Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-22
MAINE MILITIA.
first Day Of the Eneampnsnt 1t Al
gugta-
TAe Troops Arrive and Establish Them.
selves In Camp.

nual encampment of the Maine Volunteer
| Militia in this city. Fortunately the weather
| proved fair The sun rose in a cigar skx
WIN no sign Of the much feared rain percept-
IDLE. Not even the muster could break the
| droufh and all thoughts of repetition of last
years experience were dropped Early in the
forenoon the temperature was very high. but
ere noon cool refreshing bres re arose from
the west and somewhat mitigated the torrid-
ness Of the weather.
Richards Light Infantry Co. H., Gardiner.
and the Capital Guards. Co. F.. Augusta, re-
ported for duty on the grounds at 80 A. NJ.
The Gardiner Company arrived On the 8
O'Clock A. NJ. accommodation train and was
well filed out as to numbers. The LIT regi-
ment came hy troop train from the vest at
1870. leaving the cars at the siding back of
the grounds and marching to their tents
The I'd regiment arrived at the sta
ton at lO-l5 Forming on CONNER
cial st. they marched up Winthrop
street and down State to the grounds.
They made soldierly appearance as they
marched along with their knapsacks sur
mounted by red blankets neatly strapped in a
roll. Their uniforms looked bright and we'll
kept They wore their fatigue blouses which
oeing made OF light material, are quite con-
Portable for hot weather. At last years en-.
campment they were obliged to wear a thick.
padded coat which oftentimes was quite un-
comfortable. There is also an abundance of
oVercoats this year, supply having recent
ly been issued. There have been many
changes in the companies since last year
Some have increased in numbers, others fell
of. One company has only eight men in it
that were here last year.
At the camp a scene of animation ensued.
Each company became actively engaged in
getting established. Truck teams and bag
gage wagons by the dozen, heavily freighted
with baggage, were at hand and discharged
their loads. About as soon as the regiments
were fairly settled, it was dinner time, and
the soldiers proceeded to the mess tent.
There were l6 tables in all. each one seating
30 men. At 3 o'clock, p. NJ, the guard was
mounted. ltwas very strong guard. and
was much more numerous than that of last
year, it being composed of over so men.
During the afternoon a party of soldiers
played a game of ball on the grounds. At 6
o'clock, p. NJ, came dress parade, and at
30 supper in the tent.
Good order was maintained throughout the
dav. Many soldiers were seen about town
during the afternoon but they behaved them
selves as well as could be expected Rigid
discipline will be maintained at the camp
The city police will also maintain the best of
order outside the grounds. The exclusion
of booths etc. has been found to be great
Improvement.
Last night the Brigade Band gave a con-
cert on the grounds. A large number of Au-
gusta citizens was in attendance. Among
others present were Hon. James G. Blaine
and wife, the Governor and Council and the
State officers. The music was delightful and
the evening one of the pleasantest of the
year. Following the concert the troops gave
a vocal concert at the tents, which was very
touching and impressive and left Chandler far
in the rear. The morning report which was
IA men in camp including officers. Last
year there were about 800 men.
Et Cetera.
The drouth in Augusta is unprecedented,
50 the soldiers say.
The Adjutant General Of Massachusetts, is
expected to be present at the muster one day.
Gen. Chamberlain, on account of i'll health,
is unable to be in attendance on the muster.
+. c. Harrington, /. r. p, will be at the
camp to-day, looking after the rifle practice.
he great dav of the muster will be on
Thursday when the Governor will review the
troops.
Capt. John W. Berry, aid de camp on the
Division staff, has been detailed to report to
General Brown, tor duty during the encamp-
ment.
DIR. L +. Sanger, surgeon of the ID regi-
ment. returned to his home in Bangor last
night He will come back to the camp to-
day.
The troops appeared finely on drill yester-
day afternoon. The companies did not turn
out with very full ranks as many men were
out on guard and otherwise scattered,
Messrs. c. l.. McCleery of the Boston
Journal, and Arthur G. Staples of the Lewis
tor Journal, were registered at the Augusta
House yesterday. They were reporting the
muster.
Last year the flag given to the company
qualifying the most men in rife practice, fell
to the Mechanic Blues of Portland. This
set the Dexter company to thinking and they
come to this encampment with every man
qualified and with the expectation of carrying
off the flag. But we learn that one other
company. the Waterville Light Infantry. also
have every man qualified. How the matter
| will turn out remains to be seen.
.Battles for the Union" is the title of a
| book, the author of which is Capt. Willard
| Glaxier who is considered to be a most able
writer. 1t is sometimes considered an act of
| courtesy on the part of newspaper men to
| give complimentary notice of books placed