Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 286, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1917 — Camp Shelby Prepares For The Holidays [ARTICLE]

Camp Shelby Prepares For The Holidays

Hattiesburg, Miss., Dec. 17. — The order of Major General W. H. Sage, commanding general at Camp Shelby, prohibiting leaves of absence and fourloughs during the holidays, has caused disappointment among the Indiana troops, as many of the officers and men had expected to go home. It was because of the great demand for leaves of absence and furloughs the General Sage issued his order, as regretable at it was to, him presonally. He was astounded at the great number of requests made and felt that so many leaving here at one time would demoralize the camp. The Indiana soldiers are going ahead with their preparations for the Christmas week just the same. They are cutting holly and cypress and pine for decorations, and building shacks for their guests who can visit them on holidays during the day. Every Indiana unit will have some special entertainment on Christmas and New Year’s. Christmas dinner will be served at the mess shacks and at the mess.