The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-05
FILLING Ue TIE ARMY.
A Detail Recruiting il Savannah 70
the eth Infantry.

1 ~
the Fifth Infantry.
Lent. F. B. Reach, Sergt. F. d. Tillman
| and Private Rowland Hill of the Fifth
/ United States infantry, two companies Of
which are nowstatloned at st. Augustine
! have been in thecity since Aug. l.
They are a recruiting detail of the Fifth
| Infantry, and their object is to secure re-
| cruits for their regiment They are aching
in accordance with a recent very radical
change in the army methods
of securing recruits. Heretofore
all recruits have been secured by
establishing regular recruiting posts in the
larger cities i'll charge Of a lieutenant. who
secured as many men of the class desired for
the army as be could and forwarded them
after acceptance to one Of the army train
ing stations, where after a few months
training they were assigned to the regi-
Inents In need Of recruits.
By securing recruits in this way IN the
large cities great many were secured whose
only idea Of the army was an asylum
OF refuge or means Of escape
from past associations and the majority of
whom, after short terms of service, go TO
increase the alarmingly large list of desert
ers from the army. which has been 50 noto-
rlous for so many years.
The new plan for recruiting is 20 allow
section OF country in which it may be
located at the time and to send out recruit
ing details similar to the one now at Savau-
nah to the surrounding towns to secure
recruits for their regiment.
slBy this means it is expected to build up a
regImental pride and to secure something
of q local attachment. 1t is natural that
parents and guardians should be more
willing for their sons and wards 70 volun-
teer in regiment located in their own
neighborhood Then wherever regiment
or part OF regiment goes the men
make friends and acquaintances, who, from
associating with them, become imbued with
the desire to try army life, and again
it is an inducement to a man to
volunteer when he can enter the same regi-
ment, and perhaps the same company with
his relatives and friends. The same strin-
gent requirements with regard to the ply
sical make up Of the recruit are IN force.
A MORNING NEWS reporter called at the
quarters at York and Drayton streets,
where the detail is very pleasantly located,
yesterday morning. Lieut.. Reach was out
at the time. but Sergt Tillman and Private
Hin were in and explained
the object of their presence in
the city. Sergt. Tillman volunteered from
Edgeield county, South Carolina, seven
years ago, and is a nephew of Gov. Tillman
of the same slate and county. Sergt. Till
man went in to win a pair Of shoulder
straps, and has fair prospects Of doing So
He entered as a private, is now a sergeant,
and is on the lis5 for examination for pro-
motion to a heuts nancy this fall. This is
another thing that tends to greatly improve
the condition Of the soldier.
A number Of promotions are now made
annually from the ranks, and every man
who enters the service as private has the
opportunity and privilege afforded him of
rising to position of command, provided
he has the qualities in MIN necessary
to such an elevation. About seven
teen promotions from the ranks are
now mada annually. ut is now time" as
Napoleon said, THAT every soldier carries a
marshaps baton in his knapsack" as Sergt.
Iillman remarked. 1t is hoped be will win
and wear his shoulder Straps at the first
opportunity, as seven years Of arduous
labor would seem TO entitle him to them.
Private Thomas Feeny, member Of the
distinguished marksmen" team Of the
United States army is also with the detail.
He is on his way TO Niagara TO
OF the distinguished marksmen of
the army" which takes place about
Aug. DO He has number of medals and
other prizes which he has won in different
contests. The Fifth infantry. or the greater
part OF IL, is now east of the Mississippi
river for the first time in forty-six years.
1t has been on the plains for that length of
time, fighting the Indians and protecting
the settlers. Two companies and the band
are at st. Augustine, two are at Jackson
barracks, New Orleans, two more at Mount
Vernon barracks, near Mobile,
one at Fort Ringgold, Texas,
one at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio.
Companies and K are Skeleton" compa-
MES and exist on paper only. One of the
companies will be composed OF Indian
scouts, who are now being enlisted.
The detail is in hopes Of meeting with
better success in obtaining recruits than
the last United States recruiting station
here, which was abandoned several months
ago. 1t hopes to carry back a number Of
recruits for the Fifth infantry. 1t spent
month and half in Jacksonville before
coming here. From here it will go to
Macon, Townsville AID other interior
points.