The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-08
FINAL THOUSAND, HOME FROM RHINE, REACH SAVANNAH
Congressional Party Joins Georgia and Army Officials in Giving Royal Welcome
 to Soldiers

SAVANNAH, Ga, Feb. 7.-(By Associated Press. )-America's "last thousand" came home from Europe today signalizing the nations clos ing action in its participation in the World war.
 From the deck of the United States army transport St. Mihiel, the soldiers who kept watch on the Rhine gained their first glimpse of their homeland after an absence of five years. With them were French, Belgian and German wives and children, who saw for the first time the land they are to call home.
 Savannah turned out to a man to welcome home in behalf of Amer ica the returning troops and to greet the women and children from the country's former allies and enemy nations. The reception be- gan shortly after Il o'clock this morning when the cutter Yamacraw and the tug McCauley met the transport beyond Tybee bar. At quarantine party of congressman, Gov. Thomas W. Hardwick of Geor- gia, Mayor Paul E. Seabrook and other state and local officials and army officers boarded the St. Mi hlel from the cutter YamacraW,
 Ancient Cannon Used.
 As the transport neared Savannah she was greeted by a salute from two historic cannon presented to the Chatham artillery by George Wash ington and from a battery of French 75s, trophies of the World war. The soldiers answered each blast with cheers. Bells, whistles and sirens throughout' the city and on river craft took up the cry.
 Spectators scattered along a mile and half of water front, kept pace with the transport as she sped up the river. They stormed the docks, overpowering police guards. Fire hoses were brought into play to clear the crowd from about the ship. The stream of water struck members of the congressional reception commit- tee, just as the party boarded the transport. The congressional com- mittee, including Senators Harris and } Robinson, and Congressmen Johnson, 1 inberger, Lonscott, Conley and Bull \ nkle were met aboardship by Col Walter T. Bates of the Eighth infan- .ry in command of the troopse
 Formal Welcome Given.
 Debarkation followed the formal welcome in behalf of the nation. The married soldiers stayed aboard with heir families while their comrades 'ormed to parade through the ctiy. They were reviewed by Major Cen aral Farnsworth and Major General Shanks.
 After the parade the enlisted men were guests at a barbecue arranged by the local American Legion post. A dance for the enlisted men and a banquet for the officers kept the ar rivals occupied tonight
 The St. Mhiel brought back 90S of- ficers and men, comprising two bat talons and service company of the Eighth infantry, a detachment of the First engineers. who won the French Medal for Valor, the Twentieth com pany signal corps and a detachment If medical corps men. The first bat falion and service company of the Eighth infantry will be stationed here at Fort Screven, while the Third battalion will go to Fort Moultrie. $. C., to join the Second battalion there. The engineers aboard, with the signal and medical corps men will be landed at New York.
 The St. Mihiel was expected to sail at } o'clock tomorrow morning for may be held over here until tomor- row