The broad ax., 1916-10-14
EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY ON
TRAIN. NEAR DENIsoN, TEXAS,
ENRoUTE TO SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
OCTOBER 10, 1916.-Special to The

Dear Friend Taylor
The departure of the Sth regiment
was an event long to be remembered at
Camp Wilson, Fort Sam Houston. Ever
since the boys received the news while
they were on the return trip of the
famous "Austin Hike" that they were
to be sent home shortly after returning
to Camp Wilson, they have been on tip
toe, eager to start Chicago-ward.
When the various companies marched
from their company streets promptly
at 2 P. NJ, October 18th. what before
had been "The Brown Tented City"
once more became the level Texas
plain, without sign of life or interest
as the Sth found it upon their arrival
just three months ago.
One thousand men, soldiers of Uncle
Sam, members of our race, citizens of
Illinois, marched out of camp that had
been their home during the sunshine
and rain of the past months, behind
the erect figure of the Commander,
Colonel Franklin A. Denison, to the
trains that had been placed on the side
tracks at the edge of the camp. One
could see the joy and happiness and
Ieagerness plainly reflected in their
bright eyes and smiling countenanees.
While the stay in Texas had been prof
liable from a military standpoint, yet
every man was eager to 60 to old Illinois
and dear old Chicago, where they could
see "The girl 1 left behind me" or
anxious wives and expectant friends.
And believe that they were plenty Of
men who were anxious to simply just
see plain old State st. They moved
with measured tread and as quietly as
the Arab who has folded his tent and
is stealing away and when the Band,
under the leadership of Sergeant
Tucker, who has been highly success
full in handling the Band since Ser
geant Berry left, played "Illinois,"
the hearty response given by the men
must have been felt, via mental tele-
pathy, in the hearts and minds of the
"dear ones in Chicago" The regiment
was escorted to the train by an army
of sad, broken hearted, weeping sweet
hearts-Texas sweethearts-they were
all there, dressed in their prettiest,
bringing lunches, refreshments, cigars,
etc., to the boys from Chicago who had
so entirely eaptivated their hearts.
The boys, didn't get chance to take
Villa, but they surely took San Anto-
MO, as far as the ladies were con-
eerned. They certainly hated to see
them leave,-they said. so and they
acted so. Many of them eheered the
boys with promises of coming to Chi
eago soon, and if they do, well you
know better than 1 do. But the real
big event of the day, the big surprise
to all, was the serenade rendered the
Sth regiment by the 9TH Ill. Band.
When the sth was about ready to start
this Band was seen marching from
their camp grounds toward the train
after the first piece the cheers that
rent the air were deafening. Soon the
eth Ill. Band called on the Sth Band
to get off the train and join in a union
concert. When the two bands assem-
bled standing side by side many of the
Texans had to wipe their eyes to be
sure they were awake. Some of the
Virginia troops, which had arrived on
that day looked on in wonderment.
Soldiers assembled from all the bri-
fgades and gave the Sth cheer after
cheer as the train pulled out The Sth
has proven to be a very popular regi
ment, statements to the contrary not
withstanding. On the day of the Big
Parade in San Antonio, October 4th,
the eighth was cheered more than any
other regiment in line and the newspa-
pers stated that the most enthusiastic
applause given to the Bands in line
was given to the Band of the Sth.
, Sergeant Tucker says he has composed
a new Band march entitled "From San
Antonio to AUSTIN and will play it
when they boys come home. We are
now speeding toward the dear old state
hoping that we will not be held long
lin Springfield for the muster out for
malities. We will soon be marching
up Michigan Ave-, to the Armory with
our flags flying, faces wreathed in
smiles and the Band playing "Hail,
Hail The Gangs All Here" 1 will
write you another letter after arriv-
ing at Springfield.
Lewis E. Johnson,
Sgt. Major, sth Ill. Inf
P. S.:-The boys tell me to say "Kill
the fatted calf, the prodigals are re-
turning.