Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-09-14
THE MUSTER.

OF the American nation.
THE MUSTER.
TIL TROOPS IN REVIEW BEFORE THE COVER
NoR-uRIdADE DRESS PARADE coon WORDS
ron TIL rBoors-BBEAEISG CAMP NEW
MANurvBE
Our last week record Of the annual militia
muster closed with an account Of the sham
battle fought on Thursday afternoon. Thurs
day evening was a quiet one in camp, and Fri
day morning opened with weather as fine as
could be desired for Governors Day the
great day Of the muster. In the forenoon the
regiment was out for drill as usual, and the
annual inspection by Gems. Peck and Kings.
ley took place At T.. NJ. the grand review
before Gov. Barstow occurred In the re-
viewing party were the governor and staG,
Brig Gen. Kingsley and staff, and invited
guests, including Secretary Of State Nichols
Treasurer Dubois, Inspector Of Finance Dew
ey, exGov. Proctor, Major Fincke of New
York, and Lieut. Tutbery OF the Third L. 5.
Cavalry, military instructor at Burlington
The march of the regiment and battery in re-
view was in excellent form and very steady
the men doing themselves and their command
ers great credit After the review the troops
were divided into three battaons with Col
Greenleaf in command of the first compris-
ing six companies, Lieut. Col Estey com
mandlng the second, consisting of five com
panies and Capt. Fuller commanding the
third, consisting Of the battery. The cere-
mony Of brigade dress parade was then gone
through, with Brig. -Gen. Kingsley in com
mand. The performance Of the brigade was
very credltable, especially as this was the first
time that either officers or men had partc-
pated in such "a ceremony.
At the conclusion of the review and dress
parade the officers Of the brigade. regiment
and several companies were invited by the
governor to his tent where he spoke in terms
of cordial praise Of the appearance Of the
regiment and battery on the field Speeches
were also made by several other gentlemen,
including Major Evans Of Texas, DIR. Billiard
of St. Johnsbury, Coils Woodbury. and Gould
ing, Secretary Nichols eX Gov. Proctor, and
others all Of whom warmly cOmplimented
the appearance Of the troops.
In the speeches on this occasion 1t is TO be
regretted that there was one serious Slip and
this with reference to the temperance or,
rather, the whskey question, When DR.. Bul.
lard was called out he referred facetiously,
though with evident gusto to the nurgeons
duty in the old war time when it was the reg.
each morning and prescribe "qulnine and
whiskey.' This was well enough IN its way.
but when the governor and other following
speakers took their cue from this, and spoke
Of the desirabillty of taking the whiskoy with
out the quinine, 1t gave "a wrong flavor to the
occasion, especially as large company Of
young officers were present with their men
listening outside. In the face Of such careless
utterances it would not require d great stretch
OF Imagination for the men IN the ranks to get
the impression for another muster that they
might have a sort Of free whskcy rule with
out danger Of official interference. The whole
thing, rs We have said was slip thought
less mistake. None Of the gentlemen who
spoke would for moment countenauce the
thought Of uurestrained or general whiskey
drinking IN camp OF elsewhere, and we refer
to the incident only to illustrate the care which
should be taken to say jus. what one really
means on such an occasion.
The review, parade and reception practical
ly brought the muster TO Ia close, though the
form OF IA guard mount was gone through
with on Saturday morning.
Friday evening the camp wore an ofI-duty
aspect fun and jollity having things very
much their own way until well toward day
break Saturday morning Il was the fortune
Of Lieut. Stevens Of the Estey Guard t. be
officer Of the day on the occasion, and be
found his hands full in trying TO keep order
Ill the camp but to the credit of the boys 1t
must be said that very little rowdyism showed
itself, aud that nothing in the shape Of mali.
cious mischief was attempted. Early in the
evening u crowd Of civilians tipped a ginger.
bread stand over upon the railroad track, but
no sooner had the crash como than the lieu
tenant was on his way across the field with
squad Of men, at double time, TO disperse the
rowdy crowd and repair the mischief Our
own latest memory Of the night is that of Cor
poral Miller voice plalntlvely calling to Lieut..
Childs IN the wee sma hours that "Lougee's
store Ga shanty across the river had been
burned and two dozen tonic beer bottles had
been lost, and the insurance must be adjust.
ed"
On Saturday morning camp was broken, and
the several companies scattered to their homes.
The Guard, Battery and Band left ST. Johns.
bury by special train about $3.50 and arrived
safely home soon after o'clock
Among officers, men and visitors it is agreed
that this muster was one of the most success
full and satisfactory that the state regiment has
ever held. Major Flncke Of New York,
thorough tactlcian, regards the improvement
made in drill and discipline In the four years
that he has known the regiment as quite re.
Inarkable. In speech at the Grand Army
campfire on Friday evening, the major de.
clared that he should be proud to lead the
Vermont troops they appear to-day any
where, IN any state. Col GreenleRf himself
a veteran who carries the marks Of three
wounds received IN the war Of the rebellion,
finds the troops advancing steadily toward his
Ideal OF what militia organization should be-
II We were to offer a word Of criticism Rs a
civilian, it would be in regard TO the lax dis
cipline which prevailed during this muster in
the matter Of guard duty and the unrestricted
passage of both men and visitors across The
lines. We cannot understand why, if the mo-
lions Of military discipline and guard duty are
TO be observed at all, they should not be strict
ly observed countersign being required
from soldiers and pass from citizens before
the lines can be passed. It must be admitted
however, that the men were promptly on hand
Tor duty as rule, and the provost officer
found very little duty to perform.
In closing It Is proper TO mention new
regimentRl mRnUuvre which Col Greenleaf
introduced on this occasion, and which was
executed with complete success This was a
'street-riot drill, so-called-a manuuvre
which grew out of the railroad riots Of 1877.
1t consists in the formation Of the regiment
into hollow square, with details from each
company, designated as 'Aankers," whose
duties are TO act either as advance lines Of
skirmishers IN front Of the main body of the
troops, or to march inside the square to keep
watch Of the windows, doorways and roofs
along the line Of march, and, if persons APP
pear with firearms or missiles to pick them
Off-these skirmishers being supposed to con
sist Of the best marksmen II the regiment
The performance Of the regiment in this drill
was pronounced by good judges to be very
perfect and satisfactory.
A ROusing Camp Fire.
Last Friday evening, at Camp Preston, by
invitation Of Chamberlain Post No. ] Of ST
Johnsbury, and through the courtesy of Col
Greenleaf, camp fire was held in Caterer