Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-13
PERsH|NG's BOYS MOVE
TO NEW PERMANENT BASE
Trip Through Some Of Most Bcauti-
full Parts Of French Ono Great
TKiumphai Procession.
GREETED By CHEERING CROWDS
Townspeople and Villagers Bring
Goodies to Trains and Children
Throw Roses at the Soldiers-JtaH
Hard at Work to Mako Men Fit.
by DANIEL DILLON.

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE. July 12.-pershings boys
crossed Franco to-day from the camps
near the French seaport where they
FIRST landed, to the new permanent base.
It was one great triumphal procession.
In tho trains. carrying 1000 each.
American troops rode through some
OF the most beautiful parts of France.
Nearly all the way they sang pa
triotic songs marching songs, ragtime
everything. Some displayed their
linguistic and musical talents by hum
ming French airs they had picked up
In tho few short weeks in camp. All
along the itinerary. in every city,
town. village and hamlet the trains
were greeted by cheering crowds. AS
the first train passed through. the in
habitants in the immediate vicinity
OF the station came running on No
piece of gossip ever made such Wild
IRE run through towns big or small
as tho news that the "Sammies" were
passing through. Everywhere thou
sands of men. women and children
streamed on. and when the last train
passed through the tracks were thickly
lined with 5ubilant multitude. At
places where tho passing Of the Sam
mics" had been known beforehand, the
Starr and Stripes were displayed with
an oppulence that strongly suggested
American towns celebrating the
Fourth OF July. Townspeople and viii
layers brought goodies and refresh
ments to the trains.
At the various army stations where
the troops were. of course, expected
the school children. in their best holt
day clothes. were assembled. and sang
the American and French national
anthems. the American having been
specially studied for the occasion
Little girls In white dresses threw
roses at the soldiers. others offered
cigarettes and sweets. Some were
anxious to recitc q poem. Elaborate
rest stations had been established
The "Sammics' were heaped with gifts
or every description. II was ns II the
population Of France had united TO
compensate the American soldiers in
some degree for what they missed at
their departure from America because
OF the necessary secrecy
Tho troop trains did not pass through
Paris.
While the soldiers were travelling
nearer and nearer to the front, the
stan OF the American force was strain
Ing every nerve In completing the
work to make the troops in every re-
spect Mt to take their part in the fight
Ing. 1t 10 expected that many changes
In tho American uniform which have
been recommended since the troops
landed In France will be adopted. Chief
among these are the supplanting of
the army pancho with n cavalry
slicker. the shortening of the overcoat
and the Introduction Of cloth puttees
Folding fatigue caps will be placed
under the shrapnel helmets. Each man
will be furnished with canvas sleeve
less. flannel-lined jacket.
TREMENDOUS jon BEFORE
QUARTERMAsTERC CORPS
Tho Quartermaster corps is con-
fronted with a tremendous Job. Men
OF the highest executive ability are
needed y huge rcfrigcrating plant is
required, as are rcfriGerating cars
capable OF carrying 100000 pounds of
meat daily For the erection OF the
plant only lumber and cement are
available in France. The rest OF the
material and all OF the supplies must
be transported from America In ad-
dillon. the army will need storage oil
tanks OF 1000. 900 gallon capacity. and
salvage depots for the renovating Of
the clothes. One pair OF shoes lasts
Just about one week in the trenches
One French army depot employs not
fewer than 5000 men.
All these tremendously important
questions are now being tackled by the
OF