The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-19
: ITronrANr POINT DEcIDED.
tons Arising From the sIattery
,,,, Needed by the Governor.

afot Decided by the Governor.
..-,-ab. Ca. Jan. IS.-Editor Morning
savannah. Ca: Dear Sir-The
-.s-si not at the Masonic hall on the
- -r4+ Slattery attempted TO deliver
n-5-.--. necessitated the calling out Of
.-,-srv. and resulted subsequently, in
- sfrl the governors decision upon
L.-sfr points Of authority and conse-
e-'-- reSpOnsibility-
Ga generally, as well as 10 the mill
l- enclose you copies Of the CORES
iA.-i.-ra and request that you viii pub
-r-m at as early date as possible.
pasr5cllully' IN, W LII VOI-
quarters First Regiment Cavalry,
---1-Efs Volunteers, savannah, Ca, Nov.
S-Sl5-Col. J. Mel. keL, AdjutanC Cen
= Atlanta Ca: Sir-Please give me
e. decisions upon the following points
e. the government Of the George Vol
u4' II infantry. artillery and cavalry are
~ surv together, does the ranking off,
o. command all organizations present,
s,r1u- regard TO which branch of the
'-,ias his commission has assigned him,
srl without regard 10 the NUMBER or
-su or of companies present OF the or
LL-S-ization to which he was assigned?
s5 The colonel of the First regiment OF
i-farrry is the ranking officer in Savan-
eb III an emergency arose which, in his
ss-;-r1aut demanded immediate action by
r. military, has he the right to issue or
AIRS l0 the other military organizations
f,o8trd in Savannah, without special au-
.Io-i+v TO do so from the governor or
INN some civil officer representing the
--,-arror or from some civil officer legal
Frautnorized to call upon the military?
T. ia case of the absence or the rank
inc officer, does his responsibility and au-
-b6rity devolve upon the officer next In
I-'' If the ranking officer is in the city,
inf from any cause is prevented from
hing present with his command while
MS performing any duty in company with
ofher examinations, does the command de-
voive upon the next ranking officer pres
emf until the senior appears and takes
command, or until the joint duty is at
For instance, it is customary for the
military organizations in Savannah to
agree TO have a joint parade on Jan. 10
of each year and when representatives OF
each organization have had a meeting
and decided upon the details of the pa
rade Col Mercer, the ranking officer, is
sues an order to all the organizations
specifying these details. When, in ac-
cordance with Col MERGERS orders, the
First regiment infantry, the First battalion
infantry, the Chatham Artillery and the
Georgia Hussars, Troop A, First cavalry,
have assembled. if Col. Mercer is in the
CITY. but does not appear in command OF
the First regiment infantry, does Lieut..
Col Reilly of the First regiment Ohe
senior infantry officer presenD succeed to
Col MERGERS command of all the Organi-
cations or does said command devolve
upon Col. Gordon of the First cavalry, if
he is present with Troop A, First regiment
5. Orders from any source are usually
transmitted through the regular military
channels. If through ignorance, inadver-
tence, haste, or the character of the sum-
mons Cfor instance, by strokes of an alarm
belD orders are not transmitted through
regimental headquarters, is 1t the duty OF
the commanding officer of the First regI-
ment of cavalry and his staff to respond
with that portion of the regiment Zone
troop only located in Savannah?
Unless volunteers recognize in ordinary
duties such as parades, etc, who are en-
titled to command, they may hesitate to
obey them in extraordinary duties, such
as riots, etc, and this might produce con-
fusion and disaster.
Your official decision upon the above
questions will settle points upon which
there have been some doubts. Yours re-
spectfully. William w. Gordon,
Colonel Commanding
State of Georgia, Adjutant Generals Of
fee Atlanta, jan -, 1S96.-Col w. w,
Gordon, First Regiment Cavalry, Savan-
nah Ca: Sir-Replying to your letter of
Nov. q, 1895, in which you ask for de-
cisOns on certain military questions, l
have the honor to inform you that by di-
recton of the governor the following are
the decisions on the questions asked:
J. When infantry, artillery and cavalry
are on duty the senior officer present
commands all, without reference to the
number Of men or companies present be-
longing to his particular organization.
2, In cases of emergency where immedi-
ate action of the military was necessary
the senior officer present in Savannah
would be warranted in ordering the mill
tary of the different organizations in the
city to assemble and hold themselves in
readiness in anticipation of a call from the
civil authorities, but the law does not au-
thorlze any action by the military until
called out by the governor or some civil
oineer legally authorized to call for its
services.
3. In case of the absence of the senior
ot4cer his responsibility and authority de-
FolVe upon the next in rank.
D. II the senior officer is present in the
CITY, but from any cause is prevented
from being with his command while it
IS performing any duty in company with
other organizations, the command devolves
upon the next ranking officer until the
senior appears and takes command or I'M
" the duty is at an end. In the instance
cited as to joint parade of the troops in
savannah on Jan. 10 of each year, the
1oids. The command would devolve upon
vol Gordon in the absence of Col. Mer-
Ger. In case of the absence of BOTH upon
me next ranking officer of the line pres
tillery.
o. IN cases of emergency, although or
GERS are not transmitted through the reg
va military channels, yet if the colonel
vi tne FIRST cavalry understood by any
SGAmons, alarm bell or otherwise, that
ms services are needed, it is his duty to
tespohq with his staff and whatever por-
r ron OF his regiment is at hand. Yours,
John Mcintosh Kell.