The Portland daily press., 1885-03-28
MAINE MILITIA.
Reports of the AdjuIRnf General Inspee.
tor General and Other OMcePs.'


tor General and Other OMcePs.'
From the annual report Of the Adiutant
General of Maine for the year 1884, we gather
the following information relative to our mill
tia: The number of enrolled militia, between
the ages of 1S and 45 years, liable to DO militia
ry duty is "a 8S2. The militia consists Of IA
commissioned officers and 500 enlisted men, Or
ganizsd as follows: Two regiments Of infan-
try of eight companies each, one unattached
infantry company (Frontier Guards Of East
port) and one four-gun battery of light artille-
~, composed OF two platoons-the whole con-
stituting the First Brigade of volunteer mi-
litia.
The second platoon of the battery, located at
Portland, was dsbsnded May II, 1884 and re-
organized at Brunswick, and is now composed
of good class of active young men. The cit
izens of Brunswick have provided fine ar
mory for this platoon, two stories ia height,
built at an expense OF $1,000. The lower story
is used for storage of the guns and caissons
and for the standing gun drill, the upper for
uniforms, arms and equipments, company
drills and meetings. This is one of the best
armories ia the State, in which the citizens OF
Brunswick are to be congratulated.
The company at Rockland was disbanded
March 81, 1884, at their own request, and the
Lewiston ZOuaYes Of the reserve militia ac-
cepted in theirplace. The reserve militia con.
sists of five companies of infantry, IA officers
and $50 enlisted men. The term of service of
three companies expired during the year, as
follows: Ssco Rifles, Calais Light Infantry
aad Foxoroft Light Infantry. The "Lsavitt
Guards" Eastport, term OF service expired
February, 1888. The reserve militia are sup
piled with arms and equipments only by the
State uniformed at their own expense.
The Brigade organization, which was per-
fected in 1883, upon the recommendation of
General Chamberlain, was good one, and es-
tablishes the fact that ths compact form o. the
organization is the best and only cne that
should govern the Volunteer militia of the
State. Tie total amount expended for militia
ry purposes during the year 1884 was $15, 5,216.01
Ther9 is want Of proper care on the part Of
many Of the officers who are responsible for
the military property Issued them. To remedy
this evil it is suggested that each commanding
officer give bond Of sufficient amount to cover
all losses, and that the State pay each the sum
of fifty dollars per year for his services.
The companies OF the volunteer militia are
stationed as follows: Three companies at Port
land, and one in each of the following places;
Auburn, Norway, Augusta, Biddeford, Gardi-
ner, Hampden, OldtoWn, Dexter, SkowhegaD,
Dover, Bangor, Waterville, Lewiston and
Eastport. Battery of light artillery, one pla-
toon in Brunswick and one in Lewiston, two
guns EACH
Reserve militia: One company at Portland,
"Portland Cadets;' Sheridan Guards, Lewis
ton; Bath Light Infantry, aud the Yarmouth
Rifles
The Inspector General OF the Governors
staff, Gen. Richards, after noticing the loca-
tion and arrangement of the camp, during the
muster of 1884 makes 2 number of recon-
mendations. First, the purchase of adjoining
land to the State grounds in order that we may
have a permanent and welt-appointed ground
for the annual encampments, which would be
benefit to the troops and economy to the
State. He recommends that guard mounting
and the duties of sentinels be more thoroughly
taught in armory Instructions, als0 that there
be established for each regiment and battery
regimental or battery kitchen, and that COM
petent cook be employed by the State and the
rations issued for each meal in cooked form.
He thinks better food and more of it can be
obtained from the rations With q saving to the
State. He suggests that brigade drills should
be- taken up. He calls attention to the lack Of
proper respect for superior officers aud the
neglect OF the proper salute. No inspection Of
arms, equipments, clothing or quarters was
made. He thinks many improvements have
been made in rifle practice and that more value
be attached to the marksman's badge by max
ing them less common compliments.
Col. Harrington, he thinks, should be at
tached to the Brigade Staff under the Brigade
Commander. He thinks the eneampment of
1884 most successful one and much hard
work had been done and much experience
gained by both officers and men of lasting
good, He thinks greater feeling Of cordiality
and friendship should exist between the sew
eral organizations of the militia of the State,
that spirit Of fault-fnding and criticism Of
fellow oficers often unjust, to the injury Of
the service is abroad.
In the armory inspection he finds much to
criticise In very few instances are the books
and papers properly kept State property is
shamefally neglected in some cases. Com
manding officers Of companies do not realize
their responsibilities He thinks company
clerks should be allowed $25 year for their
services, that the term OF enlistment of men
be changed from five to two years, that COM
pany commanders be allowed $50 year and
be required to give bond with sureties for
the proper care and safe return Of all property
belonging to the State, intrusted to their care.
Col. e. @. Harrington. Inspector of Rifle
Practice on the Governors staff, in his report,
says: Almost every company has maintained
sufficient practice to secure an increased
efficiency among its marksmen.
The number OF men qualifying as sharp
shooters exceeded his expectations and con-
vinces him that in the near future our
excellence,
The Frontier Guards of Eastport, under the
| excellent supervision of Lieut.. NeWcomb, de-
serves special mention for their untiring zeal
| and success in matches and qualification of
marksmen and sharpshooters. But one man
| OF their company has not practiced, the past
season. Most excellent work has also been
accomplished by Company ID, "a Regiment,
Lewiston, g. o. Morrell company inspector.
This was new company, but their achieve
ments IN the various competitions, during the
| encampment and the return of their practice
| upon the range, places them in the front rank.
Col. Harrington says companies make . seri-
| GUS mistake in selecting inspectors who either
| have no taste or practical knowledge of the use
| of the rifle, or whose time is so taken up that
| they cannot give the needed attention.
| Besides the badges offered for the qualidoa-
| tion Of markPmen, sharpshooter badge was
| offered for superior excellence in mark sman-
| ship. Eighty-eight per cent was required to
| be made at each 200 and 500 yards. The insig-
| MIA designed for this purpose is round white
| metal badge, on which is inscribed miniature
| middle range target, One of these buttons is
to be worn on either side of the military collar.
| Those who have won them this year can safely
| claim the right to ba csssed as shsrpshooters.
| Col. Harrington renews his previous recon-
| mendation that marksmen shall own their
| badges when they win them, being supplied
! with an additional bar, as Is now done when
i they requalify. In relation to sharpshooters'
badges, he would suggest that sharpshooteE
honorably discharged, be allowed to keep his
| badges.
Following the Rifle Inspectors report, is
| Gen. Chamberlain's report and recommends
| tions. He points out some embarrassmsnts in
consequences of peculiar orders relating to the
| annual eucampment OF 1884. He thinks il
was the Major Generals provinces, under the
law to order the encampment. He says: We
cannot hold officers responsible unless we res
pect that responsibility
Gen. Chamberlain says: "I am satisfied
that cur present organization OF the militia il
upon the best basis for economy and efficiency
and all other practical results. The annua
| encamprnent should be made more and more
the occasion for systematic instruction, anC
the State, have no doubt, will readily gran
the necessary means therefor
New England ShipbuiIding Company.
Directors of the New England Ship Build
ing Company held a meeting at Bath this weel
and organized as follows
Presdent-G G. Goss.
| Superintendent-B. f. Packard.
Treasurer /. ). Coombs.
Finance Committee-G. @. Moses, A. Sewall.
Committee on Contracts ST. G. GOss, W. II
| Besse.
Committee on Books and Aceounts-T. W. Hyde
| n