The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-31
LANDING OF THE FORCES.
A BRILLIANT SERIES OF NAVAL
EVOLUTIONS.
Closing with Dress Parade and Embark
alton.

The announcement of the landing Of III
| forces to take place from the North Atlantic
| Squadron, in Portland harbor yesterday morn
| ing, as published in yesterdays PRESS exclu-
sively, with all the particulars of the intended
movements, and the list of officers detailed by
the Admiral to take charge of the forces, Gre
ated quite sensation. 1t had been rumored
about town the dav previous that a sham bat
| tie was to take place but it was not till the
PRESS appeared with the official programme,
| that people took it all in. From an early hour
| people streamed over to Fort Preble, until at
least 5000 people had gathered on the fields an
| bluffs, overlooking the grounds At the same
time the easterly side of Munjoy Hill was COW
cred with citizens hoping to get view of the
scene. They were disappointed to great ex-
tent however, as in the evolutioDs, no guns
were fred as was anticipated, and as the man.
euvres all took place in the large field between
the fort and Ferry Village, all they could see
were the boats leaving the vessels
AT half past nine the signal prepare to
land" was hoisted on board the flagship Tenne-
see, followed by the bugles sounding the as
sembly. This was succeeded by the signal
ing of the vessels one to another, and the
general preparations for embarkation. There
were thirty-six boat employed. In short
time they were lowered, and the twelve pound
howitzers were pls csd in the larger ones At
the call ofthe bugle the men were seen swarm
ing over the sides of the men-of-war and take
ing their places in the boats. At this time the
habor presented a lively spectacle. The island
steamers crowded with spectators were NOV
ing here and there to secure a good position.
Yachts, and other sailing vessels, were dotting
the CLASSY surface of the water, the air was
clear and bright, and in the distance stood out
the Eastern Promenade black with people,
while in the other directions, the hills and
fields near the fort were brilliant with the
dresses of the ladies contrasting with the dark
or clothes of the gentlemen like flowers in
flower garden.
The boats first formed cline abreast" near
the flagship, and then at the signal forward
pulled in together towards the beach, still re-
naming in the same formation. The uniform
of the sailors was white shirts, dark blue pants,
and white caps. Those serving as infantry car
ried muskets, but those who acted as artillery
were armed with cutlasses. The marines were
dressed in dark blue coats, light blue pants
and white helmets. The uniform of the Off
GERS was dark blue with brass buttons and
white CATERS, reaching to the knee. The effect
of the long line of boats, with the various uni
forms was very picturesque.
When in presence of an enemy and likely to
be opposed, some manouvring is necessary in
order to effect landing without unnecessary
loss In such cases the artillery boats first
open fire and clear the beach, then body OF
skirmishers lands and deploys at once, and af-
forwards the main body of infantry lands, fol-
lowed last of all by the artillery.
Yesterday in the landing there was no time
for some of the preliminary maneuvres pub
lished in the PRESS. The boats pulled in tc-
gether and all the men were landed at once.
The boats could not get within ten feet of the
beach, and the men sprang overheard and
boldly plunged through the waves to land.
Immediately after landing the brigade was
formed in the large field this side of Fort
Preble. and after this the captains were direct
ed to drill their respective companies. At
eleven o'clock the brigade was again formed
and the battalions were drilled by the COM
manding officers The drill closed with
dress parade and the brigade reembarked and
returned to the ship at noon. The drill was
admirable and executed with great precision.
The force landed consisted of three compa-
MES of marines, nine companies of sailors,
battery of five 3-inch rifled guns, and corps
of pioneers, in all about six hundred andsforty
mes and officers. The band of the Tennessee
and the buglers from the other ships accom-
panied the landing party.
The officers of the brigade were Commander,
w. r. Bridgman of the Kearsarge, command
ing brigade; Lieutenant W. S. Cowles, Adju-
tant General, Paymaster J. N. Speel, Quarter
master, Captain W. S. Muse, q. S. Marine
Corps, Commanding marine battalion. Lieu
tenant E. w. Rerney, commanding infantry
battalion of sailors, Lieutenant E. Il. Gheen
commanding artillery battalion.
This is the first time since Admiral Cooper
has taken command that the landing of forces
has been attempted and the Admiral has issu-
ed the following order:
NORTH ATLANTIC STATION
General Order No. 49,
q. s FLAGSHIP TENNESSEE,
Portland, Me-. Aug. 30, 1882.
The Commander-in-C Chief desires to express
tn the officers and men of the squadron his
qualification at the very excellent exercise IN
landing the naval brigade, which took place
today. 49,