The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-05-07
Morn Hill
Where American Soldiers Are
Being Assembled in England
For Return Home

Winchester, Eng, April l-(COrre-
| spondence Of The Associated Press.)-
Morn Hill, one of the huge military
| reservations on the heights overlook
ing this picturesque old city, is again
an American camp. During the war
it was the principal assembly ground
in England for American legions on
the way to the war. Now it is the
clearing. station for thousands Of bat
tleworn Americans WHO are on the way
home. They are the men who fought
with the British forces.
+ All the far-hung armies Of the en-
pire are contributing to this assem-
blage. The Americans are coming
chiefly from France and the occupa-
ton forces in Germany, but large
numbers are making longer Journeys.
Some have served in Palestine. some
in Egypt, some in South Africa and
others In india Many are Still in
the East and others are with the Brit
ish forces in various parts Of Russia
It is reckoned that it will be six or
eight .naenths before all can be
brought TO England.
q,
arrive in this city they are sent TO
Winchester and put through the pro-
cess Of Rehabilitation and repatria-
ton. Other camps here are being
used to comb ont Colonials who ser
we'd with the English instead Of with
their own armies
The majority Of the Americans who
TONED the British forces enlisted in
Canada. Most OF these are to be sent
back, not TO the point Of enlistment.
hut TO their homes in the States. a
stipulation that was generally insist
ed upon by Americans when they
volunteered their services.
Repatriation machinery turns slow
N and there are often considerable
delays, as it frequently happens that
q soldier arrives at the camp weeks
before his papers filter through the
devious channels in which they move.
II is only by his papers that a man
identity can be officially established.
Great care is exercised in this mat
ter for. i'm the British army, there have
been many instances Of soldiers eX-
changing names and identification
disks.
II an American serving a British
regiment wished to remain in England
and a British comrade wanted TO go
to America, it would be easy enough.
(; it was pointed out to the correspond
entfi for them 10 swamp names ana
disks. and if the real Tommy was we'll
coached and did not drop too many OF
/; his III s" the scheme: might succeed.
After repatriation the Americans
are sent home as soon as trans
norts can be provided at South Hamp-
! ton. which is only a dozen miles away
Special salinSsT are arranged Tor the
soldiers who are taking wives back
/; with them.
One husky Michigan lad now at the
camp missed his chance to get ava!
with the last shipment OF unmarried
men by making sudden entry into
the matrimonial state. A day or Two
Ihefore his transport was to sail he wa:
snendins the afternoon with an Amer
lean girl he had met in Wnches'er
She was from Patterson. M. ana ne
called her Jersey
We'll, this is goodbye, ne Salo 4:
he was about TO return to camp.
! Thinking of home dimmed the girl
ewes. Gee l wish / was going TOO.
she exclaimed
You mean that. Kid" said the his
Middle WeSterner.
: Il sure do she repllet
Touched by her tears. he made
.oujck decision ''All right. con'
along WI h me-" he said, Selling ne
arm. He knew where special II
, cense could obtained. and few houf
: later they were man and Wile-
In telling the correspondent OF M
romance. the soldier remarked
wouldnt leave q dog on this SIDE ina
GOOD old Statue Of Liberty. He m"an
no disrespec1 10 his bride
A special canteen for these home
yo,d bound soldiers has been eStah
, ,;s,led at Morn Hill by the America