Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-15
MAINE MILITIA,
Report OF It's Condition

The following report of the inspection OF
the Maine Volunteer Militia, by Lieut.. N.
Crawford. I'd L. S. Artillery, will prove in
teresting:
Brunswick, Me-, Nov. LIST, 1881.
LIEUT.. COLONEL ID. orc. ODoSoHuE.
Asst. Adjt. General Maine Militia.
COLONEL: In compliance with verbal in
structions from the Major General Command
ing. have the honor to report the result of
my inspection of the First and Second Regi
ments of Infantry and the Light Battery Of
the Maine State Militia, encamped at Camp
Plaisted, Augusta, Maine, Sept. 18th to 10th.
inclusive.
''My inspection was made on the l4th, the
troops being paraded fer the purpose. The
Light Battery was first inspected, and was
found to be as follows:
Material The Battery is composed OF
four IL FOUNDER brass guns (Napoleon) with
their limbers and caissons. together with a
small caliber Calling gun. The carriages of
the four guns, although in apparently good
order, were evidently very old and probably
unsound and would not be likely to withstand
much hard service. The horses used were
such As could be hired for the occasion.
THE implements and equipments could
not be fully inspected A. to presence or con-
dition. as the pouches, which should have
contained portion Of them, were not worn
by the cannoneers. A part of the enlisted
men Of the battery were armed with a very
heavy and cumbersome sabre of an obsolete
pattern. which could be advantageously dis
cardsd for the corporals and privates, the
pistol belt being retained, and the chiefs of
section armed with the modern artillery sabre
The material, so far as could be seen, was
in serviceable condition and had been well
cared for.
'Personnei. The Battery, taken az a sin
gle organization, was insuficiently manned,
and in consequence the cannoneers had more
than their proper duties to perform. which of
course detracted from the symmetry of the
drills. The physique of the men was very
fine, and their evident enthusiasm and atten-
ton to orders deserves the highest praise.
''The clothing was uniform and good, and
had been well cared for.
"DriH l carefully observed the drill of
the battery. both standing gun and mounted
on several occasions. In the former there
seemed to be q great difference in the amount
of instruction received by the GannOneers,
some performing the manual Of the piece
well, others very poorly
''The difficulty Of executing the evolutions
of mounted battery with green horses is
well known, but in no particular of the en-
campment WAS improvement 80 marked as in
this, and with longer encampment, and the
horses and drivers remaining practically the
same from year to years. great degree of per
fectiOn could be easily attained.
The Infantry Regiments when inspected
were in light marching order, i. e.. in full
dress uniform, without haversacks, canteens,
etc. The general appearance of both regi-
ments was very good.
1.-THE arms, except those of one attached
company were the present L. s., cal. -.
service rifles the arms of the excepted com
panv being the old pattern Cadet rifle, cal. 10.
A detailed inspection showed that the arms
and equipments we're in good servicsable
condition, except In few instances where
the chambers of the pieces had been allowed
to become rusty. and the mechanism OF the
locks broken. These defects should have
been corrected BY the company comman-
ders.
1.-The clothing was found to be uniform
and in very good condition.
'.In executing the inspection arms, much
awkwardness was observed in several Of the
companies of both regiments where the other
parts Of the manual were excellently well
rendered would note here. that do not
know of any authority prescribing the move.
ment of inspection sword by commissioned
officers in front of their companies when ap-
preached by the inspector, such at least Is
not the custom in the United States regular
service Again. the salute with the hand
rendered 0y the company at the command
attention from its commander. rs the Ten
eral and staff approached the head of the
compsny streets for the purpose Of inspecting
quarters. was not given simultaneously in the
great majority of the companies.
II observed carefully the company and
battalion drills on parsdes OF both regiments
L. l.
we're frequently observable both on the part
of officers aud men. vet as a whole the ex
crci.es were certainly of very satisfactory
character. especially towards the end OF the
encampment.
SIN this connection | may state that tht
principal errors and mistakes seemed to arise
from lack Of distinctness of some OF tht
company commanders in giving their con
mants. in their failing to observe sufncien
interval Of time between the preparation.
commands and the commands Of execution.
and in A few instances, in giving commands
which too retentiye memory had evidently
stored up from systems OF tactics no ionee'
in use. .,
"The camps. both Of Infantry and Artil
lerv. seemed to be healthy. and the tent
vere yell pitched and not overcrowded
.sThe camp guard duty seemed to be vel
and ;ntelljgeptly performed. the sentinels en-
teriny at once into the spirit of their duties
and carving out their orders infinitely
..Tbe police of most of the company street
v.s GOOD. . few we're excellent. while one o
two we're Indifferent.
ssThe kitchen, mess rooms ana SINKS ~er
generally in fair conditions.
zone important feature Of the camp, nov
ever. seems to have been but lily provide
for. namely, the bedding for the men II
several OF the companies, no bedsscks seen
n have been provided and the straw whic'
Was furnished was simply dumped on tn
ton, aoors and so used. thus. to say nothing
Of the personal discomfort OF the occupants
spelling all appearance Of neatness IN the IN
terror Of the tents.
aEither the State or the individusi soioie.
,bould furnish the common white oedsac3
.rmv pattern, which is Inexpensive an
easily transported.
sin order that the few days OF an encAmp
ment may be profitable to the state the so'
der must be able to pass his nights IN com
fort.
THE houors rendered by the troops wer
in the main veil and cheerfally gwen. bat IN
lDsneine, and evsa sistiag attitudes IN wnic
individ1sl soldiers, when mos under arms. an
.cmetimes when engaged in occupas'on
-... ..l,,to ehould not be given, were IRE