The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-18

LIE Mans area and Colonel Thurston,
this time adorned with silver eagles,
took command. The regiment was
sorry to witness the departure OF its
ficer.
!. Colonel Browns Tribute.
Colonel Brown, now stationed at
Camp Meade, Maryland pays the fol-
lowing splendid compliment to the
10th:
almost all military men aim at
stars. tho most of them realize the
futility of such long range firing.
None, however, does not hope to strike
an eagle some time during his career
Prior to that time, one wonders of
what material his regiment will con-
sist and how effective his organiza-
ton and administration will be. No
command is completely cehtered in
any one man. One can guide, direct
and supervise.
dence from subOrdinateS is most neces-
sary. Their loyal support and energy
are requisite for his success and the
success of his command. The two
are cast in one mold.
Assigned to the both regiment,
field artillery, 1 Joined with some
trepidation, tho not without conf
dence. My latent doubts and fears
were Immediately dispelled. Thru
three important phases of its exis-
tence ] commanded tits support
of the S1st division in the Verdun Sec
tor; its reorganization from animal
drawn to motorized equipment, and its
clearance thru the LIE Mans area to
the United States. Always I found an
untiring command-the mora work
and responsibility given, the more
cheerful the response and the more
efficient the result.
Organizations may have eQualled
its efforts; none surpassed them.
Were It ever modified again my sin
cere desire would be to command it.
To each member, I would like nothing
better than to SO express myself per-
sonally."
Geniuses of Red Tape.
The both was deloused at Bonnie
table, a necessary operation. After
three cheerful weeks, a train of Amer
left with the organization for Brest
on March 80. A wreck delayed the
train twenty-four hours, and it pulled
into Brest April 1.
The men were taken to Pontanezen
barracks, which had been improved
great deal following a newspaper ex-
pose of the bad conditions existent
there. At Brest, there was a large
number of field officers who MAIN
tanned their rank and dignity by in
speeding an departing units several
times daily. Each man was told he
couldn't sail without two extra pairs
of shoe laces and one can of shoe
dublin. At the front, a man was
lucky to have a pair of socks. but in
sailing for home much superfluouS
red tape had to be undergone. 1t is
needless to state that much of this
unnecessary uipment was thrown
overheard.
General Berry decorated the battle
standards of the both at Brest on
April at an impressive ceremony.
d le ~ OF 0fF zix
fensive sectors were pinned on the
standards, which now rest, along with
the American flag Of the regiment,
in the memorial hall at Topeka
The. 130th boarded the steamship
Mobile on April 10. This ship, for
meriy the German liner Cleveland.
had been in a Hamburg dry dock since
1914 and was renovated for trans
port service. The vessel put to sea
at 2 o'clock in the afternoon OF April
10, just a year to the day ana nour
that the advance detachment OF the
both landed at this same port.
A German marine officer piloted
the Mobile over northern route,
thru an iceberg territory. Off the
banks of Newfoundland, in q fog,
Chaplain BIackman delivered an
Easter sermon.
'Kansas Welcomes You"
Land was sighted in the early morn
have been more thrilled when, on Oc-
tober IL, 14s2Che saw in the distance
a little island of the Antilles, than
these soldiers when the United States
of America first blossomed into view.
To the aft of the Mobile was the
transport Manchuria, bearing home
ward the 18th infantry, another all
Kansas regiment OF the Thirty-fifth
division.
In the greater New York bay huge
tug, with hundreds of persons aboard,
bands playing and colors flying,
steamed out to meet tine troop ships.
This boat contained the mayors re-
ception committee, which greeted in
this happy manner all transports back
from France.
And when the skyline of New York
became more perceptible, another
great tug was seen, its decks swarming
with people. AS it drew nearer the SOL
diers could make out vast sunflowers
and q huge sign bearing the legend:
kansas Welcomes You" This was
the boat of the Kansas reception com
nittee, loaded to capacity with Kan
sans and ex-Kansans.
Something stuck In the threats of
every Kansas YanlS when the tug ap-
pcaFed-somcthing not easily dis
lodged. The welcome from the home
folks was wholly unexpected.
Friends and relatives and state dig
nitaries could be observed ON board,
paying homage to the men OF two VOL
unteer combat regiments. Governor
Henry ]. Allen was easily discernible as
he waved his hat cheerily to the boys
he had served so faithfully over in
France. Senator Arthur Capper was
there, and he has often said that this
was one of the greatest days of his
life. Girls-lots of them-with true
Sunflower compilations graced the
decks and all memories of pretty
Besancon and Barbecue maids were
cast into the limbo of oblivion.
The Statue of Liberty was passed
and the two ships steamed slowly up
the Hudson to the Hamburg
line piers. at Hoboken, where the
troops unloaded. They were fed on
the pier, and fed well, by the Red
Cross. THE Y. NJ. c. A. handed out
cakes and candy and cigarets with sur
prising generosity. as did the Knights
of Columbus And the Salvation Army