The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-14
SdlDdtion Arn1y's Friend
R THY don't you ask Capt INW Lacey Edmundson to tell

NU M lt " IA ACAA JCA 11N OoR~~ " MW Lacey Edmundson to tell Wv you something about how the soldier boys feel about the Saliva ton Army and the wonderful work of this organization when our boys of the 167th were over there in close touch with the Salvationists?e said a friend O. mine the other day, when we were discussing the visit of Commander Evangeline Booth of the Salvation Army to Birmingham next Monday.
 That's just what I'll do,' said. Its a good tip, for there isn't a more pop ular man--who was with the troops over there-a man who has more friends than Captain Edmundson, and none whose word stands for a higher
 ideal and purpose than this splendid young Alabanian, whose service during the war was a magnificent tribute to his mandhood, his patriotism, his loy- atty and his character"
 Captain Edmundson was on the NJ K ican border when America went into war Rather he was on his way from tho border, to Montgomery, where the old Alabama Fourth was to be mus tered out, but which arrived just in time to become the 167th infantry of the Rainbow division--that division which has gone down in history as the pride of our nation-a magnificent trib- ute to Americas patriotisml
 I took the tip" from my friend and dispatched word to Captain Edmundson to the effect that I'd like to talk with him about something which I felt sure he was interested in. because one of his best friends had told me so, and re- spending chivalrously Gas he always does), Captain Edmundson made an en- gagement with me and during our con- versation he told me some very inter- esting things just as his friend (and mine) had said he would.
 Tt would be impossible for me to give the Salvation Army too much praise," said Captain Edmundson. There wasn't place that the soldiers were in during the war that the Sal vation Army lassie and the Salvation Army lad wasn't there to offer him ma terial as well as spiritual aid Many of our men took advantage of the re- 1igious services. which were conducted in every crack and crevice where few could be gathered together"
 "As for the material benefits. the doughnuts, the pies and other things, Captain Edmundson continued, there never was time when the Salvation Army wasn't ready to give such things to the men. They never refused any body; always happy, always making things seem more like home, the sol diers loved the Salvation Army and have nothing but praise for it's good works"
 "It was in open warfare that the Salvation Army was most valiant, when the risk was greater, the danger more intense, that these good people risked anything and everything for the sol ders. They seemed to be able to stand the hardships betterd than any one else, this, I suppose, coming from the fact that they had been trained to en- Gure privation. Cold, hunger. thirst meant nothing to them; they just went straight ahead with their duty, in spite of the many fearful conditions"
 "At ChateauThierry the Salvation ists were right behind the lines," Cap tain Edmundson said, "and also in the Argonne, and the boys of the 167th in- fantry, of which I had the honor to be Mrs. Thomas Scott Roberts. Several de- crtry f~r~