New-York tribune., 1919-04-28
Last of Heroes Who Laid
Down ShOvels to Use
Rifles at Cambria Reach
Home With Col. Parsons
Welcomed by Relatives
Builder of City's First Sub
= way Praises the Men Who
Served Two Years Abroad


builder of New York's first subway and
commander of the famous 1lth Engi-
ncers. who dropped their shovels to
shoulder rifles in the German counter
attack at Cambrai in 1917, arrived here
yesterday on the Chicago with 49 Of
iicers and 500 enlisted men.
The troops returning includ d the
field and sta. headquarters and medical
detachment and companies A, 3, d, r
and F. They went. Immediately to
Camp Mills to join the first part of
the regiment which returned last week.
They will parade here Wednesday.
The regiment has a distinguished
record of having served almost con-
tinuously in advance sectors. When
they sailed from Bordeaux the anti
lacked only two weeks of having been
two years in France. The engineers
have been authorized to wear five sill
YER bands on their collars. indicating
participation insthe first class engage
ments at Cambrai. Gouzeau Court, St.
Mihial, Argonne and the Toul sector
Parsons Praises Engineers
When the Chicago was docked at
Pier 81. North River, and the uproar OF
welcome and flag waving had subsid-
ed enough to permit the Red Cross
workers to serve out hot coffee and
chocolate, Colonel Parsons learned
that he might be chosen by Governor
Smith as New York's proposed Transit
Commissioners He said:
Il cannot talk about that now. |
have been away from New York for
two years and I would not like to dis
cuss the matter at this time But the
colonel was full of praise and admir-
alton FOR his regiment.
These men of mine are great" he
said, II want to tell you this in the
proudest moment of my life
The Engineers had received New
York's official welcome home when the
Chicago was picked up" off Liberty
Island by the Patrol, the steamship
Correction and the ferryboat Bay
Ridge, all loaded with friends who had
come to the Battery early in the morn
ing.
The convoy steamed up the bay. wav-
3 ing flags and making every signal pos
sible to add to the jubilant welcome
by displaying a large sign held up
by soldiers which read eve want
beer" The Chicago proceeded to the
pier without an escort after reaching
Hoboken, where the convoy turned
about to greet other troopshps COM
ing in.
Welcomed by Family
Colonel Parsons was met at the pier
by Mrs. Parsons and Mr. and Mrs.
Rudolph Weld, his daughter and SON.
in-law. their two children and sDr.
William Barclay Parsons, jr.. who was
captain in Mobile Hospital No. 2, in
France.
The regiment suffered about 100
casualties, it was learned They
served almost all the time with the
British, and were with General Byng's
troops at Cambria. Seven men re
Distinguished Service Crosses two
British military crosses and one Brit
ish military medal.
Sergeant Carl c. Sorenson, of Dover
y j., member of the headquarters
company, will take part in another
welcome home celebration two weeks
hence when his overseas bride will ar
rive here from France.
Officers returning with Colonel Par
sons were Lieutenant Colonel Willard
Chevalier, Major Arthur S. Dwight
Major Richard S. Buck, Lieutenant
Colonel Hudson Major Value. Captain
Harry Holland, Major George Ii. Gift
ford and Major F. +. Ashcroft
The companies and their commanders
follow: Captain f. n. Holstrom, Com
pany A; Captain Donald Maclsaac
Company B; Captain j. P. Corley
Company Captain Burleigh White
head. Company F.; Captain J. s
veeder, Company +; Lieutenant w. c.
Taylor, adJutant. and Captain v r
hroughton, Headquarters Company.