Descriptive Summary | |
Repository: | Georgia Historical Society |
Creator: | Dennis, Sherman O. |
Title: | Sherman O. Dennis collection of World War I photographs |
Dates: | 1923 |
Extent: | 0.15 cubic feet (1 oversize folder) |
Identification: | MS 1676 |
No biographical information is available.
This collection consists of four panoramic photographs of the February 7, 1923, celebration in Savannah, Georgia, for the last World War I Army of Occupation troops returning from the Rhine. Three of these images are original photographs taken by Cole and Company of Asbury Park, New Jersey. The fourth photograph is a copy photograph of a panorama.
Following the World War I armistice of November 11, 1918, American Army of Occupation troops replaced the American Expeditionary Forces. The Eighth Infantry regiment, stationed in the German Rhine region at Coblenz, formed the principal American contingent. On January 24, 1923, the Eighth Infantry withdrew from the fortress Enrenbreitstein and began their journey back to the United States aboard the transport St. Mihiel.
The St. Mihiel arrived in Savannah, their first American port, on February 7, 1923. The ship, carrying 1,200 soldiers, 64 wives, and 19 children, was greeted with great fanfare. The Chatham Artillery fired the Washington guns, the first station rang the "Big Duke" bell, and crowds of people gathered to meet the ship at the Ocean Steamship Company terminals. Following the disembarkation of the troops, there was a large parade that included military bands, military veterans, a company of Marine from Parris Island, local militia groups, and the Eighth Infantry regiment. At the conclusion of the parade, the soldiers were treated to a Georgia barbecue in the Forsyth Park extension. Chatham County farmers donated all the port and Savannah businesses donated the other supplies for the barbecue which included "mulligan," hot rolls, and soft drinks.
Custodial History
Material was acquired from the collector's son.
Preferred Citation
[item identification], Sherman O. Dennis collection of World War I photographs, MS 1676, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia.
Acquisition Information
Gift of John S. Dennis, 2000.
Collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Georgia Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Division of Library and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Georgia Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Oversize-Folder | |||||||||||||
1 | Panoramic photographs, 1923 | ||||||||||||
Return of World War I Army of Occupation troops. | |||||||||||||