WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON

In reply refer to
A.G.O. 341.1

January 24, 1920

Honorable Thomas W. Bickett,
Governor of North Carolina.

My dear Governor Bickett:

Sometime ago the Governors of several states, because of the importance of the Regular Army as a bulwark of Americanism, issued proclamations designed to stimulate interest in the Army and encourage enlistments herein.

At that time the National Guard situation was in rather a chaotic state, owing to the recent demobilization and the reaction of its members from war conditions. It soon however began to get on its feet and for several months past the General Recruiting Service of the Regular Army has been working in close cooperation with the National Guard and the recruiting interests of these two branches of the National Defense have become mutual.

The assumption on which this cooperation has been carried out is that there need be no conflict between the recruiting interests of the two services. The Regular forces appeal to the young man who is free to leave his home for a time and is able to give that entire time to his country, meanwhile deriving the physical and educational advantages of Army training.

The field of the National Guard is among the much larger class of young men, who, owing either to domestic responsibilities or business prospects, cannot leave their homes but nevertheless desire to devote a portion of their spare time to preparing themselves for the service of their country.

The recognition of this community of interests has resulted in most cordial relations between National Guardsmen and the local representatives of the General Recruiting Service.

Every effort is being exerted to make of the Regular establishment a real citizen Army, one with the people, of, by, and for whom it exists. An Army, whose purpose is to build up men and improve them physically, mentally, morally, and return them to the communities whence they came better wage-earners, better producers and better citizens.

As a means of furthering this patriotic purpose and building a "background" for more intensive recruiting campaigns which both the Regular Army and National Guard are now initiating, it would be extremely desirable if the Governors of all States would issue at this time a proclamation in the joint interests of the two services. You are aware of the plans for building up the National Guard of your State. It is my desire to bring also to the full knowledge of the country, all that the Army will do in education and training for the men who enlist in its ranks and to facilitate the continuance of a complete understanding between the Army and the people as to their mutual obligations and their common interests. Our Army must have men in order to carry on the necessary work of the military establishment. It must in turn accept responsibility for the care and training of its men to a degree which will enable them to return to their communities with greatly improved qualifications for earning a livelihood and performing the duties of citizenship.

It is important for you to know and I am sure it will arouse keen interest on the part of the citizens of your state to learn that by my direction the following allocation of regiments for recruiting purposes has been made:

To North Carolina:
     The 28th Infantry.

To North Carolina and Tennessee:
     The 6th Field Artillery.

To North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia:
     The 5th Cavalry.
     The 1st Engineers.
     The 51st Regiment, Coast Artillery Corps.

These regiments will, I hope, by our united efforts, be built up of men from these states. If you will identify your State with the organizations to which its men go, keep in touch with their activities, and make their interests your interests, there will be developed in these units not only a spirit of pride and emulation second to none, but also a deep and abiding mutual respect and interest between the citizen in uniform and the citizen out of uniform that will build up a real citizen army backed by the good-will and affection of the people.

With such a worthy and patriotic purpose in view may I not count upon your hearty cooperation and may I suggest that you issue a proclamation setting forth the needs of the Army and the National Guard in men, the duties of the citizens of your State to meet their share of those needs, and the advantages to the individual, the State and the nation to be derived from such service?

The mothers and fathers of our country are vitally interested in having their sons educated and trained to be the real bulwark of the Nation and we are prepared in the Regular Army, as never before, at our camps, posts, stations and schools to give them this education and training which produced such marvelous results for America in the World War and which the members of the American Legion and other patriotic societies in your midst - those exemplars of pure Americanism- are now daily exemplifying in their lives as citizens.

Although this special recruiting campaign extends from January 19, to March 31, 1920, yet for the week February 22-29, we are going to make a supreme effort throughout the country. We need your help and that of all your assistants in State, County, City and Hamlet and if during the period commencing with this great national anniversary you or any of your communities desire the help of the War Department in furnishing officers and soldiers to make addresses, attend celebrations, unite with your citizens in patriotic demonstrations, you may rest assured that I shall meet your wishes to the fullest extent possible.

Very cordially and sincerely yours,

Newton D. Baker
Secretary of War.