The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-13
CAMPS OF THE GUARD
PROPOSED THAT BRIGADE
 BIvoUAC TOGETHER.
Movement on Foot to Have the Three Regiments of Infantry at Pickett Springs at
 One Time.

| The question of a brigade or regimenta, l encampments next summer Is agitatIna
 the minds of the officers and men of the
 Alabama National Guard If brigade
 encapment Is held Montgomery will un- doubtedly be chosen as the place at which
 the soldiers will assemble.
 In the Alabama National Guard there l are three infantry rebiments, a brigade which is commanded by General Louis
 V. Clarke of Birmingham. It has been
 several years since brigade encampment
 has been held. in fact, only regtmental
 encampments have been held since the State military appropriation has been re-
 duced to $12,500. The Legislature in- creased the appropriation to $15,O00 an- nually.
 Separate regimental encampments have
 been held in the interest of economy. In
 regimental encampments there has been
 a great saving in transportation charges. The 1st infantry Is composed of companies whose home station is in South Alabama,
 the home stations of the End infantry are in Middle Alabama and of the 3rd in
 fantry in North Alabama. To save trans portation charges the lst infantry has camped at or near Mobile, the 2nd at some
 city in middle Alabama and the 3rd at Birmingham.
 With the increased appropriation. 1t Is proposed, to bring all infantry regiments 
 them at Pickett Springs near Montgom- cry as Montgomery is the most central point for the assembling of the soldiers.
 Some opposition is manifested towards the plan as 1t will probably reduce the length of the practice camp. The regi- ments had hoped to remain in camp ten days next summer, under the increased appropriation. They nave heretofore been able to remain in camp only seven days. It Is thought that the increased cost of the transportation would offset the increased appropriation. The sug- gestion for a brigade camp from Birmlng- ham where it Is generally favored. The Age Herald of yesterday had the fol- lowing relative to the brigade camp:
 The 1st brigade encampment of Ala bama National Guard will probably be held this summer at Montgomery. The officers in command of the three regi- ments of infantry which compose the Alabama brigade are discussing the mat ter, and it Is likely that a decision will be reached in the next few days.
 The encampment will be held at Mont gomery because that Is central point and the new park being built there is one of the best locations in the State for mill tary maneuvers. It is owned by the street railroad company and 1t is understood that a very reasonable agreement can be effected between the managers and the military.
 The camp grounds at East Lake are not large enough for brigade encamp- ment, otherwise it would be held here.
 The officers are also considering going to Chickamauga Park, near Chattanooga, but 1t Is not thought that the new miIi- tary bill which provides for State militia going to the Government encampments will be effective in time for the appro- | priation to be received to defray the ex- | penses of the Alabama regiments
 The best informed military men state | that in their opinion it will be a year | from now before the law is effective, and | that the soldier boys had better not set |