The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-24
Every Soldier Takes an Oath TO
Support Constitution Of
The State
.ADJT GEN, ", ", BRANDON
ADMINISTERS THE OATH
Mayor Drennen Makes an Address, In
Which He Pays Tribute to the
Bravery and Prowess OF
the cltizen-Soldier.

The Brandon Light Artillery was mus
tered into the state service last night
at the armory by Adjutant General w.
w. Brandon.
young gentlemen, raise your right
hand" said the adjutant general
DO each of you solemnly swear in the
presence of Almighty God. that you be-
lieve in the constitution, and will sup
port the constitution of the state of Ala
bama; that you enlist in citizen soldiery
as Battery D. for the term of three
years, and that you will obey the orders
of your superior officers, so help you
God? Beginning at the right and in sin
gle file each member of the battery will
come up and sign the oath of enlist
ment." The members of the battery filed
slowly past the speakers stand, each
affixing his signature to the oath of en-
listment, and Battery D. First artillery,
became a part of the Alabama National
guard.
After the mastering in, Adjutant Gen
eral Brandon addressed the battery,
thanking them for the honor bestowed
upon him in naming the company the
them that he would do nothing by word
or deed, to bring discredit upon them.
Several hundred representative citizens
were present to witness the mastering
In of Birmingham artillery company.
The occasion was also a social event and
evening costumes were more in evidence
than military array.
The meeting was called to order by
Mayor w. NJ Drennen. On the platform
with Mayor Drennen was Adjutant Cen
eral Brandon, Congressman Oscar w.
Underwood. George NJ. Cruikshank and
Major Westcott. A large United States
flag composed the background to the
platform, while around the walls and
from the galleries and ceiling hung drap-
cries and festoons of red and blue, the
colors of Battery d. Seated on the left
of the platform were the patronesses,
and on the right the maids of honor of
the battery.
The Mayors Address.
M1yor Drennen In opening the cere-
monies, said:
I'VE have met here tonight to celebrate
the mastering in of the Brandon Light
Artillery. 1 want to first thank the COM
mittee on arrangements for placing my
name first upon the programme. l feel
that If 1 had to follow such speakers as
Adjutant General Brandon, Congressman
Underwood and a number of other gentle
men who are on the programme, when 1t
came my time to speak, there would be
nothing for me to say. If l may be per-
mitted to use a sportman's expression,
these gentlemen are open bores, while
would be termed a choke bore.
ut has been said that true greatness
has never been over-estimated when 1t
has for its object the upbuilding of home,
a community or a country. If this be
true, then the Alabama national guard
has never been overestimated."
Mayor Drennen then referred to Incl
dents in the history of the American
soldier, demonstrating his courage and
the prowess of the citizen soldiery on
every battlefield. stating that grit" in
the American soldier was a dominant
element.
Adiutant General Brandon was then
presented by Mayor Drennen, who called
the battery to attention, the bugle
sounded fall in" and the mastering in
by Colonel Brandon was briefly dis
patched.
Officers Elected.
The next order of business was the cleo
ton of officers for the battery. The cleo
ton was conducted by Major Westcott
commanding the First battalion of artil-
lery. -. d. Smith was unanimously elect
ed captain. Frank White, j. @. Smith and
VIII Hayes were asked to escort Captain
Smith to the platform. Captain Smith
spoke briefly, thanking the battery for
the honor, and declaring that he would
do everything within his power to make
the company the pride not only of Fir
mingham but of the entire south. He was
satisfied that with the earnest and hearty
cooperation of the members of the or
ganization that this could be done.
The election of the other officers was
as follows:
First. lieut. enant, Frank S. White.
Junior first lieutenant, r. s. W.
Browne
Second lieutenant, ]. Q. Smith.
| Junior second lieutenant, Win B. Hayes.
The constitution and bylaws of the
battery were then adopted.
Underwood Speaks.
Captain Smith then introduced Com