The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-04-02
(By George NJ Rumph in Grcenvillt
Daily NowS)


port Pocahontas, bringing approxi-
mately 5000 Thirticth division heroes
from France, among them the Butler
Guards, of Grecnville and other com
panies from the Piedmont section,
dockcd at Charleston port terminals
shortly before If o'clock this morn
ing and three hours later had dcliv-
cred the last Of the men on shore. The
soldiers proceeded Immediately from
the ship TO waiting trains and got on
their way to Camp Jackson.
The arrival Of the big ship was not
marked by a great amount OF ceremony
but her approach was majestic and
awc-inspiring. A subchaser and sea
plane escorted her from several miles
out in the harbor where she spent the
night before, the latter escort doing
various stunts both in the air and in
the water. Bands Of music on the
transport and the terminals all par
tcipated in playing popular airs,
Dixie" and "Home Sweet Home,
bringing forth loud cheers from the re-
turning soldiers.
After gangways were laid no time
was lost in beginning debarkation and
keeping up the process at rapid rate
Every man was eager to get ashore and
smiles wreathed the faces of all Of
them as they made their way to the
railway coaches. TO efficiently handle
the troops the debarkation officials saw
fiji to have the men lose as little time
as possible at the terminals, so it was
impossible for people who wanted to
chat with them to do so, newspaper
men from all parts of the south were
on hand and all the best of them could
do was to ask few questions and get
them answered by few words All
the men were glad to get home and
said SO without being asked.
A pile OF sand on the terminal dock
was scattered widely by the enlisted
men as they passed 1t.
Gee, American dirt" they said as
they tramped over it. 1t was then they
first set foot on American soil since
they went to beat the Hun. The off,
GERS OF the organizations dcbarking
from the Pocahontas were the busiest
persons at the terminals as they had
to see to the proper handling of their
commands. Col. Cary +. Spence, com
mander OF tho 117th Infantry and
Major w. d. Workman, OF Grcenvilc,
battalion commander Of the 1lSth In
fantry, were snapped by a Photographic
CT as they hustled about their duties.
Both these distinguished officers cx-
pressed delight at being home again.
The Butler Guards, Company A.
iSth Infantry, were a healthy and
husky bunch, and to Grccnvillc people
looked little more spict and span
than their fine appearing comrades OF
other units. There prevails in this
company, one said to a reporter, a
feeling Of surprise and disappointment
that they were not going to come to
sec us for mastering out. "Tcll the
Greenville people to come TO sec us
in Columbia" was the message they
gave The News man. Two others said
they were just rarcing to get home;
both admitted that fair ladies await
their coming anxiously. Captain Sam
Willis was the picture Of health and
seemed immensely proud OF his But
Ter Guards as he went about seeing to
their proper handling at the terminals,
when he was reminded OF the great
record his company had made in
France. A member Of the Greenvillc
company said 1t was composed OF bet
ter fighters than Anything ever born
in Germany" The Butler Guards just
looked fine, and were in the highest
kind Of a spirit-thc great pity was
that all the men in the company who
went to France did not come bacsk on
the Pocahontas yesterday. The poppics
grow over the graves OF some who
made the supreme sacrifice in the
world war.
Captain Arthur Lee, Of Company d,
OF Laurcns, a newspaper editor, who,
with his men helped materially to help
win the war was in such fine physical
shape that old acquaintances hardly
recognized him although he has always
been robust Captain. Lee was delight
cd to be on the last lap toward home
and was warmly welcomed by those
here who knew him.