El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-05-12
36th. DiUiSiOn
VIII Soon Be
On WayH0me
Removed From Amy Of
Occupation to S. o. S.;
Is Praised By Pershing.

News has been received that the
3sth division. which includes the
l4ist infantry containing the Fl Paso
national guard companies, has been
withdrawn from the army OF occu-
patton and moved TO the lie Mans
area IN the service OF supply zone.
This IS preliminary 10 their movement
home and they are TO be discharged
at Camp Travis. Tex, instead Of
Camp Bowie. which was the divisions
training camp.
How soon the division will er7harl-
aIter having reached the lie Mans
area IS conJectural. according to the
adFlces received here. much dependirr
on the availability Of TRANSPORT. The
division regards it as improbable that
tners VIII be any parade on its re-
turn home no arrangements to that
end having been made. Furthermore
IL is expected the division will be con-
siderably split up, incident 20 demob-
illzation
Many ReenIist.
News from the division states that
quite a number OF its personnel. in
spite OF the news Of the impending
movement 70 lie Mans and thence
nome reenhsted in the regular army.
With the intention Of remaining in
France as long as required.
Praise From Gen. Pershinc.
High praise OF the ssth division.
which includes Texas and Oklahoma
national guard troops. is contained ia
letter written by the commanderin-
CHIEF. Cen John j. Pe-shing. 70 MAI
Cen smith, commanding the 36th. The
letter follows:
Ny Dear Gen Smith:
with e
April 9 I inspected and reviewed the
Soth division north Of Tonnerre. In
noting the splendid physical condition
OF its personnel. I could well see why
your combat record IN France. though
short compared with some others Is
proud
Arriving in Europe towards the
end OF July. the 56th division was at
once sent 70 an area near Bar-sur-
Aubes where for two months Il fol-
lowed the regular course OF training
which had been prepared
Good Battle Record.
IN October, however. as the great
allied attack was nearing a crisis, IL
was thrown directly into the active
battle without the usual preliminary
months training in a quiet sector OF I
the line In this emergency the d. I
vision responded to every call made ]
vision % operated under the fourth I
French army in its drive west OF the Z
Argonne which was made in cor
junction with the AIeuse-Argoune at J
tack OF the first United States army. /
The list infantry brigade. on October I
S, attacked from St Etienne-a-Arnes. !
on the nth the entire division was In I
and advanced in the next two days ap-
proLimately q kilometers TO the Aisne I
river. Continuous contact was kept
with the enemy while preparations ]
were made for crossing the Aisne. No I
further advance, however, was made. I
although. on October p. the troops IN ]
the list brigade attacked and cap
tured Forest farm The division was /
relieved on October %.
''The bearing OF the division IN this, /
its first experience in battle, showed I
the mettle OF officers and men, and I.
gave promise OF what it would become I
as a veteran. Please, therefore. eX-
tend my rulations 10 the mem I
bers Of your division. who may return .
home proud OF the record Of their /
services with the knowledge that they 1
have acquitted themselves well as
part Of the American expeditionary
forces