Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-14
THE REGIMENTS COLONEL
CAPTAIN GEORGE A. MERCER
UNANIMOUSLY CHOSEN.

The Board OF Oficsrs Fits the Vacancy
Created by the Retirement of Col. An
derson-The Regiments ComDlimen mt
toits Former Comm .nder-Cspt. Mer-
GERS Military Career-1he Blues Cap
taincy Made Vacant by His Promotion.
The board of officers of the First Y olUn-
teer regiment of Georgia last night
elected Captain George A. Mercer Colonel
TO succeed Colonel Clifford W. Anderson,
resigned. A committee consisting OF
MAJOR John schwarz, Captain Robert
Falligant, of the Oglsthorpe Light In
fantry, and Captain John Derst, Of the
German Volunteers, Will notify Captain
Mercer Of his election this morning.
Maj schwarz pre- sided at the meeting
Of the Board OF Officers with Adjt. Wilson
as secretary.
The committee consisting of Capts. Mer-
Ger, Falllgant, Derst, Flannery and
BRANCH. appointed to prepare resolu-
lions upon the resignation Of Col. Ander-
sou, offered the following, which were
unanimously adopted:
COL. ANDERsoN's RETIREMENT.
The retirement OF Col. CuIord W. Ander-
eou from the command OF the First Voiur teer
fu ant efficient service, constrains some eX-
pression of the deep regret with which his
brother soldiers have accepted his res gna-
ton.
The son Of that faithful officer, Capt. John
W. Anderson, no for more tnan a quarter Of
p century led the Republican Blues, be in
herlted prediction for military service
and an affection for the volunteer orEaniza-
lions Of this city. Returning to Savannah after
a course Of thorough instruction In the Mill
tary Academy OF Virginia, with his iuc!iha-
n i'm ka vii N FaE
high Influences pervading that institution. he
felt I'M pei ed TO assert his proclIvity for mill
tary service.
JOINED HIS FATHERS COMMAND,
He Joined mis- fathers old command and was
chosen Lieutenant In the Republican Blues.
To his capacity and zeal the company owed
much OF it's efficiency and success. From : he
positirn he so ably maintained he was lied
by the voluntary SURFACES OF his fellow SOL
iiers TO assume com IN ana OF the regiment on
Dec. Z, 1916. From that period until the re-
cent accept ance of his resignation he COM
manded the regiment with honor and eclat.
He was an able thCtician and earnest and ln-
slant in the discharge OF his uuty. Ire
good name of the regiment was as dear
% his own. aud he sought TO cu-
tivate proper Esprit du CORPS, and high
sense Of soldierly honor.
AS the ranking oficer in this State, his
military abilities and high qualities were
generally recognized: and as cOmmandant at
the Rome encamYmenl he achieved soldletly
llEhluGtlUH
RETIRED FROM PERSONAL MOTIVES.
Hl- retirement from command was due en-
tirely o pc sonal AMI private considerations.
and involved no loss of coincidence and
yespect on the part ui rsgimentaI
pffceTs or men. The officers 81 the Flrsi
Volunteer regiment # Georgia therefore
take occasion to tender Ia their late corn
uiander. Co. Clifford W. Aniers m. their ap-
probation Of MS long and falthful service,
and the expression OF their deep regret that
private circumstances have compel cd
severance OF the official relations 80 long and
pleasantly subsisting between them. . nat
health, prosperity and . long and useful lite
msy crown bis career Is the earnest wish OF
his old comrade..
After the adoption Of these resolutions
TIE preliminary election 10 Ill the vacant
Colonelcy was held. The vote WAS by
ballot and Capt. MERGERS election was
unanimous.
TIE REGIMENTS NEW COLONEL.
Capt. Mercer. the new Colonel. is d law
yer By profession, and one OF the leading
mem bers Of the Georgia bar. He is son
of the late Brig. Gen. Mercer, on whose
staff he served during the greater part Of
the war. Capt. MERGERS first connection
With the military was in 1888. when he
Joined the Republican Blues. IN 1860 be
accompanied tbem as corporal when they
made their famous visit to New York.
A. the breaking out Of the war be went
into active service with the Blues
as Junior Lieutenant. He did
not remain long with the company. bow
ever. being promoted TO the rank OF As
distant AGjuIant General on the staff OF
bis father. who was a class-mate and
friend of President Davis