Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-21
SEPTEMBER SOLDERING.
The Third Day Of the Encampment Of the
Maine Militia.
Marked Improvement in Discipline.-The Boys
Settling Down to Work.


The Maine Militia has at last got down to
the routine of camp life, and rs doing good
work. 1t takes day or two for the young
soldiers to get accustomed to the novelty of
their surroundings and to realize that the
Muster is something more than an autumnal
frolic. The discipline yesterday was much
better than on the two preceding days. At
nightfall guards were posted around the
camp. and no one was allowed to stray be-
yond the circle without pass from the prop
er authorities. The improvement. in drill
and in the manner in which the various evo-
buttons were performed, was quite marked.
COMPANY DRILL.
The forenoon was occupied by company
drill. The open field gives the companies
more room to execute the movements than
they can obtain in an armory. and this advan-
tage is appreciated by the soldiers This drill
lasted two hours, and was very severe.
BATTALION DRILL.
The battalion drill of Wednesday was an
advance in the right direction from that of
Monday and Tuesday. The field officers of
both regiments are laboring hard to improve
their commands. While the battalions were
performing their evolutions, the battery was
engaged in drill This branch of the service
by those competent to judge.
Dress PARADE.
The burla Soup1ad Cor droes parada NJ 6ve
o'clock. The line was formed promptly, al
though the AdJutant was little slow in his
movements. The command was then turned
over to Col. White, who drilled the column
in the manual of arms. Col. White has a
fine voice for a commanding officer, and
every man in the long line could hear his
clear commands. The bands were CONSOLE
dated as on Tuesday afternoon, with the
Band Major of the Second Regiment as
Major. His movements were not what mill
tary men would consider fine. The First
Regiment has the best Band Major in New
England, and it is difficult to find a man who
can approach Band Major Bean, whose move
ments are always correct. This. of course,
makes it hard for any other man to step into
the place which he has filled.
RIFLE PRACTICE.
The company skirmishng match created a
great deal of interest, and was regarded by
the military officers as the most interesting
and important of any competition. Each
company participated. Five cartridges were
allowed to a man. The company shooting
marched to within 500 yards of the target,
where they were deployed The men adj
vanced at the sound of the bugle, and halted
at the second bugle call. They were al
lowed one-h half minute to adjust sights and
fire one shot, and continued at I'M
known distances until five shots were
taken. The largest score won, irrespective
order to have companies interested have
full ranks. The three prizes offered, S25.
SIS, $40, were won as follows:
Co. c. Dexter, 45 men. 12l hits, score 1898.
Co. +. Augusta, AZ men, ln1 hits, score 1928.
Co. +. SkOw hogan, SO men, 90 hits, score 800.
This is the last match on the programme, but
continuous match has been arranged al 200
yards winch VIII give the cThCk SINUS ali up
portunity to display their skill. The shoot
ing this year has been up to the average,
although the teams have labored under dis
advantages. More interest is being taken in
target practice than ever before, and some of
the best men in the Militia are held because
of the rifle matches.
STRAY SHOTS.
We omitted to mention in our yesterdays
report the fine skirmsh drill of Co. A, First
Regiment. on Tuesday. The company was
commanded by Lieut. Norton, and the drill
reflects great credit upon that officer. Lieut..
Norton is a veteran of the late war. losing
his left arm in the service. All the move
ments in the skirmish drill were brilliantly
executed. ard it attracted much attention.
Sergt ID. W. Buzzell of Co. b, Portland
Mechanic Blues, was taken with chils yes
terday morning, brought on by exposure the
night before. and an attack of typhoid fever
was feared He was removed to the hospital
and was quite comfortable last night.
Gov Paisted will review the Militia this
afternoon.