The Portland daily press., 1882-03-10
THE MILITIA OF MAINE.
It's Prompt Response to the Nations Call
In 1851.

The following remarks of Adjt General
George L. Beal Of Augusta. at the banquet OF
the Second Regiment in Bangor, March LIST,
contains some very interesting and highly
reditable facts of history:
Gentlemen: In listening to the remarks OF
the gentlemen present, I find all naturally turn
to the record of the militia before the war, and
having been connected with it since 1855, per-
haps / may be pardoned if / relate some un-
written history of that time. At the opening
of 1861 there were organized, or partially 30,
Is companies, doing duty without any encour-
apement from the State or Nation, with the ex-
cention of being furnished with arms and
equipments by the State. The riot at Balti-
more on the passage of the 9th Massachusetts,
took place on the 18th of April, 1861, and Gov
ernor Washburn, of Maine, the same evening
sent the following despatch to fourteen OF
the companies in different parts OF the State:
"Can you muster your company into imme-
diate service? If so recruits additional men so
that your company shall comprise i've serg-
eants, four corporals, one drummer, one hfer,
and sixty-four privates. Answer by telegraph
what you can do
/. WAsHBURN, JR.,
Commander-in-chief."
The replies to this despatch were received in
n yery short time from ALL with the exception
of some few companies who Immediately sent
a messenger to Augusta. The following are
some of the replies:
ssApril goth. Rave no doubt can doit. VIII
telegraph you Monday.
HERMoN BARTLETT,
Capt. Bangor Light Infantry"
tsApril 22d, The Company under my command
voted at ten o'clock this morning to respond to your
'"- HERMoN BARTLETT,
Capt. B. L.. ]"
"April 20. Our usual number Of men for ordi.
nary trainings is twenty-four. VIII endeavor to
fill up md telegraph you next week, early.
r..
CAPTAIN Castine Light Infantry.
April 10th. Can speak only for myself All that
brave heart and weak body can 40 is at y9ur ser
" avs THOMAS K. MARSHALL,
Captain Belfast City Grays.
Ap'A - = 's T. II. MARsHALL,
nAnril % Your despatch received. will try
and do ali you require and great deal more, u
needfu Will give positive reply as soon ~ c ~
get prompt men OF my commanu y. t "a All mn M tbs
oonnianu ALBION WITHAM,
Captain Portland Light Infantry.
nApril Goth. NV company is not full. Give Us
time Can fill up forthwith. ,rr,,
santain Portland Rifle Corps"
ssAnr;l Dad The Rifle Corps have rendered thell
services unanimously and will be ready to go in frs
regiment FRED. FoRsAYTH,
oApril Goth We can muster forty men to-oaS
ard are recruiting fast. prv
Captain Portland Mechanic Blues S.,
"April 20. Your despatch received. my com odIi
pany have voted to be ready to answer your can
Ranks not full, but will recruit at once. Wher
must we be ready? Answer.
Captain Norway Light Infantry"
April goth For immediate service fort my 0 Fo
psrticuiars INQUIRE of Lieut.. Quimby who is OF
train for Augusta. nv ~ cu.w
Captain Portland Rifle Guards"
<'April 90 My company is full; await you
| orders. w. a, suw
P. r. g."
| The Lewiston Light Infantry, Portland
/ Light Guards and Auburn Artillery, sent mes
sengers to Augusta Immediately upon recelv
| ing the despatch from Governor Washourn ,ah ~
| ali responded, so that in five days time tne
| First Regiment was in camp at Portland, ant
the other Companies of the Militia which wen