100 years ago in The Saratogian
Friday, March 21, 1919. The 105th U.S. Infantry regiment, including Saratoga County’s Company L, puts on a show for motion picture cameras along with the entire 27th Division at Camp Mills, Long Island today, Saratogian correspondent Jesse Cavanaugh reports.
“The troops were massed up in regiments and equipped with arms and wore their steel helmets,” Cavanaugh writes, “The picture when shown upon the screen will have a warlike appearance, for all the various attacking formations were used that proved effective upon the other side.
“The ground was soft and muddy and it all seemed quite natural for the men to work under these conditions.”
Without the distraction of filming,”Most of the men are getting anxious to be mustered out of the service, now that the fatal da is so near, and they all say they would rather go without parading [in New York City] if that would hasten it.
Small numbers of soldiers receive 72-hour passes each day to visit home. “All of those who have returned from the ‘Spa’ speak very highly of the work which is being done by the Hostess Hut,” Cavanaugh notes.
“The main thing that seems to impress them is the fact that they can step into the hut at any time and have a good-sized cup of coffee, and a little lunch and smokes served by friendly untiring hostesses.”
Speaking of food and refreshment, “There is a strong rumor about camp that Company L is to be banqueted at the Manhattan [hotel] after the parade, but the boys say that they are not going to miss any meals at camp to prepare for the big feed; for they are all a bit skeptical about plate dinners.”
Delawares Win Over-Time Game
The Saratoga Delawares basketball team remains in contention for two local championships after tonight’s overtime victory over the Schenectady Cupids.
Playing at the home Y.M.C.A. court, the Delawares jump out to a 10-0 lead, but the Cupids lead 1514 at halftime.
After five scoreless minutes to open the second half, Delaware left forward Cassidy ties the game with a free throw. Soon afterward, right forward Joubert puts the Delawares ahead with a basket from the sideline. The teams play back and forth until Cupid forward Knight forces overtime with a last-minute basket. The overtime period proves anticlimactic as the Delawares outscore Schenectady 7-3 for a 35-31 victory.
Next week, the Delawares will play the Hudson Falls Sigma Rhos for the Northeastern New York championship in the 120 pound weight class. On April 5, they’ll play the Albany Edmores for the Eastern New York title.