The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-13
GEORGIA BOYS TO GO TO SEA.
PORT ROYAL NAVAL BOARD WILL
MEET HERE TO-DAY.

Coming to Muster in the Georgia Na-
val Reserves, and to Examine
Those Who Want to he Omcers.
WIN Meet This Morning in the
Branch photographic Omce-The
Result of Lieut.. Walkers Tele-
graphic Communication With
Lieut.. Greenleaf-The order Was
Issued by Secretary Long.
The Georgia Naval Reserves, at least,
the two divisions in Savannah, are to be
mustered into the service Of the United
States at once.
Impatient of delay the officers commu-
nlcated by wire yesterday with the Port
Royal naval board. and a most satisfac-
tory answer was received. The board will
be here to-day, will meet in the branch
photographic Office and will proceed to
make polished tars out of the Savannah
river boys without more ado.
The removal of Mr.. T. Hayward Gignil-
Hat from the volunteer service, and his
assignment 10 the regular line of the navy,
brought considerable discourag cement to
the would-be seamen, gunners and gunners
mates who have been holding on from day
TO day with hope springing eternal in the
human breast, until the eternity had all
most passed away.
But now everything is different, and pa
tient waiting has been rewarded. Mr. Gig
niiliat, when he passed through Savannah,
assured the officers of the two divisions
here that the order for mastering them
into the service had positively been issued
by the Secretary of the Navy, with whom
he had had a personal interview about the
matter. Secretary Long had acted and
that practically settled it. This gave the
officers and men considerable encourage
ment and upon Mr.. Gignilliafs advice the
communication with the Port Royal naval
board was had. Mr.. Gignilliat left yester-
day for Key West, and will wait for orders
there
Lieut.. C. F. Walker of the Second divis-
ion wired Lieut.. w. T. Greenleaf of the
Port Royal naval board stating that the
Georgia boys were waiting TO be mustered
in, and that officers were maintaining a
camp at White Bluff for the purpose of
holding some of the men in line.
Lieut., Greenleaf replied al once, saying
that the board would be in Savannah this
morning and would meet in the office of
the photographic bureau here for the pur-
pose of attending to the Georgia boys
Just what steps the board will take is
not known definitely, but il is presumed
from Lieut.. Greenleafs telegram, that the
order from the Secretary of the Navy has
been received by him. The board, il is
understood, is empowered both to hold the
examinations for the commissioned Of
ficers and TO muster in the officers
and men. 1t is believed that both
win be done, and that within a short time
the two divisions win be well within the
service of the United States navy.
The Savannah divisions each have sixty
men, besides a full complement of Of
1icers, and they are prepared to secure
Others If desired or needed. In fact, there
has been much enthusiasm among the Sa-
Vannah reserves in anticipation of being
called into the service. When they had
worked up to the mark and done their
best, the disappointment that stared them
in the face was most discouraging, and
the last day or two has brought some talk
of disbanding, or giving up the fight.
Fortunately, however, they held on, and
it seems now that they are TO be rewarded
for their patience.
What will be done with Savannah's two
divisions is not known, but there is no
doubt plenty of room can be found for
them with the increased navy the govern
ment is now maintaining. Probably each
division will be put on some auxiliary
cruiser ana taught 10 handle the guns,
after which they can be transferred to any
other sort OF VeSSelt where good talent is
needed. 1t is not likely. however that
either Of the divisions will make the trip
to Spain with Commodore Watson's squad
ron.
Though each division has sixty men,
neither of them is averse to taking in
more recruits, In fact the officers would
like to get in more good men without de-
lay. Those who come in will have to do
so during the next two or three days, be-
cause 1t is expected the naval board will
complete its labors within that time.
Nothing is known here with regard to
what will be done with the two Bruns-
wick divisions. The reserves will all be
mustered in at divisions now, and the
Brunswick divisions, the last time they
were heard from had only about forty men
each. That is above the minimum limit,
and the board viii probably decide what
TO do in the,matter after it has finished It's
work here.
=.@--a-ae-S-@
Il n a