El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-27
CEN. ERWIN IS
GLAD TOBE HERE
New Commander of Dis
trict Says He Is Almost
A Westerner.

Il have not been here . hours yet
but have met all sorts Of kind rece2-
lions and courtesies at the hands OF
FL Pasoans,' said Brig. Gen. James B.
Erwin who arrived at Fort Bliss
wednesday afternoon TO take com
mand Of the Fl Paso military district.
Gen. Erwin came from Atlanta, Ca,
where he has been on a leave Of alb
sence since bringing back the 92nd di-
vision from France about a month ago
and demobuizing it at Camp Meade,
PENN
Glad To Be Back.
Il like this country. and am mighty
glad 10 get back to II, because nearly
all my service has been with the
cavalry in this western country, in
Texas. New Mexico Arizona. Colo
rado. Utah. washington and Caljfor-
MIA" said Cen Erwin. Although born
and reared in Georgia. / really am al
most q western man and haven't been
anything else for years. I met a great
many FL Pasoans when I was here be-
fore, which makes my service here all
the more pleasant They have given
me a very hearty welcome, which !
appreciate sincerely.
Golf Players Please Answer.
4 am a very firm believer in golf
as a recreation" he said and look
forward 70 many a game here
Cen Erwin was commissioned a
brigadier general August IS, 1917 Il
have been lucky in being in command
Of a division nearly all the time
have been a brigadier general, so u
has made the service a very pleasant
"a Il rrHrr Haa.n r-rn o
the send division at Camp Gordon. At
lauta, Ca, and commanded this d.
vision for several months He was
then assigned to the Sixth regular d.
vision which 'had not yet been organ
lied. and organized il. trained IL, mad
took IL overseas to France After
continuing the training Of the divis-
into active service with il in the front
line. as part Of the first corps OF the
first army. This division was In the
last drive that pushed through the
Argonne forest and fought Up TO the
time that the armistice went into e.
feet.
Germans Tired OF War.
German prisoners were all well
fed, well clothed and shod," said the
general, but they were all perfectly
satisfied at having been taken. and
generally expressed themselves as be-
ing tired OF the war"
Gen. Erwin has seen service IN the
Philippines. and took part in the ex-
petition Of Gen Pershing into Mexico
From 1871 he was inspector general
IN the Philippines department anc
finally became adjutant general OF the
department and remained in this po-
sition until 1915 when he returned "a
the United States and was made ad-
jurant general Of the western depart
ment with headquarters in san iran
cosco. In November, 1915. he came q
Douglas, Ariz-. and took command Of
the Ninth cavalry and afterwards OF
the Seventh cavalry, and took the
latter regiment into Mexico as paFi
OF Gen. John J. Pershing's command
and remained with Gen. Pershins "
Mexico until February. 1916. when the
Seventh cavalry was ordered TO II
PasO.
At Governors Island.
From here Gen. Erwin was ordered
to muster out the First Pennsylvania
infantry, and was on duty after thai
time at Governors Itland. in the de-
partment OF the east. inspecting the
national guard which was employed
in guarding docks, bridges and othel
public utilities during the time thai
German propagancists and consplr'
ators were blowing up public WORKS
He remained in that work until made
mastering officer OF the nationa
guard. in charge Of militia affair
during the time the National Guarc
was being mustered into the fedora
service when the war began
West Point In 1913
Later he was transferred to the 82nt
division in training at Atlanta, anl
from there to the Sixth regular divis'
ion which he fought through the war
Gen. Erwin entered West Point from
Georgia in 1875. and received his frs
commission as second lieutenant OF
the Fourth cavalry on June u, l6op
Asked whether he contemplated am
changes at Fort Bliss, the general re-
pIied. 7 do not know anything about
that I have got TO study. conditions
here and make myself acquainted
with the work required OF me before
I can form any plans whatever