The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-30
COL. GORDON NEXT IN RANK.
COL. MERCER's RESIGNATION
WOULD MAKE HIN THE 81
NOR COLONEL.

Col. Mercer VIII Discuss the Matter
With the Officers of His Regiment
Before He Rcsigns-They Meet the
second Wednesday in January.
His OR cers Express the Hope That
He VIII Reconsider His Intention
and Remain in COmmand-Rnnk OF
the Commanding Colonies in the
state.
When Col. George A. Mercer tenders his
resignation as commanding officer Of the
First Regiment Infantry. Georgia Nolun-
teers, which. as was stated in the Morn
ing News some time ago. has announced
as his intention, Col. w. W. Gordon Of the
First Regiment Cavalry viii be the senior
commanding officer in The state.
Col MERGERS commission dates from
Dec. q, 1886. Col GordOn's from Nov. -,
1883, and that Of Col. c. NJ. Wiley Of the
Second Regiment Infantry who comes
next. dates from Jan. %. 1891. The other
colonies Of the state are more recently
commissioned.
Thus it VIII be seen that Savannah viii
still have the ranking colonel of the state,
and in any case where two or more regi-
ments came together ne would Doe IN com
maud.
Col. Mercer however, will not tender
his resignation until after the next quar-
terly meeting of the officers of the regi-
ment, which takes place the second We'd
nesday in January. He will make a
statement to them at that time. before
sending his resignation to the governor.
Beng the ranking colonel in the Sta5c.
ne takes this course, as there might Dos
Slbly be some reason why his officers
graH b
for a short time
Col. Mercer says he has been consid-
eflhg the matter of resigning about
year, every since his health began TO
fail him. He says he regrets very ,luch
10 take this course. because his comncC-
non with the regiment has always 5erl
a pleasant one, but he is now unable 20
mount morse ana the last time he
turned out in the May parade he mad
10 be aided in mounting and dismOuntiug.
Col. Mercer, before the failure of h!s
ana took the greatest pleasure in active
service with his command. He thinks
now, however, that the regiment shOull
De commanded by a more active oitit er,
and he expresses the hope that Lieut..
Col Peter Reilly will be elected to the
command, and that he will accept IT..
He speaks of Col. Reilly as a thoroughly
competent officer and the best tasticiun
ne knows connected with the state VOl-
unteer service. The regiment is wei
up IN its work and is thoroughly drilled,
which Col. Mercer considers Is due 10
the efforts Of his field and STAFF and the
excellent work of the regiments efficient
company officers. Lieut.. G.. Il. Satterlce
said TO him the day the Chicago trOOJs
were IN the city, that the Savannah Co.
diets are the best volunteer company
in every respect he has ever seen
Col. Mercer is the fifth colonel the regi-
ment has had. gen. A. Il. LawtOn was its
first colonel, and when he was made a
brigadier general Col Hugh w. Mercer,
Col MERGERS father, was elected to sue
coed him. Col. Olmstead came next and
after him Col. Anderson, who was sue
ceeded by Col. George A. Mercer Col
Mercer has always been a great believer
in and a supporter of the volunteer forces.
He believes that the service throws a
good influence around young men, in many
instances leading them away from diss-
pations they might otherwise give them
selves to. He has been of great service TO
the volunteer forces and his resignation
will cause general regret.
Some of the officers of the regiment have
expressed the hope that Col. Mercer would
reconsider his announced intention, and re-
main in command. They do this out of re-
gard for him as a commanding officer and
as a man. as well as on account of the
seniority which the regiment enjoys by
reason of his rank. They urge that there
is really no necessity for his taking such
a step as the regiment has not only lieu
tenant colonel, but also two majors, either
of whom is capable of taking command
whenever necessary, as long as Col. Mer-
GERS indisposition may continue. They
will, no doubt, for these reasons, urge him
The following is the rank of colonies
of infantry regiments in the Georgia mill
itia in the order of the dates of their
commissions.
/. George A. Mercer, First regiment,
Dec. q, 1856.
p Charles NJ. Wiley, Second regiment,
Jan. %, 1891.
3. James o. Varnadoe, Fourth regiment,
Sept 80 1888.
4 John S. Gambler Fifth regiment, Nov.
s. 1898
5. ". E. Jones, Sixth regiment. April IA.
1894
Is. r. II. Thomson, --, Aug. %, 1894.
Col w. w Gordon of the FIRST regi-
ment is the ranking colonel of cavalry.
His commission dates from Nov. g. 1883.
OF the lieutenant colonies, Peter Reilly
of the First regiment is the oldest COM
missioned, dating from Feb 2, 1882 and
Col. William Garrard of the First battal-
ion comes next, his commission dating
from Dec. % 1882. Lieut.. Col T.. q.
Hugenin of the Second regiment is third,
dating from Feb rs, 1891, and Lieut.. Co.'s
Woodward of the Fifth, Hopkins of :he
Fourth, and Galloway of the Sixth regi-
ments date from 1891.
CONDUCTORS GOING TO CUBA.