WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF,
WASHINGTON.

<File Baker Sec of War>

December 4, 1918.

Governor Thomas W. Bickett,
Raleigh, North Carolina.

My dear Governor:

The Secretary of War directs me to acknowledge receipt of your letter of November 30th relative to the use of Wilmington as a port of debarkation for returning troops.

He further directs me to inform you that due to the large overhead expense and the necessity for carrying out all health and custom regulations it has been found necessary to reduce the number of debarkation ports to a minimum and to use to the fullest extent the facilities already in operation for these purposes.

Yours very truly,

Henry Jervey,
Major General, USA,
Assistant Chief of Staff,
Director of Operations.