Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-02
nOCKBR|DCE ARTILLERY
ORDERED TO MOBILIZE
Will Assemble Here Tomorrow
Morning for Federal
No. Inspection.
ARTILLERY UNIT
Gives Last Chance for Enlistment i'm
y. Field Artillery Service, as Most
.f Commands in This Branch Are Al
ready Filled.

SOrders for the mobilization OF the
reorg anized Rockbridge Artillery here
tomorrow morning wcro received last
night by Acknowledgement w. w. Sale
from the Department of the East. The
battery, which will be from the State
at large. will be Inspected as soon )
the men can be assembled. and II
granted Federal recognition, will COM
plete the regiment authorized for Nir-
GINA.
General Sale received the informa-
tion that the battery would be inspect
ed Just when IL appeared that the regi-
mental organization was doomed to
failure. Although the promise had been
given that the battery would be iE-
spected, the State officials had been in
formed during the day yesterday that
no officers were available for the duty.
The orders for the mobilization and in
spection were transmitted by telephone
and later verified by telegraph.
Greenlee D. Letcher, of Lexington,
an honor graduate OF the Virginia Mill
tary Institute, and a son Of former
Governor Letcher. Will command the
new battery. MIR Letchcr has signed
considerable number of men from the
vicinity of his home. many of them
being youngsters, who arc enlisting In
the Rockbridge Artillery through SEN
timental reasons. Another large batch
OF men has been enlisted in DanYille
and another here.
HEADQUARTERS OF BATTERY
WILL BE IN RICHMOND
Richmond will be the headquarters
OF the battery. arrangements having
been made TO house the organization in
the Richmond Howitzcrs' Armory. First
~ 4 4 T., ~
officer of the First Battalion, Virginia
Field Artillery is now conducting Il
recruiting campaign at the armory for
the battery and for the reEimcntal sup
ply and headquarters companies which
must also be formed.
This will be probably the last chance
for Richmond or Virginia young men
to enlist in a volunteer organization
OF their native State. 1t is also the last
opportunity any will have of getting into
the field artillery service, as the regu-
lar army is filled up. and all OF the
Virginia batteries are now at war
strength. The field artillery, besides
being Il mounted organization, is one in
which there are many attractions. The
chance for promotion in new orGani-
cation is also bright.
Men will be enlisted to-day and to-
morrow for the Roclbridge Artillery,
although the requisite number Of men
have been secured. Out OF the men
In all six batteries with the necessary
qualifications, the headquarters and
supply companies will be organized by
detail.
Lieutenant Keegan. who has been
active in completing the organization
OF the artillery regiment, will prob
ably become captain Of the reG!mcntal
supply company. Captain Wavcrly w.
La Prade, adjutant OF the First Bat
TALON, is slated for the captaincy of
the headquarters company. Both Of
nCers are Richmond men.
NEGIAIENTAL OFFICERS
WILL HE NAMED SHORTLY
With the organization OF the regi-
ment complete, a colonel, a lieutenant
colonel, a major and captain will be
appointed The major Will be the COM
mander of the Second Battalion. which
will be composed of Batteries ID. of
Hampton: L. of Danville. and l.. or
Richmond The captain will be the
battalion adjutant Two first lieu
tenants for the supply and hcadquar-
ters companies will also be designated.
together with the 1--WE company Of
iicers for the new battery.
lust who will inspect the battery
has not been determined. 1t is prob
able however, that Major Philip s.
Ward, coast. artillery, United States
Army. will S.. the inspecting officer.
Major Ward will be here tonight to
inspect the Ninth Company coast ar
tinery, which has been organized by
+ c. C. Walton. If no other officer can be
sent in time, Major Ward willy be desig-
mated for the duty by the Department
OF the East.
The Ninth Company OF coast ar
tillery will hold its organization meet
ing tonight at o'clock in Room 1909,
Times Dispatch Building. II Is prob
able that Mr. Walton Will be elected
to the captaincy. Following the meet
ing, the company will be inspected. II
is importan, that every member be
present