First Units of Our New Army Reviewed by
King George Amid Dense Throngs
A regiment of the new army of the United States from Camp Gordon,
Georgia, 2,700 strong, marched through London May 11, 1918, and was
reviewed by the King; Colonel Whitman was in command. Each soldier
received a facsimile copy of the following letter from the King:
[Illustration: KING GEORGE'S MESSAGE TO THE SOLDIERS OF THE UNITED
STATES]
The London Times, in describing the occasion, referred to the attitude
of the British public as follows:
All along the way people gathered thickly. There were dense
crowds in the neighborhood of Charing Cross, in the Mall, around
the Victoria Memorial, and in Grosvenor Gardens. Rarely has the
Stars and Stripes been so conspicuous in London; the flag flew
from public and private buildings. It was waved here and there by
spectators. It was worn in many buttonholes. London Americans set
the fashion of bringing flags small enough to carry and big enough
to add emphasis to a personal demonstration. Some English people
followed their example, and others were heard wishing that they
had "brought their American flags from home." Street hawkers of
buttonhole favors had learned the phrase "Old Glory," and shouted
it familiarly.
But the real lesson of the day came from the crowd everywhere.
It taught those critics who have complained that during the war
London has forgotten how to cheer, that London still remembers.
The people cheered the American troops, they cheered the Guards,
they had a special shout for wounded sailors and soldiers; and by
no means did they forget to cheer the King. Occasionally, however,
there were silences which seemed to speak of an understanding of
the mission of this array of martial youth; of the sacrifice that
mingled with the glory of devotion; perhaps also of the history
that Britain and America have begun to make in union.
The bearing of the American troops was described in the following
passage:
It is worth noting that when the colors passed many men received
them with bared heads, and that "Off with your hats!" was heard
now and then in admonition from a civilian. Considering that the
custom of so honoring the colors of British regiments is still
far from universal, this may be accepted by Americans as a rather
notable tribute.
Three things were striking in these Americans--their youth, their
seriousness, and their modesty. The first quality is easily
conceded to America; we all think of her as young. Those of her
sons whom London scrutinized so keenly came under arms only last
Summer. They are officered chiefly by men who then passed through
the Officers' Training Corps, though the commanding officer and the
Lieutenant Colonel belong to the old regular army. They might,
therefore, be expected to deserve the name of boys, by which
they were affectionately called. But it was their presentation
of the idea of youth, of the quintessence of youth, which struck
the spectator. Nor was it modified by the suggestion of dead
earnestness which accompanied it and might seem to clash with it.
The qualities in combination distinguished the American battalions
from any young English regiment, which strikes the observer as
at once older and more light-hearted. Not that there was really
any lack of hilarity about the Americans in their hours of ease.
The one who sang a comic song in front of the barracks before
parade had a joyful heart, and was certainly a cause of joy to
the Londoners who stood listening to him. As for the men's modest
demeanor, it ought to dispose of the notion that the Americans
cherish any intention "to show us how things should be done"--if
that suggestion is not long since dead.
Physically, the regiment was marked by well-set shoulders, bronzed
faces, and general fitness. It looked sinewy, and went along
with a fine swing. A few men were pointed out for their unusual
height. Spectators on the outskirts of the crowd had an excellent
opportunity of appraising these giants. Otherwise the standard of
stature was level.
The pride of Americans in the troops--and there were many
Americans, naval, military, and civil, among the onlookers--was
easy to see. Before the embassy it reached its highest
manifestation. The building was decorated with flags, like most
of the houses in Grosvenor Gardens. The American Ambassador (Mr.
Page) took the salute outside the embassy. In his company were
Admiral Sims, Commander Babcock, and Lieut. Col. Slocum. Mrs. Page
was an interested spectator in the balcony above. Here the bands
played "Pack Up Your Troubles" and "John Brown's Body." A reminder
of American history and of the foundations of the United States
was introduced when several veterans of the civil war joined the
procession.