The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-09-10
AMERICA WELCOMES
GENERAL PERSAINC
Gets a Royal Welcome at
New York.
HANDED COMMISSION
AS GENERAL

Commamdcr.in-C Chief OF Americas
Greatest Army Given Rousing Oya-
ton by New York and Nation.
Thousands TlrOng Dock to Get First
Glimpse of Him.
New York, Sept. S.-Gcncral Persh-
ing. after two years in command Of the
greatest army America has ever sent
to battle, returned to the United
Statees today. AS he stepped ashore
from the huge liner Levaithan he was
handed commission as general, q
rank previously held by only three
Americans Grant, Sheridan and Shcr-
= man.
The stern faced soldier was not
proof against the tribute Of praise
which was roared from hundreds of
thousands Of the throats Of his fellow
citizens.
his voice trembled with emotion as
he responded to the greetings extend
ed by Secretary Of War Baker in his
own behalf and that of the president
as we'll as the welcoming addresses Of
representatives Of the senate and the
house, the state and city.
AS his car passed slowly through
the cheering multitudcs which jammed
Broadway from the Battery to the city
hail. Pcrshing attempted in vain to
maintain his composure. AT first he
replied to the cheers with the stiff sa-
lutte which military etiquette demands
but he was soon carried away by the
storm Of applause which swept In
great gusts about him. Rising to his
feet he w;s=ou his cap about his head
with boyish gesture which told how
deeply be was stirred. while the grim
lines Of his bronzed face broke into a
smile.
New York did not exhaust its well
come today Wednesday he will ride
down Fifth avenue at the head of the
first division Of the regular army, the
first to go and last to leave, victors in
the first battle ever fought on Europ-
can soil by American soldiers.
Surrounded by comrades, humber
in station but who have offered their
all just as freely in the cause of liber-
ty, General Pcrshing first reglimpsed
his native land When the huge Le-
vaithan nosd her way through the
mists off the Jersey coasts the general
stood upon the deck with the famous
"composte regiment" 5000 picked
American soldiers known as "Pcrsh-
ings own
Just after the general walked down
the gang-plank at Hoboken, Secretary
OF War Baker, handed him his COM
mission as full general.
Standing behind, and completely hid
den by the imposing figure OF the gem
cral was little boy trying to look
very dignified and soldierly. Hc was
Sergeant Warren Pershing, the COM
mander- in chiefs only surviving child.
When the general received his com
mission he turned to his son and
handed him the document with an in
junction to keep it safe. The "ser-
geant" kept it safely alright butt slater
on, i'm the great crowd at the city hall
he got separated from his father. much
to the dismay Of the general. When the
,hoy was recovered his father asked
him anxiously:
Warren, have you got the commits
sion?"
"Yes sir" replied the sergeant
promptly
well see that you hold on to It,
Among little army of welfare
workers who greeted General Perish.
ing were fifty Sgirls. three of whom
were decorated for bravery under fire
while serving with the first division
But It was reserved for New York tC
begin the real ovation to the return
ing hero. Four hours before the ar.
rival "thc Battery" was throngod viii
patient thousands. AS the little boa
with lis distinguished party steamed
uD to the pier an uproar began sucl
as Manhattan probably never hat
heard. From thousands OF factories
and vessels steam sirens shrleked on
raucous welcome but vainly tried tt
drown the roar OF cheers which rose