Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-10-19
TWO GIRLS HAVE
UNIQUE DISTINCTION
American Red Cross Girls In
Italy Honorary Members
Of Bersaglieri
CRACK FIGHTING TROOP

Two American girls working with
the Red Cross in Italy, Miss Sylvia
Coney of New York and Miss Sarah
Mcintosh Of Boston, are now honorary
members of the Bersaglieri. the crack
fighting troops of King Victor Eman-
uel the Third The unique distinction
was conferred upon them as a reward
for the services they have rendered
Italy's most famous fighting unit. An
elaborate military ceremony, conduct
ed just behind the battle lines, with
the big guns booming an accompani-
plumed organization.
Miss Coney has taken an active part
in canteen work and food distribution
since she has been in Italy She is a
graduate of the domestic science
school of Columbia University. New
York, and prior to taking up her Red
Cross duties, was manager of the
Mary Elizabeth candy kitchens and
tea rooms in that city. Miss Mcintosh
was at first assigned to civilian relief
work in Italy. but was later trans
ferred TO the war zone.
To be a Bersaglieri means much
The work literally signifies sharp
shooter. but to an Italian it expresses
quick action and victory. They always
move on the double quick. A general
of the Bersaglieri never walks across
the field. Though his hair may be
white, he goes with his men at trot
and is as lively as any youngster.
They are the old romance of war.
these brave Bersaglieri Thousands of
Americans who have visited Italy will
remember their picturesque headgear,
the blue-back plumes that fall over the
right cheek, and the purple flames that
flash along the collar Even on the
steel helmets of the modern warrior
the men will attach these historic
plumes, although it is quite "non-reg"
and the feathers are represented by
painted plumes above the metal visor.
To be with regiment of Bersaglieri
carries one back to the spirit of the
"Mousquitaines. "Avanti!" "Avan-
til" Forward" Forward" is their
battle cry. They shout it in unison.
1t is the refrain of their famous song
which apostrophizes the plumes that
kiss their cheeks in the place of the
kiss of absent sweethearts and makes
the glory of battle their best beloved.
The colonel of the Bersaglieri is the
regiments father. With a shout that
reminds one of the rebel yell or the
peculiar cry of the fighting Louisiana
Tigers, the men drink his health
standing, and the colonel, though he
bear five wounded stripes on his arms,
leaps upon the table and gives back
the toast; ITO my brave officers and
men and to our next victory" Then
follows very solemn toast to General
who, in the days when Italy
was winning it's independence, formed
the Bersaglieri corps.
1t was to these troops with their
glorious traditions that Miss Coney
and Miss Mcintosh were admitted with
ceremony as attractive as any
Dumas ever described and under the
shadow of enemy lines, with the big
guns firing now and again in that con-
tinuous battle which will never end
until the "Avanti!" of the Bersaglieri
carry them beyond the mountains, be-
yond the walls of Trente and Trieste.
There was, to begin with, review
at which there were three generals,
one an army corps commander, and
the representatives of the Allies, in
fUn fnr fosr nd
of the Red Cross, such re-
view as only the Bersaglieri can give
Afterward there was a distribution
of gifts from the American Red Cross
tothe soldiers. useful, agreabele, COM
fort producing articles. such as fight
ing men cherish. The two American
women in their Red Cross uniforms
had personal supervision of this dis
tribution and afterward the men at
double quick filed past the reviewing
party, each regiment raising in salute
the packages with the flags of Italy
and America crossed upon their COW
ers, lifting the gifts high in air and
shouting with one voice to those two
Americans: Viva TAmerica!"
At their camp the Bersaglieri had a
great feast that day. Before it began
the officers were assembled and in
their presence the general solemnly
pinned upon the uniforms of Miss
Coney and Miss Mcintosh the gold
medal with its ribbon of purple that
signifies membership in the Bersag-
lieri you are now the American sis
ters of our regiments" said the off,
GERS as they took their places in
great camoufiaged open-air banquet
hall, where the rest of the ceremony
was to be held. the pledging of alli-
ance and the bestowal of the waving
plumes.
The general commanding pinned the
plumes on the breasts of the two
American women and the major-gen-
eral, who had come from the top of
the mountain for this ceremony, gave
the accolade, pressing the plumes to
his lips to signify that this symbol to
a Bersaglieri was to be his family,
wife, or sweetheart until victory
should permit him to lay the winning
plumes aside