By Marian
Presswood
©All Rights Reserved.
In 1915, the Etowah Enterprise carried an article that said, " D.W. Lillard and Olin Rogers went to Benton Saturday to muster in a company of soldiers. They succeeded in forming a company of 65 men, and the folowing officers were chosen: James W. Burke, Captain; J. H. Love, 1st lieutenant; Dr. S. B. McClary, 2nd lieutenant. They will be known in war as Nancy Ward Rifles.". Another newspaper article from The Advance told of the first regualr drill which would take place in front of the armory, the old J.E Taylor brick store, the next week. It also listed the complete roll of the company: E. J. Harrison, A. J. McClary, C. B.Witt, W. J. Copeland, Nenville Shamblin, Harry Hicks, G. Howard, Frank Lillard, A. J. Beck, Dan Hicks, W. H. Love, A. G. Guinn, Joseph Clayton, Wayne Rymer, L. L. Fetzer, Samuel Nelson, E. D. Lewis, T. A. Clayton, G. W. Bishop, Clyde Lowery, M.M. Franklin, Walter Corvin, Harry Swan, Walter Hutchins, J. R. Baines, J. A. Woody, A. S. Green, W. Witherow, Joe Lingerfelt, Richard Baxter, S,M. Norton, J. D, Clemmer. The list continues: J. C. Prince, L. F. Russell, W.J.B. Witt, L. M. Hicks, P. N. Love, J. W. Wilson, G. W. Thompson, H.M. Love, H. L. Lillard, Richard Prince, W. F. Russell, F. E. Bacon, Deep Waters, W. H. Prince, C.F. Thomas, C. M.Ayres, H. A. Crox, George Lillard, J. M. Barnes, Horace Michaels, Lloyd Lewis, W. H. Gamble, Hugh Kirksey, John Goble, Floyd Lillard and J. L. Wright.. The article further stated that the last previous musters of militia in Benton were held over fifty years ago, (1865) in the McConnell field, now I. G. Lyle field, just east of the old town line. The newly organized company , officially called Separate Company A, was accepted by the Adjutant General of the National Guard of Tennessee who replied, " I am in receipt of the report from Lieut. D. W. Lillard upon the mustering in of Separate Company A, Benton, Tennessee. You are starting out well. This is the largest company we have mustered in this state in a long time. Just as soon as armory is ready in Benton, I will ship you full equipment and will direct Sergeant Charles H. O'Brien, Fourth U.S. Infantry, to report to you and instruct your company. Allow me to congratulate you and your two lieutenants upon your election by the company, and to congratulate the company on what bids fair to be a splendid military organization." The next year, when the annual inspection was held, Capt. Hughes of the U. S. Army announced that all of the men were present and that the general grading of the company was good, especially the guns, which were said to be the best yet inspected. At the first military banquet on record at Benton which was held at the Harbison House, Capt. Burke, as toastmaster, called upon Private Harry Swan to represent the volunteers. Mr. Swan traced the volunteer spirit of Tennesseans from Kings Mountain to the Mexican War. He finished with a dramatic recital of James Whitcomb Riley's "Old Sweetheart of Mine". Nearly one hundred persons listened as Sergeant Charles Witt made the unprecedented request to be reduced to ranks, and gave his reasons for the unusual request. Whether this company ever saw action in the war that followed, this writer has no knowledge. In comparing this list to those from Polk County who lost their lives in World War I, there do not appear to be any names the same. In any event, the Nancy Ward Rifles made quite a commanding presence in Benton in those tense years before the United States formally declared War on April 6, 1917.
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2 May
2000