The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-18
WANT U. S. CAVALRY
MOVEMENT INAUGURATED TO
BRING nth REGIMENT TO
SAVANNAH
TO CAMP AT AVONDALE.
WAR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN Pc
TITIONED BY LOCAL MILITARY.

Mai. Williamson Brought Matter to
Attention of War Department on
His Visit to WashingtOn-Gen
Gordon Called Upon Gen. Chaffee
in New York and Placed SaVan-
nah's Claims Before Him-Cham-
to IndOrse the MOvement-What 1t
Means to Savannah.
A movement is on foot to bring the
Seventh Regiment of United States
Cavalry, now stationed at Chickamau-
ga. TO Savannah for their annual tar
get practice The matter has been
brought to the attention of the War
Department, and those who are foster
ing the movement believe that the
chances for success are good. The
Chamber of Commerce will be asked
to take action in the matter at its
meeting this afternoon, and there is lit
tie doubt but that the movement will
be Endorsed by that body and steps
taken to secure the encampment.
The regiment has already been order
cd 10 w dCO I'd, III heAA eoNS Pa ~
that point, but it is believed that if the
proper influence is brought to bear
that the encampment of the cavalry
can be secured for this point. Accord
ingly the matter has been brought to
the attention of Gen. Chaffee, COM
mander of the Department of the
East by Gen. w. w. Gordon, and his
recommendation asked. The War De-
partment has also been requested to
make the change by Maj. w. w. Will
hanson, whose visit to Washington has
been noted in the Morning News.
Influence Is Used.
It is believed that with this in
fluence, and with the support of sever
al other men of prominence that the
encampment can be secured. Col. Les
ter will be seen this morning by Capt.
w. G. Austin, and his support of the
movement solicited. Capt. Austin was
a member of the Seventh Cavalry, and
is one of the principal factors in the
movement to bring the regiment here.
This move is separate and apart
from the one inaugurated to bring the
encampment of the First Georgia Cav
airy to Savannah, which will be con-
sidered by the Chamber of Commerce
this afternoon. The Seventh Cavalry
will in a short while begin it's annual
target practice. Their encampment at
Savannah would the promoters of the
plan declare, mean the presence of at
least 1000 men, comprising twelve
troops, with an equal number of
horses.
Resultant Advantages.
They would, of course, be camped
at AVondale, the term of the encamp-
ment lasting at least six weeks, and
probably two months. This would mean
that two months wages of all the
troopers would be spent in Savannah.
Subsistence would have to be secured
here, in addition Their encampment,
it is also urged, will advertise Savan-
nah and the Avondade range.
1t is believed that the men of the
cavalry will favor Savannah. The reg
iment has been stationed for a long
time in the up-country, and sojourn
by the seaside during the summer
months will be great inducement to
throw before them. In addition, it is
believed that Gen. Chaffee will recon-
mend the change of the order. Gen.
Gordon paid him personal visit in
New York city, and urged Savannah's
claims. The commander of the De-
partment of the East has seen the
range. and knows the strength of the
claims.