The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-21
MANASSAS MANEUVERS
BRANDON REPORTS ON
 ALABAMA SOLDIERS.
Commander of Provisional Regiment Submits Statement to Cover nor Cunningham Showing Excellent Conduct of
 the Men.


 Provisional Regiment from Alabama which recently participated in the mil ftary maneuvers at Manassas, Va, was submitted to Governor Cunningham yesterday by Adjutant General w. W. Brandon, who commanded the regiment.
 General Brandon says that the con- duct of the Alabama soldiers was ex- ceIlent and that the maneuvers were highly beneficial from military view point.
 The report of the Adjutant General
 "Adjutant Generals Ofice,
 Montgomery, Ala, Sept. 20. 1904. Hon. Russell M. Cunningham, Acting
 Governor and Commander in Chief,
 Montgomery, Ala:
 "Sir-Complying with your verbal in- structions, and with c. O. No. II, A. G. O., current series, have the honor to report that a provisional regiment composed of 90S officers and men at- tended the army maneuvers at Manas- sas, Va, September 5th to 18th, in- elusive.
 Reporting upon the conduct of offi- cers and men, I desire to say that mo- where could you have found q more orderly or better behaved organization. Leaving Birmingham and Montgomery on the morning of September 3rd, with only travel rations to live on, the men so conducted themselves enroute as to receive favorable comment from per sons along the line of travel. We reached our destination at o'clock on the morning of the 9th, and did not de- train until daylight.
 Our camp was situated on a rolling plateau and was for the most part comfortable. We camped in wall tents, except when bivouacing, when the shelter tents were used, all loading and unloading, pitching of camp, digging of latreens, cooking of food, while In the camp was done by the men of the respective companies, and I cannot too strongly commend the zeal with which the men of the regiment set about this unpleasant task, without the slightest grumbling or the customary kick inci- dent to such hardship. By 10 o'clock of the 5th we had our camp pitched and cleaned and fires started for the cooking of dinner.
 The maneuvers commenced at mid night on the 5th, and from the open ing to the finish the Alabama Regiment was on the go. The men stood the long marches, and hardships incident to such a campaign beyond our most san- guine expectations, and received much information as to real warfare and the life of soldier in actual campaign. one of the best lessons learned was that the men know now how to take care of themselves in the field. and this in my opinion was one of the most valuable lessons taught. Being thrown frequently on their own resources the men demonstrated their ability to en- dure hardships and should an emer- gency arise the value of experience will be felt. Some of the marches in a day were from fifteen to twenty miles, and yet we can report that only one member of our regiment was left in the hospital, to wit. Private Miller of Company c, and from reports re- gently received he Is rapidly improv- ing,
 1t may be gratifying to your excel lency to know that the Brigade Com mander. Col. Butler D. Price. United States Army called in person and com mended the Alabama Regiment, not only on it's splendid conduct, but the loyalty and unfaultering manner in which the men had stood the campaign. He also said that the conduct of the entire regiment in camp and on duty. officers and men, had been satisfac- tory.
 We can report that we found 1t unnecessary to establish a guardhouse, and with one single exception no one was put arrest ITOul lIle llIle OL our departure until our return.
 AS commanding officer of the pro- visional regiment, I had the loyal sup port of all the officers and men com posing the organization and nothing occurred that marred either the pleas ure or profit of the trip. The entire regiment was paid off before leaving Virginia. All papers and orders, etc, connected with the organization. equip ment and conduct of the regiment are on file in the office of the Adjutant Gen. eral.
 With assurances of my appreciation for the honor conferred, and confidence reposed in selecting me as the com manding officer of this provisional reg iment, I have the honor to be
 Very respectfully,
 William w. Brandon, "Adjutant Generaal Commanding Pro-
 visional Regiment"
 Governor Cunningham expressed sat sfactiOn at the report of the conduct of the provisional regiment.