The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1917-02-09

been parked; these trucks have
played a vital part in the war
movements-but on this great
day their use was as peaceful, as
picturesque, for they were filed
not with death dealing material,
but with pretty little children of
Columbus, little people who in
every case has passed through
the terrors Of the Villa raid last
March, and now were eagerly
waiting TO welcome back 10 Co
lumbus the soldiers that even the
youngest child present knew had
gone forth TO their defense. Just
as General Pershing started for
Columbus the little people start
ed out from the north end of
town from their school house
lead by the Boy Scouts and their
teachers. the pastor Of the
Methodist Church and the Cour-
Ter Correspondent to march
through the streets of the Will
age, past the Hospital so the
sick soldiers could see their
bright faces and proudly worn
national colors; and thence on
ward past the motor trucks de-
department. TO the bend in the
road near the refugee camp
where mounted in the stationary
trucks they could get the first
glimpse Of the return Of the
Expedition. Half way on the
southern progress Of the little
people, the entire strength of
the New Mexican band met the
children Of Columbus and lead
them to their station, and this
was n charming illustration of
the unselfshness Of the New
Mexican National Guard who
marched without their band in
the two miles from New Camp
so that the music might be loan
ed the little children of the city
who wished to greet their
soldier friends with music and
the national airs. Music was al
a premium there being only the
band of the 18th cavalry to greet
the soldiers as they entered the
United States and the band the
children controlled.
The unique feature of a day
of many picturesque happenings
was the reception of the children
of the raid to the army-the
programme while planned by the
citizens was made possible by the
kindness of the officers of base
headquarters, who in the midst
of an almost heartbreaking
amount of work, formulated and
executed all the many details
that had TO be handled in the
arrangements of the position, the
securing of the trucks. and the
detail of the band and Of special
officers of the border patrol TO
guard the little people on their
long and rather dangerous
march. But the children appre-
ciated the honor done them. and
many a little heart learned its
first lesson in practical patrio-
tism by the experience Of the
review.
The children showed great
judgment in their special ovat-
ions for while all the men won
their lively interest their spon-
taneous ovation to the men of the
18th Cavalry showed that child
rem remember their special de-
tenders. Patriotic songs. and
hurrahs to the limit of their
young Threats greeted the men
of the 10th Cavalry, the heroes
Of Carrizal as the children knew
them to be, and the splendid
regiment Of colored infantry, the
oath, that is to guard Columbus
and its people from now on, and
the Indian scouts, with their
famous records and picturesque
apprenticeship the worn and
battered hospital corps that have
done so much for suffering men
during the weary months in
Mexico. But many times the
little people would say Save
back your voices for our 18th
Cavalry men," but when the
colored troops came by the chill
dren called to the New Mexican
band please play something for
the oath Infantry, land at the
response Of the band the troop
ers, who were weary and dust
povarad stannad nut with addad