The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-09
CAPTAIN GARDNER
 RELIEVED OF DUTY Another Bomb FxpIodes in the Ranks of National Guard VACANCIES BEING FILLED Following Close Behind the Resiena. tion of Captain Kennedy the Last
 Incident Indicates Which Way
 the Wind Blows.
VACANCIES BEING FILLED

A bomb was dropped into local military circles yesterday morning when an order was received in Birmingham relieving and acting commissary of the Third regiment, A. N. G.
 The order also appoints James Camp bell of Birmingham as acting quarter master to take the place of Captain Gardner. The order further names T. J. stokley, also of Birmingham, as successor to Capt. Hughes B. Kennedy, who re- signed as adjutant of the regiment a few days ago.
 Headquarters Sd Inft., A. N. G.,
 Talladega, Ala, Dec. 2, 1903 Regimental order No. g.
 l. Walter Gardner, captain and quarter master Third infantry, A. N. G., is hereby relieved from duty
 2 James Campbell Is hereby appointed acting quartermaster. Captain Campbell will receipt to Captain Gardner for all property of the Third regiment. A. N G., that now is in the possession of Captain Gardner.
 g. Walter c. Harkins, captain and guard inspector Third infantry, A. N. G., acting adjutant, is hereby relieved from duty as acting adjutant.
 A. T. J. Stokely is hereby appointed ad- jutant vice Kennedy, resigned; he will be obeyed and respected accordingly By order of
 F. P. Mcconnell, Lieut.-Col. 3d Init. A. N. G., Commanding
 w. c. Harkins, Captain and Guard Instructor Sd Inf, A. N G., Acting Adjutant
 Issued Monday.
 The order was issued Monday by Lieut.. Col. F. P. Mcconnell, commander of the regiment, who has been serving in that capacity since Col. D. l.. Higdon was re- lieved from duty about eighteen months ago by Governor Jellks.
 The announcement does not come as a surprise to two or three of the officers or the regiment who are familiar with the politics which prevail in the regiment, but with the exception of these few the news is startling.
 Captain Gardner received his first news of his relief through The Age Herald, and when given an opportunity he refused to make statement. He said that the time was not ripe for talking. None of the military officers of the city were able to tell who the new captains are, as they are unknown in military circles in the city. It Is said taht they have never served as officers in the National Guard of Alabama In the past
 The order is thought to be another re- suit of the old Higdon-Kyle trouble, which has had the regiment in a stew ever since it was aired more than two years ago. It is thought that unless some remedy Is applied in the near future it will result in breaking up the regi- ment.
 The command relieving Captain Gard ner follows closely on the resignation of Captain Hughes B. Kennedy, who was adjutant of the regiment until two weeks ago. These are two of the best known officers in the National Guard of Ala bama, and they are both considered as being as well informed on military mat ters as any other two men in the state.
 Two Valuable Men.
 With these two men severing active connection with the military matters the Third regiment will lose the services of two men who can hardly be replaced. Things are in such condition in the regi- ment. and in higher sources, that any move may be expected It has been ru- mored that Governor Jelks has issued an order mastering out the entire regiment with a view of mastering in the Fourth Alabama, which would be entirely differ ent from the present one but with com- panies in practically the same places. It is also rumored that the line officers of the regiment have circulated peti- ton to the field officers requesting their resignations in order that an election of field officers might be held and the pres- ent troubles possibly strengthened by this means. Local officers will make no state ments in regard to the petition, but it has been steadily denied by several in a position to know.