The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-01

terest in the inspection is an index of their professional qualification and an assurance of the efficiency of their conn mands.
 With few exceptions the same ,audable interest was taken by all officers Of the State, there being manifest a general ri- valry to obtain the greatest enlisted strength present, and among some or ganizations, especially those in cities con- taining two or more, to present the best military appearance.
 For tabulated statement of the strength. present and total. of each or ganizatlon. name of its commanding off, cer, and location by city and county of Its station, attention is respectfully in- vited to the exhibit enclosed, marked "A" This shows the total strength of the Ala bama National Guard, all duly commis- stoned or enIisted to be 236 officers and 3.0S5 men. of whom 66 per cent. or TO of ficers and 2,oI men. were pr--~-.. m ranks at the inspection. History of the Guard.
 The Alabama National Guard was first reorganized in 1881. the organizations be- fore that year being State organizations without reglmental association. Some of the companies had participated in the In- dian wars of the ''thirties," some in the Mexican war and many in the war of the rebellion as units of the Confederate States army. A Mobile battery has in It's armory the muster rolls of its service in the Confederacy. while the actions par ticipated in by all the older companies would include all the important engage ments of that struggle.
 For this reason, and because 1t may be of interest for you to read the chronology of companies once arrayed against this government, I have added to the memo randa of each company. brief history nf ifQ nfZatfnn oG far ac r0ts-d I.a obtained from its records or from inter views with survivors of the company of the period of that war. havo add si the company's participation in the Spanish American war. if any, and its record of riot or police duty under orders of the Governor. As an index of Its efficiency, too. I have reported the numte- of pres ent members who served ip any orsani- zation during the Spanish-American war or since that time In the regular IT vol unteer forces in the Philippines. and the number of present members, if any who have graduated at military colleges.
 It is peculiarly fortunate for the esprit dc corps of the Alabama troops that so many organizations can refer with pride to the war history of their predecessors in the same ranks. While the Ire sent generation of Alabama soldiers are just ly proud of the achievements of their fla thers in the Confederate States army. they arc none the less loyal to that Union their fathers sought to destroy. It was an interesting circumstance to find ia the ranks of company of infantry at Green vile, Ala. two privates of civil war ser vice, one an ex-Confederate. the other an ex-Union soldier.
 Character of Men.
 In Alabama it is still good form to be of the National Guard and State troops are not. as In some States. composed of what social critics would call the i'm possibles." The officers seem to be among the leaders. socially and professionally. of their communities. While some have received their grades through Sail in cleo tioneering among the officers O. men who selected them for appointment or promo tion, most of them were so elected tee ause of professional qualification. For the op- portunities they have had of acquiring l military science. they manifest a com mendable degree of proficiency. This proficiency is the more remarkable when 1t is noted that no examination is re- Qured for appointment or promotion, simply election by men of their company, or in the case of field officers, by the line officers of their regiment or independent battalion or squadron; and that officers can not be ordered before a board to de- termine their efficiency and discharged, but must be induced to resign or must be tolerated.
 The enlisted men are of a good class of society many being in stores ol ,me cities or owners of farms in the country. Some are students at military colleges in the State, only being present wI... their com panies during the summer. but making intelligent soldiers or on-commissioned officers. No physical examination is re- quired for enlistment. so some would not be accepted for United States service in the event of a call. But they reem to comply with the service demanded tv the state and are discharged if absent too long from formations of their apanics.
 There Is no objection to the enlistment in Alabama of married men but many companies have adopted a practice not to elect them as members of their social or ganization. and this is condition Irece- dent to enlistment.
 Aside from the members of the Cover nor's and the Brigade staff, whose mari tai state is unknown, the following are married: