The Portland daily press., 1885-09-01
THE MUSTER.
Criticisms by Col. Patch, Military
Editor Of the Boston Globe.

The brigade camped at Augusta as in
former years, the layout being different
The Second Regiment was encamped on the
left flank, where the battery has been in
former years. The ground at this point was
in excellent condition, well swarded and it
was neat and clean. The First Regiment
was encamped on that part of the field used
by Barnum's circus, and it was in dis
graceful condition. In consequence, no
policing could make it look decent, the
ridges and hollowS could not be levelled, and
the camp looked bad all the week. The
camp of the battery was nearly as bad, and
it was almost impossible to haul the guns
out of park.
The system of rationing the men was as
bad as last year, but the cooking arrange
ments were better. The cooking was done
by steam, except baking of beans and frying
beefsteak. The beans were procured in
Augusta, and the steak cooked on ranges,
which were not half large enough for the
purpose. The food was not satisfactory ,and
there was considerable growing, while many
of the men spent their own money for what
the State ought to furnish. But it was
cheap, and economy was the main idea in
view. The Governors staff had tents
pitched for them on the right of brigade
headquarters, with a reception marquee in
front. This was separated from the parade
ground by the cheapest sort of fence made
of pieces of Scantling driven into the ground
with narrow strips laid along the top. The
effect can better be imagined than described
The discipline Of the camp was good, the
men behaved well, were respectful to their
superiOrs, and but for an evident desire on
tho - cor, 70 CHI frly dnfx-
to their commands. There was one feature
that was decidedly Objectionable to the
general good appearance of the command.
This was the absenteeism from camp with
out leave. On Wednesday night, 215 enlist
ed men in uniform were counted in the
streets of Augusta. So far as noticed they
were sober, gentlemanly and orderly. Many
of them were evidently buying eatables to
exc out the rations furnished by the State.
But it is an evidence of a laxity of discipline
that they were allowed to leave camp against
the orders of the brigade commander. Mill
tary courtesy was better than last year, but
there was no improvement in guard duty.
This, as well as other imperfections noticed
in the duties of a soldier is due to lack of
armory instruction. 1t seemed that some of
the companies did no armory work, so little
did either officers or men understand what
ought to be taught at the weekly drill.
In battalion work the. First Regiment
made great improvement over last year.
Colonel Lynch during the week going
through all the movements laid down in the
book. Some were well done and others poor
ly, but desire to learn prevailed. In the
manual his regiment takes the lead. The
Second Regiment did faithful work, with
very salts factory results, but many of the
smaller details were overlooked in general
desire to get over large number of move
ments. Both regiments allow first sergeants
to appear at dress parade with unfXed bay
onets, which is clearly violation of tactics.
Company colors again adorned the streets of
both commands, making it difficult for a
stranger to tell which tent was occupied by
the colonel. AT guard mounting in the
Second Regiment on Thursday the details
came ON in heavy marching order, the old
officer of the day took the wrong position,
the men were steady and the ceremony pass
ed off well. There was no field music to es-
cort the detail to the guard quarters. The
new guard failed to present to the old, and
the first relief was posted with knapsacks
on. The First Regiment guard mounting
was not a success. The details were slow in
coming on; four of the first sergeants came
major did not verify his details; and though
there were two lieutenants present the
guard was not divided into platosns, and
a corporal was allowed to occupy a posi-
ton in the front rank, At inspec
tion of arms the second lieutenant
faced away from the guard in handling the
piece The adjutant forgot to close ranks
until after he presented to the officer of the
day, and the men were not steady during the
ceremony. The battery were handicapped
with poor horses, and their field movements
were not what they should have been. Their
gun drill and firings were better. Rifle prac-
tice was the best feature of the camp, and
better results were obtained than last year.
Colonel Harrington has adopted the book of
Captain Blunt on rifle practice and accepted
the recommendation for the elliptical target
for long-range firing The improvement in
shooting has caused him to raise his percent
ages for qualification, and the results of his
efforts are shown by the better shooting over
last year. In the practice at the movable tar
gets better scores were made this year than
were made at the stationary targets last year,
and the excellent work at the skirmishers'
matches place the militia far ahead of any in
the New England States. 1t is a pity that
Maine cannot send team to Creedmore, for
the men would stand good chance to cap
ture prize. But there is no money to pay
the bill, so they must rest content with home
work. ALI thinking men interested in the
militia feel that State whose soldiers made
such splendid record in the war should be
willing to make such expenditures of its
moneys as to foster military spirit among
its young today, that they may again be rea-
dy and willing, if ever needed, to defend the
honor nf their State