The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-05
FOUR COMPANIES MAY NOT GO.
TWO MAY FINALLY BE FORMED
FROM THE GUARDS.

Thought so Many Would Not BE
Reauired-Thirty-Tw Was sup
Dosed TO De the Minimum-Recruit-
iuu for the Four Companies win
stin Go on.
The savannah Volunteer Guards may
have to be organized into two companies
on account Of the few recruits that are be-
ing received and the failure of some OF
the men who volunteered TO sign the en-
rollment sheets of the companies. The
officers of the battalion talked the matter
over at the armory last night, and the ma
jority seemed TO be fearful that the requi-
site number of men for the four compa-
MES cannot be obtained.
Three days have now been spent by the
officers and many of the men Of the
Guards in recruiting their strength. The
results have not been by any means what
was anticipated, and the prospects are that
the work will go on slower now with
those who have already been enrolled tax
en- from the crowd that was DESTROYS of
enisting in the service. Each day has
brought few recruits, and the trouble has
been increased by the failure of some Of
those who volunteered to go.
An four companies have held meetings
and practically all the members who in
tended doing so have enrolled their names
on the company sheets. Col Garrard
stated at the general meeting Of the bat
talon last week, when 1t was decided that
the command would go to the war, that
majority had volunteered. A glance at the
rolls Of the companies now shows that
there has not been a great number who
have stood by their word to volunteer.
The officers OF the companies tried to i'm
press upon the men before they volunteer
ed that their word was TO be taken as final
and the pledge Of their action
The companies that have shown up best
with their enrolment sheets have beef a
and B. The original number of volunteers
in Company was far behind that OF the
other companies, but there have been quite
a number OF recruits, and and b now
head the list. Company c and Company
d have a few less on their rolls than the
Others.
Unless recruits come in to-day in greater
numbers it, is likely an effort win be made
10 have the volunteers of the four com
panics with their recruits unite into two
companies. This plan would just about
bring the number needed for two com
panies. The matter of officers would be
a serious question for the men to settle,
and 1t is not known just how it would be
gone about. II is possible the best solu
ton of the difficulty would be found in tho
selection OF the officers of the two COM
panies that have the largest enrolment
sheets by the time 1t is decided to reor-
ganlze. The two companies with the most
men would then become the bodies to
which those of the other companies would
be added.
A meeting Of the officers win probably
be held soon to discuss the difficulty that
faces them Col. Garrard believes there is
nothing else 10 be done than to organize
two companies, as there does not seem to
be sufficient number Of men for the bat
TALON to go in as at present organized. He
says two good commands could be formed
OF the material from which it is now being
sought to evolve the four companies with
the strength of seventy-seven enlisted men
each. Several other of the officers agree
with Col. Garrard. but both would far pre-
fer to have the battalion gain sufficient
strength TO get into the regiment as his
been anticipated.
The Guards learned last night that they
canaot get in unless their companies each
had believed that the minimum number
was thirty-two enlisted men, but 1t las
transplred that that number was named
merely for the purpose of settling the mat
ter of what companies were to go to work
in the hope of raising enough recruits to
I'LL their ranks to seventy seven. Z he
companies that wanted to go in as wholss
had to present thirty-two men from their
enlisted strength before they could be con-
eidered, ana the one offering the greatest
number was that which secured the honor
OF place in one Of the regiments
The idea of raising seventy-seve men
for each company would have deferred The
Guards at the outset. They were a long
way from that strength when the oattal-
ion was in its best shape before the ques-
ton of going to war was raised Then.
when only, small majority volunteered.
they were that much farther off from tie
SS men required. Had they known The
number they would be expected to raise
d is doubtful II the companies would have
entered upon the task. They thought
they would get all the men they could in
Savannah, and that the rest necessary TO
make up their compliments would be Civ
en- them in Atlanta from other commands
The recruiting is to go right on to-day
II the requisite number of men to allow
the battalion to go In as at present or
gdnized can be secured, officers and men
will be greatly pleased. They will keep
hard at work, and the day may bring bet
ter results than are anticipated. Nothing
encouraging has been reported by the CT
ficers and men who went out into the
country districts in the hope of getting
men. One or two Of them reported nav
ing enlisted several men, but the majority
came back with nothing more than their
trouble for their pains and time. Young
men in the country districts do not seem
anxious to enlist. In some places Il was
found that others had already been around
trying TO get up recruits for other COM
mands, and those of warlike spirits had
been drained out
Capt. w. G. Austin of Company A Will
be in charge OF the recruiting. Applicants
will apply TO him at the armoTy this morn
ing, this afternoon or tonight, and he win
enroll them in whatever company they
may desire to serve. There will be few
members Of the Guards to enroll. but the
commands win have TO look TO the outside
for the greater part of those yet needed.
A meeting of Company c, which was the
last to hold a meeting to allow its mem
bers to enroll, was held last night. when
some Of those who had volunteered sign
ed the sheet.
Some IF the recrnits have aIraads s-;,-o,,