The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-10
GUARDS MEETING NOT HELD.
1T Is THOUGHT A STORM WAS
AVERTED By 4 POSTPONEMENT,


Correctly Quoted Slut MiscOnstru-
ed-He Referred to Those Who
Stay Behind without the Shadow
of an Excuse-Prizes Were Pre-
scented Members of Co. A-Capt. w.
w. Williamson, Retired, Made the
Members TaIk-HOvv the ResignR-
ton of the Officers Came TO Be
Made.
The April meeting of the Savannah Vol
unteer Guards, which was to have been
held last night was postponed. The post
ponement. many of the members thought,
was fortunate as it was feared that the
feeling that had arisen through some go
ing to war and others staying at home
would be shown in some of the discus
sions that were bound TO have come up.
The interview with Col William Gar
rard of the battalion upon the question
of some of the members of the command
having failed to volunteer, in the Morning
News, created something Of a sensation
among those who did not volunteer. The
men have their own ideas still as to the
call that has been made for volunteers.
and they insist that there is no reason
why every man, no matter if he had no
reason that might pass as a creditable ex>
vices not being responded to, should have
to tell why he failed to volunteer.
Col. Garrard was seen in reference to
the matter. He said that the interview,
though he had been properly quoted, had
been misconstrued He said the INFER
ence seems TO have been that he was re
ferring to all members of the Guards who
failed to volunteer while, in fact, ne was
referring only to those who had not the
slightest excuse for not doing so. Toward
these men. of whom he believes there are
some In the battalion, he feels as .ne in
terview indicated.
The colonel gave an instance to illus
trate his meaning in referring to those
who had no excuse for not volunteering.
He said he meant what he had said for
any man who would not go after his en-
ployer had promised TO allow his salary
to go on at the same figure he now draws
during the time he might be with the
army. Col. Garrard said he meant no re-
Election upon those men of the battalion
who have good and sufficient reasons for
staying at home.
| collation. was served in the assembly
room of Company A last night, the retired
| officers, Capt. w w Williamson Lieut.
| T. P. Huger and Lieut. J. r. Anderson,
| rendering it to the company. Nearly all
the members those who will go to war,
and those who viii stay at home were
| present, and the evening passed very
| pleasantly. The spread was excellent,
and the men and officers seemed to feel
genuine enjoyment, though touched with
| sadness in the last assembly for long
time, at all events, of the entire company.
After an attack upon the tables had been
gailantly led by a few of the members,
| Capt Williamson announced that the en-
tertainment was being given by the retir-
ed officers of the company in pursuance of
statement made some days ago to the
effect that it would be given. Otherwise,
| Capt. Williamson said, owing to the dis
ruptions that have followed the prepare
ton of d part of The battalion to get away
to wa, the meeting would not have been
held.
For a long time it has been customary
for Capt Williamson 10 give prizes to
those members of the company
that make perfect attendance rec
ords during the drill season.
Accordingly, the prizes, s. for each man,
were distributed amoQg the ten men en-
titled to receive them. Although Capt.
| Williamson did not refer to it, there were
eleven men who made the perfect record,
| himself being one The others, to each of
whom he presented d s. bill, were Sergt.
Hutton, Corpl. Garden, Corpl. Rogers
| Privates Barton, Banks, Furse, Howard,
Seasons, Stokes and Woods Capt. Will
hanson announced that Private Barton
had made the best record of ALL as he has
attended every assembly of the company
for more than four years. The presenta-
ton of the prizes was received with APP
! plause.
Capt. Williamson then brought up the
matter of some of the men going TO war
He congratulated them upon their choice
of officers. They are as good. he said, as
any that could have been chosen. He
proceeded with statements about his owr
and Lieut.. Huger's application to be plac-
| ed on the retired list of officers and Lieut.
| Anderson's resignation. Capt. Williamson
said ne wanted the men to listen carefully
TO what he had to say, and to form no con-
illusions until he had finished
First" said Capt. Williamson, 81 wan
to tell you how we were gotten rid of as
officers of this company. Last Friday weel
I went to Col. Garrard and told him thai
twelve of this company had volunteered tC
go to war and that sixteen were doubtful
wanted 10 know what ne intended doine
about IT, but he did not give me an an
swer. After the election of the new officers
a meeting was held, at which all the of
ficers were present, among them Capt
Austin, Lieut.. Gibbs and Lieut.. Screven
for whom / had asked the colonePs per
mission to attend. After the meeting Col
Garrard requested Capt. Austin, Lieut.
Huger, Lieut.. Anderson, Lieut.. Gibbs
Lieut. Screven and myself to remain.
"As we all sat together after the othe
officers had retired, Col Garrard said
Gentlemen, what are you going to d.
about your company" why, colonel
what do you mean?" I asked him. "Wh,
there cannot be two sets of officers in
company" he answered. He wanted us t.
resign, and ] told him that the Savannah
Volunteer Guards would remain at Sa
vannah, and that our commissions woul'
hold good. To this he replied that it wa
not So that we would have TO turn owe
our commissions. l asked Lieut. Huger i
he would give me his application to b
placed on the retired list, and he imme
diately answered that he would Lieut.. An
derson's resignation / had had In my pos
session for some time. Col. Garrard tele
graphed the adiutant general next day, a
= IA told him 7 would rive him a N ancura