New Britain herald., 1918-10-25
CHAPTER XVII.
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pairing to pour into France Arduous work for three weeks had been neces- sary to accomplish this, but the work had borne fruit to an almost unbeliev- able degree. He informed the War Department that a great base camp had been made ready and that every detail for reception and transportation in France had been worked out.
 There was great necessity that this work be rushed. A large contingent of American troops were already on the ocean and expected at any time With the assistance of Marshal Joffre General Pershing had selected as a base where the newly arrived forces could receive their preliminary train ing that sction south of St. Quentin. This sector of the Allied line was to be turned over to the American troops as soon as they had been sufficiently trained.
 On June 26, 1917, the arrival of an unusual number of ships was sig nailed to a port somewhere in France. At last the American force for which France had been waiting flor several weeks had reported. The port commander put out in his launch with several American officers.
 vertable armada presented itself to the awaiting officers. Huge trans ports were crowded with men in the familiar khaki of the United States uniform. On every side were those greyhounds of the sea, the conveying destroyerS, and here and there q big cruiser.
 The transports were taken in charge by tugs which lowed them to mt nr-fh hi O the townspeople had awakened, and crowds began to gather at the docks.
 As the transports were brought slowly beside the auays the officers brought their men to a salute. Then came resounding cheers from all the transports, to which the populace re- sponded. Near the docks were some men who did not reply to these cheers. They were German prisoners, who gazed in open mouthed aston ishment at the spectacle.
 Suddenly all the whistles of the craft in the harbor began in wild welcome. The news that the Ameri- cans were arriving spread with re- markable rapidity. Shouts of "Vive la France!" and "Vive les Etates Unis!" seemed to come from every throat in the crowd which was thickly dotted with the uniforms of French soldiers and sailors.
 American army officers from Paris and American naval officers from everywhere began to appear as If by magic, together with French general officers.
 The work of debarkation progressed steadily. A temporary camp was pre- pared in town until this had been completed. On the morning of June 28 General Pershing, accompanied by General Pelletier of the French army, arrived to inspect this vanguard Of the great American army that was to pour into France and stem the hordes of the Hun.
 General Pershing expressed himself as highly pleased that an operation of such magnitude had been accom- plished with so little preparation and without the loss of a single man, either by accident or sickness.
 The officials of the French town turned over their authority to the American commander for the pur- pose of maintaining discipline among the troops. General Pershing, in the interest of good order, issued an or der that read:
  America army finds itself in Euro pean territory. The good name of the United States of America and the maintenance of cordial relations re- quire the perfect department of each member of this command"
 To the credit of American troops, who now have been in France and in England for more than a year, and who have multiplied a thousand times, they have held to the very spirit of that order issued by Gen. eral Pe1shing to the first contingent of the American army lover there
 From the time of the arrival of the first Am merican troops in France Gen eral Pershing has encouraged any re- ligious activities in the army. The early training he received at his mothers knee was his inspiration. A profound belief in Gods aid to just cause, characteristic of the worlds really great men, possessed him al ways.
 Abraham Lincoln was noted for his unwavering dependence upon the AL mighty. In the most serious days of the Civil war he was known to seek guidance in prayen and by prayer he was consoled in the midst of his greatest sorrows.
 General Pershing, too, seeks guid- ance in prayer. and through him the hand of the Almighty may be seen directing the armies of freedom in the cause of right
 The attitude of their commander Is an inspiration to the men in his com mand To him directly is due the credit for the great work that is be- ing accomplished by the Y. M. C. A., the Knights of Columbus, the Y. M. H. A., and the Salvation Army.
 No mother of < an American 1n France need fear for the morals o1 her boy under such @ man. General Pershing personally inspires his men in a moral way. He realizes, too, the l., Ln ho e. ly