The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-05
GOING TO CAMP AT GRIFFIN.
SITE FOR THE STATE MOBILIZA-
TION SELECTED.

The Number NOT Su"ict
commodnte All the Men and Some
VIII BE Quartered in the city.
Atlanta. Ga. May 4.-Griffin was to-day
selected as the place for the mobilization
of the state troops, by Gov. Atkinson aft
er consultation with the officers of the
service.
The decision was arrived a shortly after
advice from the war department that Me
Pherson barrack. near this city, were not
available for the use of the volunteers.
The reason assigned by the war depart
ment for refusing to lei the state have the
use of Fort Mcpherson for the mobiliza-
ton of the state troops was that arrange
ments are already under way for estab-
fishing a general hospital for the army at
this post Fort Mcpherson is regarded as
the most advantageously situated post
owned by the government for general hos
plal purposes in the present emergency,
and it could not be dispensed with TO ac-
commodate the state militia.
Immediately upon deciding that Griffp
should be used for the mobilization of the
volunteers. Gov. Atkinson requested Act
ing Adjt. Gen. Irwin to issue the necessary
order to carry out this purpose. In the or
der, which will be promulgated to the
troops at once, Col. Oscar Brown is desig
mated 40 command the encampmeut. and
Assistant Quartermaster General L. Fl.
KEENAN, and Capt G. H. Howard, and
Maj. Galloway the Governors military
secretary, are ordered TO report to him for
duty In addition to these officers, Lieut..
Kirkman of the Eighth Infantry, United
States Army, assigned to duty as quarter
master and commissary for the Georgia
Volunteers, will proceed to the State camp
at Griffin and take charge of these depart
ments.
The Governor also communicated with
Quartermaster General West, and within a
couple of hours after the site was decided
upon the shipment of tents and other camp
paraphernalia was in progress under the
supervision of Assistant Quartermaster
KEENAN,. who has for several years served
in that important capacity al the state en-
campment
The Mayor of Griffin was also called up
over the telephone by the Governor and
notified of the selection of Camp Northen
for the mobilization of the troops, and he
promised his hearty cooperation In the
preparation of the camp and the care of
the troops when they arrive
According to the statement Of the Gov
ernor and adjutant general the camp will
be ready for occupancy by tomorrow
night. There will not be enough tents for
the accommodation of both regiments and
the two batteries but arrangements will
be made for the quartering of the over
plus in the city of Griffin. As many as six
and eight men will, however be placed in
a tent, and in this way most all the vol
unteers will be quartered in camp. 1t is
the understanding that they will not be
allowed TO remain there very long but
will be ordered to Chickamauga, which is
10 be the general rendezvous, and hence
the crowding that is expected TO be nee
essary because of the states lack of
camp outfit. will not be of serious dura-
ton.
Gov. Atkinson said that Griffin was Sc
lected in preference to Atlanta, which was
recommended by the war department, be-
cause better accommodations were offered
on the state camp grounds than could be
secured on short notice here, since the Nc
Pherson barracks could not be secured.
Besides, he thought that the volunteers
could be organized TO better advantage in
an Isolated camp like that at Griffin than
gathered together in or near a big city,
with its attendant distractions aud ex-
elements
1t is expected that the movement of the
militia to Camp Northen will begin day
after tomorrow.
Speaking for his regiment Col. Brown
stated this afternoon that he thought most
of il would be in camp by Saturday after
noon. Some companies are ready to move
as soon as the order is given,
and are only awaiting prelimi-
nary examination to which all
men will be subjected before being ordered
TO the rendezvous. These examinations
viii be begun by the regimental surgeons
tomorrow, and as fast as they pass
command It will be ordered to move off to
Griffin, the movement being at the ex-
pense Of the government.
After the troops arrive in camp they
viii be subjected TO another examination
by the surgeons, the preliminary examina-
ticn being designed more 10 weed out those
who are most plainly unfit for service.
The selection of Griffin for the rendez-
vous was disappointment to Atlanta end
especially the local military. While the
order of the war department named At
santa for the point of mobilization. the
matter was really left to the discretion
of the Governor, and, as already stated,
Camp Northen was advised by all the off,
GERS interested in the matter
All the mastering in viii be done at the
camp, and the equipment will be shipp I'd
there by the war department The state
authorities have not as yet been advised
of the shipment of any part of the arma.
nent or equipment of the Georgia Volun-
teers.
Griffin, Ca, May 4.-This morning about
9:45 o'clock Gov. Atkinson telephoned May.
or Davis of misplace, asking how5soon th,
grounds at Camp Northen could Be put In
shape for the reception of the Georgia
troops. Mayor Davis Informed the Gov
ernor that they could be ready by moor
tomorrow. The Governor told the mayor
to clear the ground, put up electric lights
turn on the water, and have the grounds
ready as early as possible, as the tent
would be sent down tonight. and the of
ficers would arrive tomorrow.
He also stated that, as there was no
enough tents to accommodate the soldier
at present, it would be necessary to ron
rooms in the city until the tents could &,
provided. This, too was promised
The county convict force was put &
work on the state encampment grounds a
once, and Superintendent Howard was in
structed to turn on water and fix up tn
electric lights at once.