The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-08
.CAvAL RYMEN WILL
FIGHT TO FINISH
Talk of Disbanding Squadron
Is Live Issue
POLITICS IS CHARGED
They believe Some One Wants
to Become Colonel of
New Regiment

Admission, August Especial )-Officers
1t the headquarters of the Third infantry
Alabama National Guard, in this city,
seem to have been surprised by the pub
Ncation of articles in the Montgomery
papers last week to the effect that the
First cavalry squadron, now .encamped
near this city, is inefficient, improperly
equipped and that there is a movement
on foot to have it mustered out of serv-
ice or else converted into a fourth in
fantry regiment and while the Admission
militiamen will not talk for publication,
thinking the actions said to be contem-
plated rest entirely with the cavalrymen
themselves, with the adjutant general and
Gov. BIB. Conner, they seem to be rather
partial to the troopers.
Col. w. H. Mckleroy was asked for an
expression. He said that he did not
wish to be quoted, as it is not his fight.
though he stated that Lieut.. George Cru
mart of the Eleventh cavalry, United
States army, representative of Uncle Sam
at Camp McKleroy. seemed not to share
:, the opinion of the critics of the First
squadron. as he had highly complimented
them for their work Saturday. He furth-
ermore complmented them for their con-
duct during a severe storm last wednes-
day.
When Maj. W. f. Johnston, former
adjutant to Colonel McKleroy, now COM
mander of the Third battalion of the
Third regiment, wash seen, he seemed to
think that it smacked of politics, though
he made no expression for publication,
not being in possession, he said, of all the
facts.
Despite these facts, however, there
seems to be an impression abroad that
General Graves has given serious con-
sideration to the report of General Thurs
ton as made in 1909 that the First squad
: ron is not essentially cavalry, as they
are mounted only on parade and during
camps, and that 1t would be best to
have them mustered out and converted
into infantry. This report is now in the
p hands of the war department.
The cavalrymen themselves, however
do not take this opinion seriously They
seem as a whole to share the opinion ex-
pressed Saturday evening by Adjutant
James S. Parrish that the opposition was
born in politics and conceived in some
ones boundless ambition" or in other
WoruS, ludl SoHlt OHe WAITS TO De colonel
of a new regiment. The published re-
ports seem to have been their first init
nation that their life is in danger, and
since they have been apprised of the sit
uation as 1t is said to stand, they pro-
pose to fight their opponents to the last
ditch. The articles in question have been
the all absorbing topic in camp for the
past three days, and it is argued by the
men that If any man counts on superced-
ing Maj B. F. Noble they have reckoned
without their host, for they regard their
commander, in the words of Adjutant
Parrish. as the best officer in the Ala
bama National Guard organization in this
state.
Camp McKleroy was again swept by a
heavy rain today, somewhat OBTAINING
visitors from the dress parade in the
evening, although despite the elements
a large number went down in carriages
motor vehicles and on the cars for the
concert and daily drill.
Tomorrow morning the men will begin
the study of some knotty problems that
must be solved by an attack on the out
lying hills in outpost duty, during which
a sham battle will be fought. These
maneuvers will be continued Tuesday and
possibly on Wednesday, should 1t be de-
cided to prolong the encampment as has
been considered.
Capt. w. F. Lee, Troop A, Montgom-
cry, was officer of the day. and Lieut., T.
J. Jones, Troop B, Camden, officer of the
guard today.