The age-herald., 1898-07-14
THE COLORED
 TROOPS AT MOBILE Capt. TrimbIe'S Company Has Been Fully Equipped. GOSSIP OF ITS OFFICERS Lieutenant lonuon Writes Description of Their Initial Bath--AlI Their Old Clothes
 Bunel- light Companies
 Now in Camp.
GOSSIP OF ITS OFFICERS

A letter was received in this city yes- terday from Lieut.. John London of the Birmingham colored company, telling of the adventures of the command since leav- ing this city last Sunday.
 He says that Captain Trimbe, himself and the men arrived in Mobile without mishap, and were joined later by Lieuten- ant Meade, who. remained in Birmingham for a few days. On Tuesday morning, bright and early, the command to move was given, and the whole company was marched a mile down the beach, where the company was commanded to strip" very liberal supply of soap was distributed and the men ordered to plunge in and wash themselves. From then on, Lieu tenant London says, the bay presented lively sight as the ebon soldiers secured each other in the placid waters of Mobile bay.
 When the bath was finished the men were lined up on the beach to dry, and after the sun had finished it's work the full equipment of clothing of the United States soldier was issued to them, includ- ing shoes, changes of underclothing and the regulation blue uniform, with brass buttons, so dear to the negro heart and
  decking themselves.
 In the meantime al the old clothes had been gathered together in a pile. The match was applied, and the flames quickly consumed the last ties that bound the men to civilian life
 The march back to camp was proud one. The dusky warriors held their heads high in the air and assumed the most mill- tary bearing in their power. Lieutenant London says that all the men are delighted with camp life.
 There are now eight negro companies in camp at Mobile, as follows:
 Company A, Montgomery, Captain Caffey.
 Company B. Mobile, Captain Gage.
 Company c, Huntsville, Captain Taylor.
 Company D, Troy, Captain Hill.
 Company E, Mobile, Captain Vaughn.
 Company F, Birmingham Captain Trim ble.
 Company G, Mobile, Captain Ingate
 Company H. Montgomery, Captain Hun ter.
 The first four of these companies have been in camp over a month, being part of Alabama's call for 2,50o men. Companles G and H in camp, but they have not yet been mustered in.
 The other companies which have been ac- cepted but which have not yet been sent to Mobile are one at Auburn under Captain H. c. Armstrong; the Tenth at Huntsville and the Eleventh at Selma. The Twelfth company was to have been organized at TuScumbia but it has dlSbanded, leaving one vacancy to be filed
 Under a rule adopted within the past few days by the authorities at Montgom cry, it is no longer required that the com- panies shall have their full quota before it is examined, but they may be examined in squads and sent to Mobile at once Either United States Surgeon Purvlanoe or Regimental Surgeons Long and Lucsie can conduct the examinations. Under this plan it is thought that the regiment will be much more quickly filled than it would have been under the old system. It is generally understood in military cir cles that Major R. F. Bullard, now of the First battalion at Mobile, will be made colonel of the colored regiment and that Captain Caffey will be lieutenant colonel. Major Bullard is an Alabamian, having graduated at West Point, and he was q lieutenant in the army when he was ap- pointed by Governor Johnston to command the colored battalion.
 The majorities of this regiment 1t was thought a few days ago, would be offered to Captains Kyle and Brandon, of the First and Second Alabama regiments, respect lively, at Miami, who, after receiving their appointment, were busted by the war de- partment. But now it is understood that Captain Kyle will keep the captaincy of his company which he had never resigned and that Captain Brandon will accept the command of the Warrior Guards, which has been offered him again.