orders received by Col. Frank Hume
Second Maine Infantry. at Laredo
Texas, yesterday, the regiment will
leave the Mexican border for it's home
station at Augusta on Monday next
This news was contained in night
letter received by Mrs. Frank B. Cum
mings. s21 Washington avenue. this
city. this morning, wife of Lieutenant
Colonel Cummings, second in command
of the Maine troops on the border. Ii
the tentative schedule mapped out for
the return trip of the troops is success
fully put through the Second will ar
rive in Portland one week from Sat
urday, early in the morning, and the
grand reception and parade VIII be
carried out during that day, allowing
the home coming soldiers ample time
TO re-entrain and continue on the last
leg of their journey to Augusta, ar
irving there late in the afternoon.
1t. Col. Cummings Telegram
The telegram received by Mrs. Cum
mings from her husband is as follows:
Laredo, Texas. Oct. 4, 1916.
Mrs. Frank b. Cummings, S21 Wash
ington avenue, Portland, Maine:
Orders received that we leave Mon
day, the 9th. Review Friday, the 9th.
for General Funston is cause for de-
lay. Probably reach Portland Satur-
day morning for parade. Mayor Chap
mans telegram received. Advise him
of contents of this letter
(Signed) FRANK b. CUMMINGS.
The grand brigade review of the
troops by General Frederick Funston
and his staff at Laredo, Texas, on Fri
day of this week will probably be one
OF the most imposing sights from
military standpoint of the last days or
duty by the troops now on the border
and will signal the return to their
home stations of thousands of Ameri-
cas- young manhood, who have played
that most difficult military game. In
active watchful waiting.
1t is this review, however, that has APP
parently delayed the return home of the
Pine Tree State soldier boys, for it is
understood that they would have lett La
redo Immediately upon receiving orders
had not this ceremony been in prospect.
Equipped for Winter
Unlike troops Of some other National
Guard organizations, no delay was made
necessary by lack of winter equipment.
for the Maine boys were fully equipped
for winter service when they went South,
and instead of having to await issue OF
the heavier winter uniforms before COM
ing north they could have, so far as this
is concerned. left at any time during the
past three months. The failure to issue
the heavier equipment to the troops of
some Of the other Northern states by the
quartermaster' department has, it is re-
ported, interfered seriously with the troop
movement, the instance in the Massa-
chusetts regiment being called to mind
AS regards the Second Regiment of Bay
State troops, orders were issued by the
war department to equip the members OF
the regiment with the winter equipment
in less than 4S hours after they had been
given their summer equipment.
Plan PortIand's Greeting
Not only the citizens of Portland, indi-
vdually, but the city itself officially will
greet the returning members of the Sec
ond Maine Infantry, which will arrive
here a week from Saturday from Lare-
do, Texas, after three months of arduous
duties on the Mexican border. In order
that the city government may take off,
cial action on the matter. Mayor Chap.
man today issued a call for special
meeting of both boards of the govern
ment to be held in City hall tomorrow
evening at 7.3o, when the matter will be
brought I'D and acted upon.