New-York tribune., 1919-03-30
77th Picks THE Professor
As Bruuest Man i'm Axy,ly
Captain WardIow l.. Miles Led His Men at the Ncsle
From Stretcher After Arm Was Shattered
and One Leg Blown Off, Says Major Lndey

food of personal inquiries. Lieutenant
Colonel Douglas Campbell, Who com
mands the party, issued general state.
ment yesterday in answer to most oi
these, saying that the health Of the mer
could not be better.
"Having just returned from France
said Colonel Campbell, II can say that
the 77th Division is now in superb
condition, physically and morally. 1t
is billeted in various villages adjoin-
ing Sable. The men are kept active,
mentally and physically.
"They are eager to get back home
and see their loved ones, of course,
but they are healthy and happy in
their present surroundings.
Tells of Their Health
"Their health was never better
During the epidemic Of influenza we
suffered bit, but the suffering was
less than onefourth of what it was
in civil life.
'For instance. in the period from
February 10, when the division left
Chateau Villain, to the 18th of March,
when it reached Sable, there were only
sixteen deaths. | attribute this fine
record to the vigorous course Of train
ing which is being carried out under
the personal supervision of Major Gen
erni Robert Alexander. Reveille is
sounded at 6:1o a. m, and breakfast is
served at 7. At $3.50 drill lasting
three hours takes place After dinner
the men engage in athletic exercises
and games, such as football, basketball
and track athletics.
I'm the evening the men study for
an hour. Taps sounds at 10 p. m.
There are plenty Of entertainments af-
ter study hours.
"What impressed me about this
course of training was not only the
superb physical condition of the men,
but their mental development. General
Alexander personally inspects the units
while the drills, games and studies
are taking place. He reviewed the
troops on March 10, ii and 10.
What Pershing Said
"On February 27 General pershing
reviewed the division. Afterward he
sion in France had given. He praised
the appearance of the men, their sol
dierly bearing and, as to their physical
fitness, said:
est is the "ceanest" division of any
in the American EXpeditionary Force
Little has been done so far toward
formulating plans for the parade of
the 77th Colonel Campbell said, in
connection with the suggestion that
the 77th march with the Rainbow Di-
vision in May, that the 77th would pre-
fer review all its own. After hear
ing reports that the 165th Infantry
(the old 69th) had sailed from Brest,
he issued the following statement:
"rhe fact that the 165th Infantry is
said to have sailed in no way affects
the plans for the parade of the 77th
Division. 1t has been suggested that
the 165th and the 77th Division might
parade together as joint units repre-
senting New York City essentially.
Any plans Of this kind would be
wholly up to the duly constituted gov
ernment and city authorities.
Plans of Division
owe expect the 77th Division to sail
from Brest about April Is, and to have
our parade early in May. The 10th
to whom all credit is due for having
made splendid record erseas-per-
haps will arrange for a parade of its
own. | would like to see such parade,
for every officer and man in the nth
admires the old Goth. and every New
Yorker is proud of what it did.
"The 77th Division relieved the 42d
Division, OF which the old Goth is q
part, in the Baccarat sector. During
that relief many old friends met.
New York may we'll feel proud of
the 77th when it gets back. And, from
what I know Of New York, it will ex-
press that pride in unmeasured terms"