The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-05-14
Completion of Organization
is Predicted Very Early
This Week.
FIRST BATTALION
NOT DEMOBILIZED
Number of Florida Towns
Anxious to Raise Com
plete Military Bodies.

Jacksonville, May 13.--With the
petitions and rosters OF eight mill
tar companies already approved, and
with two ne itions in the adiutant
generals office awaiting. approval,
and four other towns rapidly closing
up recruiting, indications are that the
approaching week will see the COM
plation Of the reorganization of the
First Regiment of Infantry, Florida
National Guard.
This means that the regiment
already practically reorganized. The
first petitions approved, from Pensa-
cola, Milton, MillvIlle and Mariana,
were for the companies to form the
third battalion of the regimen.
There now remains to be formed
only the second battalion, and more
than ENOUGH men have signed the
muster petitions.
The first battalion has never been
demobi'ized, ard is now in service IS
the first senarate battalion, but Will
be drawn back into the regiment unon
the organization of the other two
necessary battGlions.
The second bat aEon, four compa-
MES, is to be formed from companies
which are now being organized at
Lake Citv DeFuniak SPRINGS, Quincy,
Live Oak Madison and a ancon1 COM
panv at Pensacola. Petitions for the
organization of p1atoons are in the
adjutant generals office from Pan
ANA City ard Apalachicola. and are
expected to be approved shortly.
MuEtcring To Start.
With so many companies anxious
to come into the regiment. there is no
fear on the part Of officers that too
few men viii be secured. The spirit
Of patriotism. which is sweeping or
Florida is responsible for the reor-
ganiz7tion Of this regiment, and the
actual muster of the companies is
expected at an carly date.
Already Ad;utant General Chris
tan, who is enthusiastic over the
p"o~ress made in the reorranization
of thu regiment has ordered e.. nam
ing of a mustorir~ officer who will
first go to the third battolion compa-
nios, muetHrin@ them in. He will then
take the other companies IS fast rs
-.2ir DetitiOnS are approved and
physical examinations held and it is
hoDod that by to end o ~o-,t week
! the re0i1nent viii be ready to enter
state service.
: Shorld b Efficient.
With practically cvorv officer a
former officer Of tho cd First. the
rccrqanized r-~iment should o17ick]v
Nooor1e an efficient commend. In adj
zion to the experience Of the com.
,oi~sionpd personnel. the enlisted
STRENGTH IS composed LARGELY Of men
who formerly were members Of tie
to take advo~taTe of the opportunity
to re-anlist in n stata organization
composed Of F1oridians and avoid he
in~ co~sc~int~d fer military sorvi"e
r. volur+7n~i0N to serve in the FIRST
Ro~imcnt T'o~ida men are showinq
their patriot en- 0n@ do='rn to sa'-v-
ard are II the s9~na time PROTECTING
themselves from boir~ forced inc
sor-vice with a con~lone~ato macs
such as will compose the first draft
army.
To Pc T~airel.
! 1t is believed that shortly after r.
tire necessary companies have bae-
mustered in, the ORGANIZED Regimen
viii he ordered to mohilze for in
stru"tion and that equipment will h,
quickly furnished. In fact, detail
for such are already under way in an
ticipation Of the completion and mob
ilization of the command, ana it i
THOUGHT no time will he lost in start
ing the volunteer soldiers on the roaC
to proficiency in the military art.