The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-20
STATE ENCAMPMENT.
SOMETHING WHICH SHOULD IN
TEREST THE CHICKASAWS.
AdJutant-GenoraI CantreII's Plan
and Some Timely Suggestions
I'm Regard 20 IL.

AS State affair strictly the idea Of
a military encampment is dead. How
ever, several companies heve been or
ganized in Tennessee during the past
few months, and all these are COM
posed OF JEALOUS young men, eager for
the proposed contest. Adj Gen. r.
w. Cantrell has succeeded in enlist ng
q general interest in the movement,
and will continue TO do all he can in
semi-ofiicial way. 1t would seem that
all that is needed in order to get up
a State encampment is an organiZa-
ton Of few workers. There are sew
eral points near the city suitable for
such an encampment. 1t would be
paying investment to its undertakes
II varied programme were offered.
In other States such encampments
are very popular, and they certainly
may be made equally 80 in Tennessee,
whose SONS have always maintained a
steady interest in military matters. In
the course of recent article in the
Army and Navy Journal on this subject
the writer says:
"The military question in this State,
ny lOdEOn vi hCkiNiA WIN bAAN
fact that there was no militia law,
the few laws of the statute books hay
ing grown almost wholly imperative
by disuse, had become troubleso me
one Of solution, and one that required
much careful thought before a reason
able conclusion could be reached as to
the best thing that could be done. Ac-
cordingly, Gen. Cantrell made short
report to Gov. Bate prior 10 the last
assembling Of the State Legislature,
which called attention to that depart
ment of the State government. He
then prepared and effected the passage
of an act providing for an "independ'
ent militia" that is, a volunteer
militia. 1t does not compel member
ship or existence of organizations, but
when once organized it controls them,
and they are compelled to
act under its requirements. No
appropriation was made for the
support of these troops, which are
unlimited as to numbers. The law
exempts from jury service the honor
airy or contributing members, as we'll
as the active, which provides a source
of revenue or support. Prior to this
there were a number OF companies
scattered over the State, supplied with
arms by the State, and their only ale
glance to the State was bond exc
cutsd to the State for the safe- keeping
of the guns, etc. These companies
Gen. Cantrell is organizing under the
new law. While this law is imper-
feet, it is the best that could be done
at the time, and good work on the
part OF the troops now organizing or
organized may result in a better one
in the near future. Ten companies Of
infantry and three batteries of artil-
lery have passed inspection and been
muetered into the State service under
the law. Several new organ
izat.on are in contemplation. The
plan Of the Acknowledgement is to
effect a regimental formation in each
of the three divisions OF the State,
Eastern, Central and Western Ten
nessee, with headquarters at Chatta-
nooga, Nashville and Memphis, re-
spectively, before the close of the
year. The many excellent horsemen
in the State will probably provide sew
eral good cavalry organizations. There
are several colored organizations at
Memphis and elsewhere. The Chicka-
saw Guards Of Memphis, Capt. Carnes,
have won laurels in the competitions
at New Orleans, Nashville and other
cities. 1t is composed OF fine, active
toldierly material. and differed by
gentlemen of excellent records. The
Porter Guards OF Nashville, Capt.
Pryor, have also q good record as SOL
dlers. The Burns Artillery, Nashville,
is the best battery in thu State. 1t
has a good war record"
The Nashville Union says that Tin
pursuance of the thoughts suggested
in the above article, which is from
the pen Of United States army Off
Ger, an effort was being made by the
adjutant general to materialize the
same through means OF military
enCampment to be held at some con-
venient point during the coming
spring, when and where the proper
interchange of relations might occur
alike to the pleasure Of the soldiery
and to the advancement OF the organ
lzation.
Letters had been received by Gen.
Cantrell from a number Of the COM
pany officers throughout the State as
surfing him Of their interest in the
matter of the encampmert and pledg-
ing their cooperation and fullest sup
port to the measure and expressing
determination to attend should the
encampment be agreed on. A prefer;
ence for Nashville had been expressed
as the point for the encampment.
Everything was 20. king nicely with
full indications OF the accomplishment
Of the contemplated purpose until the
recent decision OF the Supreme Court
holding the law under which they
we're operating to be unconstitutional.
This deprives the companies of their
only support outside themselves, and
consequently it is presumed the en-
! campment fails.