The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-26
MILITARY COMMANDERS MEET
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFER
ENCE KEPT SECRET.

-. T1,a Commanders Remain in
Atlanta Mt the Governors Request
in ExDectatiOn That He Will he
ceixe the War Departments Gill
ciaI Call To-day.
Atlanta. Ga. April 5.-The command
ers of the regiments and detached oattai-
ions of the state militia gathered at the
caDitol to-day to confer with Gov. Atkln-
son about the part the Georgia troops viii
take in the war with Spain.
The meeting, as stated in these columns
last night. was held in pursuance OF an
order issued by the Governor yesterday
II had become evident 10 him beyond
speculation that Georgia would be called
unon 10 furnish a share Of the troops to
do battle with the Spanish and ne deemed
It prudent to be prepared Tor prompt re-
spouse.
When the conference opened in the Of
fee of the attorney general, who was pres
ent. as legal adviser, there were present
the following militia commanders:
Col. John S Gambler of Atlanta, com
manding the Fifth Regiment, Georgia vol
unteers.
Col. w. w. Gordon of Savannah. com
.mandsng the First Regiment of Cavalry
Georgia volunteers.
Col. William Z. Jones of Waynesboro
commanding the Sixth Regiment Of In
fantry, Georgia volunteers.
Lieut.. Col. VIM. Garrard of Savannah
commanding the First Battalion of In
fantry, Georgia volunteers.
Mai John NJ. Barnard of LAGRANGE,
commanding the First Battalion of Cav
airy, Georgia volunteers.
Col. A. r. Lawton of Savannah, COM
manding the First Regiment of Infantry
Georgia volunteers.
Col. Charles NJ Wylly of Macon, COM
manding the Second Regiment OF Ih4dhIg'
Georgia volunteers.
Col. Usher Thomson of Madison, COM
rnading the Third Regiment OF infantry
Georgia volunteers.
Col. James o. Varnadoe of Valdosta,
commanding the Fourth Regiment of In
fantry, Georgia volunteers.
Gov. William Y Atkinson, commander
in-chief of the Georgia volunteers
Cant. Oscar j. Brown, Z. S. A, acting
adiutant general of Georgia volunteers.
Joseph M. Terrell. attorney general of
Georgia.
on the other side of the attorney gen.
erals Office in the capitol corridors was a
crowd of curious persons, including many
subordinate miltiamen anxious to CLEAN
some information as TO the transactions
within.
The proceedings of the conference were
guarded with rigid secrecy, however, and
until the proper time arrives there can be
nothing more definite than speculation as
to what was said and done.
None of the officers would discuss the
meeting with outsiders and the Governor
also declined to make any statement for
the press in advance of the receipt of the
formal call from the war department.
1t was expected that this call would be
received during the afternoon and In an
ticipation of it the Governor requested the
commanders to remain over in Atlanta I'M
til tomorrow, so that another conference
NAV be held to consider the call and any
changes in the programme discussed to-
day. which might be made necessary on
account of differences between the official
caI and the present information in the
hands of the Governor. This information
the Governor has had from the newspa-
pers alone, the war department not having
sent any sort of communication 10 him
since the beginning of hostilites.
All that Gov. Atkinson would say after
the meeting QiSSOlNGQ LOT tAit udy was thett
he has submitted plans to the officers for
the organization of the states quota and
that these plans had been unanimously
approved by them. He remarked that
there has already been a good deal OF
wild speculation in the newspapers about
the plans he has adopted. and said that he
was not responsible for this and could not
be. He has persistently refrained from
discussing his plans for organizing the
-. /, sx,,
self and the service he asks that the
troops await official declarations before
forming any opinions about the plans OF
organization.
A report was put in circulation here to-
day that there was a mutinous spirit
abroad in the militia on account of the fact
that the Governor had determined TO put
the state forces in command of West Point
graduates to the exclusion of the regular
militia officers. OF course. the report wa.
refuted both by the Governor and the ad
jutant generals office and characterized
as great injustice to the militia and thc
Governor alike.
Probably the only foundation for the re
port was thai there has been some tall
about Capt. Oscar Brown, acting adju
tant general, being rendered commits
sion as colonel by Gov. Atkinson. AL
though both parties refuse 10 discuss thii
IL Is DeneNeu IldN 1dpl. bIOWn, VINO MAJ
been a faithful officer and an enthusiast,
worker in the interest of the state service
may get a colonels commission from tn
Governor If he wants il. Further thar
that, however it is not believed that tn
Governor has considered any appointment
outside of the regular militia officers
Another thing that developed to-day i
that Gov. Atkinson is not at all anxious I,
remove the venerable Col. Kell, who is a
present in feeble health and almost un
fitted to serve in the office of adjutan
general. When asked this afternoon VIVA
he intended to do in regard to Col. Keil
the Governor said that he hoped TO so ar
range matters as TO get along withou
making any change in the office. He doe
not want to remove the gallant old Kell j
it can possibly be avoided, and VIII not d
so, he says, unless IL becomes imperative
Pending the receipt Of the Official com
munication from the war department call
ing upon the state militia, the Governo
and the military men in counsel here "a
day have been In grave doubts as to Jus
what Is expected or required of the states
The Governor could not understan
whether the men were to go as volunteer
or not. In speaking of the information a
il comes through The press dispatches. h
said this "a farnoon that - IL