Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-25

Closing Day Of the Encampment Of the
Maine Militia.


OF the muster and in many respects va
the most successful day Of all. A plea.ante
or more delightful day could not be imagined
Cooler than the three preceding days, the sk,
was. not dimmed by even the smallest CLOUD
and the atmosphere possessed that exilera
ting quality SO characteristic Of many fall
days Everything moved like clock worl
and the troops we're in excellent plight
Ihrongs OF people were in attendance q.
usual, and there appeared to be no decrease
shown by the citizens.
At o'clock there was an exhibition O,
rifle practice in honor of the Massachusetts
visitors. 1t was also Witnessed by Gen.
Brown and staff. and members of the Gov.
ernor's Staff. In many respects it wa. the
most remarkable shooting ever know in
the State. Fifty men were detailed
from each regiment. thus making
hundred in all Ten rounds of amuni.
ton were issued to each soldier. They were
drawn up in single line in squads of SO men
each and 200 yards from and in front OF
the target. At signal from the
bugle they marched towards the tar.
get, halted at another bugle call and fred
Then advanced again, hating a, bugle call
and firing. Thus they continued until each
man had fired five shots, when thev retraced
their steps firing and halting in
the same manner. The target shot At is
what is called third class target.
the total number of hits out of a possible
1000, was $50. Seventy-six shots were
placed in the bulls eye; 1876. ring; 1856. 3
ring; 1853, ring. The average to each man
was 32 points. When it is considered that
only % points are required to qualify as q
marksman the quality Of the shooting will at
once be evident. Ii should be remembered
that the marksmen did not know at any time
the distance they were from the target This
shooting was nnder the personal inspection of
Col. Z. c. harrington, Inspector of Rifle Prac.
tice. The visitors expressed themselves as
much pleased with the exhibition. Gen.
Brown requested Col. Harrington to make a
report to him. The company team and
regimental shooting matches will take place
to-day.
The FLOWING details were announced for
guard duty: Field Officer of the day, Maj
or B. J. Hill, LIST Regt'; Officer of the day,
Capt. 2. f. Iiartnett, Co. E, LIST Regt. Of
ficer of this guard TO be relieved after guard
mounting) End Lieut.. H. NJ. Weston, Co. Z.
End Regt. The Guard was mounted by the
Adiutant of the 2nd Regiment assisted by the
Sergeant Major of the same Regiment.
At ten o'clock A. NJ. came the drill. In
the drill in the manual of arms the troops did
splendidly,t and drew many encomiums from
military men present. During the day the
command was inspected by General John T.
Richards, Inspector General. At two o'clock
p. NJ. they were reviewed by Major General
Chamberlain.
Yesterdays bill of fare of the troops was
varied. For breakfast they had stewed beans
beef steak. potatoes. bread and coffee, besides
dainties purchased by the soldiers with
their own money; dinner, roast beef, fish
chowder, boiled potatoes, corn, bread and
coffee; supper, beet steak bread and coffee.
No butter is issued to the soldiers so they are
obliged to purchase it themselves if they get
any.
Commissary Whitmarsh is spoken of very
highly by the soldiers. The cook tents are
models Of convenience compared with those
of the last encampment, which were badly
exposed to the weather. The mess tent is
also a great improvement upon last years
dining quarters. The first regiment occu-
pies the left of the tent: the second. the right.
The officers dining room is between the Ia
bles occupied by the troops. The appearance
of the camp was very neat and tidy yester
day, and showed that much attention had
been given to police of quarters. The streets
of the camp were models of neatness and not
the least speck of litter could be seen.
Last evening each regiment had dress
o'clock. The regiments appeared finely.
| They were headed by Chambers Brigade
Band.
| In the evening the band gave a concert at
| headquarters as on previous evenings. The
music, such as only Chsndler can give. drew
many people to the grounds. They listened
/ to rare musical treat such as is seldom
heard in Augusta. The following was the
| program:
| l. Lohengrin. "B, idsl Chorus Wagner.
! = Overture, "Semranide,', Verdi.
I 3. The "Jingoes,'' Berger.
4. Paraphase, Jerusalem. The Golden,
| Robinson.
S. Medley Jig. Braham.
! q. "Nightingal Serenade,' Minud.
| :. Recollections OF the War. Berger.
The band returned home on last nights
| Pullman.
/ The troops at the Muster will break camp
this morning. Tents will be struck at 7.3(
o'clock. A. NJ; the signal for prepare
ton will be the General" sounded from
headquarters; the signal for execution
will be one gun from the battery. at which
the tents will be let fall promptly
inclining toward Brigade Headquar
tiers. All baggage must be packed ant
ready for shipment before seven A. NJ
The Second Regiment will leave camp at {
O'Clock, A. NJ, marching direct to Maine