The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-15
WILL ORGANIZE
BOYS BRIGADE
FIRST STEPS ARE TAKEN
BY REV. j. A. SMITH TOWARD EF-
FECTING ORGANIZATION.

Nearly 100 Boys in Attendance at
Meeting Friday Observation-Disclosures
Exercises. Preparatory to Military
Drill, Being Taught BriEades
Will BE Fully Equipped with
Guns, Uniforms, Etc.--R. j. Travis
to Command One Division and
George w. Bench the Other.
For the purpose of holding the boys
of savannah within the lines of the
church, boys brigade Z is being or
ganized. The brigade will be under the
auspices of the Methodist extension
workers.
The first steps toward getting the
boys began Immediately after the re-
turn OF Rev. ]. A. Smith from New
York. A meeting of the boys was call
ed for Friday nights, and from the
first there was a large attendance.
Since that time the interest has stead
lily increased and at the meeting last
Friday night there were more than
seventy-five boys in attendance.
The first meeting consisted of a series
of tive-minute addresses and the serv-
ing of refreshments. The addresses
were short and so put that their i'm
port could be easily grasped by the
young auditors. BY a series of ques-
tons and answers the lesson taught
was then impressed on the boys
The second meeting was somewhat
more elaborate in it's scope, and by
gradual steps the boys were led up to
the work which the leaders desired to
inaugurate. At the last meeting
rather elaborate system was started,
and this will be improved from time
to time.
The ages of the boys who have
shown an interest in the work are
from 16 to % years. For this reason
1t was deemed advisable to divide them
into two divisions or sections. putting
those nearly of an age in each group.
With each group steps will be taken at
once to organize the brigade.
Appeals to Military Spirit.
The boys brigade is an organization
or system of work, which has met with
high favor in the North, and, which has
been found to be one of the best meth
DDS of holding the boys together.
Through an appeal TO the military spir
it which is inherent in every boy, the
il1NNth4SS ale maui do dllldCALNe oS
possible, and at the same time invalua
BILE lessons are taught.
The brigade, while in company gath
ering, is under strict military rules,
and only soldierly actions are tolerated,
Muskets are furnished the members of
the brigade, and they are thoroughly
drilled by competent officers. The
commanders are chosen from outside
sources, though all the other officers
are selected from among the boys
themselves.
Will Go Into Camp.
Each office is awarded only for
merit. Competitive drills furnish the
basis of comparison and the tendency
is to arouse a keener interest in the
drill work. To strengthen the interest
and to lead an even stronger military
air to the organization, each summer
the brigade goes into camp, and here
all the rules governing the military of
the state will prevail.
Work on the Savannah brigade has
already begun. The preparatory steps
were taken on Friday night when the
boys were put through a drill in calls
themes, preparatory to taking up the
manual of arms. Commanders have
been secured for each division. Mr.. r,
]. Travis will have charge of one and
Mr.. George w. Beach of the other. Ac-
tive work will be started in drilling
as soon as circumstances will permit.
Work in the North.
Rev. Mr.. Smith says the work
in the North has been very popular
and that nearly every large church
has a boys brigade. The size of the
brigades differ greatly, according to
the regulations, but all are large.
By constant drilling and practice the
boys have attained a great efficiency
in the manual of arms, and their drill
ing has often been the subject of fav-
orable comment by United States army
officers. On nearly all patriotic Gel
ebrations, and in fact, in all general
parades, the brigades are not only Civ
en- place in line, but are requested to
turn out.
The outlook for the establishment of
a successful brigade here is very
bright. The boys are enthused with
the idea, and regular attendance at
drill is assured. Social sessions will
be held once a month, at which the
military feature will be dropped and
the evening spent in informal social
pleasures.