The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-15
FOR The Centennial
COMMITTEE ON ARRANGEMENTS
FROM THE GUARDS.
PRESIDENT MAY BE HERE.
WHEN THE BATTALION CELE-
DRATES ON MAY 4.

Mai. w. w. Williamson Named the
Committee at the Meeting of the
Battalion Last Night-Letter From
the President Was Read, as Was
One From Secretary Long-Invitn-
ton of Mini. Williamson 10 the
President and His Cabinet-Ban-
guet viii Be a Feature of the Gel
ebration-street Parade VIII Take
Place During the Afternoon.
A meeting of the battalion of the Sa-
vannah Volunteer Guards was held
last night, and Maj. w. w. William
son named the committee that is to
have charge of the celebration of the
centennial of the organization of the
command, which is to take place on
May l. 1902. The following is the COM
mittee: W. w. Williamson, ]. NJ.
Rogers, F. c. Wilson. r. G. Tunno,
w. l.. Pritchard, w. G.. Austin, ]. D.
Carswell, H. L. Richmond, j. r. Dill
lon, ]. NJ. Bryan, ]. F. Kollock, B. II.
Levy. Davis Freeman, William Gar
rard, G. A. Mercer, Jr., w. w. Mack
all, H. C. Cunningham, George T.
Cam, F. S. Hincks. R. NJ. Hitch, G.
r. Hardee, w. G.. Gnann, A. G. Ar
nett, E. H. O'Connor, ]. NJ. Dixon and
D. G. Purse.
A reply from the President, who had
been invited by Maj. Williamson to
attend the centennial. was received.
The letter, which follows. leaves hope
that the President may attend:
Executive Mansion. Washington,
Oct 10, 1sO1-My Dear Sir: Your letter
of the Sd inst, extending on behalf of
the Savannah Volunteer Guards a cor,
dial invitation to the President to be
present at the celebration of their one
hundredth anniversary on May l. 1902,
has been received.
I'm reply. 1 beg to say that while
the President very much appreciates
the courtesy extended to him, the date
you mntion is too far in advance to
send a definite response at this time.
would suggest that you again call at
tention to the matter a little nearer
the time of the celebration. Very truly
yours. George B. Cortelyou, Secretary
to the President"
Mai. Williamson's letter of invitation
to the President was as follows:
1.-THE Savannah Volunteer Guards
will celebrate their one hundredth an
niversary on Thursday, May /, 1902.
one feature of which will be banquet,
at which it is hoped some of the most
prominent men OF the country will be
present.
This battalion has always respond
ed to the call of duty. 1t mustered in
for the War of 1912; took part in the
Indian War in Florida: volunteered
for the Mexican War; served through
the entire war between the states,
1876; and volunteered and was ac-
cepted in it's entirety during the Span
ish War, being known as the First
Battalion, Second Georgia Regiment,
United States Volunteers, and was en-
camped at Tampa when the Rough
Riders were there.
"On behalf of the corps I extend you
and your cabinet a most cordial and
hearty invitation, to be present with
us. AS you are half a Georgian, re-
spectfully suggest that no more fitting
opportunity could be presented than
this to become acquainted with the
citizens of this state. Several of your
relatives have occupied positions of
honor in this battalion. / trust, there
fore. you will favorably consider this
invitation, and give this historic old
corps the honor of introducing you to
the citizens of Savannah.
Il know IL is difficult to make en-
gagements ahead for such a distant
day, but if you can indicate your will
ingness to accept the invitation If moth
ing unforeseen prevents, / shall es-
TEEN II a great favor"
Maj. Williamson also wrote Secretary
of the Navy John d. Long, who re-
piled as follows:
Upon my return to Washington, I
find your letter of the 3rd instant, for
warding a copy of an invitation to the
President and his Cabinet to attend the
centennial celebration of the Savannah
Volunteer Guards Battalion in your
city on May 1st. 1902. and, agreeably
to your suggestion. will take pleasure
in handing the copy of the invitation
to the President at the earliest oppor-
tunity."
The Guards will have a parade the
afternoon of May l, acting as an es-
cort to the Veterans Corps. The BAN
quet will be held at night in the
Guards Hall, when members of the
Guards and a few invited guests only
will be present