Page 50 - history-of-military-units-in-columbia-county-fl-(1970)-robert-gary-shields

History of Military Units in Columbia County, FL (1970) Robert Gary Shields
"A.

At a meeting of the C. L. I. in early 1901, the following officers

were elected:
Capt. Nelson H. Cox formally 1st. Lt.
1st. Lt. Joseph Kinard tl 2nd. Lt.

2nd. Lt. Humbolt Helvenston II 1st. Sgt.
Company H continued to function until it was disbanded April 10, 1909.
During its short life, it participated in parades, social functions, encamp-

ments, Governor's inaugurations (Gov. W. S. Jennings - 1901) and several
periods of State Active 1 duty ( Jacksonville, Fla. fire May 3, 1901;

Pensacola Electric Co. employee strike - April 10, 1908; and several
attempted lynchings). The unit conducted target practice on the old College
/
range until a new range was constructed on the Mann property on the north

shore of Hamburg Lake in 1902. In 1905 the annual summer encampment
was held in Lake City for all units in the northern part of the state.
In 1904 the Lake City unit was selected to participate in the "Mannassas

Maneuvers" in Mannassas, Virginia. While at Mannassas the unit set a
record for unloading and loading supply wagons. T. H. Bates (latter Capt.

,T. H. Bates) went to. Mannassas with■the unit as the "Unit Mascott."
It was during this time that Congress realized the value of the militia
as a first line of defense of this country, and a force for peace and

suppression of lawlessness in the states. The Dick Bill was passed,as was
the first National Defense Act. Federal funds and regular army instruction
and training were made available to the National Guards.(State Troops)

Never-the-less, due to a lack of local interest and»participation.
Company H was disbanded April 10, 1909.
On June 7, 1909 the designation of Florida State Troops was changed to

The National.Guard of Florida.

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