The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-03
FLORIDA BOYS TO THE FROvT,
The Companies That Are to Go With
the Artillery Division

the Artillery Division.
Tampa, Fla. July 2.-The First Florida
feels highly complmented by the selection
of one of its battalions to go with the
artillery division, which is to constitute
part of the next army of invasion and
which it is believed will play an important
part in the Santiago assault. The compa-
MES constituting this battalion are Com
pany A, commanded by Capt S. R. Bird
sey, Jr.; Company j. Capt. R. E. Carey;
Company K, Capt. S. T. Williamson. and
L, Capt. w. L. Tedder. The assignment of
this battalion to artillery service brought
about the promotion of Capt Davidson to
the rank of major, and First Lieutenant
Birdsey succeeded him as captain of Com
pany A. The second lieutenant moved up
to first lieutenant and Sergt Loncostie
was made second lieutenant The battaI-
ion was ordered to report to Gen. Brooks
at Camp Rogers and Thursday morning
the men pulled down their tents and the
command reported to Gen. Brooks for
duty. For the present the First Florida
will have only two regiments, but later
on will, in all probability, have three
Twenty-Five recruits have arrived at the
camp within the last few DAYS. and more
for Maj. Davidson and the other commits
stoned officers who have been promoted
are on their way to headquarters and
are expected to arrive by every mail.
At the conclusion of the dress parade
Wednesday afternoon, when the state and
national stand of colors was presented by
Col Wilson in behalf of the ladies of
Florida, an enterprising photographer
made picture of the regiment, its guests
and the regimental band, which, by the
way, is one of the best that has ever
been heard here. Col Lowell, the new com
mander of the regiment, is much liked
by the officers and men under him He
makes fine appearance, and those who
know him say that he will soon have the
First Florida an excellent condition Yes
terday when l visited Lieut. Col Web
ster at his headquarters, 1 found him quite
busy rearranging his camps, moving the
mess halls, officers quarters and COM
pany tents so as to make the little white
city of tents more compact in appear
ance. In selecting the four companies to
constitute the battalion the camp was
left with ragged appearance and to cor
rect this eyesore the tents were rear
ranged. Col. Webster informed me that
the regiment, while congratulating the
four companies that leave them to 20
into the artillery service in their piece
of good luck, part with the officers and
men who so with the new battalion with
a good deal of reluctance.
Maj. f. J. Armand of the Second Georgia
is continually amusing the boys with
some Of his original sayings. Referring
a few days ago to the fact that his men
tai compass has been badly damaged since
he came to Tampa, said: you know I
have been mixed up ever since have been
here on the points of the compass I Just
can't get my bearings right. This is the
only place where have ever seen the sun
to rise in the west and set in the east l
may get all right some day, but il will
not be until after 1 leave Tampa, 1 am
afraid "
The boys are showing marked improve
ment in rifle practice. Every afternoon a
detachment from two companies go on
the range when two targets have been
placed at 200 yards for them to shoot at.