Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1919-04-18
Cheering SOLDIERS
Land FROM The Pow.
HATAN I'M QUICK time


this morning dampened everything
except the spirits of 2,42O officers
and men who debarked from the
transport Powhatan, and the spirits
of the war workers and others who
were assembled at the terminals to
greet and take care of the returning
troops, who, after the usual prelimi-
naries entrained for Camp Jackson
and cheered as their trains left the
port which had so cordially received
them. Long before the Powhatan
reached the terminals the usual del
egations of welfate workers and mil
itary, naval and other officers were
onhand including Major Gen. Sharpe
and as the vessels approached the
docks resounding cheers came from
the troops that lined the ships rail-
ing, and these on shore responded
in like tune. The event was enliven-
ed by music from three bands-the
ships band, 120th infantry band,
and the Navy Yard band F. Varilla
bandmaster.
The Powhatan going up Cooper
river this morning was docked at
9.15 O'Clock amid the usual scenes
of aul4ation-cheers and shouts
from those aboard, responses from
lose ashore, flags waving, the three
bands vieiDg with one another to
cheer up the troops, auto trucks
moving, officers and enlisted men
ashore b'sy with the details of de-.
oarkation. The Southeastern depart
mentheadquafters were represented
by several otficers-Gen. H. G. Sharp
commanding officer; Col. H. C. Mer-
riam chief of staff; Col. Calvin Titus
assistant; Col. Rolfe, department
quartermaster. AS soon as the Pow
hatan docked Gen. Sharpe and Col.
Merriam went aboard, and soon
came off with Col. S. w. Minor, rank
ing officer aboard the ship, and Col.
Don E. Scott, executive officer.
This was perhaps the most eff
cient debarkation which has as yet
taken place at the uort terminals,
due greatly to the fact that the units
aboard had thoroughly prepared for
the event, and little time was lost
and very slight confusion occurred.
Col, Lawrence Brown, debarkation
officer, stated that a record was made
ngetting the men off the ship, only
AZ minutes being required to get the
2,420 off, breaking the previous re-
cord of SO minutes.
A favorite piece played by the
bands was Smiles" and it was evi-
dent that smiles that make you
hIppy" were th kind of smiles that
seemed to be parts of the faces of
the returning troops, from Colonels
to privates Owing to the fact that
the tide was low the gangplanks
were not sloping as sharply as on
previous occasions, and it was g
cheerful sight to see the alacrity
With which the men, weighed down
with heavy packs, stepped down the
9angplanks to their native land
There were only 2 or 3 Charleston
men aboard the Powhatan, but the
troops all seemed so delighted tna
one might think Charleston was
their home. Proceeding promptly
from the docks to their stations II
the compartments of warehouses No
D and 6 they remained at ease, and
willing workers dispensed cheer ane
comfort in the shape of refresh
ments, cigarettes. chewing gum post
cards. and other articles. Four train.
were used to transport the troop
10 Camp Observation-Disclosures Eve
ming Post.
There were several boy on thi.
snip from SYLVIA and jackson Count,