The Savannah morning news., 1904-04-15
SAVANNAH WILL
SEND ITS SHARE
OF TROOPS TO MANEUVERS
IS OPINION OF COL. G. A. GORDON.
COMMANDING FIRST RECT.

He Thinks the joint Maneuvers at
Manassas Offer but One Objection
to a Very Large Attendance and
That Is the Time of Year When
They Will he HeId-OfTer Only OPP
pOrtunity of Participation in Such
Exercises for Troops of Eastern
states Until 1905.
All members of the local militia were
interested yesterday in the Morning
News dispatch from Atlanta, stating
that Georgia would be invited to send
1880 men to the joint maneuvars of
the forces Of the regular army, and
the volunteer troops of the Eastern
and Southern states in September.
Col. G. A. Gordon, in command of
the First Regiment, Infantry said that
he knew nothing of the plan except
what had been printed, as neither he
nor any of the other officers Of the city,
so far as he knew, have yet received
the communications from the governor
which may give additional details.
When this information is given the
command will be in better position
to decide whether they can make the
trip.
The attendance should be large, Col.
Gordon thinks, from the fact that
there is little likelihood of a state en-
campment in Georgia this year, and
that another joint encampment will
not take part in the Eastern or South
ern states until 1906 Again the camp
offers an advantage to Southern
troops because of its location at Ma
nassas which is easily to be reached
from this section, and which, because
of its proximity to Richmond, Wash
ington and Baltimore. would make a
visit to it of much greater interest
than would be the case if it were some
other location.
Advantages of Going.
Again the offer of pay to the officers
and men of the state forces on the
same basis as that of the officers and
men of the regular army, and the fact
that transportation will be furnished
without cost to the commands, or to
the state, are two other advantages
that should have considerable weight
in favor of a large attendance. In
fact the only drawback to the plan is
the time of year. In September it
will be hard for the members of the
companies to leave their businesses.
The season may affect other than
Southern states, too, Col. Gordon
thinks, for several Of the Northern
states, for instance New York and
Pennsylvania, have already made plans
for state encampments during the sum-
mer and it will be difficult, unless
these plans are rescinded, to have the
members of the companies attend camp
and later, with so short an interval be-
tween, take part in the joint man
euvres.
Why Date Was Selected.
1t is believed that all these things
have been considered by the officials,
but that other circuml tances have out
weighed these objections and made
| necessary the date that has been Sc
| lected. One of the chief reasons for
selecting this time is that the crops
will have been gathered, and, there
fore, the extended operations of the
troops will not entail loss to the plant
| ers, while another is that Virginia
| weather during September is ideal, no
small consideration in an undertaking
| of the magnitude of these maneuvers.
savannah troops have as good
| chance to take part in these maneu-
vers as any others, Col. Gordon SAYS
| and as they have been notified so long
ahead, will have ample time to make
! their preparations. The commands of
the First Regiment will be particular
| ly we'll prepared for the exercises as
all drills and instructions they have
| received for the last twelve months
| have been of a nature similar to those
| that VIII mark the joint maneuvers.
| The matter will probably come up for
| discussion before the various com
mands at the Monday night meetings.