The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-04-02
HINDENBURG LINE SNfASHERS
RETURN TO NATIVE SHORES
Laurens Soldiers in Old Hickory Division Land at
Charleston Friday Morning and Go by Rail to
Camp Jackson Men in Fine Health and Look
ing Forward to Fipal Discharge

terminals was that of the gentlemanly
soldier; laughed, smiled and grinned,
but there was also on their faces the
grim and determined look which is
characteristic Of the fighter.
Charleston people called the men
who came on the Pocahontas "the
lighting heroes of the Thirticth" All
here, as all over the world, realized
the big part the infantry doughboys
played in bringing the war to a close
by smashing the IIindcnburg line. The
Charleston folk did not celebrate on
any big scale in welcoming the Pocai
hontas, but expressions of admiration
Of the valor Of the men aboard were
heard on all sides.
This city's own sons, included in
four companies, landed here on the
transport Konigen der Nederladen,
which after lying at the terminals all
of Thursday night began dcbarkation
early this morning. People here en-
tertained their native sons as royalty
as the tight military regulations would
permit. The men Of the Pocahontas
were handsomely looked after by the
local red cross chapter and the army
Y. M. G. A., who provided things to cat
and smokes: which the returned heroes
enjoyed thoroughly. If the people here
could have staged big celebration
with big dinner and such things they
certainly would have been found doing
SO but such was not permitted
The sick list aboard the Pocahontas
was small, and all the indisposed SOL
dicrs were suffering with only minor
ailments, it was reported
Thc Pocahontas brought in one
corpse. Hilton King, aged IS, an en-
listed man in Co. L, Of Hartsville, 18th
infantry, died Thursday night while
the snip was anchored in Charleston
harbor. His death resulted from pneu-
monia, which he contracted on the
voyage home
This young man was a real hero
lie had been decorated for bravery in
action, and was said to have received
dozen or more wounds He was a
capital soldier, his company mates
said and his untimely death was deep-
ly mourned.
The organizations which came on the
Pocahontas were virtually the same
as previously announced as being
aboard. Companies Of the 117th and
118th infantry regiments occupied the
major space on the. big ship. Col.
Spence OF the 117th was the highest
ranking officer aboard Col. p. x. Nc
Gully, of Anderson commander of the
llSth, came on the transport Mercury
which dcbarkcd here Thursday morn
ing
Charleston is Justly proud OF the
record made here in handling tho
troops which have this week landed at
her magnificent port terminals, which
are an eyc-opener to persons unac-
quaintcd with such big UNDERTAKINGS.
The train service over the Southern
and Atlantic Coast Line railroads.
which transported from here to Co
lumbia more than eight thousand men
in about thirty-siX hours, was nearly
iaultlcss. Col. Lawrence G. Brown,
and his assistants have handled their
end without hitch. People here think
that Charleston will yet become chief
dcbarkatiOn point in the entire coun-
try. The local population and the
many visitors here this week saw the
efficiency of the dcbarkation process
and marvelcd at it. They approved of
the business-likc way in which the big
task was handled, Notwithstanding the
fact that by reason Of strict rcgula-
tions tho" were deprived of coming in
close contant with their friends and
loved ones AMONG the returned heroes.
All realize, however, that 1t will be
but short time before they may wcl-
come them back to civil life, in a world
which these same men have made Sc
cure against autocracy for all time to
come