Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-28
CAPITOL Hill!
A Forenoon With Names Militia.
How the Soldier Boys Pass the fine.
THE FUN AND FATIGUE OF GAR
RISON LIFE.

| F~AsS Va ehS Souudt, nave ulIecteu the atitu-
ton Of the taxpayers to the wisdom and ne
cessity Of an effective local military organize
ton, which can instantly respond to = call to
arms in an emergency. Maine has shame
fully neglected her militia Nearly every
State in the Union has a larger and better
lcared-for number of troops. 1t is said that
ten thousand men can be concentrated in
Chicago in half day, in case Of communis-
tic threatenings in that section. The 'Sev-
enth' Of New York is the pride of the En-
pire State. Massachusetts literally pro-
vides for her soldiers. \ strong police force
Is necessary at times; but there is moral
effect in glistening bayonet, that no locust
can have.
Among the Boys in Blue.
Tuesday morning our reporte put his note
book in his pocket, and started up State
street. The number of sleighs drawn up by
the side walk, and horses htched to the iron
fence of the Capitol, suggests country meet
ing house in business hours. special
policeman sits by the door leading into the
rotunda, and guard stands by his side; but
no respectable looking person is refused ad-
mittance.
During the day the soldiers are required to
keep as much out Of sight as possible, and
spend their time in their quarters, telling sto-
ries, doing on the mattresses, playing prac
teal jokes and killing time as best they can.
Although accustomedto more active life, they
bear the ennmi of garrison duty splendidly.
At Z o'clock in the evening the State House
is given in charge Of the military companies
therein CHARTERED. and remains ir their hands
until the ne xt morning at I, when the police
J relieve them Of the responsibility. Each
company stands guard one night. Last night
it was the Capital Guards turn. A company
is divided, One half for duty, and one-half
for reserve. The division detailed for duty
is sub-divided into reliefs of six men each.
These details remain on guard two hours.
The rest of the soldiers can dispose of them
selves around the rotunda wherever they
please, but are not allowed to go to sleep.
The Reveille
is sounded at Z o'clock. At I 80 comes
breakfast, which yesterday morning consisted
of boiled ham, bread and butter, potatoes and
coffee. Six long tables are spread in the
basement. Each man is provided with tin
platter, knife and fork, and tin cup for coffee.
The entire force, except a few sentinels, sit
down at the tables, and the meal is enlivened
with stories and conversation. Lots of dain-
ties are sent up from home by the ''sisters,
cousins, and aunts' Of the young soldiers.
i The Gardiner company seems to be the most
fortunate, but we hear that the ladies of Au-
gusta are to try their hand in preparing good
things for the Guards.
Powder and Periodicals.
The boys are great readers. During the
day when there IS little or nothing to do, they
throng the library, which, by the way, con-
tains many interesting volumes, and manage
to pass the time proftably and pleasantly.
In the morning there rings through the halls
of the State House the shrill cry of news
boy proclaiming:
"Eres yer Kennebec Journal, Maine
Stannard. Full account Of the fusiOnsts
goin 20 capture the buildin."
Lucky is the boy who is the first to visit
| the State House of a morning. The pennies
flow into his Golfers as rapidly as they do in
to the pockets of the taciturn gentleman who
caters to the inner man by dispensing such
luxuries as corn cakes, apples, and cigars, to
| the law-preservers of the commonwealth.
Rations.
Down in the basement two hugh cook stoves
are running night and day to provide food for
soldiers. The culinary department is con-
Quoted by Messrs. Hyster, Snow, Pease, Ray,
and Press Swan.-The latter gentleman is the
life of the mess rooms. He wears huge
white cap, on which is inscribed COOK
in big, staring letters. 1t takes two boilers
full of coffee to wash down the more solid
constituents af the meal. Six boilers day
are drank Every other day pork and beans
are served for breakfast A bushel and a
half of beans are picked over, and put into
tho nots. One hundred loaves of bread, seven
ty-fve pounds of meat. are daily required to
feed the men, Most of tho gentlemen who
attend to the cooking, served an apprentice
ship in the army.
r New Uniforms.
Seven wears ago the State OF Maine pro-
x;ded her militia with uniforms. They have
mt been renewed since. Seven years is a
,o,c time TO wear one suit of clothes. Men
have died men have left the companies and
now men taken their place; but the same
un;forms have remained and answered for
the man for whom it was made and his sue
cess,r Tall men and short men, slim
man and stout men have exchanged places.
Big men with regimentals fitting so closely
that they either have to be let out with
strinps or burst; little men who look as ii
thew were enswathed in meal bags, and
here and there a lucky fellow whose clothes
are somewhere in the vicinity of his size.
The Auburn company purchased their own
uniforms. and look finely in them. We hope
that this winter the legislature will appro'
uriate a sum sufficient to provide new uni
forms for all companies that need them.
Military Evelutions.
The boys are acquiring great facility ant
: finish in drilling. Monday night detach