New-York tribune., 1917-10-06
Majority of Men in 18th,
18th and list Are
Transferred
Called Blow to Guard
9TH and 23d, Not Affected by
Reorganization, Are
Joyful

CAMP WADSWORTH. S. C.. Oct. g.
Feeling is running high tonight among
the three New York City regiments,
which, under the reorganization order
issued to-day, practically wipes them
out Of existence. Officers and men.
particularly the latter, have been
frankly outspoken in their criticism OF
those responsible for the wholesale dis
memberment Of the historic Manhattan
and Brooklyn organizations. Should
the feeling Of tonight continue it is
not unlikely that the guardhouses will
be crowded with prisoners charged with
irsubordination.
Scores of the disgruntled soldiers are
talking openly OF deserting. Others
maintain that they will simply clay
down" when they are sent to other reg
imcnts and seek 10 cause as much in
subordination as possible. However, II
must be considered that soldiers are
prone 20 register their complaints in no
minor tones when they are aroused, and
the order Of reorganization was a
crushing blow.
When. however, they have an oppor-
tunity 70 think more clearly and come
10 realize that they are in the service
and subject 10 the severest sort of pen
alties for infractions Of the military
law. il is likely that the threats of to-
night will be replaced with morOseness.
Hardly had General Order No. 9.
which calls for the reorganization OF
the 9th Division, been issued from
headquarters than the news of the
practical wiping out of infantry COM
mands swept through Camp Wadsworth
like wildhre. The men in the regi-
ments affected lost all interest in their
drills and details and gathered in
groups to denouncc the powers that
brought such catastrophe.
officers Of regiments affected stated
hat the disrupting of the regiments
and the sending of dissatisfied men
into other commands were a serious
blow at the morale of the 9th Diyi-
sion. IL was the opinion of many of
iicers that the reorganization was "A
victory for the military forces. who
for many years had sought the dis
ruption of the National Guard. II IL
the opinion Of almost every officer that
the National Guard Of the past is gone
forever.
When the transfer of troops takes
place. which will be done as soon "a
possible. the 18th list and l4th regi-
ments will be mere shells. It is con-
sdered likely that their vacant ranks
will be filed with men from other Ma
tional Guard regiments not as yet in
camp and from the draft army. The
tlss C. distributing the mel rom TIE
second line regiments 10 the more for
tunate first line organizations is a
tremendous task, and il is not likely
that the work will be finished for a
week.
Two Regiments Undisturbed
The 9TH Regiment ard the Odd, OF
Brooklyn. are in high glee at
being left undisturbed except for
being increased 10 the new war
strength. Il Is likely that a large
number Of non-comm issioned officers in
the two regiments will be recommended ed
for commissions, as there will be a
dearth Of officers TO command the en-
largcd companies.
The 1th will have a new Lieutenant
colonel in james NJ. Hutchinson, of the
list. Lieutenant Colonel Mclean, OF
the 7th. goes 10 the 18th. The veteran
Lieutenant colonel WAS deeply affected
when the news Of his transfer became
known.
Colonel Fisk. Of the old eth Regi-
ment. now the 107th Infantry. will pa
rade his old command for the last time
under its present organization to-mor-
row morning. The colonel asked special
permission to march the old regiment
in review before Brigadier General
Charles +. Phillips. temporary com.
mander of the 21th Division.