New-York tribune., 1917-04-02
71st Regiment and Sd Bat
talon of 23d March
to Trains
Will Mount Guard
Somewhere in State
Brooklyn Soldiers Mustcred d
Into Federal Service in
Record Time

New York City's first contribution Of
troops to the United States in the crisis
with Germany left the city yesterday
, without the blare of buglcs and the
beat Of drums, but earnestly and quiet
ly, as though every man in olive drab
realized that the work he was bent on
meant much to his home and country.
The fist Infantry was the first 70
leave, as 1t was the first among the
local regiments 70 be called out BY the
War Department, but it was followed
last night by the 800 men in the Sd Bat
tallion Of the 23d Infantry, Brooklyn's
crack regiment. The other two battal-
ions of the 23d will remain in the ar
mory until additional orders are re-
ceived.
Both the list and the battalion Of
the 23d will do important guard duty
at various points which the War De-
partment does not want newspapers to
disclose, but neither will leave the
state at the present time.
Crowds Line Streets
A crowd which lined the streets for
blocks greeted the lst Battalion Of the
list as it left the armory, at Thirty
third Street and Park Avenue, yester-
day morning under Major A. Z. Wells
The men had just heard a brief speech
by Colonel Bates and a prayer by the
chaplain, the Rev. William F. Crockett,
and they were in serious mood. With
full packs on their backs and rifles
across their shoulders. they hiked up
Fifth Avenue 10 Forty-second Street
and then made for their train. Captain
Eben led Companies F, & and H, as
they took a different course and an.
other train.
1t was O'Clock in the afternoon be-
fore Colonel Bates and his staff. with
the remaining companies. left the ar
mory and went down Fifth Avenue to
Twenty-third Street.
Sobbing women and hysterical girls
lined the street opposite the armory as
the regiment departed. Some of the
enlisted men were more than little
heart sore. for they we're leaving be-
hind them wives and children who have
no other means of support, and they
knew that these must soon suffer or be
the objects of charity. Last summer.
when the Guard was modified, many
married men were discharged under
War Department order. but 20 such or
der has been issued this time. and the
married men must serve along with the
single.
Fathers Cheer Sons in Ranks
Tho crowd that bade the battalion OF
the 23d farewell was less mournful
tkan that around the 'l5t armoty'
Scorcs OF silk-hatted mon called chcerily
N their sons in the ranks as the COM
msnd moved to the Atlantic Avenue
subway station. and we'll dressed women
i'm motor cars futtercd handkerchiets IN
farewell
This battalion created record in
National Guard history when 1t com
pleted its muster into the Federal held
service at | o'clock yesterday morning,
after working desperately from
o'clock. when the orders were received.
Colonel Norton. the regimental com
mandcr. said that he was especially
nroud of the fact that the muster took
place less than eighteen hours after me
mobilization order was received.
Colonel II II. BaudhOltZ was the red
oral mastering officer, and MAJOR Macy
Medical Corps, the examining surgeon.
The battalion is commanded by MAJOR
John r. SAWYER. and has its full COM
plement Of officers and equipment.
Most Of the equipment Of both the
fist and the a3d Battalion was moved
to the new stations by motor trucks:
Five privates Of the list were m
iured when the truck in which they
were riding became unmansgeshle on
Riverside Drive, between l2Sth ana
l29th streets and upset.
Two Taken 10 Hospital
Roland Barnes, twenty-eight years
old OF M Westervelt Avenue, New
Brighton. Staten Island, was taken
from beneath the truck suffering from
a possible fracture Of the skull and
internal injuries. He and Michael
O'Donnell. twenty-one years old. OF SO
Stevens Avenue, Jersey City, who also
suffered internal injuries, were re-
moved 10 Knickerbocker Hospital.
John Hogan, thirty-three years old,
of 90 Mott Avenue, Jersey City;
Michael O'Rourke, twenty-four years
oId Of 347 West Forty-ninth Street,
and Charles Scherer twenty-one years
old of 53I Glenmore Avenue, Long
Island City. were badly bruised Three
other enlisted men in the truck escaped
injury by jumping.
A crowd Of 5000 gathered on the
viaduct and drive as Hook and Ladder
Company 40 righted the truck. Captain
Coogan. of the West l25th Street po'
lice station. called out the reserves TO
hold them in check.