Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-08
Continued from last WeekD

On December 9th it was found
that the complete list of records re-
quircd had been complied with and
there was nothing now to do but
sit tight until the order should ar
rive for cmbarkation. Camp Pom
taneZen, BreSt, was the parting blow
to the Squadron. Never in the
worst of its travels had it encoun-
tered such mud, never had its gas
tronomic expectations been so
magnificcntly insulted.
But the spirit of the "Yank" can
not be squelched, and "Hopc
springs Eternal When chow was
UNBEATABLE and unthinkablc-there
was the good chow aboard ship to
dream of; and when mud, sticky,
Shiny, sloppy. slippery, splaShy
mud drove men wild with its per-
Sistence, there was smile within
their hcarts-for they were dream
ing of the Best Statue in all the
world-"Miss Liberty"
For some unfair (and unknown)
reason, Woman has been blamed
throughout the ages as the great
Slave of Gossip. If there exists Il
worse slave to gossip, it is the Sol
dicr. In the Army, Dame Runor is
the Military College Kidow. She is
wOOcd by all ranks, from Buck Pri-
waite to Brigadicr General. And she
hangs out at BrcSt! Nowhere in the
history OF the Squadron did rum
OrS fly thicker or faster. And so
few rumorS Justify themselves by
cventuating in fact that little cred
cnce was put in the rumor that the
Squadron would sail on the Battle
ship Virginia, on January second.
TO diSprOvc the rumor il was nee
cssary to point out the fact that
the 4S4th was still cncamped in
tents. Ii has been true that all
homcward bound outfits were NOV
ed into barracks before going
aboard ship.
AT three p. NJ. on December 3Ist
on the heels of the sailing rumor,
came an order for the Squadron to
move into barracks at 1880 y. III.
Work details were hastily recalled,
packs made up, and the march to
barracks began. AT 8 p. M. roll
call showed everyone present in the
new quarters.
Sheduled to march out of Camp
at 1880 Il. m. January 2nd, the
Squadron has an early Rcveillc and
was in line at the appointed time.
The march to the docks was taken
at an easy gait, with frequent rests.
Like all Squadron mancouvrcS, it
was led by COgnac", DIETER
known as "Concy'D the mascot.
"COney" Ca yallcr dog) had been
acquired in June. at VinctS-and
started life drunkard, for, having
decided upon the pups name it was
necessary to make him live up to
it. Hence his first meal. after being
taken from his mother. was cOgnac.
1t evidently went to his head. En-
ccpl for Il great loyalty 10 The Squad
ron as Il whole. "COncy' never did
exhibit any brains. And now ii was
feared he'd have TO be left in
France! Not Il man in The outfit,
but wondered if "Concy'S" blind
loyalty 10 the outfit wouldn't get him
aboard ship tnO one dared hope
his "ScnSc' would help him outD
Sure enough. "COncy' shot past
guards and officers like streak of
lightning, and WAS aboard the hight
rr before he was even noticed.
At ten a. VI. on january 2nd the
Squadron was transferred from the
lighter to the main deck of the bat
tlcShip "Nirginia,' and very soon
aftcrward The men were issued their
hamInOckS and shown the locations
Of their hooks. Then dinner was
served! And what a banquet it
was! But how tickle is the mind Of
man-how Unsuitable the needs of
a soldier! Despite this great change
in food, ii was but few days be-
fore an officer overheard one of
The men kicking because someone
else had received three pork chops
and he had been given only two!
AT three p. NJ. on Thursday. Jan
uary End, 1919, The l.. S. S. "Vir-
GINA, followed by the "RhOdc Is
land Ga balllcship Of the same
typc), left The haybor Of Brcsl and
kicked up The spray Of the old At
lantic. H0meward Bound at last!
BY nightfall the ship was pitch
ing, tossing, and rolling lake q log
in cataract. Many officers and
men OF both Army and Navy we're
on their backs or leaning over the
rail. The second day out was even
worse. In the Wardroom Mess
where The Officers dincd, the heavy
II. i Il 1.