The Portland daily press., 1885-08-31
NAMES MILITIA.
Close of the Best Muster Ever Held in
this State.
How the Press Reporter Was Inn
pressed by the Affair.
Especial to the Press. !

AUGUSTA, Aug. 29-The annual encamp-
ment of the Maine troops closed today. All
baggage was packed at o'clock in the morn
ing, and at $50 tents were struck. The two
regiments formed line at $50, Col. II. l..
Mitchell taking the lead. The troops passed
Brig. Gen. Browns headquarters in column
of companies, and having saluted him,
changed direction to the left, and marched
out of the field, the Second Regiment band
playing Annie Laurie, 'Auld Lang Syne'
and Home, Sweet Home" The column
proceeded through the city of Augusta to
the Maine Central depot, where trains east
and west were taken at IL o'clock The
usual delay in waiting for trains was avoid
ed. This terminated what in some respects
was the best muster ever held by the militia
of Maine.
The encampment was ordered for four
days, the troops taking possession on Tues
day, Aug. 25th, when the consolidated morn
ing reports showed present for duty 6S COM
missioned officers and 615 enlisted men, to-
tai of 6S3; absent, commissioned officers
and 329 enlisted men, a total of 331. The
encampment was one of instruction and
Brown was admirably calculated to make
the four days of advantage. The interior
discipline of the camp was not up to that of
last year. In guard mounting there was a
slight improvement. More attention should
be given to details. The first sergeants es-
pecially need instruction. The ceremony
was not promptly performed Passes and
countersigns should not be meaningless. The
sending out of provost guards under officers
who do not know their business, is detrimen-
tai to militia service. In the matter of sa-
lutes, both officers and men need instruction.
The trouble this year was not that the men
were unwilling sor wanting in respect, but
that they were uninstructed in the proper
manner of saluting. Companies are lacking
in armory instruction.
Five hours a day were devoted to battal-
ion drill. Much was accomplished in the
Second Regiment. This regiment needs
more exercise in the manual of arms. Since
last years muster Col. Mitchell has visited
every company in his command. This re-
suited in good attendance at drills during
muster, and a general s'bracing up" of COM
panies. Nearly all the armories of these
eastern companies are too small for company
drills. Taking this into consideration, their
appearance at muster was very creditable in
deed. This year the First Regiment accom-
pliShed three times as much as last. Col.
Lynch put his command through the entire
school of the battalion. His plan of exer-
ciSing his battalion in the manual of arms
at odd times and between the manpuvres
was a most excellent one. Both colonies
held schools for the instruction of officers
during the encampment. There are yet
many dark paragraphs aud disputed points
to be properly construed and finally decided,
and the continuation of these schools at stat
ed times during the winter would render the
work of the brigade more uniform, and Sc
cure greater proficiency in the various units
composing the two regimental organizations.
Cooked rations were issued to the troops.
Steam was used in preparing the food. This
arrangement was generally satisfactory. The
health of the men in camp was unusually
good. Perhaps this was due to the excellent
weather which prevailed during the encamp-
ment.
In rifle practice Maine leads other States.
The instruction and practice this year was
carried on under the supervision Of Col E.
G. Harrington, and every exercise was of
practical value to the soldier. During the
novelty skirmish matches, when imitation
men with mounted officer, were fired at, men
who had seen service spoke in highest terms
of this practice. Col. Harrington uses
Blunt'S elliptical target. In many towns
companies are in need of proper ranges.