Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-07
Adjutnnt Generals Report.


Although not quite so volumiuous as those
made during the war, the report of the Adju-
tant General, 3. 3. Murray, Jr., for the pres
ent year, contains many matters of interest,
and tables valuable for reference.
In September a company of artillery was
formed at Lewiston, commanded Capt. A. s.
Perham. 1t is fully equipped. One company
OF infantry, called the Montgomery Guards,
commanded by Capt. Augustus j. NcMahon,
was organized at Portland in October
| The legislature of 1872 authorized the for
nation OF ten companies ofscadets, "to be
composed Of boys not subjec. to military du-
ties under our militia laws" Several appli-
cations have been made for recognition under
this act, but the requisite number ofnames of
those intended by the act not being returned
10 the Adjutant Generals office, no, company
has been organized or accepted under the act
The Adjutant General doubts the policy of
| organizing military companies of boys under
eighteen years Of age, of whom no military
duty could be required, and who would not
| be responsible for the public property they
| would need to use.
The ten uniformed companies of infantry
have been inspected by Gen. James A. Hall,
Inspector General, and his report shows the
factory in most particulars. As the last en-
rollment Of the militia of the State was made
in 1865. and contains the names of but 57,7ls
persons who were liable to military daty at
that time, Gen. Murray recommends that
the law Of 1865 be SO amended as to allow an
enrolment to be made in 1873
The amount appropriated for State PEN
sions for 1872 was $4,000. For the year
1873 the appropriation need not be more than
$4,000. Amount allowed the past year.
S22 1886. Number Of applications allowed,
6O4; number aisallowed, 209. Certificates
have been issued during the year for the re-
endorsement Of cities and towns for advances
made to pensioners prior to the present year,
to the amount OF S22, 241.47; and for advances
made the present year, to the amount of ST.
Is3G3.o0. There appears to be due 10 local
ireasurers for advances made the presen,
year, the sum Of $40, 1886.
The last legislature elected Gen. Joshua L.
Chamberlain to the office of Major General of
Militia, and assigned to him the command of
the ten organized companies. Gen. Cham
berlain's report accompanies that Of the Ad-
jutant General. The General speaks in high
terms of the cadet system, and urges its en-
couragemept, although he sees many practi-
cal difficulties in receiving into our military
system bodies Of men not sub ect to military
uufy unueg the constitution OF the state. But
If boys can DO better than men, they ought
not to he discouraged. A suggestion is made
that members Of companies OF cadets under
military age, might be regarded as separate
detachment under instruction only.
While earnestly hoping that nothing shall
be done which shall tend to discourage the
system Of uniformed militia, Gen. Chamber
lain does not think that they should be organ
lied into aregiment by themselves, but should
be distributed among other troops, that their
proficiency as veterans may be an example
| and instruction to the rest. The General
suggests the following plan, rs simple and
practieable
/. Provide ior three regimeItal organizations.
with headquarters Al Portland, Augusta and Ban
gor res pec.lyely.
2. Two companies 20 be entitled to q Major, Adj
10'ant and non-commis stoned staff.
3 Ecur companies to be entitled to a Lieut..
Colonel, Adjutant and non-commis stoned stan.
L. siXcompanies entitled TO Il Colonel, Adjutaat,
Quartelmasier and non-coHmissioned stan
D. len companies entitled TO iuli regimental
organization.
g. Artillery TO remain unattached and to be as
signed in orders.
70 apply this formula to our present case, the
following partial organization is Iroposed:
lst Regiment Colonel Commanding. Portland
Light Infantry Mechanic Blues, Portland; Mont
gonery Gnards Portland Norway Light Infantry ;
Auburn Light Infantry; Portland Cadets.
II Ee3tnent-Lieut. Colonel Commanding.
Jameson Guards, Bangor; Hersey Light Iniantry
Belfast.
81 Recommendation Commanding. Capital
Guards, Augusta; SkoNhegau Light Infantry,
skowhegGn.