Eric Musgrove
Contributor
Continuing with the mobilization of Suwannee County’s men for service in the Great War…
While the first batch of men trained (and sometimes died) out of State, back in Suwannee County, the citizens were continuing to mobilize. A mid-December 1917 Suwannee Democrat article noted:
“Y. O. Brown, who is recruiting a Coast Artillery Company, has enlisted 21 additional recruits for this week. Eight-one is the quota and Mr. Brown confidently expects to complete the organization by the end of the week.” A listing of those who had thus far enlisted followed the report, including some Whiddons, Hackneys, Friers, Tillmans, Jacksons, Wilsons, and Walkers, among others.
By the first week of January 1918, the new unit was fully organized, and a considerable article pointed out:
“Suwannee County has reason to be proud of her men who are today enlisted in the service of Uncle Sam. Not only has she organized and sent into training full volunteer company, more than one hundred of which came from the homes of Suwannee County, the balance from Madison County, but has now completed the organization of another splendid body of her young men to go into the Coast Artillery Service.
“Y. O. Brown, the eldest son of Dr. C. S. Brown, and who has been in the employ of the government as chief clerk of the Post Office in this city for the past four years, was instrumental in organizing this company, and at a meeting held at the Courthouse Saturday night, he was unanimously chosen captain. This is an honor which Mr. Brown appreciates very much, but is one which the company will never regret as Y. O. Brown will always uphold the dignity and honor of the office thus conferred upon him.
“The other two officers to be elected were Bethel R. Rickerson, First Lieutenant, and John W. Morgan, Second Lieutenant, both of those young men have the confidence of the company as a unit and will no doubt make good as officers.
“It is expected that the company will be mustered into State Service about the 15th of this month, and designated for draft into Federal service the last of the month.
“The company now has 99 men, or 18 above the quota but will accept 15 more men to allow for those who might not pass the physical examination. These extra men cannot be guaranteed service, but it is very probable that some of them will get service.”
Continue with me next week!
Eric Musgrove can be reached at ericm@suwgov.org or (386) 362-0564.