Demonstrations and recruiting work by the detachment of field artillery from Fort Bragg which arrived here Friday afternoon had to be cancelled entirely on account of the inclemency of the weather.
In order to stage the demonstration it would have been necessary to put a large amount of equipment on the ground, which was so wet Friday and Saturday, that the commanding officers did not make the attempt. The outfit included 2 sections of 75s (French model guns), one section from battery A and one section from battery B of the second field artillery; 28 horses, 8 mules, 26 enlisted men and 2 officers.
The detachment left Fort Bragg Wednesday morning, spent Wednesday night in camp this side of Fayetteville and Thursday night in St. Paul. They left Lumberton yesterday morning about 7 o’clock for Laurinburg, where two days will be spent in giving demonstrations and recruiting. Other towns included in their drive are Rockingham, Wadesboro, Monroe, Charlotte (5 days), Gastonia (4 days), Lincolnton, Newton, Statesville, Mocksville, Lexington, Salisbury, Albemarle, and Carthage. Another detachment left Fort Bragg about the same time and will visit the Northern part of the state, going via Dunn, Nashville, Greensboro, Winston Salem, High Point, etc.
Not only are demonstrations being given, but experiments are being made. These include waterproof clothing, waterproof blankets, machine gun mount on caissons and “forge lumber.” The last named is a complete blacksmith’s equipment for service on the field.
Saturday night the enlisted men and officers were entertained by Lumberton post No. 42 of the American Legion in the legion hall. A shad supper was given and a jolly good time was had. Mr. W.B. Ivey, ex-commander of the post, acted as toastmaster and welcomed the soldiers to Lumberton at anytime, stating that he had a peculiar regard for the man wearing khaki. Others speaking and assuring the artillerymen of their welcome in Lumberton included Mayor E.M. Johnson, ex-Senator Geo. B. McLeod, Attorneys W.S. Britt and J.J. Goodwin, and Post Commander F. Eli Wishart.
Responses were made by Lieutenants W.M. Wright Jr. and Warren Hayford, the officers in charge of the detachment. Sergeant Henderson, who said he was “surprised at the hospitality shown them,” and Sergeant Brazo. After the impromptu remarks and at the suggestion of Commander Wishart, all stood and sang the old familiar war-time song, “Hail, Hail the Gang’s All Here.”
Both nights the men were guests of the legion at a theatre party at the Pastime. Mr. Griffin, manager of the theatre, made a special reduction in the price of admission for the soldiers.
On account of the inclemency of the weather Saturday night, Mr. C.M. Fuller offered his stables for the horses and mules, which kindness was accepted by the officers, who stated that had it not been for the long drive the next day it would not have made any difference for the stock to remain on the outside as they did Friday night throughout the rain and wind. The army regulation of marching 50 minutes and resting 10 is adhered to and the noon-day lunch is served on the road. Sandwiches prepared the day before and coffee kept hot in big thermos kits constitute the ration.
From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, April 7, 1924
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