The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-01-02
Re-0rganizing the Militia.
The Task Which Adj. Watts
Proposes to Undertake.

COLUMBIA, December 30.-Special
to the News and Courier-It will not be
long before the militia of the State will
be re-organised if the present plans are
carried out. Under the provisions of
the recent Act the Adjutant General is
given very much more authority than
he has heretofore had, and Adjt Watts
intends to exercise that authority. To-
oe,ber With the Governor and maj jor
general the Adjutant General will un-
dertake the organization Of the entire
militia to suit the ideas of the present
officers It is more than likely that
the matter will be largely left to Adjt.
Watts, and as he is young, full OF am
bition. and desirous of making some
thing out of the militia, he Intends
&c Get bard at work and see what if any
thug can be done. There are no"
two hundred and seven companies IN
the volunteer service of the State. 10
use an agricultural phrase, the compa-
nies will be weeded down to stand,
BY reducing the number to one hundred.
The new law provides that the militia
companies s'shall be distributed among
the several counties of the State as
nearly equal as possible. . Under tbs
provision of the law it is intended to
divide the State militia. and DOT con-
centrate the companies as much as they
have been for the past few years. 1t
the plan as conceived is carried out 1t
will act as a boomerang to several oil
the counties 10 which shere are halt
dozen cavalry companies. and where
there are as many colored military COM
mands. The intention is to divide the
hundred companies as nearly among the
counties as can be done, aud then if the
commands do not come up to the
scratch they will be retired and room
will be made for the companies that
nav be on the outside waiting.
The Legislature appropriated $1,000
to the militia this year, and upder the
provisions of the new law this money
will be distributed under the direction
Of the board ip such way as may be
deemed best. Under the old law 1t was
distributed pro rata. and the company
having the largest turnout received the
largest slice Of the States appropriation.
The new law is intended to change this.
and the chances are that the money will
be used directly by the companies but
will probably be used for the purchase
Of uniforms, equipment and such things
Nothing has, however, been decided 10
this direction. 1t is expected that
the new appointments will be announced
in the course of the next two weeks.
At that time the brigadier general for
the 4tb brigade will be named.
THE NAVAL RESERVE.
Adiutans Watts will try to develop
the naval reserve on the coasts. he
expects to go 90 to Washington shortly
to see what can be done there towards
getting assistance, and if be meets
with encouragement, as he has every
reason to hope, he expects that several
2ew detachments of the naval reserve
will be organized.
FINISHING THE CONFEDERATE ROLLS.
Adiutant Watts is anxious to have
.,o ro-L on ,he Confederate rolls con-
pleted as soon as possible. He thinks
iha, most of the companies have sent
in their rolls and the others have been
arranged for. 1t is highly necessary
sba, this important work should be
finished AID that the record should be
put in soue permanent form. AS 1t IS,
the only data that is to be had OF the
men who fought for their State during
the late war is contained on sheets of
paper that are fled away IN
cabinet in the Office of the Adjutant
General. The rolls have never been
published. and should anything happen
to the originals now on file they could
hardly be duplicated It would seem
that every man who took part 10 the
var ought to be sufficiently interested
in his command to see that the office is
provided with roll of members. but
snch does not seem to be the case, as
.bere are still sone commands Of which
there is DO roll whatever. Moreover,
it is very difficult matter to remem-
Der such things after the lapse OF so
any years, aud where there Is an
willingness on the part Of many there
IS ao inability to give the detailed 10
formation that is sought.