Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-06-28
WHITE AND COLORED TROOPS

iNs7oNA ~ OiAhl thAO hN0hNot AtiaNANCcs
WHITE AND COLORED TROOPS.
Richmond militiamen were thrown
into an uproar yesterday by the news
that the Fourth Virginia Regiment will
be brigaded during the camp Of
manoeuyres at Gettysburg with bat.
talon of negro soldiers from the Dis
trict Of Columbia. This was indicated
in official maps received by Adjutant-
General Sale from the War Depart
ment.
While no company of the Fourth
Regiment is located in Richmond, there
was the greatest interest in the situa-
ton, and predictions OF trouble were
freely expressed. There were not want
ing those who asserted that no organ
ization of Virginia volunteers would
consent to be grouped for purposessof
encampment and Of brigade drill with
negroes.
The intelligence received from the
War Department was to the effect that
the Fourth Virginia, the Thirteenth
Pennsylvania and the First Separate
Battalion of the District OF Columbia
would be located together as one bri-
gade. Other brigade assignments are
as follows: Second Virginia, with the
Twelfth Pennsylvania and the Second
District OF Columbia Infantry; First
Virginia, with the Ninth Pennsylvania
and the First District Of Columbia In
fantry; First Battalion of Field Artillery,
with Battery B, of Pennsylvania; Bat
terry 3, OF New Jersey, and the First
Battery Of the District OF Columbia.
As soon as this arrangement be-
same known some one remembered
that the First Separate Battalion OF
the District OF Columbia was composed
OF colored troops. This was verified
by the Times Dispatch by telegram
to Washington. There are four com
panieS, all of negroes.
A statement was asked for from mil
itary authorities. This brought forth
q report to the effect that Colonel
Smiley had said there would be no
negro troops at Gettysburg while the
Virginia and Maryland troops are
there.
Some surprise was expressed last
night that the War Department, which
is so anxious to build up the National
Guard in the south, should have
made such blunder. Adiutant- Gen
eral Sale had no information to offer
last night, as he has been absent
from the city for some time and has
been out Of touch with the situation.
Perhaps the last complication be-
tween Virginia troops and negroes was
dnring the Spanish-American war. The
incident which was caused by the ne
cessity OF receiving pay from colored
paymaster is still comparatively fresh.
Military men express the hope that
the situation may be so remedied by
army officials within the next few hours
so as to prevent the possibility of any
negroes at all being on the Gettysburg
camp ground as soldiers while any
Southern National Guardsmen are
present. Failing in this, it is feared
the Fourth Regiment members may
quickly get in an ugly mood. The re-
suit might be either that the attendance
of Virginia soldiers at the camp might
be impaired, or else that clashes might
occur on the camp ground which would
be unfortunate for the service.
But it is agreed by all that the SER
vice would be hurt the worst by any
sort Of attempt to force even military
association with negroes upon Vir-
GINA white soldiers.
The Fourth Regiment Of Virginia
Infantry is composed Of two battalions
of three companies each, and Of one
battalion of two companies, total Of
eight companies. It's headquarters are
in Norfolk. The battalions are made
up and located as follows
First Battalion - Headquarters at
Portsmouth, Companies X and L Of
Portsmouth and Company c of New
port News. Second Battalion-Head-
quarters at Norfolk Companies A, B
and Z, OF Norfolk. Third Battalion
Headquarters at Emporia Company
NJ, Empo' ia, and Company F, Suffolk.
Detailed orders were issued yester-
day for the movement of the First
Regiment to Gettysburg. 1t will mob
oIize in Washington and will arrive at
camp at o'clock Friday morning.
The mobilization at the national cap
ital will, however, be technical, since
the men will all be asleep when the
trains get together. The headquarters
of the regiment, with the band, the
Third Battalion and Company D, Of
the Second Battalion, will embark at
Charlottesville, where train will be
made up.
The First and Second Battalions will
be made up in Richmond, less Com
pany ID, Of the Second. Commands
will entrain at the following hours
Stanton, 7:15 p. M, Thursday, by
Chesapeake and Ohio; DanviIle, at 5
o'clock, by Southern; Lynchburg, at 8
o'clock, by Southern; Charlottesville,
at 1870, Southern; Richmond, at 1870
p. M, Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac; Fredericksburg, 1915 a. m,
Friday, Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac; tiexandria, at lib a. N.
Friday, Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac; Company /, Of Farmville,
will travel in coach attached to the
regular Norfolk and Western train
leaving for Lynchburg at $40 p. m.