The Washington times., 1917-06-07
TRANS-MISSISSIPPI
men WIN PLAUDITS
Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma,
and Arkansas in Line.
WEST COAST REPRESENTED
Airs Of Lone Star Band
Inspire Host Of Veterans.

Following the Matrons OF Honor OF
the South came the Army Of the
Trans-Mississippi Department. COM
posed Of the divisions OF Missouri,
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the
Pacific Division composed OF veterans
who now live on the coast. This sec
ton OF the parade Modified on EleV-
E street. and fell in line there.
This department is commanded by
Lieut.. Gen. K. N. Van zandt, who Is
not at the reunion. In his absence the
adjutant general and chief-of-staff,
Brig. Gen. W. T. Shaw, was in active
command. General Shaw rode upon
big war horse. The five members OF
hts staff also rode and one carried an
American flag.
The sponsors and noted women Of
the army rode directly behind the
staff in automobiles.
Led BY Lone Star Band.
With the crashing tunes Of the
Southland came these boys" from
across the Mississippi. The band
wore spick and span uniforms Of dark
blue, trimmed with gold. Their ban
ner carried ahead indicated that they
hailed from Waxahatchie, rex. Their
name, the Lone Star Band, was shown
on their collar in small gold letters,
l. B., with a gold star between them
They played the stirrins asrs or the
Confederacy nearly every minute, ana
their music was carried back to the
ears of the marching and riding
"vets," who had travelled from across
the Mississippi to get to this, the
grandest OF reunions.
The Texas division, coming next.
was commanded by Maj. Gen. E. w.
Kirkpatrick, with Col. Bradford Han
cock, adjutant general and chief Of
stan. They carried, besio.-s their pat
tie flag and the American nag, the
lone star flag Of the largest State In
the Union The sponsors followed.
Includes Crack Battalion.
A feature of the Texas line was
the only organized military unit of
the vets" the First Texas Battalion.
which Is composed of three COM
panies Of men from Fort Worth. Dial
las. and Terrell. The First Texas
Battalion was organized several years
ago and at former reunions carried
thei rguns. They drilled every week
and had q crack marching organiza-
ton.
These old Texans of three and four
score years showed a snap in their
march that was brought about by the
recent drilling. They kept their gray
heads back. Strengthened their bent
shoulders. as best they could and
marched a firm, steady step from
Eleventh street. past the President.
with eyes left" until they were dis
banded by order OF their commander.
The Texas delegation was the largest
Of the Trans-Mississippi Department
and as the husky Texans passed.
many Of whom have been cowboys
and rangers. they were given big
ovation.
The oklahoma division. command
ed by Mai Gen. d. NJ. Haley and Col
r. B. Coleman, adJutant general and
chief OF staff. marched next in line.
with their sponsors and camps fol
lowing. The "vets" from Tulsa. the
busy. growing Oklahoma town. made
a strong bid for the next reunion as
they made their way up the Avenue.
Missouri Gets Attention.
The Missouri division followed the
Oklahomans, and were commanded by
Mai Gen. T. c. Love and Col. Lewis
Renfro, adjutsnt general and chief of
staff. The Missouri division was d.
vIded into the Eastern and Western
Brigades, commanded by Brig. Gen.
w. N. Evans and Brig. Gen. w. C.
Bronaugh, respectively. The cry went
up all along the curbs as the Mis-
sourians passed in automobiles, I'm
from Missouri; you've got to show
me-"
The Arkansas contingent, directly
behind the Missouri boys" command
ed by Maj. Gen. Johnathan kellogg.
The Arkansas sponsors came next in
automobiles with several hundred vet
Grams following.
The Pacific Division brought up the
the rear of the TransMississippi
army.
Mai Gen. william c. Harrison.
commander. and cobb. l. Hoge. adju-
tant general and chief OF STAFF. and the
sponsors led the few vets" from
across the Rockies.
The whole Trans Mississippi passed
amid great enthusiasm from the spec
tators, and those walking and those
riding in automobiles keenly enjoyed
the homage paid them.