The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-10
fSorcia, 10 The Messenger.)

~
hare Rifles, Company B, First regi-
mcnt. United States volunteers, passed
the surgeons in fine style today, not
a man failing. The company was NUS
tered in his afternoon as was also
Ellington's CD, from Reidsville, and
Hannah's CID, from Waynesville. An
order was received from the war de-
partment reducing the number of en-
listed ment men in each company from
eighty-four to eighty and there was a
dropping Of forty-eight men. Quite a
large number of these left overs are
here ready to join other companies if
they are needed by the latter. The
men thus dropped by the Raleigh COM
pany joined the Greensboro company
The event of today was the first pa
rade of the regiment for inspection and
verffication Of the muster. This oc-
Cured at $3.50 o'clock. 1t was the first
appearance of the men on the spacious
drill grounds. There were three bat
talions, commanded respectively by
Majors Smith and Rubber and Senior
Captain T. r. Robertson. The major
of the third battalion was announced
today by the adjutant general to be
State Senator George E.. Butler, of
Clinton, Sampson county, brother of
Senator Marion Butler. The new ma
por was in the state guard several
years.
The regimental line was first formed
with 1,OOS officers and men present and
then the companies formed, but the
b]attalions closed to quarter distance.
Inspection of arms, equipments and
clothing was then made by Captain
Gresham, mastering officer. All the
officers and about 60 per cent. of the
men are uniformed and about 70 per
cent. armed. The Rifles are in poor
condition and SO are the equipments.
The men are a good lot and will soon
harden. Comparison showed plainly
how valuable the leaven of the guards
men is in them and their marching was
very creditable for the first effort.
Hundreds of people witnessed this
first formation of war regiment with
keen interest. Report is to be made to
the war department by Captain Ores
ham on the arms, equipment, clothing
and personnel. He declined to give
any opinion upon his inspection.
Battalion Adjutant L. B. Alexander
acted as regimental adjutant, vice H.
r. Cowles, who failed to pass. 1t is
understood Alexander will be made
regiment adjutant, with rank of cap
tain.
Governor and Mrs. Russell and the
adjutant general watched the fOrma-
ton of the regiment. At the conclu-
sion of the inspection the companies
returned to camp.
Active drill begins tomorrow. Yes
terday and today, morning n after
noon, there was setting up drill. The
troops need shoes, such as are fit for
marching. They need light uniform
clothing for all enlisted men and I'M
derclothing also.
Governor Russell and Senator Pritch-
ard are at cross purposes as to the
volunteers. This time the governor
comes put On top. The presidents call
for volunteers said the national
guardsmen were to. be given the pref
erence There are twelve guard COM
panies in the First regimen of volun-
teers n there are seven in the Sec
n regiment of volunteers. Senator
PSFltchard had arranged, it appears,
that there was to be one white and
one negro regiment, and the secretary
of war had ordered the mastering Of
ficer, Captain Gresham, to so muster
them in. Governor Russell asked the
secretary that North Cardinals quota
be increased to three regiments. This
request the secretary of war refused.
The governor telegraphed him this eve
ming that he had followed the request
of the president and given the guard
companies the preference; that his re-
quest to be allowed to furnish a third
regiment had been refused and that,
therefore, he would take only a negro
battalion, and will mobilize this at
Fort Macon.
The governor received a letter this
afternoon from North Carolina negroes
living in Washington, D. c., thanking;
him flor his noble stand in recon-
mending to the secretary Of wal the
enrolment Of negro troops from North
Carolina in the volunteer army"
It is said tonight that orders
have been given the railways to be
ready to move the other ten companies
of the Second regiment to Camp
Grimes next Monday.
All drummers win be dropped in the
First regiment. There is a chief bug
Ter and also a chief musician. The lat
ter will organize the field music, TAX
ing not to exceed twenty-four enlisted
men. Drums and flies are things of the
past.
a telegram from Capt.. Calvin D.
800