Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-17
Seems TO BE Entirely New Meaning
to Sturdy Tramp Of the Mon, Ono
Seeing in Them symbol Of Their
Country's New Adventure.

to-day. Ono saw in them the symbol
OF their country's new adventure.
They made me feel very proud"
declared Major-General Sibert last
night, echoing the sentiment OF a small
but enthusiastic little handful Of
Americans who were permitted to sec
the martial display. The setting for
tho review WAS one OF rare beauty. II
was held upon broad and somewhat
rocky plateau in tho rolling fields of
France ripplins away in every direc-
tion. all green and brown with grow
Ing crops and ripening grains.
Here and there picturesque little
French villages. white walled and red
rooted. Struggled amid the trees OF
matchless valleys. Occasionally these
valleys were bathed in sunshine, and
again they were hidden In the gray
mist OF rain. The scene was one of
changing brilliance and shadow, the
deep blue OF tho harvest sky and daz-
cling August sun being masked now
and then by masses of comulus storm
clouds driven along by a stifrening
gale
NOT A FALTER IN ANY
PART OF THE LINE
Al ono time during tho review a rain
storm broke over the marching troops.
but II was only of brief duration, and
there was not falter in any part of
the line. There Is an officers bombing
school near the point where the re-
Wow was held. and throughout the
time tho troops were assembling and
marching by loud explosions of hand
grenaden in tho near distance gave n
touch OF war reality to the picture.
Very early In tho morning the troops
were on the move. They were scat
tered in dozen or more French viii
lagos. and each regiment was assem-
bled In village where It's headquar-
ters had been established.
The now army regiments are mod eled
on tho European standard. quite diff
ferent from the old American regi-
ments. and when on the march yester-
day In columns of fours. tho line
seemed to stretch an intcrminable dia-
tanco along beautifully paved French
roads lined with giant trees. AS the
Americans passed through the French
villages en- route to the reviewing field.
the French peasant folk gazed at them
open-eyed In amazement and admira-
ton.
They have seen much of the Ameri-
can soldiers individually and in COM
panies since their arrival. but this was
the nrst gathering in force OF the new
allies, and the impression II made on
the villagers farmers and French SOL
diers on leave could easily be seen
and appreciated.
EVEN GENERAL sIBERT
IS TAKEN ny SURPRISE
Tho French. who have been training
companies and battalions of the Ameri-
can be truthfully stated that there was
a distinct pause OF surprise and ad-
miration on the part OF General Sibert
himself when, riding at the head of
the STAFF. he reached the crest of the
reviewing platform and saw his khaki
colored command drawn up In a won
derful far-hung line before him.
Attached to his staff were half q
dozen French officers. including the
general OF famous division, all OF
whom were enthusiastic in their praise
OF the spectacle. Major-General Sibert
aud STAFF slowly rode up and down be-
Tore the various regiments drawn I'D at
attention. The reviewing ground was
stakec out with American flags. and
when General Sibert had taken up his
petition. the immobile army began TO
move. The maneuvers by which II
broke from rcgimental fronts into lines
o: platoon arranged by companies and
battalions. would have done credit TO
soldiers with years OF training behind
:hcm.
1t was the first time an American
army had passed. in review under it's
new organization. and the display was
a most Imposing one. Marching in
line OF platoons means moving for.
ward with four platoons abreast, each
platoon being formed in columns of
tours. The space between the piatoons
being considerable, Tho head and front
OF the marching columns are fully 200
feet wide. Each OF the four platoons
In company seemed full-sized COM
panies under the old order Of things
in the American army. At the head
OF each regiment was a band playing
reglmental marches. one Of which
called Happy Hcinie." had a distinct
smattering Of Teutonic tones, much 10
the amusement Of tho French military
officers.
FRENCH MULES PROTEST
AGAINST SINGLE HARNESS
An amusing incident of the review
was the first appearance In line of new
machine guns, which are carried on
small carts. instead OF pack mules, as
formerly. Each cart is drawn by a
mule. and driven by soldier. The
latter had short, but extremely in
teresting time training American mules.
These little French vehicle mules being
used to work in double. rather pro-
tested against single harness. The re-
suit has been that during the past
week stray mules have been encount-
cred hero and there about the camp
with bits Of carts and harness hang
ing very negligently about their necks.
Even to-day some OF the mules are
inclined to be a bit playful. one dash
Ing out Of line Just as he was pass
ing the general After a brief tour
Of the column in wrong direction,
he decided to be good, and the laugh
ing driver soon had him in his proper
place again. Some sent the carts by
the review party. in sallop. which
rather recalled clown races at . circus.