The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-02-23
URGES STATE TO
AID SOLDIERS
CAPT. ]. W. TILLAS SPEAKS FOR
RETURNING GUARDSMEN
Money Win be Needed: Declares Pro-
vision Should be Made Until Men
Are Able To Secure Positions:
for Themselves

Nashville, Tenn, Feb. 2l.-What
will become of the members of the
state militia when they reach their
home stations and are mustered out
of service is the question that is rails
ed by Capt William ]. Hills of the
medical corps of the Third Tennessee
regiment in letter to Capt HI. NJ
Gambler of McMinn county.
Capt. Hills asks Capt. Gambler, who
is former officer of the militia, what
he thinks Tennessee will do for the
returning members of the militia
state will merely give
them resolution and big welcome
home, or whether it will come forward
with small amount for each man to
supply himself with a suit of civilian
clothing and something to keep him
alive until he can find something to do.
Capt. Hillas' letter is dated San Be
nito, Tex, Feb. Is, and is as follows:
Hon. H. NJ Gambler, Athens, Tenn.
Dear Capt. -Candler:-I believe you
are the man to do something for the
men of the Tennessee units who have
served and who are now serving on
the Mexican border. am sure you
will gladly raise your voice in behalf
of our boys, many of whom have sery-
ed under you.
by April | AN of the, Tennessee
troops will have returned to Tonnes
see to be mustered out Most of them
will return to civil life, after an abb
sence of almost a year, without suffi-
cient money to secure a suit of civil
ian clothes, certainly without enough
funds to provide for few weeks food
and shelter while the soldier hustles
for new job. 1t will be serious times
for these boys. They are worrying
over it now, talking about the future
with very serious faces, Our men have
covered themselves with glory and
have brought priceless honor to- our
state. The Tennessee soldier stands
foremost in the nations eye. Now,
what will his state do for him as proof
of sincere appreciation for all he has
done? Will our people give him res
olutions, have committee of fellow
townsmen meet him with flowers and
speeches and with unstable promises
of a job, or will our people, through
our Legislature, see that each fellow
gets a little sum of money, say $50 or
even $25, to help him get through the
first few hard weeks of his return to
civil life?
as it asking teO nfieir, n -
asking very much, to ask you to lead I
movement to bring about the ends
we have so much at heart? tt II
Being a medical officer, | am in
close touch with every man in the reg
iment. | know his condition, his af-
fairs at home, and his views regarding !
the future, and know that he knows
all that other states are doing for their
soldiers.
81 am sure that the press and the
people will rally around you and sup
port you in any measure you will in
troduce.
81 feel that Tennessee can without
any Inconvenience, give each man a
reasonable sum for a reward of serv-
ice faithfully done.
II feel confident that upon receipt
of your reply | can report to the men
of the Third regiment that Captain
Gambler is going to put up fight in
their behalf.
with best wishes, your friend,
WILLIAM J. HILLAS,
Captain Medical Corps, Third Ten
nessee Regiment"