Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-23
JESSE MERCER OFFERS
GA. REGIMENT TO U. S.
South Georgia Crackers Ready
to Go to Mexico If VoIun-
teerS Are Needed
BY RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON, June 22.-In the
event the national guard of the several
states proves inadequate and the presi-
dent calls for volunteers to cope with the
Mexican situation, a regiment of South
Georgia crackers will be among the first
10 respond to the call. The regiment
has been organized already with Colonel
Jesse Z. Mercer, of Fitzgerald, at its
mead, and the war department has been
furnished with its roster of officers and
privates.
Anticipating the possible need of
volunteers. Colonel Mercer began several
months ago the formation of a regi-
ment of South Georgians. and when
the situation began to grow acute some
weeks ago, he called at the war depart
ment with Georgia congressman and
placed his regiment at the disposal of
the secretary of war.
The regiment consists of three bat.
talions OF infantry, in Valdosta Way
cross. Brunswick. Blackshear Hawkins
VILE, Jesup, Sylvania, Moultrie, Balm
bridge, Nashville, Abel, Ocilla, Baxley,
Hazlehurst and McRae, Abbeville, Ash
burn, Blakely, Cochran and Townsville
The first battalion includes the COM
panies from Waycross, Valdosta, Black
shear, Jesup and Brunswick Warren
Lott. OF Waycross will be it's major
Lott is a graduate of West Point. The
company commanders are Hal Lambdin,
captain, Waycross rifles; Lorraine
Converse, captain of the Valdosta Blues;
c. L. Elliott captain Brunswick Volun-
teers, and Captain r. NJ. Miliken of
Jesup, captain of the company made
up Of Blackshear and Jesup boys. Will
liam w. Sharpe, of Waycross, will be
battalion adjutant.
SECOND BATTALION.
The second battalion includes the
companies from Nashville, Abel and
ocilla, whose commanders are Captain
>. Calhoun Smith, of Nashville; Cap
tain ]. W. Shytle, of Abel, ana Cap
tain w. II. Rogers. of Ocilla. The major
of this battalion is Albert Sweat, of
Nashville. The adjutant has not been
selected.
The third battalion is composed of
men recruited from Townsville, RIoul-
trie, cambridge, Hazlehurst. McRae,
Blakely and Cochran. The companies
will be differed by Captains Z. r. Jer-
ger, of Thomasville: Captain c. b. AL
len, of Noultrie, and Captain Otto Mid
dleton, of Hazlehurst. The major of the
third battalion is o. +. McRGe, OF Nc
Rae. and the adjutant is Lieutenant J.
Lawrence, of Ashburn.
Colonel W. q. Obear. former inspec-
tor general of Georgia state troops, is
AAGuACudAN CbANllNl VI the res iHlSHl
Turner Brewer, of Fitzgerald, will be
regimental adjutant.
The roster shows that $50 men have
signified their intention in writing to
respond to the presidents call. Tor the
purpose of recruiting up to full strength
the following have been designated as
recruiting officers of the regiment: Lieu
tenant W. A. Gray. at Waycross; Lieu
tenant Hardy Keller, at Blackshear;
Captain r. NJ. Milikin, at Jesup: Captain
C. L. Elliott, at Brunswick; Lieutenant
Colonel W. G. Obear, at Madison; Cap
tain Lorraine Converse, at Valdosta;
Lieutenant and Adjutant W. w. Sharpe.
Jr., Waycross; Captain Turner Brewer,
at Douglas and Fitzgerald, and Captain
10. F. McRae, at Nashville, Sparks and
Ocilla.
Rev. Joe W. Branch, of Bailey, will
be chaplain. All the men in the regi-
Inent are anxious to leave for the front
and Colonel Mercer is receiving inquir-
les by every mail from members inquir-
ing when the president will call for
volunteers