The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-16
ALA,- CADET CORPS
STATUS OF WAR TIME ORGANIZA- TION AS TO U. c. V.
 AND U. $. C. V.
Judge Advocate General Holds Univer- sity Cadets Were in Reality h Confederate Service Through out the War.

The members of the famous cadet corps of the University of Alabama during the war between the States were in reality in the service of the Con- federacy during that struggle. and are therefore entitled to membership in theN United Confederate Veterans. AS a corrollary. their sons are entitled to membership in the United Sons of Con federate Veterans.
 That is the decision handed down by Judge Advocate General Hudson Of the U. c. V.,. in reply to q request for a ruling on the question submitted to Commander General stephen D.. Lee, commander of the organization. at a recent date by Judge w. $. Thor ington.
 The letter from Judge Thorington to General Lee asking for the ruling wa' as follows
 Montgomery. Ala. June :. 1907 General Stephen D. Lee.
 Commander U. C. V. A,
 Columbus. Miss:
 My Dear S!r--It is matter Of much interest to the survivors of the Alabama Corps of Cadets to know whether or not they can read their title clear to membership in the Con- federate Veterans AssocIation.
 Indeed. 1t IS not only question of personal interest ito the survivors. themselves, but also to their sons. whose right to membership in the as- sociation of Sons of Confederate Vet -rans is dependent upon the right of their fathers to membership in the con federate Veterans Association.
 As President of the association of war classes in the State University. recently organized. l have determined 10 submit the question to you. and, for your consideration 1 herewith hand you a statement of authenticated facts prepared at my request by Colonel James T. Murfee, who was commander of the corps during the war period, and has personal knowledge of the facts there narrated; and in addition there to I state of my own knowledge that during the year 1865 attachments of the corps were frequently sen< out to guart the roads, bridges and ap- breaches to Tuscaloosa and. on an other occasion than that referred 10 by Colonel Murfee the corps was sta toned at Spring Hill. near Mobile. and again at Pollard. Ala, on both of which occasions 1t was under the com mand of Confederate officer.
 T am sure I have your pardon for troubling you with this request, be- cause no one can appreciate more fully than you the importance to the survi- vors of that splendid body of young men of having their status authorita- lively and correctly settled, notwith- standing that there is not now any pending controversy on the subject. nor has there been so far as I am ad- vised.
 T am 'rduced to make this request of you because of the assurance I feel that an opinion. whether the one way or the other from ope occupying so large a place in the confidence and at factions of the people of the South will receive universal acquiscence.
 Whenever your leisure will permit. I shall be glad to receive your reply and with your permission give 1t to the press.
 With sincere regards and best wishes. l am.
 Yours very truly.
 w. s. Thorington."
 General Lee referred this letter to Judge Advocate General F.. M. Hudson and received the following reply:
 New Orleans. July 3. 1907. General Vim. F. Mickle,
 'Adjutant General and Chict of
 Staff, U. C. V.,
 New Orleans, La.:
 Dear General-I have received your communication of June 22nd. 1907. to- gether with the letter of the Com handing General. U. c. V, of June 18th ult, and its enclosures; and, af- ter careful consideration of the matter submitted, I herewith present my con clusions thereon.
 Looking at the question of the status of the Cadet Corps of the Uni versity of Alabama during the war. both from {; historical and reasonab ble point of view. it seems to me that the survivors of that Cadet Corps are fair ly entitled to membership in the United Veterans organization and their sons to membership in the United Sons of Confederate Veterans. l beg to submit the facts and reasons which. mainly, have led me to this conclusions: The message of President Davis. communicated to the Congress of the Confederate States as early as April 29th 1861. specially recommends that cadets" be attached" to the regi- ments in service, till such time as may be necessary to qualify them for ser vice and commissions as lieutenants in the army. It was evidently contem- plated by the President that the Con-