The Portland daily press., 1884-08-11
BREAKING CAMP.
Names Militia Bids Goodbye to
Camp Robe.
THE MOCK PARADE-THE "BOYS"
CRITICISED.
Especial to the Press.)

Special to the Press.)
AUGUSTA, Aug. 9.-The annual muster OF
the Maine Volunteer Militia closed to-day.
Before reveille more we're up and about than
usual, preparing to pack up. About half-past
o'clock couple of officers from across the
field went through some of the field officers,
line officers and mems tents, stirring the
sleepers up, making threats and creating
disturbance. Is was mean imposition upon
the men.
The guard was mounted as usual and the
old guard relieved.
A Mock Dress Parade.
The fun of the night before did not seem to
satisfy some of the mon, and Immediately after
the guard had been mounted, about 200 in all
got together in their different company streets
to prepare for mock dress parade. Some one
sounded the call, and the band, composed of
five or six drums and bass drum, commenced
to play while the companies marched out to
form the line. On the guns of the markers
were folded red blankets, the aiguillette of the
adiutant was made rp of two channels cases
of swords, the drum major had q corn broom
brush tied to the spike of his helmet, while
the colonePs flowing plume was represented
by white handkerchief strung from the spike
of his helmet. The makeup of some others
was similarly ridiculous,
When the colonel took command, he amused
the spectators by such commands and remarks
as: ''That gentleman with black moustsche,
you're no good" "Wake up" "Present arms,
legs and feet" When he gave the command
Guides on the line,, man with bandaged
leg and a banner marked 81 am blind" stepped
forward. The colonel said: "The gentleman
from Togus will please step back" The part
ing command was, "Fours right about in four
different languages. March"
An hours company drill was held in the
forenoon, and just before one o'clock prepara-
tlons were made to break camp. At precisely
one o'clock the bugle sounded aud the ar
tillery fired one gun; then in an instant all
tents fell to the ground, and Camp Robbie was
no more. 1t was an interesting sight to see
500 men vieing with each other in order to
place the tents in the bags first. 1t was a cur
rent report that "The Rosebuds' of No. tent,
Co. B, LIST Regiment had theirs bsgged first.
Both regiments soon afterward formed line.
The Second Regiment marched across the
parade ground past brigade headquarters, to
pay parting salute to General Brown; then
on return they salutea the First, and took up
the line of march through the city.
The First Regiment marched directly to the
railroad siding and waited there until special
train came.
A Criticism OF the RestOn Globe.
Major Patch, of the Boston Globe, critieises
the late muster OF the Maine militia in an ex-
Gallant anirit Ia orifinioac ~ fho
appropriation for the militia, and the fact that
the rations at camp are poor and cooked by in
competent men. The bill of fare is not what
1t should be, and the parade ground is not big
enough. But even then, he says, there are
many defects open to criticism that can and
ought to be remedied, and which do not cost
money. The greatest drawback to the militia
at present is the lack of proper line officers
They are evidently elected because they are
good fellows, and not for their ability or knowl-
edge of tactics. They need a board of exam
liners and an officers school of instruction;
they ought to have more stringent enforce
ment of discipline and more thorough knowl-
edge OF guard duty, and should pay better at
tention to police duty Military courtesy
ought to be improved upon. All this can be
done by efficient line officers, and the battalion
commanders should utilize time in camp in
teaching officers in battalion movements
rather than executing only such as the COM
panies can do in their armories. The men are
fine-looking body of men, intelligent, and as
a rule obedient. They should be better paid,
better fed, and then made to do their duty.
They have taken great interest in rifle prac-
tice under the instruction of Colonel Earring
ton, inspector of that branch of duty, and he
is an indefatigable worker. General Beal has
the interests of the militia at heart, the Gov
ernor is backing him up as far as he is able,
and General Brown is laboring faithfully to
put the brigade in better condition than 1t is,
and there is but little doubt that another year
will witness even more Improvement than the
last.