The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18

backstop are available and the con-
 figuration of the country lends itself to
 both direct and indirect fire at all ranges.
 Rifle ranges up to 2000 yards are easily
 obtainable.
 The natural drainage of this tract is
 excellent
 In the event of the use of this tract of
 land for maneuver purposes the natural
 base is Anniston to the south. Should 1t
 be desired to establish a railway base
 within the tract there would be no diff
 culty in leading in spur tracks from the
 Rome Meridian branch of the Southern
 railway, or from the Seaboard Air Line.
 when that that is built In, as it's right of
 way practically parallels that of the
 Southern railway.
 Jacksonville to the north could also bs
 used as a base for camp established
 near the northern end of the tract.
 Extent of Lands to Be Used
 The gentlemen who are desirous of at
 tracing the attention of the war depar,- ment to this situation are prepared to do- nate to the government 1000 acres of land, and say that lands up to say 25,000 or 3O, O00 acres, can be purchased at an aver age price of $l5 per acre. They or va rious land companies, which they repre- sent, own a good deal of the land, and
 have options on a considerable portion not
 owned by them. They inform me that
 there was on the main ridge of the Choc- colocco mountain sections of government land that had never been taken up. As there is no land office at Anniston was was not able to verify this at the time In the consideration of the tract of land as a possible site for maneuvers and an approval by the war department of an effort to secure legislation for the pur- chase of land in this vicinity, the adVan- tages of having the maneuver lands ln- clude the main ridge of the Choceolocco
 mountains, and run as far south and east as the sAnniston- ChoccoloCco-W White Plalns the Narrows wagon road, should be borne in mind This is indicated on Map
 "B' by blue shading. With the war de-
 partment controlling this mountain range the variety of military problems possible would be largely increased, and tho Ia cilities for practice marches with bivouacs on government land extended. An intelli- gent handling of the timber on this range would supply fuel for many years also. The indorsement from the adjutant gen. erals office directs the officer designated to examine into the suitability of the land indicated is excellently adapted for maneuver purposes the question as to the size of the maneuvers possible is entirely one of the amount of money obtainable for the purchase of lands, since the coun- try to the north and west or this tract lends itself perfectly to maneuver pur- poses and lands could be obtained at comparatively low price per acre, of suf- ficient extent for the maneuvering of any force we are likely to be able to con- centrate.
 was much impressed with the honesty of purpose of the gentlemen interested in this proposal. Perceivng the ultimate benefit to their city and county of the location of maneuver camp in the vi- ciuity. and believing that this location presents many advantages in point of climate. healthfulness. accessibility and | terraine suitable for the purposes of the war department. they are willing to do anything in their power to aid the mil itary authorities should they decide to | recon mend an effort to secure lands near | Anniston, also to enable the war depart ment to acquire the lands at a reasonable | price per acre. Very respectfully, | STEPHEN C. MILLS, | Colonel, Inspector General.