The Allison Creek Grays
Yorkville Enquirer, Nov. 29, 1860

According to previous notice, the citizens of Clay Hill, on the 23rd instant, held a meeting at the residence of Mr. J. L. Wright, for the purpose of organizing a company of Minute Men, to be composed of old men and other not subject to military duty; with a view to protect themselves in any emergency at home, and to secure peace and quietness in their community.

On motion of J. L. Wright, Duncan McCallum was called to the Chair; and J. L. Watson and H. D. Stowe were requested to act as Secretaries. The Chairman in a few well directed remarks explained the object of the meeting; after which many gentlemen arose, and briefly gave their views as to what policy the troubled state of the government demands every community in the South to pursue. Among these were the following: Dr. J. C. Hicklin, G. W. Mason, R. M. Pressley, J. L. Wright, Rev. J. R. Baird, Jas. Simril, Capt. S. L. Campbell, Capt. J. Starnes, H. H. Simril and B. C. Pressley.

The company was then organized with the following members: Duncan McCallum, R. M. Pressley, J. D. Currence, Rev. J. R. Baird, J. L. Wright, J. J. Simril, A. D. Choat, James Smith, D. Cook, H. Tate, H. D. Stowe, J. B. Stewart, E. B. Brandon, Jas, Wallace, H. H. Carothers, J. L. Watson, Dr. J. C. Hicklin, J. Starnes, J. S. Choat, H. W. Wilson, Jno. Timberlake, Capt. S. L. Campbell, L. M. Mason, E. H. Faris, John Barron, D. W. Barron, A. Tate, Jas. Smith, A. N. Smith, F. M. Simril, Jas. Carothers, Thos. Starnes, Jno. Starnes, Jno. Black and S. A. Bell.

On motion of J. D. Currence, a Committee of five, consisting of H. H. Simril, Dr. J. C. Hicklin, A. D. Choat, Jas. Wallace and R. M. Pressley, was appointed to nominate officers for the company. The Committee after a short absence, reported the following nominations: for Captain, J. Starnes; for first Lieutenant, E. A. Faris, for second Lieutenant, Jas. Simril; for Ensign, J. L. Wright. These gentlemen were unanimously elected.

On motion of H. D. Stowe, a committee of five were appointed to prepare a code of by-laws for the government of the company; and present them at its first meeting for adoption. This Committee consists of H. D. Stowe, J. L. Wright, J. D. Currence, J. L. Watson and Capt. Joseph Starnes.

It was received, on motion of D. Cook, that the company be called, "The Allison Creek Grays."

On motion of R. M. Pressley, a copy of the proceedings of this meeting were ordered to be sent to the Yorkville Enquirer, with a request to publish the same.

                                                    Duncan McCallum, Chairman.

J. L. Watson, H.D. Stowe, Secretaries.