The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-25
LETTER TO SOLDIERS
URGED BY ADJUTANT GENERAL TO PREPARE FOR INSPECTION.
Colonel Brandon Asks Commanders of Alabama National Guard Organizations to Be Ready
 After April 2.

A circular letter addressed to troop
 company and battery commanders of the l Alabama National Guard was issued yes. | terday by Adjutant General W. w. Bran. don urging them to have their command ready for inspection by an army officer
 at any time after April 2.
 The Adtutant General Is earnest and active in his efforts to have the Guard | armed and equipped with the new guns
 ana accoutrements under the Dick act which became a law in January, He l has made reQuisition on the Secretary of War for the new supplies and has follow ed 1t up by informing the War Depart | ment, in response to an inquiry, that the Alabama troops are ready for in- spection and that 1t can begin at Mont gomery April 9th and Mobile 7th. Other dates are to be furnished the inspecting officer after that time so as to cause him no delay.
 The circular letter issued to all com- nanders yesterday was as follows:
 T have the honor to inform you that under the new Dick law we are entitled to new equipment. Before this equip ment can be had under Section 13 and IA. an inspection of the various National Guards by an army officer Is necessary, and upon this inspection will depend the equipment we will receive.
 Acting under this law the War De- partment has notified me that they are ready to begin the inspection of the Ala bama National Guard. In accordance with this law and of orders from the War Department, in company with some army officers, we will begin an inspection of the National Guard of this State about the 7th of April.
 "I desire to call attention of all of- ficers and men to this fact, and while I can not, in this circular letter, give you the exact date of the inspection of your command, most earnestly urge that you be in readiness to be inspected upon a days notice, with a full complement of men and all ordnance and other stores in your possession, ready for inspection. "I cannot too strongly urge all con- mads to have their full strength present, law will in all probability, be mustered out of the service. Our requsitions for equipment will necessarily be made up, based on the strength of each command, and 1t is, therefore, necessary that all commands have their full strength pre- sent.
 we desire to make showing for Ala bama, second to none In the Union; and in order to do this, it@is necessary for officers and men to throw all of their
 energy and efforts to this end
 Captains of companies, troops and bat teries will see to 1t, that all men in, their command, whether in uniform or not, are present and in line at these inspections.
 It has not yet been definitely determined who the inspecting officer from the army will be, but enough information is had, for me to give this notice, that after the 7th of April all companies will be inspect ed as rapidly as possible.
 ''I must depend largely upon company commanders to look after the details of their respective commands, and I most respectfully urge a speedy compliance with all suggestions herein contained, and the preparation by all organizations for this important inspection, upon which will be based the future standing of the National Guard with the War Depart ment.
 "Compantes desiring to recruit up shoGld do so at once, because the equip ment furnished based on these inspec- tions, will probably be all we can imme- dfotely get under the Dick law"