SPECIAL MESSAGE 
-OX-- 
MILITARY AFFAIRS 
Ex:ECVTI\"E DEPAR'I'JIIENT, 
ATLAS'L\., GA., October 2H, 1894 . 
. To the Ge11eral A8-"cmbly: Through ;,onH' inadvertence, my mc~sagc to the General 
A;,cembly did not contain my recommendations (overing the military force,.: of the St:ite. 
The Volunteer forces eon;,titute so important a part of the State Ciovernmcnt that I deem it proper, through a special' message, to ask tlw CQnti n nation of the nBual apprnpriation for their maintenance and cgnipment. 
Under nppropriatious previously made by the General Assembly, the troops are being pnt into admirable condition. For each of the years 18fl:3 and 1891, the Stateappropriated $20,000; of which $700 for each year is set aside for the expenses of the Adjutant-General's office, expenses of the Advisory Board, boards ofexamination, etc. The remainder of the appropriation is used, exc]m:ively, under the terms of the act, for expenses at the earn p and those incident thereto. 
The federal government, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, appropriated $11,213.96 for the equipment of the State forces. This money has heen expended in. 
 
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procuring ordnance, ordnance supplies, quartermaster's stores, one Gatling gun and carriage, knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, campaign hats, national colors for each of the six regiments of infantry, rifle and carbine ammunition, target and gal_Jery material, repair and rebrowning of arms in the hands of troops, and other similar expenses. 
The ground upon which the camp of im;truction is located, together with all the improvements thereon, is the property of the State. It is situated to the ,;outh of Griffin, and about one mile from the city. It is centrally located as to the State, and it is easily and conveniently accessible, therefore, to all the State troops. The camp of instruction, the past year, was divided into two tours of duty of ten days each; the first tour from ~fay 21st to May 30th, inclusive; second tour from J11ne 5th to ,Tune 14th, inclusive. During the first tour the Second Regiment (12 companies), infantry, and three newly admitted companies, were present in the camp. During the second tour the Fourth Regiment, the Fifth Regiment, Infantry, including band and :Fifth Machine Gnu Platoon attached, and First Battalion Cavalry (3 troops) mounted, were present; the Fourth Regiment, 7 companies; the Fifth, 9 companies. 
The personnel of the troop,; attending the camp of in,,;truction is of a high order, and represents the best element .of all classes of our citizens. The officer,; are competent :and capable men. Many, if not most of them, are leading professional and busine1-s men, and they bring 1-trong character to the military forces of the State. The discipline in camp, under such authority, could not be otherwise than good. 
The Post-Commander, in his order c]o,;i11g the secon<l tour of duty, said : 
"These s9ldierly qualities have been reflected in a pronounced improvement on the part of the enlisted mPn, not 
 
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only in the matter of courtesy, the observance of which on their part has been marked, but in the cheerful and uncomplaining assumption of every duty to which they have been summoned. They have been made apparent, also, in the contented spirit which has been so ple:isingly noticeable as to provoke most favorable comment on every hand. The crowning glory of this encampment has been, not simply the willingness, but the apparent desire of the men to discard all glitter and tinsel, and assume the garb best adapted to a soldier's work." 
This statement of the management of the camp and of the Roldierly bearing of the men is fairly representative of the conduct of the forces and the discipline of the officers during their attendance upon the camp of irn-:truction each year. 
The railroads of the State have shown an appreciation of the value of the troops by affording ample facilities for their transportation on all occasions, and in the assistance rendered the State officers in the performance of their duty requiring travel. 
The business men of the State, who employ the men who largely make up the State forces, have Leen generous in granting time for company drill and the instruction given at the camp. 
The men compo,,ing the forces give their time without adequate compensation, and hold themselves in readincs;.; at all times, under the call of the Commander in Chief to respond to any demand and to any duty recptired of them, to defend the hoi10r or maintain the dignity, peace, and good order of the State. 
I have found especial pride in the organization of the forces, their soldierly bearing, their promptness to respond to duty and obey orders, as well as the cheerfulness with which they give their time and services to the State. 
 
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I have appreciated, also, the liberality of the General Assembly, during my administration, in providing a camp of instruction and tl1e appropriation needed to maintain and improve the forces during their attendance thereupon. 
Our conditions, however, demand a more thorough and extended organization of the troops, that we may promptly meet ernergencic,; and maintain the peace of tlw t-\tat!:'. Recent outbreaks in other ~tates should be fair warning against indifference and neglect of this important arn1 of the Rtatc government. 
I recommend, therefore, not only the eontinnan<'c of the appropriation, usually made to maintain volunteer force,;, but such additional arnotrnts a;- in the wiHlom of the General Assembly may seem due for the foll protection of the State against innision, insurrection, riot, and mob violence. Thest'. (1anger,, arc all the time possible an(l threatening, and the Executive would be absolutely powerleHs to maintain order and command the peace, without a well 
. . organized aml thoroughly equipped military force. I most heartilv commend to vour consideration the thorough and complete organization of the military forces of the State. 
W. ,J. XORTHEN. 
Geo. W. Hrtrrisou, 8ttltl~ Prinkr.