Milford chronicle., 1919-07-04
DELAWARE REGIMENT
LEAVES FRANCE AFTER
TEN MONTHS SERVICE
COLONEL REED CABLES
GOVERNOR THAT 59TH
PIONEERS SAILED LAST SUNDAY FROM
BREST. WILL ARRIVE IN U. S. A.
EARLY NEXT WEEK.
ROYAL WELCOME PLANNED
RECEPTION WILL Be HELD In WHINING
TON. ABOUT 5000 STATE TROOPS
WILL BE ENTERTAINED.

Delaware's own regiment, the 59th
Pioneer Infantry is on the way home.
The regiment sailed on Sunday from
Brest, France, and is now speeding
toward the good old U. s. A, after be-
ing nearly ten months overseas.
1t is expected that the regiment will
debark sometime early next week at
Hoboken. n. j., and will go to Camp
Dix, from where it will be sent to Will
mington to be entertained at the most
rousing Homecoming parade and re-
ception little old Wilmington has ever
known.
Whether the Delaware regiment Ia
on the steamship George Washington,
on which President Wilson sailed from
France, or whether it is on the battle
ship Oklahoma, escorting the Presi-
dents ship, is not known, as the cable-
grams telling of the departure home
ward of the troops did not give de-
tails.
It is altogether likely, however, that
the regiment is either on the George
Washington or on one of the escorting
ships and if that be true the Pioneers
should arrive in this country either
Sunday or Monday next, for the Presi-
dents squadron is expected to make
speedy run across the Atlantic
Mrs. ]. Warner Reed, wife of Col
onel Reed of the 59th Pioneers, re-
ceived the first word of the departure
homeward of the regiment. 1t came
Monday morning and told merely that
the regiment had started. Mrs. Reed
expects another telegram, giving some
details, almost at any time. Mrs. ].
Danforth Bush also received word
from Major Bush of the regiments
sailing.
Governor Townsend also received a
cablegram Monday morning from Col
onel Reed stating that IL Delaware
companies of the regiment started
Monday. 1t gave no details. AS there
are II infantry companies, as well as
the headquarters company, supply
company and sanitary company in the
regiment, it may be that all the troops
did not sail Sunday, but will come on
a later transport. Colonel Reeds
cablegram stated that eleven Della
ware companies" had sailed.
The Delaware regiment landed in
France on September of last year,
and has been on active duty ever since,
mostly in engineering operations, as
sisting the fighting troops, and later
in service of supply and in salvaging
operations. 1t was while salvaging
German munitions that seven mem
bers of the regiment were killed by
the explosion of a mine near Toul,
France
None of the men of the regiment
was killed in actual hostilities, but the
colors of the regiment were decorated
because of the services of two COM
panies in building railroads under shell
fire to enable the bringing up of sup
plies for the infantry and artillery
that took part in the drive against the
Huns about Argonne Forest
The Mayors committee, of which
former Governor Charles r. Miller is
chairman. met Tuesday evening in the
Mayors office in Wilmington to crys-
talize its plans for the homecoming
reception. The arrangements are in
such shape that they can be put in ef-
feet easily a week hence, if necessary.
Everything has been held in allegiance
until the actual date for the sailing of
the regiment became known.
From now on there will be a rush
of preparations and the Delaware bows
will not lack anything in the way of
a cordial, rOusing and spontaneous
reception by Delawareans when they
get back to the Diamond State. While
there has been a whisper or two that
some of the boys did not want a recep-
ton, but desired to be demobilized as
soon as possible, ii has been learned
that such talk was from se.,a Of tho
men from other States who we're at
tached to the 59th Pioneers when It
was filled out to regimental strength.
There are about 1900 Delawareans in
the Regiment, the remaining 1000 be-
ing from other states. The committee
plans to give a reception to all the
men of the regiment, whether or not
they are Delawareans, and also to ev-
cry Delaware boy who served in the
army or navy during the war and is
now home.
1t is estimated that at least six thou
sand men will be entertained at din
her, and it is going to tax the hospital
Ity of Wilmington to the limit to pro-
vide the homecoming dinner. But the
with the cooperation of
The various organizations about the
city, hopes to meet the situation.
There is abundant time to give the
boys a bang-up reception" said Clar-
snce c. ktllen, chairman of the recep-
lion committee of the Mayors com
nittee. "The subcommittee have
been working quietly for four weeks
and have arrangements well in hand.
There need be no fear the boys won't
be received in a manner most beft-
ing"
Colonel Weller E. Slower is chair
nan of the banquet committee and he
S busy arranging for serving the
dinner to the 59th Pho
leers and to all Delaware soldiers and
sailors who are home. He is in con-
ference with Manager Ernest S. Taite.
Of the Hotel dupont, for serving as
many of the Pioneers as possible at
the Hotel, and at the time it is. expect
ed that thousands of the men will be
served at the Armory. in other hotels.
Odd Fellows Hall and halls OF other
lodges and organizations about the
city that have accommodations for
seating large gatherings. This is
probably the biggest task in connection
with the homecoming reception, as
the cooking and serving of the dinner