The sun., 1917-08-17
9TH HONORS MEN IT
GIVES FIGHTING GOTH
Demonstrations, Formal and
Informal, Make Transfer
Moving Spectacle.
CROWDS GET A THRILL.
Camaraderie of Two Regi-
ments, Begun in Sixties,
Is Revived.

Is Revived.
Three hundred and sixty enlisted men
from the Seventh Regiment were trans
ferred to the ranks OF the Fighting
Sixty-ninth' yesterday. That regiment
has been ordered to encamp Immediately
Mt Mineola In preparation for trans
portat!on TO France as part Of the
rainbow division" ordered ready for
active service.
The transfer OF the men was effected
with most impressive spectacle Of
camaraderie. The remarkable fraternal
! spirit existing between these two regi-
ments has been welded through many
generations and dates back to Bull Run,
when they fought side by side. 1t was
evidenced again yesterday by the pride
with which the Seventh escorted its men
to their new command and the rousing
welcome they received when they en-
tered the armory of the Sixty-njnth at
Lexington avenue and East Twenty
sixth street.
| Although the men drawn from the
Seventh to swell the ranks OF the Sixty
ninth feel a deep personal regret at
leaving behind many brothers and
pals" with whom they had enlisted
with the intention OF fighting and, II the
fortunes of war willed 1t. dying to-
gether, the men so separated by the or
der Of transfer forgot this disappoint-
ment In the honor they felt in being or
dered to be part OF the first New York
regiment to be ordered to the front.
| Troops Ready for Action.
The command to fall in was given
to the Seventh's men a. 2:30 o'clock
! IAkA
field packs, ready II necessary for i'm
mediate action. the transferred men
faced their old comrades on the armory
| floor for the last time. The rest Of the
Seventh. with Col Willard Fisk. Its
! commander, and his stafr. faced the de-
pa arting men with genuine regret. Per-
haps there was little feeling OF envy
in the hearts Of the Seventh's men left
behind
Tie order to march was given by Col
Fisk. The Seventh. headed by its COM
mander and his stan. left the Seventh
Regiment Armory. at Park avenue and
East Sxty-sixth street. few minutes
later The detail to be transferred fol-
lowed the main body. Even then the
men did not know how they were being
honored Two thousand strong, with
bands playing. the regiment marched
Gown Park avenue to Fifty-seventh
| street. turned west into Fifth avenue and
proceeded south to Twenty sixth street.
As the head of the column reached
Thirty-fourth street an order was given
and followed sharply by the Seventh.
The companies separated and swung
with precision to the east and west sides
OF Fifth avenue in single formation and
| with their muskets at present arms"
stood rigid while the men who were to
be transferred marched between them.
Crowds See Ceremony.
Thousands Of spectators lined the side
walks and watched this homage OF the
Seventh to its own men in delighted
wonderment. Col Fisk, Brig. g.-Gen. Dam
Eel Appleton and the regiments stan Of
fcers waited at the head OF the column.
their hands up to their peaked caps In
rigid salute until the last OF the depart
ing men had passed and turned east
through Twenty-sixth street.
This sendofr by it's own Jnen and off,
GERS visibiy affected the men who were
leaving their own comrades The heavy
packs and muskets which they carried
seemed nothing as they Strengthened with
pride and looked quickly with flushed
and happy faces at Col. Fisk and his Of
fcers. II made the heartache Of sep
arstion seem worth while. and 1t was a
gallant and martial formation which
turned into Lexington avenue and en-
tered the Sixth-ninth armory.
Another surprise awaited them there.
Both curbs Of Lexington avenue were
thick with cheering crowds, which were
kept back with difficulty by two squads
OF mounted and traffic police. A guard
Of honor of the Sixty-ninth was drawn
up in salute at the doors OF the armory
20 receive the Seventh's men. Between
this guard Of honor marched the men
who art to help the Sixty ninth push
back the Germans from the soil of
France. They proceeded through the
entrance to the armory floor, where they
were formally received by Lieut. Col.
Latham Reed. their new commander.
Welcome Banners Impr0vised.
The mer from the Sixty-ninth not in.
cluded in the guard of honor occupied
the gallery and sides OF the armory and
roared deafening welcome as their
new comrades entered the regiment.
Hanging from the balcony ratings were
signs Of welcome from each company OF
the Sixty ninth They had been made
by the men at the last moment. Some
were painted on old army cots, others
on pieces Of canvas, fastened to broom
handles and hung over the sides OF the
gallery. Every company had prepared
greeting Of welcome of this kind
Col Fisk and his stan. after dismiss
ing the Seventh at Fifth avenue and
Twenty-sixth street. went to the Sixty
ninth's armory and formally turned over
their men to Lieut. Col. Reed on the floor
Of the armory,
The order was given to rest and the
men were then given an opportunity to
look up with smiling faces at the hun.
dreds Of the Sixty-ninth men who were
roisily and incessantly cheering them
from the gallery and the sides Of the
armory. While Col Fisk and Lieut.. Col
Reed were arranging the details OF the
transfer the men from the Sixty-nintt
were given an opportunity OF showing by
some act Of hospitality Just how much
they thought Of their new comrades. The
intense heat OF the afternoon and the
avy marching packs had steamed the
zen from the Seventh so that they were
fairly swelteiing and all OF them were
thirsty. Immediately hundreds of thu
Sixty-ninth were running out on the