The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-21
EARLY MOVEMENT
OF THE TROOPS
Selection of Regiments Will Be
on Numerical Siren tn
FOR PORTO RIGA EXPEDITION
In Matter of Equipment the First Alabama is
Euual to Any Regiment of Volunteers
and Should Not Be Slow in
FIJI. ng Its Quota.
FOR PORTO RIGA EXPEDITION

Special Dispatch to The Age-Herald.
Mobile, June 2O.-"All indications point to
an early movement of the forces here to
the 'front.'" said Colonel Hfgdon to your
correspondent at the camp today, land
through The Age-Herald the First Ala
bama volunteers desire to make an urgent
appeal to the people of North Alabama.
I'm making up the Porto Rican expedi-
zion, which, it seems will be the next to
leave-perhaps in couple of weeks or SO
the selection of regiments will depend upon
numerical strength, as we'll as upon train
ing and equipment. Those commands near
est approaching complete war footing
will be called. So far the First Alabama
has led in everything and we don't propose
to be behind, or left out on the prospective
first call to Porto Rico, or perchance, to
reinforce General Skaters army at Santa
go.
In the matter of equipment and training
| believe our regiment is equal to any in
the volunteer service, and now we don't
want to lag on account of slow recruiting.
'As The Age-Herald has already stated,
each company in the First Alabama has de-
tails out enlsting volunteers, but In add1-
ton to their efforts the press and our
friends can assist us in securing the re-
quisite number of men in few days.
1--WE want North Alabamians, for ours
is a North Alabama regiment, and we want
'em quick"
First Alabama to Move Next
Realizing the pride which the people of
the northern part of the state, especially
around Birmingham, feel in the First Ala
bama, Colonel Higdon and his military
family are quite sure that the call will be
responded to promptly. The regiment must
sustain the splendid reputation 1t has made
thus far. They must be counted in among
the commands selected for the next expe-
dition 1t is unnecessary to say more;
the volunteers will be forthcoming at once.
In the meantime the Texas and Louisiana
regiments are receiving large squads OF re-
cruits daily, both of the Texas regiments
are already nearing the limit of 1926 men
each, while the Louisianans are not far
behind.
The Second Alabama, like their senior
comrades of the First, have made haste
slowly" up to this time, but they are now
putting forth mighty efforts to land the
300 volunteers required.
Chaplain Fitzsimmons does not state
through what source he gets his informa-
ton, but 1T Is his opinion that the volun-
teers will move from Mobile to the front
in about two weeks. He has a Tip
Nothing Is lacking in the matter of equip
ment except canteens, and they are sorely
needed. In the First Alabama, which has
as many as amy of the other regiments,
there are only about 200 canteens. and the
men who haven't water bottles suffer great
" during the daily skrmishes and battle
exercises
The canteens are supposed to be en-
route and are likely to reach camp within
the next few days.
Camp Notes
The First Alabama initiated the custom
of having an inspector OF guard duty, thus
ofsIn xph w
probably issue detailing an instructor OF
sentries for each regiment.
Captain Parker of Company A wood
fawn) has been coaching the guard Tor over
a week. and since his departure on recruit
ing service Captain Coming of Gadsden
rs filling the bff1. He is worthy success
ser to Parker, who Is one of the best
company commanders in the entire division.
CAPTAIN Canning looks and talks like a
of the circuit-rlding brothers,
but they don't make any finer officers than
he
Colonel Higdon has lost another soldier
through the unspeakable habeas corpus
process in the United States court, In which
all sorts of swearing crops out The latest
case is That, of Private John Walker of
Company H. Bessemer. He Is 20 years old.
a fine physical specimen, and was intensely
anxious to remain in the army, but his
parents petitioned his discharge on the
ground that he was minor, and thereupon
the court released James Walker.
Under a call for volunteers for the divis-
ion hospital cooks, Colonel Higdons regl-
ment was the first to furnish twenty-four
men, They are lost to the regiment as a
portion thereof. but Colonel Higdon was
pleased with the idea of having representa-
tives at the general hospital who would |
take especial pains to give every care
and attention to the First Alabama boys
when thew are sick wounded.
The hospital detachment has hot yet been
made up. They will be selected among the |
different companies after standing an ex-
animation as to experience, intelligence, |
etc.
There is some prospect of paymaster