Milford chronicle., 1916-07-28
DELAWARE TROOPS NOW
ENROUTE To new MEXICO

Cheering wildly, to give vent to the
enthusiasm that has been pent up
within them for five weeks, and at
the same time showing their disregard
for the thorough drenching they had
received while preparing for the long
journey, DeIaware's armed sons Tues
day afternoon broke camp at the rifle
efange, entrained at New Castle, and
left for Deming, New Mexico, where
they are to be stationed while doing
patrol duty along the Mexican border
along with troops from other states.
The first section of the special train
left New Castle promptly at 2:SO
o'clock. 1t was carrying the first bat
talon, made up of the four Whining
ton companies, together with the nee
essary canvas and equipment and bag
gage. Major J. Warner Reed, the
commanding officer, and his staff trav-
eled on this train.
The second section left New Castle
at 4:4O o'clock in the afternoon. This
section carried the second battalion,
composed of the four companies from
New Castle, Newark, Dover and Mill
ford. Major William Lank with his
staff travelled on this section. At the
loading point at New Castle hundreds
of people, mostly women and girls,
stood in the driving rain to see the
soldiers leave.
There were many touching ana
pathetic scenes about the entraining
point at New Castle. Girls with their
clothing dripping from the rain, lin
gered long and fondly in the arms OF
the soldiers while their lips were
pressed together in what some one de-
clared must have been soul kisses.
Mothers with babes in their arms
stood in the downpOur and held up
the little ones for a last fond kiss from
father and husband. Many eyes were
dimmed by tears which rolled down
the cheeks of the soldiers, as well as
the women and girls, and none seem
ed to be ashamed of the evidence of
sadness. In the excitement and rush
of getting away everyone appeared to
forget about the rain, and all we're
intent upon getting a last word OF
farewell or last kiss or embrace.
The mobilization camp on the |
range was practically broken to all |
intents and purposes on Monday |
night All canvas had been taken |
down and packed and everything |
had been prepared for the departure |
Tuesday morning. The soldiers slept |
in their "dog''tents Monday night, and
despite the rain whicF started to fall |
about midnight, and which had flooded
the field by morning they were up and
doing at an early hour.
Governor Bids Men Farewell.
Governor Charles R. Miller motored
down to the camp early to bid the
men farewell and to watch their going
He stood around in the rain talking
with the officers and consulting with
Major Reed and General Wickersham,
who also was on hand to see that
everything moved smoothly. There
were two men in the hospital. Meth
er was able to walk. When Governor
Miller learned of this he Immediately
placed his automobile at the services
1f Major Marshall, chief surgeon, and
It was used as an ambulance in which
10 carry the sick soldiers to the troop F.,
rains at New Castle.
The specials did not stop after leav-
ng New Castle until they got to West
From there they went
o Harrisburg, Pittsburg, Columbus, !
st. Louis, TeXarkana, :
81 PasO and then to Deming, where 1
hey will be located. They will be on t
he road about five days and as many |
nights. They are carrying with them Z
en- days travelling ratiOns and 10000 I
'ounds of rife ammunition to each c
battalion. Stops will be made enrOute t
o give the men a chance to wash and c
exercise.
Boys Travelling in Real Comfort. \
The Delaware soldiers are travel
ng in more real comfort than any
roops sent to the border have ex
,erienced. The special trains were
inspected by Governor Miller and
General Wickersham before they left,
md the governor expressed his sat S
sfaction and pleasure at the equip
nent the railroad company provided d
nd which he thought could not have
,een better. In fact the Pennsyl- n
ania Railroad system did everything n
could for the comfort and cOnven- c
ence of the men.
The first section, with the first bat a
alion, was made up of the freight e.
ars carrying the equipment. Then
anne the baggage car and then an n
tber baggage car carrying the food
upply. Following this was the spe- tC
ial kitchen car, in which a stove 7
ad been built and tables constructed OF
Or preparing and serving meals.
his will give the men hot coffee and bl
of food while on the train, and they VI
ill have tables at which to eat it. pl
ollowing this car were seven tour pI
# sleepers, almost the same as reg be
lar Pullman cars as far as comfort tn
nd convenience are concerned. Three
zen we're assigned to a section, and Pl
ne cars were provided with fresh as
nen. There was plenty of ice water pu
nd an extra barrel of water in each da
ar The soldiers, therefore, may go he
, he'd even in more comfort than nj
,ev did in camp and they will have
Ientv of drinking water. The last op
~ was the PullI an car for the Off so
,rs Major Reed was there. The si'
ain for the second battalion was fol
70 same as the first, and had all the
1t carried an extra car, -
1wever-a stock car for Major Lank's tn
orse. Major Reed will get a horse tai
Deming ~
Due in Deming on Sunday. Fu