The Savannah morning news., 1902-03-04
CADETS AND GREENS
WE'RE THE COMPANIES THAT WON
THE PRIZES OFFERED.
OTHERS WERE COMMENDED.
AWARDS MADE UPON JUDGMENT
OF LIEUT.. COL. GORDON.

Regiment Assembled Last Night in
the Quarters of OgIethOrpe Light
Infantry Col. WyIly Addressed
Them Briefly, Offering Criticisms
Upon the Recent Charleston Trip.
Praise for Some and Advice for
Others offered In the Hope That
the Regiment Might Proft-Assem-
bly, i'm the OgIethOrpcs' Quarters
Because 1t Was Thought Unsafe
to Have So Many Men on the Top
Floor.
The Oglethorpe Light Infantry, the
Savannah Cadets, the Irish Jasper
Greens, the German Volunteers, the
Republican Blues and the Emmett Rifles
all assembled last night in the quar-
tiers of the first-named command to
hear the announcement of the winning
companies in the competition for prizes
that were offered prior to the trip that
was made to Charleston by the mill
tary. The quarters of the Emmett
Rifles were to have been the place of
assembly, but there was some question
as to the safety of massing so large a
number of men upon the top floor of
the Regimental Armory, and the Ogle-
thorDes' quarters were chosen instead.
Col. T. S. Wyly, Jr., commanding the
regiment, addressed the assemblage
briefly, stating that the criticism that
he offered regarding certain matters
that had come under his observation
on the Charleston trip was not in
spired through any desire to humiliate
but rather by the wish to direct at
tention to points wherein Improvement
might be brought about by a consid-
Grafton of the errors that had been
committed and that might, on an
other occasion, be guarded against.
The talk was a friendly one, and no
officer or man considered that military
courtesy had been strained, though
Col Wylly commended or blamed mn
partially, giving credit where it was
due and criticising where he felt rhot
it was needed He was not repli-
handing, but simply pointing out de-
fects in the hope that the standard iii
all departments of the regiment might
be raised.
The trip had offered the colonel his
finst opportunity to observe the regi-
ment on such duty. Were such oppor-
tunities offered more frequently and
such advice and criticism given after
each, the regiment would doubtless
profit greatly.
showed up well, performing their du-
ties creditably. No responsibilities
were shirked, and they displayed their
ability to at any time assume COM
mand of the regiment.
The adjutant's Duties" said Col
Wy<ly, were dispatched with prompt
ness, thoroughness and correctness. l
have seen many adjutants, among the
regulars as well as among the volun-
teers, and l have seen good ones, but
l have never known one who was more
thorough or who performed his duties
more satisfactorily.
''The quartermaster's duties were
excellently discharged. The COMMITS
sary lacked appreciation of RESPONSE
bility. The present lack of strength
is due largely to the want of practi-
cal work The medical department was
weak. One member was excused, and
only one other reported for duty.
Other regimental and battalion staff
officers showed capacity and reliability
The line officers, with few exceptions.
stand high, being strong and efficient
in the discharge of their duties. They
are we'll up in drill and alive to the
QlSDaIcn
work with promptness seldom reached
in volunteer service and, think sell
dom surpassed.
1t is difficult TO express the full
measure Of my admiration of the
enlisted men. Your personnel is of
the very highest, and your regimental.
state and national pride is of the
very best and make it an easy matter
to place You in the front ranks of
volunteer soldiers. But you need
training, disciplining and seasoning.
This comes only from hard work and
plenty of it, and you should value
and respect the company officer who
gives is to you. He is your best friend
as you will find in the hour of peril
when disorder and disasted scatter
the ranks of your more tenderly hut
less thoroughly trained brothers. He
is the man you will then find strong
enough TO follow with absolute con-
fedence.
If my criticisms have seemed sevare
1t is because l have weighed you in
nigh scale. Not as to whether YOU are
or are not better prepared for active
service to-day than any other regiment
in the state, as l think you are. but
because | have measured you against
thoroughly equipped, thoroughly pre-
pared and thoroughly efficient regi-
AiSA ddiieu, ulSclplneQ ana well Off
cered, knowing how to obey and exc
cute orders unquestioningly, unhesitat
lngly and unfiinchingly That is the
standard l have set for us 1t can he
reached only by hard work, but we
can reach it and we must reach it,
Upon the conclusion of Col WHY'S
talk, Capt w. E. Coney, adjutant read
the report of Lieut.. Col G. A. Cor
don upon the award of prizes offered
some time prior to the Charleston trip.
one prize was $40 to the company
showing the greatest Improvement
from Jan. l up to and including the
Charleston trip. This was awarded
to the Irish Jasper Greens, the Repub
lican Blues receiving honorable men
ton.
The Savannah Cadets received the
prize of $50 for the best record from
Jan. l up to and including the Charles
ton trip. Col. Gordon reported that
all the companies were deserving of
the highest commentator, and he es-
pecially mentioned the Emmett Rifles.
the German Volunteers, and the Ogle-
thorpes, his old company, whom he
thrilled with pride by reporting: 'Tf
the prize were to be awarded for the
parade only, it would certainly have
to be divided between Company I (tha
Oglethorpes) and one of the other com
panies. Their appearance on the
march was eXcelled by none"
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