Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-30
ALMOST A CENTURY OLD.
GALATIANS PREPARING FOR
THEIR CENTURY DAY.

Military Making Many Inquiries About
Next Mays Big DriIl-Letters from the
North and West-SOme of the COmpa-
MES that Have Entered and will Enter.
The Chatham ATtillery's Centennial
hext May is creating stir in military
circles all over the country Inquiries
are being received every day by Secretary
MacDonell from companies in the North
and West as we'll as. in the South In re-
gard to the prize drill. The invitations
we're sent out less than month ago, and
already over half dozen leading compa-
niles have written that they will enter
teams. A large number OF companies
have asked for Information with view to
entering.
A letter was received yesterday from
Capt. Chapel, of the Columbus Guards
saving that although no definite action
had been taken l. was almost certain that
the company would enter. in any
eyent,Y lac adds, I'VE shall do all in our
power 10 contribute to the success and
interest OF the occasion. There is very
little doubt that the Guards will come,
and they are counted upon as one of the
hrst companies.
The famous Busch Zouaves, OF st.
Louis, will enter the Zouave drill, and are
looked upon IS one Of the leading attrac-
tons OF the encampment. They Will
start for Europe about the middle Of May.
and will take in the Centennial just be-
fore their departure.
The Washington Light Artillery and
Continental Guards, OF New Orleans, the
Houston Light Guards, OF Houston, win
ners in two drills, the Macon Volunteers
and FLOYD Rifles, Of Macon, the
LIBERTY Independent Troop, and one
or two other Georgia companies,
have announced that they Will be here.
Letters OF inquiry have been received
from Co. Seventh Regiment New Jersey
state National Guard, MOunty Holly, n.
j.; the Metropolitan Light Infantry of
Jacksonville. Fla; Mcintosh Light ORA
goons of Darien: Clarke Light Infantry of
Augusta; Helena Mounted Rifles OF James
Island, 5. c.; Baldwin Blues OF Milledge-
vile. Ga; Montgomery Greys OF Mont
gomery, Ala; and Taylorsville Guards of
TaylOrsville, III.
The Richmond Hussars OF Augusta, the
Governors Horse Guard Of Atlanta, and
two or three cavalry companies from
South Carolina, the Charleston Light
Dragons and the Beaufort District Troop
are expected and with the companies
that have already entered, and will proba-
bly, enter In a month or two, assure one
of the most brilliant tournaments ever
witnessed in the South. Tbe cavalry
feature lie a novelty in military prize drills.
A recent letter from Capt. Amerine, of
the Montgomery Greys, states that in
view OF the Chathams' drill and celebra-
ton, the Mobile drill, which was an
n0uneed'last spring for next year, will in
all probability be postponed until 1887. The
Alabama military are anxious TO come
TO Savannah, and assured the Cbathams
at Mobile that they would do all they
could to make the encampment here a
success. Nearly all the companies who
anticipate entering the drtll are anxious
that the judges shall be United States
army officers, and every effort is being
made to secure them Adiutant General
Stephens has Endorsed the committees APP
pheatiOn to the war department. Gov.
Mcdaniel will also endorse it, and as
soon as the additional endorsements
of Senator Brown and Colquitt
are obtained Il w.'l be forwarded TO
Washington. We tsttle doubt is enter
taiaed that the az 9. 1cation Will be granted.
The committee is actively at work and
correspondence is being carried on with
military all over the country. The sue
cess of the drill is already assured by the
numbers Of companies that have an
nouneed their intention to enter. The
event will not only be a
military encampment, but it will be
the celebration OF the hundredth anniver-
sary of next to the oldest artillery organi-
zatiOn in the country. The Ancient and
Honorable Artillery of Boston, the Chat
HAMS seniors, and three or four other ar
tillery organizations, with tue infantry
and cavalry contingent, will form one of
the largest assemblages Of military ever
witnessed upon Gny similar occasion in
the South.