The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-20
The Guards Withdraw.
An Historic Company Fur1s
its Battle Scared Flag.
The State Feo. !33.


few organizations existing to-day can
claim, having been suspended from
duty in the service of the State just
after the Darlington trouble, because
the command refused to proceed to
Darlington, being given all manner of
abuse in the grounds of the executive
mansion by Governor Tlllmau, then the
commander-in chief, has declined to
enlist in accordance with the terms Of
the new militia law, and therefore
withdraws from the service of the
State. Many old veterans will sincere
ly regret to see the honored old organi-
zation cease to exist. The Guards met
in their armory last night, and what
they did is fully told in the following
letter that has been forwarded to the
Adjutant General:
''Brigadier General J. Gary Watts,
Adjutaut General of South Carolina,
Columbia.
General: I have the honor to ten
der to you my resignation as captain
of South Carolina volunteer troops It
is my duty also to inform you, general,
that the Governors Guards, Of Colum-
bia, hereby withdraws from the South
Carolina volunteer troops. 1t is 9th
deep regret that | make this announce
ment. The Governors Guards have
for great many years taken pleasure
in the service of the State. They have
followed her flag faithfully through two
wars. It vas the flag of the Palmetto
regiment, then in command of Major A.
H. GLADDEN., once captain Of the Cover
uor's Guards, that was the first Ameri-
can flag VIGOROUSLY unfurled within
the walls of the City of Mexico. 1t was
the dag of the Palmetto (Second) regi-
ment. then 10 the custody of the Gov
ernor's Guards, that was annihilated by
the storm of battle at Sharpsburg aud
since the reorganization Of the old
regiment after the war it has had two
colopels and both of them we're ex-
captains of the Governors Guards 1t
is impossible that we should sever ties
so close and of so long standing with
out extreme regret. and without what
We deem sufficient reason. | will
endeavor to give these reasons briefly.
cat the last session of the General
Assembly there was passed an Act to
revise and amend the militia laws of
the State of South Carolina, from
which l quote portion of section a.;
The commander-in- chief and the Ad-
jutant and Inspector General and one
Of the Major Generals of the State mi
litia are hereby authorized to make
such rules aud regulations from time
to time as they may deem expedient,
and when promulgate shall have force
aud efec, as the militia laws Of the
State Yon will note that the passage
of the act embracing this section gives
to board of three full power to change
the law at will. Section 2 of the same
act prescribes an oath to be taken by
soldiers wishing to enter the service, in
which the recruit swears that for two
years be will obey the laws governing
the militia forces. We submit, general,
that we cannot conscientiously swear to
obey laws that are subject to change at
moments notice. It may be said
that should Objectionable laws be pro-
mulgated We would then be at liberty
to withdraw, but we have no assurance
that we would be allowed to withdraw
before the expiration of the term of
enlistment. For the sake of illustra-
ton, let US suppose an improbable, but
possible, case Suppose the board to
pyomulgate law requiring every COM
mand in the State to 60 into camp ..of
instruction for period of two weeks
each month 10 the year. If enlisted
we would have the option of obeying
or going to jail For myself, | am
not prepared to say, should changes in
the future be made in regard to points
upon which have touched. that |
would not then enlist.
'.Let NE say in conclusion that tie
Governors Guards. though withdraw
iug from the South Carolina volunteer
troops, will always be a: the service Of
their State when she needs then.
Thanking you, general. for The pleas
autness that has always characterized
our official as we'll as personal con-
tact. am your most obedleot
servant y VI. BATENAN,
Captain Governors Guards. :
~