Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 271, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1918 — WORK OF MUSTERING OUT BEGINS AT CAMP TAYLOR [ARTICLE]

WORK OF MUSTERING OUT BEGINS AT CAMP TAYLOR

Camp Taylor, Ky., Nov. 18.—Actual demobilization of soldiers of Camp Zachary Taylor started today in the field artillery central officers’ training school. The first to get discharges were the students of the observation batteries. There were seventeen batteries of this sort, and nearly all have signified their desire to be sent back to civil life. Candidates and students had from Saturday morning until last night to make up their minds as ito whether they wished to be mustered out. the medical staff started tions and the .personnel department Started on the final statements and paper work. - The school has A strength of about 12,000 men, and officers think that more than two-thirds' will return to

civil life. ’/ More orders affecting demobilization were received yesterday instructing that discharges be given chaplains and approved chaplain candidates. The students in .this school have the same choice as men in the other arms of the service. They may complete the course and receive their commissions as first lieutenants and then be returned to the officers? reserve or they may apply for discharge. It is practically certain that the entire schohol will apply for discharge as all are ordained ministers of the gospel ai.d have leaves of absence from their churches.

Work was started today also on mustering out the men of the 159th depot brigade who are slated to go. The order received Saturday instructing that all men be discharged from tile service w&th the exception of four battalions of 1,000 men each will be complied with before the week is out. It is. expected the first men will leave the camp about Friday. Volunteers will be asked to make up the four battalions slated to remain on duty at the camp. This same instruction applies to the officers also. There are about 400 officers on duty in this orgamanation and the general impression is that few will offer their services. _ Staff officers estimated today that before the first of next week at least 15,000 soldiers wiM have left Camp Zachary Taylor for their homes. This will materially reduce the strength of the camp. So far no demobilization orderß have arrived for the field artillery replacement depot, the reservoir for artillerymen.