Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-23
FIELD ARTILLERY
CALLED IN SERVICE
Will Go at Once to Fort Dale
thorpe for Intensive
Training.
HOWITZERS READY TO LEAVE
Need Only Eight Men to Come
to Full War Strength-Must
Get These To-Day.
HOWITzERS READY TO LEAVE

Three batteries. comprising tho FRS,
battalion. Virginia Field Artillery.
we're ordered late last night into tho
Federal service. The order was re
ceived by Governor Henry e. Stuar,
from the War Department Detailed
instructions for the movement of The
battalion to Fort DEl-thorpc. Ga for
intensive training will bc sent TO
Major 7, NJ. Wortham by Major-Gencral
j. Franklin Bell. commander of the
Department Of the East
Included in the order is the local
battery, the Richmond Howi,zors.
known officially as Battery \. The
other batteries arc tho Norfolk Lish.
Artillery Blues. Battery T. and Crimes
Battery. of Portsmouth. Battery q.
Major Wortham commands IN. bat
talon. which numbers approximately
500 enlisted men and officers
The batteries will be mobilizcd ut
their home stations. preparatory TO
moving South AS it had hccn den-
nitciy announced several weeks ago by
the War Department ,ha, the National
Guard would not be called into the Fed
men arc now absent from their home
the earliest. before the battalion will
made arrangements that cannot he
changed on such quick notice fur
loughs will be granted them. the Gov
ernor vas notified. but each case must
be acted upon individually.
WORTIIAM AND STERN
INSPECT NEW BATTERY
Major Wortham. the battalion com
mander. was out of the city last night.
having gone with Lieutenan,-C Colonel
10 Lane stern TO Danviile to inspect a
battery recently organized there and
destined TO be a part Of a complete Nlr-
Einia artillery regiment. In consc-
quence. no statement Tn regard to his
plans for assembling the battalion
could be received from Major WORKMAN.
The fact that orders had been issued
by the War Department Was communi-
Gated to Captain William NJ Mvers.
commanding the Richmond Howi;Hcrs.
Although IL was after J! O'Clock. Cap
tain Myers Immediately got in touch
with his officers and made arrange
ments for assembling his men thi.
morning Eefore Tomorrow might Cay
tain Myers expects TO have his entire
command in readiness TO move
Eight men are needed 20 Nil the
ranks OF the Iiowitzers to full MAR
strength. The nrst eight men. morally
and physically ut for service. 10 re-
port at the armory to-day Viii be en-
listed and sworn in.
Il expect that we will leave very
quickly" Captain Myers stated last
night. When we move. want TO go
out of Richmond with every place
nlled wan, them hned with volun-
teers. and fully expect ;hAt we Will lie
in readiness TO cntrain within forty
eight hours. or as quickly as men can
be assembled from out Of town"
HowITXERS IN NEED
Or EIGHT MORE: MEN
OF the eight men needed by The
Howitxcrs. two are horseshoers AID
one a saddler These men will receive
S.> a month. in addition to their cloth
ing and food The other five will be
enlisted as privates. AS nearly one
half OF the organization is composed OF
recruits. men gained since the return
OF the Howitzers from the border. the
cna nee lot Il DTiSnl man ~ 10 liS-
in the ranks is excellent
1t is expected that the other two
batteries will he in equally as good
shape. numerically. as the iiowitZer:.
The Norfolk Blues reported recently %
Major Worthan. that the battery had
parsed the war strength mark and had
a wal. ing list Grimes Battery. OF
Portsmouth. may not lie as strong. hut
should have no difhculiy in reaching
war strength as soon as the news that
il v ii. go into service iS received
Each of the batteries has thirty-two
horses. which will be carried into camp
by :hem. The additional horses will
be rushed TO Fort OElethorpe from
San Antonio. where the government
mas 5000 artillery horses on the range
The fact that the artillery is called out
one month sooner than expected. adds
belief to the theory that the Virginia
Gunners will soon he on their way to
France. Artillery is badly needed. and
from the record made on the border by
the Virginia batteries. they stand as
goo6 a chance for speedy service as
am others IN the country. including
'cSu.ars.
The unexpected orders for movement
to the training camp will seriously in
tCcntinued on Second IaecD