The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-01
THE PITT RIFLES DROP OUT.
But the Goldsboro Rifles Promptly
Take Their Place.

OF all the Military companies in the
State, that ut Greenville seems to have
gotten itself TO the most unenviable posi-
ton, so far as volunteering is concerned.
1t was one of the first companies, and
the only one in Eastern Carolina, to
volunteer when the order was first is
sued. Then its captain. j. I. Smith, IN
formed the .Adiutant General that bis
company would be ready to come To Raj
eigh next Monday, consequently it was
put in the first regiment and the camp
here named in its honor.
Perhaps it was this latter fact that
caused such great CONSERVATION when
it was announced here early yesterday
afternoon that the Grecnville company
had. mt the last minute, backed down and
wouldn't come.
Inquiries ut the Adiutant Generals
Office confirmed the report but that Off
cial was as much at loss as anybody
else to assign any cause for the com
panyS strange action. He said at 10
o'clock he received the following tele-
gram:
Greenville n. c.. April 80 1898.
y. ID. Cowles. Adjutant General of
North Carolina:
Arrange with Mr.. Emerson, of the
Coast Line. Wilmington. for transporta-
ton of my command. Agent here in
forms me that no arrangements have
been made for transportation. Answer.
j. Il. SMITH,
Captain.
To this General Cowles replied: ''AlI
arrangements made for your transpOrta-
tom
Two hours later the following telc
gram came, announcing change of sen
timent:
Greenville, \. c.. April 80, 1898.
A. u. Cowles. Adjutant General of
North Carolina:
Your orders to go to Raleigh, and
the newspapers Indicate that company
H. has volunteered. Ny company has
only offered to volunteer to go anywhere
in the United States. Only three men,
bcrs offered to volunteer under the Hull
bill. This is intended to make our posi-
ton clearly understood. Ny company
will not volunteer under the call by the
President for 125,000 troops. With this
explanation shall we report at Raleigh
on Monday, May 2nd or not Answer.
J. II. SMITH,
Captain.
General Cowles Immediately replied as
follows:
Raleigh, Y. c.. April 80, 1898.
Captan.> ]. T. Smith. Greenville, n. c.:
Have no authority to accept you condi-
tionally. Regret That it is unnecessary
for you to report here Monday.
A. ID. COWLES.
Adjutant General.
At the same time he sent telegram
TO Captain Balm ordering him to report
here at $40 p. m. Monday, for assign
ment to- the first volunteer regiment.
An hour later the following was re-
ceiyed from Captain Balm:
Goldsboro, n. c.. April 80, 1S9S
A. ID. Cowles. Adjutant General of
North Carolina:
] respectfully tender to you for service
in volunteer army Of North Carolina.
"a men, constituting the Goldsboro
Rifles, Company d., Tenth Regiment
North Carolina State Guard.
II. ii. Balm.
Captain Commanding
So the Pitt Rifles drop out" and the
Goldsboro Rifles have been substituted
in the First Volunteer regiment.
Touching the sudden change in senti
ment on the part of the Greenville com
pany, the following from Fridays Green
vile Reflector is of interest:
There are some scared soldier boys in
this old town.
Company H., attention! BE ready to
march Monday.
Just think of some of the scenes
when the soldier boys go TO tell their
girls goodbye Sunday night. They
won't be fishing smacks, you bet.
Talk about stirs, but the orders that
came Thursday evening for Company FL
to move to Raleigh caused one. There
was shout when Capt. Smith read his