Cary T. Grayson Diary

Cary T. Grayson Diary

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938

WWP17211

1919 June 29

An entry in Cary T. Grayson's diary from the Paris Peace Conference, dated 29 June 1919.

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

English

We had breakfast on the train and reached the harbor docks at Brest at 11:50. The Mayor of Brest and all of the city’d dignitaries, together with all of the American Army officers stationed there, and a large delegation of soldiers, were on hand to say good-bye to the President. A small tender, well decorated with flags and bunting, was in waiting, and after the usual salutes the President and Mrs. Wilson were escorted to the tender and taken out to the George Washington, which was anchored just outside of the breakwater. All of the ships in the harbor were gaily bedecked with flags and bunting, and as the tender passed out the forts inside fired a parting salute. The President said good-bye to the various French officials, and then proceeded on board the George Washington.

There was a delay of two hours while the balance of the party and the baggage were put on board, and at two o’clock the signal to start was given. The President and Mrs. Wilson went to the bridge and stood there as the George Washington, preceded by the Battleship OKLAHOMA, and flanked by American destroyers, passed on out of the harbor into the open sea. A French escort squadron steamed behind for two hours.

The President was in excellent condition, and after dinner went up into the dining salon and sat through a motion picture exhibition.

Diary