The age-herald., 1898-05-10
FOR HUMANITY
 AND UNCLE SAM The Birmingham Companies Yesterday Took the Oath of Allegiance. THEY ARE REGULARS NOW Amid the YoGileFOuS Cheers of the Entire
 Regiment THE PROVISION CAR WAS UNLOADED A Merry Feast in Camp Last Night Another Scene Narrowly Averted in Reese's . Trial Yesterday Birmingham
 Visitors Return Home.
THE PROVISION CAR WAS UNLOADE[
Special to The Age-Herald.


 the First regiment of the volunteers from the first state in the union are now enlisted in the service of the United States to an- nihilate the Spaniards, and these first troops are from Birmingham.
 Today at Camp Clark the Jefferson Vol unteers, the Birmingham Rifles and the Huey Guards were mustered in. Compa- nies were formed, and as each name was called the volunteers stepped forward and signed the roll. Then they were marched out, 250 strong, and halted on the drill ground. In response to the command of Lieutenant Hollis. mastering officer, every soldier barred his head and held his hat in his left hand while their right arms were raised towards Heaven.
 Lieutenant Hollis. in a solemn tone, ad- ministere this simple oath winch thrilled the spectators:
 ..I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America. and that will serve them honestly and fairly against all their enemies. whomsoever they may be, and that will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers over me- according to the rules and articles of war;"
 Every one who. witnessed this ceremony appreciated it's impressiveness; and the faces of the Birmingham soldiers who had the honor of being the first to muster in, all plainly showed a serious realization of having placed themselves upon the altar of their country's honor to do or die.
 Excitement at Reese's Trial
 Tho Woodlawp oop,nanv uns raadv to pass muster with their comrades. but an- other hitch in the acceptance of Captain Parker by the examiners caused them to defer until his case is finally decided. This decision is expected tomorrow. Colonel Higdon says his entire regiment will be en- listed this week, since the examining board is hastening it's work and is not so strict as at first.
 The Decatur and Pratt City companies were examined today. 90 per cent. passing Colonel Higdon expects to need about one hundred recruits for the regiment when the examiners finish, and anticipates no trouble in securing them.
 Provision Car Unloaded
 Joy holds sway in the First regiment and for hours this morning mighty cheers TOT The Age-Herald and the Birmingham people echoed across the bay towards that island for whom similar joy is in store. Food in abundance and Of excellent quallty was pe- ing distributed.
 At an early hour the Louisville and Nash vile railroad switched the Birmingham car opposite Camp Clark and the whole regi- ment swarmed to the lines and watched the work of unloading under the direction or Captains Kennedy and Ledbetter.
 Crates and boxes were divided into twelve rules, one for each company and squads were detailed to distribute them.
 Box for Every Tent
 At every tent from one to three boxes were left and never did soldiers execute a command more cheerfully than when or dered to "carry boxes" Continual cheering attended processions of the 'grub brigade" Tonight merry feasting is in order. For nal resolutions of thanks to the Birming- ham people and The Age-Herald are being framed and will be published tomorrow. The delegation of ladies who on Saturday presented the two flags to the First regi- ment, accompanied by their escorts, wit messed the distribution and were enter tained by Colonel Higdon and staff at a jolly. camp dinner. After heartily enjoy ing their trip, especially seeing for them- selves how much the volunteers deserve the kind remembrance of their home folks, the party left tonight.
 Examination Proceeds
 It was wise order this morning that prevented soldiers, except witnesses, from
 
 Reese, colored. who murdered Sergeant Hugh Collins of the Birmingham Rifles last Tuesday. Only twelve of the com- rades of the deceased were in the court room, and they could hardly restrain them- selves when the crowd of negro spectators applauded Reese for -his deed. Sergeant Charles Gardner was the prin- cipal states witness, testifying that non- commissioned officers, Collins among them. were attacked by negro with a pist6. As matter of duty they ran but and called to the negro to halt He replied by drawing his pistol and firing into the crowd. Collins proving the victim. None of the witnesses knew who it was that had originated the difficulty with the negro. Reese was re- manded to jail by Magistrate Frenkel, and refused ball.
 Notes
 The companies of the First regiment have been arranged as follows:
 First battalion under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. McDonald., Com pany B. Florence: Company H. Bessemer; Company I. Oxford; Company M, Pratt City and Talladega.
 Second battalion. under the command of Major T. O. Smith. Company A. Wood lawn; Company G, Jefferson Volunteers; Company K, Birmingham Rifles, and Com pany l., East Lake.
 IH1TQ Daltdnons tic tCoifiHidfiu LII Major D. D. Mcleod; Company c, Etowah Rifles; Company D. Anniston: Company E, Decatur, and Company F, Huntsville. One of the most important orders recent ly received from the war department was one reducing the number of corporals in a company from twelve to six. It is puzziing the officers greatly to know which of these ''non-coms'' to reduce to ranks.
 
 Another order from the war department has rendered the minimum weight of voi- unteers from 125 to no pounds. This is rather rough on the Birmingham battalion who have had numbers of their men weigh ing between no and 125 pounds thrown out.
 Numbers of boys in the Birmingham companies have been wearing white col lars the past two days in honor of their