The Penn's Grove record., 1919-06-13
Neysy Capitol News
Continued from page :

man, who had been Trained III S"iC u
the insane in civil life.
Newport News, through which
thousands of returning doughboys are
weekly streaming, is d town that has
more than doubled it's population IN a
few wears. Prior to the war 1t was
known for its immense shipbuildlng
plant and it's port facilities. During
land since the termination Of the world
conflict il has occupied a prominent
I place on the map OF a nations actlI-
IItjes. During the week that | spent
there | saw more than 10000 soldiers
debark. they came from all states III
The Union and their sun-burncd faces
land rugged bodies proclaimed them
he a~rlst5crats Of all troops in the
world. The transports dock at giant
piers, the majority at a big double
,jccker. As the men rush down the
gang plank, eager to set their feet
On American ground again, they are
met bv Red Cross caRteen women, who
furnish each with chocolate. cakes and
i~efgafettas. Generally a band from one
Iof the reighboring camps is on hand
to welcome them, though there is IN
verbally a band IN board.
There are fOar camps ~lthln q "a
fdius Of five miles from the docks.
Three lie in the same direction, bill,
! Alexandria and Morrison in the order
named. that at Alexandria being eX-
clusivelv for coiored soldiers. The
other camp is Stewart, about two miles
] distant in a straight line from the pier.
In this reservation is located the de-
barkation hospital, known as Embark
alton Hospital, because it was used for
hat purpose when the troops were
sent over, though why it has not been
changed in name on their coming back
was not explained to me.
The Delaware Ordinance Depot re
minded NE in a small degree OF camp
Stewart. The barracks are the same
type of two story building although
they are many times the number OF
those at Perkintown. 1t is situated
directly on Hampton Roads, at a point
almost opposite where the historic
battle between the Monitor and the
Merrimac was fought. Here, as at
Morrison. which is five miles from
town. all organizations are assigned
for d~elousing and new outfits n
casuals are sent as a rule to camp
Hill.
When the Martha Washington dock
ed I. followed the men Of the SOth d.
vision that she brought over to Camp
Morrison. where through the courtesy
of the Commanding Officer, MAJOR
Bonesteel, | was permitted to see them
nut through the delousing process.
As each mar passed into the bath
house. fully uniformed, he was min
utely inspected by an officer, who
either condemned or noted for change
any article of the mans wearing app
narel that REQUIRED substitution. y
Slip was made out in duplicate, the
original being sent to the clothing de-
nartmeut, the carbon copy retained by
the man, who discarded those clothes
marked thereon for renewal. He then
tied up his remaining effects IN a neat
bundle and stark naked passed the
scrutinizing eye Of "a army doctor.
OF the more than two hundred men,,
that | saw thus examined, there was
not a case Of "cooties" or skin disease
among them, an excellent testimonial
to the care that was taken OF them
selves while in debarkation camp on
the other side, as we'll as on the trans
port.
Having passed the doctor they
brought their clothes to d portable dis
injector or s%terilizing plant where
thirty bundles at a time were steamed.
Then they passed TO the shower room
and having taken a bath found their
steriiized clothes waiting for them.
They then proceeded to the clothing
room where new underwear and socks
were given to all and new uniforms,
overcoats, shirts, hats and shoes to
those whose slip called for them. Then
having dressed they had to pass in
spection, not only before an officer Of
their company, but of an officer OF the
post. Any man, who went through
Camp Morrison cleaning house, may
have gone in looking poorly in spots,
but he certainly left there looking
spick and spar all over.
That night l spent among the boys
listening to their experiences and it
was a treat to hear them tell of the
exploits of their organizations or of a
member of their unit but never a word
of themselves unless their comrades
forced them to do it.
The following day, Virginia Day,
was a gala day in Newport News. |