Morning journal and courier., 1882-09-06
Mantle.

Mantle.
 The Military Work-Advancement ana
 Progress-Whati Is Said of the Second
 Good Showing.
 N1ANT1o, Sept. ,, 1882.
 It has been impossible to find any fault with the weather today. It has been warm in the sun, but not at all uncomfortable until this afternoon, when the men were warmed up little during battalion drill The cool northwest wind refreshed the men greatly, and there seems to be no sickness to speak of, and what little indisposition there is may be accounted for by a change of diet and late hours last night on the part of those whose spirits were too exuberant. The camp was comparatively quiet last night, but few oonvivial members of Companies C and E were inclined to neither sleep themselves nor allow others to do so.
 The calls have all been sounded promptly to- day, and the members of the drum corps take pride in the fact that the reveille was fully and correctly given. Drum Major Lane and Fife Major Stevens have worked hard l and justly feel proud of their corps, which consists of twenty eight men, the largest in camp.
 The trumpet corps, under the efficient l leadership of Sergeant Hennessey, has made wonderful improvement, and their playing l is the subject of favorable comment on all sides The chief trumpeter is entitled to great credit and the good result of h1s labors 1 is vsry apparent.
 1 Guard duty was indiferently performed 1 1o,k SrL& of &ho aN posted, others showed disposition to do l their best, and the balance seemed to have no ! idea of their duties. Colonel Leavenworth, l the field officer of the day, satisfied with I the work as whole, and is not disposed to l censure the whole guard because few of the l men had not been instructed properly. ] General Smith has received the following letter, which will explain itself.
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST D1v1sroN,) NEW YORK, Sept. 4th, 1882. 1 Dear General-Genera1 Shaler dt sires to say invitation to your at Niantc and tender of re- ! view Thursday next. and to inform you that he will leave here on the evening boat for New to don l on Wednesday He expec to be accompanied by from six to eight members Of his stan
 1 With greas regar1, am yours very truly. ! Col. and A. A. aeneral. | To Brig. General g. R. Srntk. commanding Brigade l Connecticut National Guard.
 General Smith says this is, without excep- tion, the greatest compliment that has ever been paid him during his military career. A very pleasant affair took place last night in the quarters of Company A. Second regi- ment. Major F. A. Spencer, brigade inspec- tor of target practice, who formerly com manded the company, was sent for and upon his arrival was addressed by Captain White, who pleasantly referred to the relations which had existed between the major and the members of his old command and presented him with elegant badge the gift of the | company. The badge is an elaborate one and must be seen to be appreciated. It consists of large regimental pin, in the centre of ! which is the State coat of arms surrounded by 8 circle containing the msjor's name. ! This is suspended from pair of crossed sabres, which indicate his army position. Above this is captain shoulder strap, which ! represents his connection with the regiment Above all is the shoulder strap with crossed rifles and gold leaf, which indicates his pres- ent rank. Major Spencer responded in a few ! we'll chosen words and was much moved by this tribute of affection and esteem The badge was executed by George H. Ford from ! a design which was originally prepared by Colonel l.. l.. Morgan.
 The camp regulations now very strict and no one is allowed to leave camp after ! dark The bands have messed outside of camp, but General Smith has declined to is- I sue any more passes to them, deciding that ! they must mess in camp the same as other ! men. The Second Regiment band serenaded Colonel Graham last evening and the music ! was of high order. The band has been in- ! creased to twenty five men and is the best in | camp.
 The medical department of the Second is in splendid order. Major Bissell, ably assist ! ed by Assistant Surgeon Beardsley, presides ! over it with the quiet dignity and af- fof Ia fCrx xuhi iot, hn iS Eo6 op1 io l taking excellent of all matters under his charge. He personally superintends the po- licing of the Seconds quarters and is compli- mented on the appearance of that portion of the camp in h:s charge.
 We had the pleasure of meeting Captain Cowan, the military critic of the New York Herald, who spends the week here, this morning, and passed a very pleasant forenoon with him. He walked through the camp and closely observed it's condition. He made but few comments, some favorable, others de- cidedly unfavorable. He spoke of the poor condition of the company streets in the | Fourth regiment and some of the mess tents. After visiting the Grays mess tent he pro nounced it the best in camp, and said the kitchen was the cleanest one he had seen
 Henry Blakeslee, who has charge of the catering arrangements for the Grays, broke ont in very beaming smile when he heard this comment. The captain considers the Second the best regiment on the grounds, and i ! when anything comes to his notice.
 Colonel Graham is working hard for the ! interest of his command, and the present ex
 cellent condition of the Second is due largely l to his persistent personal efforts. He is en
 titled to great credit and many will fec
 proud of his success.
 l The guard mount this morning very ' we'll done on the whole. The men detailed
 from tho Second were very steady, and with two exceptions were prompt in their move
 ments. The men from the Third regiment I were inclined to indulge their curiosity to such an extent that in their anxiety to see ! everything that transpired they forgot to stand steadily. In the line were noticed one or two men who had evidently stayed out too l late the night before.
 The battalion drill this morning was an improvement on that of yesterday and the drill this afternoon was still better, but the guides have not acquired perfect knowledge of their duties and are unable to keep good distances. This defect will be remedied to a | great extent, and the meetings of first ser geants which held nightly in Sergeant | Major Stratton's headquarters will help won | dertully. The first sergeants. as last year, are ! a bright set of men and take great interest in details.
 The First regiment make 8 specially of | forming line in double time, but it is ques- ton whether anything is gained or not. They ! were timed as they formed line this nor ming l and consumed one minute and twenty five seconds. There are only eight companies In the First The Second formed line this afternoon ! in quick time. and with ten companies con- l sumed but one minute and twenty seconds. The Second formed line one evening last year ! in fifty seven seconds, and propose to do it ! again this year.
 There are but few personal items to day. ! The Currd club of the Grays have heard l from several members of the First Light h. fantry, of Providence, who expect to visit the ! boys on Friday.
 General Smith has received @ letter from General Kingsbury, assistant adjutant general | of Massachusetts, stating that Adjutant Gen. eral A. Hun Berry will be here on Friday Also one stating that Governor Littlefeld and staff, of Rhode Island, will be present.
 The First regiment has 445 men in camp, the Second 54S, the Third 392, the Fourth All, and the Battery 6s men.
 The Second and Third regiments each had a dress parade-the Third first and then the Second. Both regiments presented very ! creditable appearance, while that of the Sec 1 ond was pronounced especially good. We !