The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-27

the officers had rendered the position
to Capt. w. B. Stephens who had ac-
cepted the place. 1t was further stated
that a request had been sent to the
Adjutant General asking that the le-
gal election be held at an early date.
Sentiment of Guards.
In order to properly express the feel
ings of the Guards over the resigna-
ton of Maj. Williamson, Capt. w. G..
Austin, Capt. r. j. Travis and Lieut..
A. p. Adams were appointed a COM
mittee to prepare a letter to their re-
firing commander.
The following letter was prepared
and will be forwarded to-day to Maj.
Williamson:
Maj w. w. Williamson, Savannah,
Ca: Sir-Your resignation as COM
handing officer of the First Battalion,
Heavy Artillery, Georgia State Troops,
was received and read at a call meet
ing of the officers of the battalion held
on Sept. 81, and also at meeting
of the corps held on Sept. 26. The
battalion realizes that this step has
been taken by you only after mature
consideration, and on account of bust
ness reasons that you consider impera-
tive, and we are aware that il would
be useless to attempt to prevail upon
You to withdraw your resignation.
we have been appointed commit
tee to formally notify you that your
resignation, which carries with it re-
tirement from the leadership of the Sa-
vannah Volunteer Guards has been
accepted by the organization. In SO
doing we are instructed by unani-
nous vote of the members of the corps
TO express to you the very great re-
greet that is felt on account of your
retirement by every officer and enlist
ed man.
AFTER having already given long and
faithful service to the organization,
You took comamnd of the Guards at
a time when any but the wisest lead
ership would have been disastrous. The
corps realizes that your efforts have
resulted in lasting benefit to the or
ganization, and that, by prudent and
energetic work, requiring great exac-
tions upon your time, you have sue
ceeded in placing the battalion in such
a position that its future welfare
seems assured.
''We are also instructed to assure
you that the sincere appreciation of all
who are interested in the prosperity
of the organization has been earned
by your unselfish devotion to it, and
that, in your retirement from the ac-
tive leadership of the corps, you take
with you the respect and affection of
every member"
Reason for Resignation.
In speaking of his resignation during
the day, Maj. Williamson said:
Il have been connected with the
Guards for over thirty years, most OF
the time in an active capacity. During
the last year I have not been able to
give the necessary time to the proper
management of the affairs of the corps
and fully realizing that the neglect OF
the commanding officer to do his duty
would be fatal, in effect and example
] have deemed il to the best interests
of the corps that l make way for a
younger and more active man.
MY one and only reason for resign
ing Is that the position of command
ing officer of the Guards requires a
great deal of time, and my business
Is of such nature that / can not DOS
sibly give the time TO IL. My resig.
nation was forwarded to the Adjutant
General on Sept. 6, and was accepted
a few days later"
Mai. Williamson joined the Guards
on Jan. s. 1873. on Dec. g. 1889, ne
was elected captain Of Company A.
He was elected major OF the battalion
Feb. 2, 1901. He has been placed or
the roll OF retired officers by the Adiu.
tant General.
New Battalion Commander.
MAJ. W. b. Stephens joined Company
p as a private I'm 1890 serving sue.
cessively as corporal and sergeant. Al
the outbreak Of the Spanlsh-Amerlcar
War he enlisted On Company v. Sec.
ond Georgia Infantry. and served un.
III the close Of the war lie was made
second sergeant soon after enlistlng
Shortly after the close of the up.
pieaaantneaH, he was elected captain ol
Company -. biz commission hearins
date of FEB :, 1900 M this position
Continued on Seventh Page.