The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-26
LEFT MANY FRIENDS BEHIND.
FIRST GEORGIA BOYS WON HEARTS
BY THEIR GALLANTRY.

Poland and Extended Many COur-
tesies to VisitOrs-The Crackers
and MichiGanders stood Pat
Throughout Their Camp Days at
Knoxville and Warm Friendships
Bind Them TOgether-DeathO of Pri-
Vate Pate Rendered Georgians' De-
parture Rather Sad-COI. LawtOn
Made No Efforts at Any Time to Get
His Men Mustered Out.
Knoxville, Tenn, Sept 25.-The pride of
Camp Poland has gone in the departure of
the First Georgia Volunteers This regi-
ment, which has since Aug. z attracted
and won the admiration of the people Of
this city, left here Friday afternoon.
Col. Lawton and his men found it an
easy task to win favor in the hearts of
the people of this city in the beginning.
This favor they easily retained, by rea-
son of their extreme gentlemanly bearing
and courteous attentions to the hundreds
OF visitors who frequented their camp
daily.
The Thirty-first Michigan Regiment was
the first of Gen. McKee's division to reach
Camp Poland. A day later came the First
Georgia boys. The Michigan men prepared
a feast for the Georgia men in anticipa-
ton of their arrival, and it proved an
other link in the chain of fraternity bind
ing these two regiments. This chain was
strengthened day by day. The Michigan
men prepared a delightful menu for the
boys who were about to leave for their
homes and invited them to partake heart
some preparation, and Company 1 spread
itself. The tables occupied by this COM
pany were decorated with chinaware, sill
ware and the choicest cut glass. 1t was,
indeed, a festive occasion, bordering on
the SWEETEST of banquets. Wines and cham
payne were served as the drinks and num-
erous toasts were proposed
This spread. served the Georgia boys
by the men of the ranks, was equaled by
a simple courtesy rendered Col. Lawton
and staff and the line officers by Col
Gardner of the Michigan regiment
But all was not happiness and brilliant
faces as the First Georgia was about to
return to its home in the 'piney woods q"
At the last moment the hand of mis-
fortune came into the camp, and one of
the brightest, most intelligent and most
popular men in the rank and lie of the
regiment was accidentally and fatally
shot. He was Private E. A. Pate The
details of this unfortunate accident were
mentioned in a special to the Morning
News. Private w. o. Bryant of Company
a mad Just placed cartridge in his gun
and carelessly lifted 1t up, as though he
was about TO fire upon some one In
lowering the rifle, he failed to place the
hammer at the safety notch" and a mo-
ment later, when he abruptly moved the
rifle, in his effort to tip his hat to a lady
passing, the hammer fell with disastrous
results. Pate was near Bryant at the
time, and the bali entered the small of
the back, passing clear through the body
Nal Kendall surgeon on Gen. McKee's
staff was in the camp at that time, and
he attended Pate. Had it not been for
this unfortunate affair, every man in the
regiment would have gone home with a
light, happy heart
A few minutes before the first section
pulled out from the loading station the
representative of the Morning News called
upon Col. Lawton, who was leisurely
awaiting the departure of the section. The
courteous as well as military gentleman
that the colonel always is was apparent
this time. He was asked what would be
the result of the encampment al Macon.
Replying he stated that he believed his
men would be there from two to ten days,
perhaps longer. He said he had made no
inquiries, but was simply awaiting orders
which he would fulfill with pleasure He
said he had never made a canvass of mis-
regiment, nor did he know of any one else
who had sought to- ascertain the number
of men who want to be mustered ont
However he believed the number was
about equally divided. 1t is believed that
many of those who want to stay in the vol
unteer army will return to Camp Poland
and enlist in the Michigan regiment Col
Lawton took occasion TO pay beautiful
tribute to the people of Knoxville
Another Interesting feature of Col. Law
toms remarks was his statement to the
effect that he knew nothing of Gov. At
kiusons action in going to Washington,
apparently In behalf of the First Georgia
Regiment. He said this action of the
Governor was not occasoned by any act
of his, but was voluntary on the part of
the Governor, presumably through the in
fiuence of outside people, who want the
regiment mustered out. He wished the
people of Knoxville and Savannah as well
to understand that he was not party to
any deals in which the freedom of his
command was a question for he and his
men enlisted to do whatever the govern
ment assigned them.
The sick men left behind in the division
hospital are being cared for properly. They
are about fifteen in number, and they Will
be allowed TO go to their homes as soon
as they are able to travel alone.