Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-25
Dailp kennebrl Journal.
Annual Report Of the Adutant General, Act
ing Quartermaster, and Paymaster General
Two Regiments OF Citizen Soldiers Num-
bcrtng l02i Officers and Enlisted Men.

The militia organization of this State has
undergone many radical changes the past
year, and the report of General Beal will be
read with much interest by all who regard
the honor and prosperity of our beloved COM
monwealth. All of the old men have been
discharged and a new organization with new
enlistments has been perfected. The charac-
ter and standing of the officers and men have
been greatly improved. and with few ex-
ception> are all that can be desired to make
good soldiers. The Adjutant General thinks
that If the present organization be completed
and an appropriation made sufficient to carry
out the law with the new rules and regulations
the State will have reason to feel that the
militia is no burden. The recommendations of
General Beal are very important, for the time
was, and we know not how soon il nav come
again when this branch of our government
will be in the minds of our people paramount
to all others. The expenses of sustaining the
present force are very small compared with
those of other States, and the public should
bear in mind that nearly every man belong
ing to the militia pays out from his own
pocket more dollars than he receives from the
State.
OHGANIZ ALTON.
The Legislature of last Winter passed
resolve approved February IA, 1850. author
Hing commission to be appointed by the
Commander-in-chief, to revise amend or
add to the laws relating to the Militia.
The following were appointpl hy General
Order No. ., dated February II, 1880
Brigadier General Charles W. Tidcn:
Colonel, Joseph b. Peaks; Lieutenant
Colonel, Daniel White Lieutenant Colonel,
J. Marshall Brown; Major. Frank +. Nye.
The commission reported to the same
Legislature very concise, practical. militia
law, well adapted to the wants of the State,
which was adopted with some slight amend
ments.
The changes in the law have occasioned a
reorganization of the entire Militia; all
officers have been newly commissioned, and
all men enlisted and mustered into service
As now provided the Militia is divided
into three parts Enrolled Reserve. and
Active or Volunteer. The first two are not
subject to any duty, unless in case of war;
or for the purpose of preventing, repelling or
suppressing invasion, insurreciion or riot or
in aiding civil officers in the execution of the
laws, and then only when the active force
shall be insufficient for that purpose.
From the thirteen old infantry companies
twelve were rcorganzed to conform to the
requirements of the new law, and one, the
Belfast City Guards, was disbanded.
Four new ones have been organized, in the
towns of Dexter, Dover, Rockland and
Waterville, making sixteen companies now
organized into two regiments of eight com
panies each the first regiment having its
headquarters located in Portland, and the
second in Bangor, The Frontier Guards Of
Eastport have also been reorganized and re-
main at this time, unattached to either reg
iment.
The Androscoggin Light Artillery, of Lew
iston. was disbanded, and the First Platoon
Of First Maine Battery of Light Artillery en-
listed and organized from the same. The
Second Platoon was located in Portland. and
is composed of fine body of Young men.
who will make one of the most efficient or
CARNATIONS in the service.
These two platoons are now thoroughly
organized as First Maine Battery of Light
Artillery, and armed with four Napoleon
twelve-pound guns. Also. each is provided
with forty Springfield breach loading rifles
and equipments which make them useful for
either artillery or infantry
New uniforms, arms and equipments have
been furnished throughout, and the arms
turned in from the old companies have been
re-issued to the reserve militia, making every
company completely armed and equipped
Number Of officers, II
Number of enlisted men, 9J3