The age-herald., 1900-04-08
COL. E. L. HIGDON
Members of the First Alabama Rallying
 to His Support
Gadsden, Ala, April 4. 1

Gadsden, Ala, April 4, 1900 Messrs. George M. Huddleston. Tom
 Green and others, Committee and Mem-
 bers of the First Alabama Volunteers,
 Birmingham, Ala:
 Dear Sirs:-I am glad to know that the brave boys of the late First Alabama Vol unteers are ralying to the support of their gallant colonel in his candidacy for sheriff of Jefferson county, and beg to commend them for same.
 It is true the first object to be consid- cred in selecting a person to fill an office. Is to get man who is worthy, reliable and competent to fill the office for which he seeks. No one can deny the fact that Colonel D. L. Higdon possesses all these qualifications in the fullest measure, in fact he will do honor to the office should he be elected; therefore, it being his desire to hold the office of high shertrt of your esteemed county, feel that there Is pa- triotic duty resting upon every member and friend of the noble First Alabama reg iment to rally to his support, and that the people of Jefferson should rise up and honor Colonel Higdon to the office of his choice, and not only that, but I feel that the members and friends of the regiment residing out of the county should have the privilege of aiding him in any legitimate way they see proper.
 First in war,
 First in peace.
 When the recent war first broke out with Spain, Colonel Higdon and his brave boys of high parentage responded promptly to their country's call, and being the first to respond. they had the honor of being chris tened the First Alabama regiment. thereby becoming the first pride of Alabama. The responsibility resting on Colonel TIigdon was necessarily very great, but he was equal to the emergency, for the record he made for himself and his regiment will speak for itself, and is second to none that did not reach the firing line.
 When hostilities ceased and the coun- try no longer needed the services of the volunteers only for police duty, and the president announced a desife to release q large portion of the volunteers and the rank and file of his regiment pre- ferred to be mustered out of service, rather than serve on police duty, Colonel IIigdon was first to advocate the cause of his men, and ask that they be mustered out of service and returned home to their families, parents, and friends
 You well remember the opposition that existed at that time against the regiment being mustered out of service, and where the opposition came from, and the object it had in view.
 When went to Florida in response to the many appeals of the beloved boys of the regiment, I passed through Birming- ham and called on Colonel Higdon. who was there at the time on a furlough. Colonel Higdon did not hesitate to tell me then that at least seventy-five or eighty per cent of the enlisted men of his regi- ment desired to be mustered out of service, and that he wanted their wishes respected, regardless of his own interest, or the in- terest of any of the commissioned officers, hence he said he would do all he could honorably to secure their release.
 All the time was in Florida kept in touch with Colonel Higdon, and he re- turned to Jacksonville and assumed com mand of his regiment at my request, be- fore his furlough had expired, and we'll do I remember the ovation given him by his beloved boys when he reached his reg iment. was an eye witness to the scene; it was touching.
 True to his word. 1t being the desire of