The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-28
GUARDS WILL GO TO WAR.
BATTALION WILL JOIN THE REGI-
MENT UNDER col. LAYTON.

he the Nuclei Upon which the
Footing VIII BE Run Jp to That
Called for by the LaVv-MajOrity Of
the Men VOIuntecred-COl. GaTrard
VIII Notify the Governor ut Once
That the Guards VIII Respond TO
His Calico. { Lead in the Percent
age of Volunteers.
The Savannah Volunteer Guards volun-
teered last night to enter the war with
Spain provided they are allowed TO do so
under their present battalion formation. At
the close of the general meeting of the
corps Lieut.. Col William Garrard an
nounced that a majority of the command
had volunteered, and that he would teie-
graph the Governor of the action taken, .
The action was taken individually by all
the members of the battalion assembled
in their respective companies. The officers
did not give out the number of men in
each company who volunteered for service
under the United States government. but
the men talked freely Of the results of the
polls. The members Of Company and
Company were jubilant over the fine
showing their companies had made, per
centage of over 50 of the enlisted men hav-
ing volunteered in the latter and of over 81
in the former. These two companies lead in
volunteers. Company d also showed up
well. Company A was behind the others,
only small proportion of that command
having volunteered.
In all the companies there were many
men who said they were not then able to
state whether they would volunteer, but
said they would announce within day or
two whether they would find it possible to
do so With, as the colonel announced af-
ter the results of the polls in the four COM
panies were submitted to him, major
ity of the membership of the battalion vol
unteered already, the addition of several
more from the ranks of the doubtful will
run the percentage up several points.
1t is understood the Guards will be as
signed to the regiment of Georgia volun-
teers that will be commanded by Col
A r. Lawton. The battalion
will preserve its integrity as TO
officers and men, those who have volun-
teered being made the nuclei for the up
building of the four companies to the
maximum number allowed a company I'M
der the reorganization of the army bill
Garrard. He stated TO the corps that he
would rather command the battalion than
any organize ton that may be generated
during the progress of the war with
Spain. He referred to the report that had
been published of his having been appoint
ed lieutenant colonel of the regiment to
be commanded by Col. Brown, but said he
knew nothing of it.
The Guards assembled i'm force in the
library of their club. Nearly ali the men
and officers had gathered before Col. Car
rard appeared. Cheers. were raised for
one or two of the officers of whom it was
known they We're anxious TO lead their
commands to the front, as they entered
the room, and a perfect storm followed
the entrance of the colonel. He took his
seat amid the applause and called for or
der. He spoke of the position of the bat
talon with reference to the war, and stat
ed that a meeting of the officers had been
held, and that they had decided to re-
commend to the battalion that il so as a
body. He said the officers wanted the
matter submitted to the men, so they
could act upon 1t. If the majority decid-
ed they would volunteer, then he would
announce forthwith to the Office of the ad-
jutant general that the Volunteer Guards
would enter the service of the United
States. The colonel said ne and the other
commanders of regiments and unattach-
ed battalions had been asked by the Gov
ernor 90 ascertain what number of their
men were ready TO respond to the call Of
the President. The Information is desir-
ed In order that he may make up the COM
mands Georgia is called on TO furnish I'M
der the apportionment the various states
are asked 10 send into the Federal SER
vice.
The Guards viii serve as one of the bat
talions, probably the first. of tine regiment
to be commanded by Col. Brown. Col
Garrard stated that its integrity of present
officers and men will be preserved through
out in the organization of Georgia's quota
He said he had not been informed of his
appointment as lieutenant colonel. but that
he had wired the office of the adjutant gem
eral about it on seeing the report in the
afternoon paper. In reply, he had been
wired an answer that neither confirmed
nor denied the report He was told that
the probable plan would be 10 have only
two majors in regiment, the lieutenant
colonel being expected to command one
OF The three battalions. As stated in dis
patches in this issue of the Morning News.
such will be the case, so Col. Garrard will
be lieutenant colonel and, at the same
time, in command of the Guards
The Colonel was outspoken in his state
ments TO the men. He said the duty OF
all those who possibly could do so point
ed toward their volunteering in response
TO the call of the President; that active
men OF military training and experience
were desired, and that IL rested with the
Guards TO vindic2te themselves and show
that all the confidence and reliance tina,
has been reDosed in them in time of peace
has not been msplaced and that they are
again ready to go 90 war and fight as well
Tor their country as they have in tn. past.
He said it would never do for the oldest
infantry organization in Savannah 20
prove recreant TO duty now, but thai
every man should volunteer who had not
some potent reason for not doing so: some
domestic or moral duty that might be con-
etrued as an even higher cali than thai Of
his country.
The wreck of the Maine, Col Garrard
said, was due to the Spaniards. The charge
that they blew up the vessel has been sub
stantiated. and the soldiery Of this coun-
try should punish The bastard hands that
pecpetrated the outrage
While he spoke the colonel was calm ana
dispassionate There was the ring of deem
feeling in his tones though, and he smoke
as a man who had his heart in what he
was saying. He felt that great Insult