The Washington times., 1917-03-05
Accorded Place of Honor at
Head of Second Division of
Great Pageant.
THRILLS MEN FROM BORDER
Demonstration of Welcome and
APPROVAL Sets New Record
for Washington.

Accorded a place Of honor at the
head OF the Second division, the Dis
trict Guardsmen recently returned
from the Mexican border, were ac-
claimed with thunderous applause and
handcfapping from the time they
swung into line with snap, vim and
precision until they disbanded.
Among the bronZed and seasoned
men were 40 members of Battery A,
Field Artillery, commanded by Capt.
Louis c. Vogt, who returned from
the border yesterday. The battery
mems clothing was still busted with
alkali, and all the cactus and mes
quit thorns had not been plucked from
their uniforms.
Every block traversed by the Dis
trict guardsmen found the uemonstra-
ton in their honor increasing in
volume. Today was the first time
the citizen-soldiers of the National
Capital have been seen in marching
order since they left for the border
and thousands of washingtonians In
the stands and on the sidewalks cheer
ed themselves hoarse and wore dis
ters on their hands paying tribute
to the returned troops.
Trained Soldiers Now.
The suardsmen proved a very DIFF
ferent organization from that which
marched to Fort Myer, Va, last June
when the men answered the Presi
dents call to the colors. Their uni
forms and equipment were entirely
new. their precision in marching and
in the manual of arms was revela-
tion.
The men looked to be every inch
soldiers. There was a hint of stern
ness in their faces and as they
marched or maneuvered. through the
cheering, hag-waving, shouting crowd
they appeared to be military machines
rather than men,. A deep red hush on
the faces OF the officers and men
attested that they were thrilled and
warmed by the unprecedented demon
stration in their honor. Among the
militiamen were some who swore
down on the border that they were
through with soldering, but the
deeply moving Demonstration today
may have dispelIed such thoughts.
Brig. Gen. William Z. Harvey,
commanding the District troops, and
his staff rode at the head OF the citi-
zen soldiery and were given a rous-
ing welcome.
Brig. Gen. William A. Mann, U. S.
A.. commanded the Second division
with Col. Jesse Mci. Carter. U. 5. A.
as chief of staff. The assistant aides,
all resplendent In gold braid and
striking blue uniforms, were Lieut..
Col. Charles Gefhardt, U. S. A; Major
Joseph c. Castner, adjutant genera
of the District guards; Major n. IS.
clark. u. s. A; Capt. d. T. Merrill, U.
s A.: Capt. w. n. Hughes, jr., U. s.
A: Cant Horace. P Hobbs, u, S. A,
and Capt. T. NJ. Spaulding, U. s. A.
Third Regiment Next.
Following General Harvey march
ed the Third Regiment, commanded by
Col. GIendie B. Young, and composed
az three battalions headed by Major
Joseph Hodgson, Major Wallach Nc
Cathran, and Major Alexander Sum-
mers, and the machine gun company,
commanded by Capt, Herbert Earn
shaw.
The First Separate Battalion, color
ed, commanded by Major James
Walker. followed.
The newly organized Coast Artill-
cry Company of the Washington citi-
zen-soIdiery, which paraded for the
first time today, was given an enthu-
siastic welcome by the cheering
tcrowds. The company was command
ed by Capt. Walker W. Burns.
Salvos of applause greeted the ap-
pearance of Battery B, Field Artil-
cry, commanded by Capt. George Will
son, while Troop A, First Cavalry,
Just returned from San Antonio, the
Field Hospital Corps, and Signal
| Corps were greeted with shouts OF
friendship and admiration from hun
dreds OF individuals along the line.
The District militia has marched in
a number of parades in Washington,
but today's outbursts OF applause at
tested the citizen-soldiers' popularity
more strongly than has ever been
manifested before.