The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-05-05
How Our Quota of Troops is to Be
Furnished.
COMPANIES SELECT OFFICERS.
State Militia Given the First Chance
Governor Ellerbe Reserves the
fsight to Appoint Regimental Offi-
GERS.

Affairs are gradually being focused,
and in few days South Carolina's po-
sition in regard to the war will be
definitely settled.
1t is already known what the United
States expects of South Carolina. Ac
eording to the proclamation of the
President, this State is expected to
furnish one regiment and one battalion
of infantry and one battery of heavy
artillery.
Governor Eiierbe has settled the
question as to how this quota is to be
raised. He was in consultation with
several prominent militia officers for
quite while on the 27th, and as re-
suit OF the deliberations, he issued the
following proclamation, stating exactly
how South Cardinals quota is to be sp-
appointed:
COLUMBIA, S. c., April 81, 1898.
In obedience to the proclamation OF the
President Of the United States for volunteers
in the service in the United States, and the
secretary OF war having fixed the quota OF
South Carolina at one regiment and one bat
talon Of infantry and one battery Of heavy
artillery and directed that the present State
militia shall be used as far as possible, now,
therefore, I, W. H. Ellerbe, Governor and
Commander-in-C Chief Of the State militia. do
hereby call upon the following commands to
furnish their respective quotas as hereinafter
designated:
General Edward Anderson, commanding
the fourth brigade, one battery OF heavy ar
tillery.
Gen. r. n. Richbourg, commanding the
second brigade. nine companies OF infantry,
three from each OF his regiments, to wit:
First regiment, Col. Il. VI. Claffy, three COM
paaies; Second regiment. Col Willie Jones,
three companies; Fourth regiment, Col. d.
j. Aud, three companies.
General Joseph l.. Stoppelbein, command
ing first brigade Of cavalry, one company OF
infantry.
Col. J. G. Wardlaw, commanding third
regiment Of infantry, three companies.
Col. J. c. Boyd. commanding fifth reSi-
ment OF infantry, three companies.
A company OF infantry shall consist OF not
less than eighty-four non-commissioned
officers and privates and three commissioned
officers.
Company commanders will report direct
to their res Eective reSimental commanders.
except the company from the first brigade OF
cavalry, who will report direct to General
Stoppelbein. W. H. ELLERBE, Governor.
AS will be seen, Governor Ellerbe
has asked for three companies of
eighty-seven men each from each of
the regiments of the second brigade,
and three companies each from the
third and fifth regiments of infantry.
General Stoppelbein has agreed to en-
Il b &c.,, c1, nf in
fantry from the first brigade of cav
airy.
General Anderson is to furnish bat
terry Of heavy artillery.
The Governor has the right to ap-
point the officers of the regiment and of
the several companies, but he will per-
NIT each company to recommend its
own officers, and will commission such
officers except for sufficient reason to
the contrary. He will reserve the right
to appoint the regimental officers, and
there is much speculation as to who
will be appointed.
The Governor received the following
letters from Secretary Alger, stating
what age and class of men need apply
for admission to the regular army:
WAR DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, April 25. 1898.
To the GoveTnOr of South Carolina:
SIR: Under the act Of Congress Ito pro-
vide for temporarily increasing the military
establishment OF the United States in time OF
war and for other purposes" approved
April %, 1898, and call for 125, 900 volunteers
by direction of the President, l have the
honor to request you to provide from your
State the quota OF volunteers as follows:
One regiment and one battalion OF infantry
and ono heavy battery to serve in the arms
of the service designated. for the period OF
two years, unless sooner discharged.
Attached will be found statement show
ing the the organization for artillery, cavalry
and infantry.
Please cause the acknowledgement OF the
army to be informed OF the time your quota
will be at its rendezvous, as it will be met as
soon as practicable thereafter by an officer to
muster It into the service and pay OF the Uni
ted States. The mastering officer will be
instructed to receive no man under the rank
OF commissioned officer, who Is In wears over
forty-hve or under eighteen, or who is notin
physical strength and vigor. AS soon as mus
tered into the United States service. it is the
intention that troops from your State will be
assembled with others for instructions and
service under the directions of the major
general commanding the army. at some point
or points to be designated hereafter. 1t Is
desired tor reasons stated in telegram OF that
date, that, as far as practicable, the National
Guard be given preference.
The rendezvous for your State will be
Charleston. II. for any cause, it is found .
necessary to change point Of concentration,
your recommendation Is requested.
Bands may be organized from the strength
OF regiments as in the regular army, viz: See
paragraph 245, Army Regulations 1895.
Very respectfully,
r. A. ALaER,
Secretary Of War.