EMBARKATION FOR HOME,
DEMOBILIZATION.
On May 17, 1919, the regiment bade farewell to Germany. The troops marched from
their billets to Wengerohr, where they entrained for the port of embarkation at St. Nazaire.
It was the moment that every soldier had lived for since the day of the armistice. Their
work in the world war was over and they were homeward bound. On every face was a smile,
and in every heart a song and in the mind of every doughboy was the picture of the ones who
were waiting for him hack home. Yet there was no outward sign of elation. They were still
soldiers, and they marched out of the towns along the Moselle with the same steady tread and
with the same bearing and precision that had marked their movements in every undertaking since
they had first marched on foreign soil.
And as they marched that day they were leaving behind them one of the wonder spots of
the world. The warmth of spring had just settled upon the beautiful Moselle valley, the
marvelous vineyards literally hung to the rocks of the hillside and mirrored in the clear waters of
the stream had just put on their foliage of green; and in the narrow valley and along the highway
the apple trees were in full bloom and the atmosphere was heavy with their fragrance. But as
they turned their footsteps toward home and followed the road that winds over the hills to the
plains of Wengerohr not a doughboy looked back. Their eyes were to the front and their
thoughts were intent on the hopes of the future.
The trip by rail from the station in Germany to St. Nazaire was made on standard
American military trains each composed of twenty-four American box cars, in which were
placed forty men per car, a second class German coach for the officers, with a box car for
officers’ beds, one boxcar for baggage, and a kitchen car and a ration car. Regular garrison
rations were carried and hot meals were served en route.
The regiment arrived at St. Nazaire May 20 and immediately underwent the prescribed
physical examination and inspections of records and equipment.
On the evening of May 27 the entire regiment embarked on the steamship Mongolia. The
record for that port was established by the speed with which the regiment embarked. The ship
left the dock at 3:00 o’clock, May 27. The voyage across was pleasant and uneventful.
The ship docked at the Army pier at Boston at noon, June 7. An enthusiastic reception
was given by the citizens of Boston and committees representing the various welfare
organizations.
Immediately upon landing War Department orders were received for the regiment to
parade at Houston and then proceed to Camp Travis for demobilization. Colonel Price was
ordered to accompany the regiment, and Brigadier General U. G. McAlexander, the brigade
commander, was ordered to Houston for the parade.
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