44The Guerillas”
They're a ilefeiise outfit in Ala¬
mance County, numbering some
3,000 men: the only organization
of its kind in existence in the
country today.
By STALEY A. COOK
ANSWERING a «-all from ihe pul-
Mjl pit delivered by Rev. James S.
/
\ Cox. Episcopal minister in
Burlington, last February, more than
3,000 male citizens of Alamance
County, between 16 and 86 years old.
have mustered into an organization of
patriots known as the Citizens Serv¬
ice Organization.
They call themselves guerillas.
As willing to fight in defense of
America as he is consecrated tn preach
the gospel to promote brotherhood in
Christianity, dynamic and youthful
Mr. Cox went from the pulpit to the
offices of high officials of the War De¬
partment to receive approval of his
plan.
Schooled in the letters of the alpha¬
bet instead of words as symbols of
sub-organizations, a War Department
official actually selected the name.
“You shall cail it CSO,’’ he said—
“Citizens Service Organization."
Conceived to serve in auxiliary serv¬
ice to any or all other defense organi¬
zations, Mr. Cox saw the need of a pa¬
triotic program for men of all walks
of life who might not fit into the work
of other groups ; either because of age,
professional life or physical fitness.
His ranks today are filled with men
from all walks — from the professional
ranks, from the stores and factories,
from the schools and churches. Their
classroom is “The school of the sol¬
dier.”
No Joking Matter Now
Judged lightly by some at first, re¬
ferred to by the jester as “Cox’s
Army,” yet never lacking the faith of
the founder, the CSO took root and
flourished. Squads that may have been
referred to as stragglers developed in¬
to companies. Now there are two regi¬
ments of white men, a white woman's
auxiliary unit, and a battalion of Ne¬
gro men. The peak strength has not
been reached.
The CSO in Alamance County, the
home of the Regulators and the first
battle of the American Revolution at
Alamance on May 16, 1771, have ap¬
peared on the parade grounds with
their "artillery.” In their arsenals are
shotguns, rifles, pistols — perhaps a
dozen other combat weapons of differ¬
ent kinds.
The law of the land has been inter¬
preted as meaning that “minute men”
or “guerillas” may not arm themselves
no matter how patriotic or well-
meaning. The Governor of North Car¬
olina has just said as much to men of
the coastal urea who would form them¬
selves into an "army" to repel sabo¬
teurs or any other kind of enemy in¬
vasion attempt.
This may mean, if pressed, that the
CSO must leave their weapons at home
when drilling. Such an order will not
deter them. Their weapons will be
ready in the event of an emergency
from without or within — down to their
slingshots and hunting knives. They
will protect the home front.
Patriotism Only Motive
Even though Mr. Cox has relin¬
quished the high command to General
Kverette Jordan, of Saxapahaw, to
accept the rank of Colonel and the
Brigade Chaplainship, he didn't do it
because a fellow minister remarked:
“I guess I’ll have to organize an army
to get mere church members into my
congregation.’’ The founder has nei¬
ther a selfish nor religious motive in
the background. It is patriotism in the
foreground.
His high command is in capable
hands with men like Colonel Lon G.
Turner, a Spanish War veteran; Col.
John B. Stratford, Col. U. S. McAd¬
ams, Col. E. C. Stout and others who
experienced their baptism of fire in
France and Belgium when the Kaiser
was trying to do the job he failed to
do, a job that Hitler in his end will
fail also to do.
When the question of uniforms
came up, the "guerillas" made up their
minds they should have them. And
they decided they would buy them.
They did. "Cox’s Army” is robed iu
Rev. (Col.) James S. Cox, whose pa¬
triotic spirit was the inspiration for
forming the Guerillas.
khaki with overseas cap. all of one
pattern.
It is a democratic army, too. The
men obey orders. The insignia is the
only distinction in rank except when
the company or regiment forms and
the officers take their places of com¬
mand. Then the eagles, the gold leaves,
the bars and the chevrons appear in
their places.
In the spirit of their forefathers
1,500 men of the army and their fami¬
lies picnicked on the grounds of the
Alexander- Wilson School on July
Fourth. There again they renewed
their pledge of allegiance to their
country and to their flag, to the insti¬
tutions of government of, by and for
the people.
NORTH CAROLINA FIRSTS
The first rural free mail delivery
was at China Grove. Rowan County,
and officially approved October *23.
1S96.
First plane to carry a man. Kitty
Hawk, December 17. 1903.
First air conditioned factory. Grey
Manufacturing Company. Gastonia.
1906.
The first machine-made cigarettes
were made iu 1884 in Durham when
the Bonsack cigarette machines were
installed in the factories.
The first carbide factory was es¬
tablished at Spray in 1S94.
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