The Portland daily press., 1870-03-12

i9e weather Yesterday was not all lnVll10g,
neither " it calculated to give a stra ng4r
visiting Portland for the first time a very tav-
orable opinion of our winter, or, rather, early
spring season. The skies were leaden in hue
and the wind raw and gusty. Lieuts. Pencil
OF the Mechanic Blues and Webster of the
Light Infantry went out as far as Kennebunk
as committee from our two military COM
panies to meet the Montgomery Guard, and
arrived with them at 5 PM There was large
crowd of people gathered at the depot to wit
ness the advent of this crack corps, while the
Portland Light Infantry, Capt. Mattocks, ac-
companied by the Portland Band, did escort
duty on the occasion. The Guards were re-
ceived with full military honors at the depot
by the Infantry, which company having placed
itself at the head of the column the battalion
took its line of march up Park to Danforth, up
Danforth to State, up State to Congress, down
Congress to Middle, down Middle to Exchange,
up Exchange to Congress, and up Congress to
City Hall, where the Guards left their muskets
and then proceeded to the United States Hotel,
which will be their headquarters during their
stay. All along the route the greatest interest
was manifested, both companies displaying a
precision in their evolutions that called forth
frequent ecomiums. As they marched down
Congress street at full company front the
alignments were as regular as if drawn with
the aid of ruler The companies were prece-
ded by platoon of police under command of
Deputy Marshal Bolton, that looked finely,
and marched as we'll as they looked.
TIE Guards number SO rank and file, and are
differed as follows:-
Captain-T. f. Ferris.
LIST Lieutenant-D. j. Collins.
End Lieutenant-M. Mcintyre.
Sergeants- Geo. Mullins, NJ. Fl. Enwrignt
7. Ryan, 7. S. O'Bryen, W. A Collins.
Corporals-P. A. Hartnell, j. A. McCoo,e,
T. j. Callahan "a Portland boy), L. J. Ford,
M. Callahan, 7. Linnehan, w. A. Coyle.
The Company bring with them as their
guests Capt. Mahoney and Lieut.. McGun-
higher of the 9th Mass. Regt. and A. B.
Rankin, reporter for the Boston Herald
The company is composed of fine looking
set of young men attired in regulation hat,
like that of the Infantry and Blues, with gold
ornaments and fountain plumes of green,
dark blue double breasted short coat with yell
low piping, brass epaulette with white fringe,
light blue pants with yellow cord down seam,
and white cross-belts. They have a saucy
dashing air that is decidedly military. The
Guards bring Gilmore's drum corps with them,
lead by j. J. Bendem, Drum Major.
At eight o'clock in the evening the three
Infantry, Blues, and Montgomery
Guards, marched to the City Hail. whose gal
leres, and the settees around the Sides were
packed with such a crowd as is rarely seen on
such occasions, and composed about equally of
ladies and gentlemen. At halfpast eight tie
band struck up lively march, and the Me.
chanic Blues marched into the hall and went
through guard mounting in a manner that en-.
titled them to the highest praise, all the little
details being most carefully attended to. The
Infantry and Montgomerys afterwards in turn
went through the School of the Company, fol-
lowed by the manual and fancy drill. OF
course the Montgomery Guards excited great
enthusiasm, and drilled splendidly. So did
the Infantry. The advantage the Guards have
over the Infantry is in the ease of their move
ments, attained only by constant and long
continued practice, while the Infantry are still
a little aooodeny,i if we may use the expression,
and Of course last evening were rather more
nervous than usual on account of the peculiar
in which they were placed. By
these remarks we would not be understood to
detract one iota from the we'll earned and
merited reputation of the Guards. They are
a splendidly drilled corps. But we think that
the provincial city of Portland has no reason to
be ashamed of her own military, and in the
time not far distant will contest the palm of
the championship with any military company
wherever located. The marching in oblique,
backward and side slips, and the wheeling in
double time of the Guards were very fine,. as
also the right shoulder shift arms and carry
while marching in double quick. At the close
Of the drill the dane was heartily entered
into, and we judge that the Montgomerys en-
loyed this portion of the entertainment most
thoroughly.
To-day the Guards will be shown the differ
INT objects of interest in the city. and at noon
will partake of dinner at the Blues Armory
~ invitation of that . ompany, and be escorted
~ the Blues to the three o'clock train, in
which they will take passage for Boston.