The Portland daily press., 1873-02-07
State War Denartment.

into plOuShshares" with 1mpunlty-that
the State has recognized military organiza-
ton of eleven companies embracing SO COM
missioned officers and 1886 enlisted men and
quite as many more companies equipped by
the State and existing by the permission of
the Governor" that the State has upon its
rolls the names of 604 deserving pensioners
that the honorable record that Names
sons made in the late war, is not fully COM
pleted, it will be seen that Gen. Murray has
condensed his report to the minimum of
length.
The Adjutant General in his report proper
recommends new enrolment of those liza
BILE to do military duty as none has been
made since 1865 when 57,718 men were re-
turned. Gen. Murray thinks there is a much
larger number in the State and recommends
the new enrolment in order that the
State may receive from the gen
eral government larger sum for the
use of the State militia. Geu. Murray thinks
the project of arming and equipping cadet
companies of doubtful expediency,s since those
under eighteen years Of age do not owe mill
tary service to the State and in such compa-
nies there are no persons who can be held re-
sponsible for the property. He also recon-
mends that musters of the whole force be
held as often as once in two years, as neces-
sary TO keep up the interest, discipline and
efficiency of the organization.
The Adjutant General also gives a report
of the Pension department from which it ap-
pears that S13 applications were made of
which 604 were granted, who received $22,-
1885, The amount expended is annually
growing less, arising from the improved health
of many applicants, the re-marriage of wild
ows and the age of orphans exceeding the
limit of the law. The report also contains
the cities and towns where the pensioners
live and the amounts paid. Portland receives
the largest amount, S1236; Augusta the next
81 ,OS6.
The report of Gen. J. A. Hall, Inspector
General, is confined to the limits of single
page. He reports the organizations general
ly in a good condition. He also recommends
that the companies be kept full, enlisting only
reliable and worthy men and tt at the Legis-
lature make an appropriation to defray the
expense of a general encampment in Octo-
Der.
The report of Major Gen. Chamberlain
follows. He speaks in terms of praise OF the
cadet organizations but concludes, as he
must that they have no legal organization or
military existence, except through the "cour-
tesy of the Governors permission" Never
theless he thinks if s'boys can do better than
men" as he intimates that they may, ''they
ought not to be discouraged. He says thatthe
the ''success often companies has excited the
emulation of others and the tactics of politi-
cal campaigns has induced spirit of organi
zation and method which naturally seeks a
military FORM" In this connection Gen.
Chamberlain proceeds:
1t follows, however, that something more
of organization should now be entered upon.
1t is probable that we shall still mainly rely
upon the ten companies of Uniformed In
fantry before referred to, and 1 earnestly
hope that nothing will be done which shall
tend to discourage that system. [ do not
think however, they must be organized into
a regiment by themselves. 1t would be bet
ter to distribute them among other troops,
that their discipline and proficiency as'veter-
ans may be an example and instruction to
the rest On the other hand. it is just to
place those companies which have not been
favored by full and free equipment by the
State, on the same footing with the others as
to rank, honor, privilege and promotion.
Moreover, the organizations should be group
ed according to local convenience.
The following plan appears to me simple
and practicable: -
/. Provide for three reginental organiza-
tions, with headquarters at Portland, Angus
ia and Bangor, respectively.
2. Two companies to be entitled to a
Major, Adjutant and non-commissioned staff.
8. Four companies to be entitled to
Lieut.. Colonel, Adjutant and non-commis-
stoned staff. er,
A. Six companies entitled to Colonel,
Adjutant, QuarteImaster and non commits
stoned staff.
5. Ten companies entitled to full regi.
mental organization.
6. Artillery TO remain unattached and to
be assigned in orders.
To apply this formula to our present case,
I would propose and recommend the follow
ing partial organization:
LIST Regiment Colonel Comnaanding-Port-
land Light Infantry, Mechanic Blues, Port
laud Montgomery Guards, Portland; Norway
Light Infantry, Auburn Light Infantry, Port
land Cadets
I'd Reginaent-Lieut. Colonel Commanding.
Jameson Guards, Bangor; Hersey Light In
fantry Oldtown; Crosby Guards, Hampden;
City Gnards, Belfast
Sd REORGANIZATION Commanding. Capital
Guards, Augusta; Skowhegan Light Infantry,
Skowhegan.
1t would seem desirable to have a company
east of Bangor, and another west of Port
land, say in Saco or Bddeford.
This regimental organization will amply
provide for the efficient care and control Of
all the militia which in ordinary times would
be likely to seek service, and being grouped
around centres easily accessible and where
arsenals already exist, the expense of time
and money is reduced to the lowest.
l do not apprehend that any legislation
will be required to carry these measures into
effect, as they seem to be fully provided for
by existing enactments.
The law contemplates an annual encamp-
ment of the troops in active service of the
State I deem it very important for the pro-
motion of proper military spirit, as well as for
necessary instruction and practice, that the
troops should be brought together and hand
led together as soldiers at least once year.
The report of the acting Quartermaster
General fellows. He states that the general
o government has invoiced 10 the State the
past year under the law of 1903, ordnance
and ordnance stores to the value of $3, 636.37.
There are fourteen organizations that have
arms belonging to the State, two OF which
are artillery companies. In addition to this
the State has in the hands of various mu-
nicipal authorities and others 2245 muskets
OF various patterns, mostly Enfield rifles,
with accoutrements to match and rified and
smooth bore cannon, all Of which are not
very valuable for any purpose. There are also
III the arsenals at Portland and Bangor near
~ Iooo muskets of various patterns and a list
Oh articles ranging from ''tap Lorer'' to six
FOUNDER, which cover seven pages of the re-
port. That list is curiosity and embraces
the names of military equipments that have
been out of use for halfcentury.
Sir John Falstaff might have armed a full
brigade from these arsenals giving each man