The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-17
OUR FAIR RECORD.
Mai. Gen. M. Q. Butler Calls
on the People to Fill the
Second Regiment
Quickly.

nian, who is in the field az major
general, was received By the colonel
Of the Second regiment yesterday.
II is very much to the point
Headquarters First Division,
Second Army Corps,
Camp Alger, Va, August 8, '9s.
Col. Willie Jones, Columbia, S. c
My Dear Sir: Replying to your
recent letter, / beg to say a camp
next to the Third Virginia and First
Connecticut is awaiting your regi-
ment. which will complete the bri-
gade. trust 1t will no; be occupied
by another regiment, or that other
orders may not be Used before yours
reaches this camp
What is the matter that your regi
ment is not recruited to its full quota?
Heretofore South Carolina has al
ways responded promptly to calls
made upon Ter for troops, and it is
rather notifying to those. who feel a
pride 10 her past history to find her
o Iaggard when almost every other
State has come forward with such
aIacrity. There must be something
wrong somewhere. In after years it
will not sound well to have this State,
with euch splendid fighting record,
put down among those who failed to
furnish her share of troops in obedi-
ence at call made by the properly
constituted authorities Her people
cannot vindicate themselves by claim
ing that there is no occasion for their
services Congress must have had
good groaadssfor authorizing the en-
iistment and organization OF an army,
aud it is not for Us to question It's
wisdom or propriety Our duty is 10
supply our proportion OF men "for
the common defence and general well
fare as enioined by the constitution.
Nor will it excuse as by saying "the
fighting is. over' and there is no
longer need for our services None
Of us can foresee how many troops
will be required TO garrison for time
at least the territory acquired by right
of conquest, and indemnity for ex
penditu.es and sacrifices made for ma.
iional purposes
South Carolina's full quota may not
be needed. but she is not the judge
in this instance.
I have no greater interest in the
honor and character of the State, no
greater reasoa to cherish laudable
State pride than any other of her Cit
;zens, but it is not pleasant to have
the people of other States offering to
make up cur quota. 1t is a reflection
upon our patriotism and good faith.
It does not comport with the pride we
have always justly fe!t in the pluck
and patriotism of our people co have
them fail now in the full measure oi
their duty
trust you will yet complete your
enlistments and report with your regl
ment at an early day, and relievs the
fair escutcheon of the State from the
stigma which is being placed upon it
The regiment ought to be promptly
6lled to the maximum if it serves but
one month
If it should be MY fortune to be
ordered to Cuba with the army of oc'
cupatiop, it would be very gratifying
TO have at least one regiment from my
own State to accompany the splendid
body of soldiers now constituting my
division from the State OF Pennsyi'
vapia, New York, Ohio, New jersey
Illinois, Massachusetts,, Connecticut
and Virginia l have been devotioe
mvseif to their discipline, equipment
and organization, and have no fear'
as TO their conduct. but you can read
jly understand why | would feel q
pride in having a body of South Car
o,inians near me to share whatever
may await US
Let me hear fully from you
Very truly yours, etc,
M C Prtlor