The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-19
BRANDON SUBMITS
 HIS ANNUAL REPORT
Finds State Military Companies
 Well Equipped
co. c 2ND INF'RY PRAISED
Adjutant General Recommends That the Feld Artillery Be Changed to Coast Artillery If Agreeable
 to Federal Government.

Montgomery Aprh S.-(Speeial)-Ad- iutant General w. W. Brandon of the Alabama National guard has submitted his report on the recent inspection or the military companies of the state' which is as follows;
 Montgomery, April IT. 1905.-Governor William D. Jelks, -ch1el- Sir: Complying with general order NO Q, a copy of which is hereto attached | have the honor to report that the annual inspection of the Alabama National guard was completed on April 13. In addition to the exhibit hereto attached showing the strength of each company and the percentage absent l have the honor to especially recommend the muster out or Company H, Bessemer, Third infantry. The commanding officer of this company states that it is impossible, under the existing circumstances, to maintain well organized company at this point | further suggest that the attention of the commanding officer of the First infantry be called to the condition existing in Company A of his regiment. The muster roll seems to carry number of inactive members, and it has occurred to me that he might combine the strength of thls company M. some other organization of his command. The thirty-seven men present at the lnSpecllou Ol lhiS SpAh7 mand seem to be willing and earnest, but it is my opinion that there are too many organizations in the city of Mo- bile for the number of men composing same. This company only made 10 per cent attention at inspection. The com pany at Wetumpka made the smallest percentage in the Second regiment there being thirty-thr present ana twelve absent The company, however, was en- q ,4; n,,1 fn dninU work.
 Reporting specially on the condition at Decatur, I have the honor to report that this company had 1894 per cent out of total membership of forty-two. So far as the inspection shows, the company seemed well disciplined and enthusiastic. Captain Long, the commanding officer seems to have worked nard under ad- verse circumstances. There appears to exist in the city of Decatur much oppo- sition to the company at that point. was informed by the mayor that he re- garded 1t as an inefficient organization Other good citizens O. the town seem to think that the company was in better shape than ever before. From the in- spection l could not say that it was in- efficient, but on account of local condi- tions and opposition in the city of Deca- tur I am in doubt whether it would be good judgment to use it in case of local trouble. but believe that it would be efficient where this opposition did not exist. Captain Long should be commend ed for his earnest effort in endeavoring to maintain the organization against such opposition.
 Recommends Coast Artillery.
 I desire further to recommend steps being taken looking to the organization of the present artillery battalion into coast artillery, instead of light batteries. My reasons for this are on account of the failure to obtain proper ordnance equipment for this branch of .he service. Most of the guns they have are obsolete and almost unserviceable, and 1t would be exceedingly difficult to obtain ammu- milton for same. My plan would be to equip them as infantry and ascertain from the department whether or not they would allow them once year to attend a practice camp at the expense of the general government either at Fort Nor gan or Barrancas, where they could fa- miliarize themselves with the fortifca- tions and use of the coast artillery at these places. In event of trouble it would be absolutely necessary for the general government to recruit these stations, and 1t occurs to me that they could not do better than make t4.e present artillery organization of the National guard a re- serve to man the Notifications of our own state in case of necessity. I there fore recommend the equpping of the va rious batteries with the magazine rife and one gatling gun each, which would be effective in case of local disturbances. They might retain the gun now in pos session of the battery at Montgomery for saluting purposes.
 Praises Company c.
 l desire to commend particularly Com pany c. Second infantry, as, the best or ganization, judging from the inspection, in the National guard. Their inspection was perfect, drill good, 100 per cent pres ent, the equipment clean and well kept. the men zealous and enthusiastic.
 The following companies also made 100 per cent and deserve especial mention as to attendance: Company c, First n- fantry; Company l. First infantry; Con- pany l., First infantry; Company M, First infantry Company C. Second n- fantry: Company l, Second infantry; Company D, Third infantry; Company l, Third infantry; Company M. Third infan-