The Ronan pioneer., 1917-11-16
PERSHlMC WANTS
MONTANA TROOPS
GENERAL WRITES HE is ANX-
IOUS FOR LADS FROM THE
TREASURE STATE.
Cream of Soldiers Found in 163rd
Regiment, Formerly Second Mon
tana, Men From Every Vocation
and of the Highest Training Hav-
ing Volunteered.

GENERAL FeTSHlng is dnAlOuSly
awaiting the arrival of the 163rd reg
iment, which was formerly the Sec
ond Montana. The commander of
the American expeditionary force
knows Montanans, through knowl-
edge gained while serving years ago
at Fort Assinniboine, and as a re-
suit he believes they will be valuable
adjuncts to the fighting force in
Europe.
Major Martin Maginnis, a pioneer
Montanan and veteran Of the civil
war, who was acquainted with the
general when he was in the state, has
received a letter from him saying
he wants the Montanans in his COM
mand.
Montanans Tallest Soldiers.
In his early war experiences and
during his day at the Northern Mon
tana fort the present commander of
the forces in Europe became very
we'll known in Montana social circles.
He is remembers as reserved, even
diffident, but outstanding chap-as
handsome as he was courteous and
cold.
Pershing wants the Montana boys
to hurry over because he forsees
great deeds which will be accom-
plished by them.
The One Hundred and Sixty-third
United States infantry is a regiment
any commander would direct with
pride. 1t claims to be the tallest regi-
ment in the service. There is one COM
pany which actually averages more
than six feet. Its sergeants are YER
itably platoon of monsters.
Pick of the Service.
Moreover, this regiment is the
cream of the state. 1t is, of course,
composed entirely of volunteers. The
per cent of college men is large;
among the many professional men
for instance, it is said there are more
and at least that number of lawyers.
1t is, nevertheless, mixture well
representative of the state. Should
Pershing want a mine driven? Three
hundred Montana miners will
Sixty-third. Should he want a forest
felled? The regiment possesses scores
of woodsmen. And rifle shots?-
Just watch Montana!
There is tidy handful of men
from the Rocky Mountain Rifle club
of Butte that can shoot with any
platoon in the world. This club was
twice American champion and has
furnished men for Americas team in
world events for many years.
Should Pershing want horses
broken-the Eastern Montana men
are likely cowboys. There also are
scores of plainsmen in the ranks.
Engineers are needed in a pinch !;
the regiment has several of wide rep
utation.
Moreover, the ranks are full,
chokefull, and sixty above the COM
pliment went along Us a reserve for
their own ranks. The Second was
one of the first in America to fill its
ranks-never drafted man has been
called into it, and on top of it all,
Montana furnished more than twice
it's allotment to the army and navy,
No wonder Pershing wants troops
from this state.
Age Average is %.
The regiment averages % years of
age. 1t is overwhelmingly American
in strain, but more than thirty races,
it is said, are represented, Butte, the
great melting pot, having furnished
many men, loyal citizens of foreign
extraction.
So Pershing awaits the One Hun
dred and Sixty-third with deep in
terest," and also the three other regi-
ments that Montana will send in the
National army.