The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-11-24

vice able throughout; sweat blankets worn
and shabby; men looking, riding and sitting
very fairly. The wheel into line was good and
the whole ceremony very successful. The
inspection which followed showed the COM
mand as follows:
SECOND REGIMENT.
The arms were the Springfield breech load :
ing, ealiber 45; condition generally good, in
many cases excellent. in a few poor. Com
panies A and ii had the best arms; in both
they were up TO good standard for profess
sional troops in garrison. The bayonets
were in good condition, and the scabbards the
pattern in use in the United States service
and an excellent order. The brasses were In
all cases clean and bright. The belts were
worn, but serviceable.
Ths uniform consists of helmet for dress
and cap for undress; a coatee, with three
rows of buttons in front and long tails turned
up with yellow and Burnside plated blouse
The dress uniform looks handsome IN 'front.'
but is antiquated and grotesque, seen from the
rear. The blouse Is serviceable but not at all
popular with the men, as was the case with the
same blouse when tried in the regular service
The uniform has been in use seven years and
is worn and in many cases shabby. and should
be replaced as soon as possible; il shows ex-
cellent care and is in much better condition
than could be expected.
The knapsaeks were neat and as good as
any carried on the back. No canteens or hav-
ersacks are used. most serious omission and
one that should be remedied at once.
The mems hair was in all cases neat aud
short, and tha appearance Of the men worthy
OF the highest praise. The difference between
this militia and that Of the States where there
are many large manufacturing centers is most
striking. Instead Of the round backs and
STOPPING shoulders Of men accustomed TO
bend over the work bench. you see the frames
and figures Of lumbermen, farmers and men
accustomed to pursuits which develop health,
strength and stature. saw many companies
which inspired feelings Of positive envy, and
wish TO enlist every man, while their ig-
ures were such that, although much eruder
than the militia Of New York or Massachu-
sets, they almost attained the setting Of vet
erans. II was natures "setting up" that was
all the difference.
The manual Of inspection was very bad:
almost as bad as could possibly be, many men
having difficulty in getting their pieces TO a
position where the inspector could grasp them.
The cartridge boxes were Of the McKeever
pattern; much better than any have seen in
the militia, and in good, serviceable condition,
with no attempt to polish.
FIRST REGIMENT.
This regiment was marked by greater differ
enees than the I'd the muskets were all good
except those Of the crack Montgomery Guards,
and they were, strange to say, the worst in the
command and positively unserviceable, being
so rusted that the rihing could not he seen
They claimed that they had been long in use
but ] cannot imagine that ten years use, IL the
arms were properly cared for, could produce
such condition. | suspect that in some
companies extreme smartncss in drill and fire.
quent exhibition performances tend TO the
neglect of some important and solid parts Of a
soldiers training. Most Of the muskets in this
regiment were in first class condition. many Of
them what we would call orderly muskets,
noticeably Companies G, ID and b. The
other equipments were as in the second.
The men showed also greater variation, a.
might be expected from the much larger pro-
portion Of the manufacturing element; so that
while the average appearance was hardly up 10
the second, nearly half Of the companies we're
really magnificent. Company ID was in every
way one OF the finest companies have ever
seen. The Montgomery Guards in all but
muskets, were simply perfect as far as ap-
pearance went, and b and F companies little
behind. The manual Of inspection was de-
cidedly better in the Montgomery Guards,
being really very fair, and was perhaps in this
regiment generally triAe better, though still
very bad.
THE BATTERY.
The battery had admirably clean guns; fair
horses. about the same as hired horses usually
are, perhaps little more ungainly and awk-
ward than where large cities can be drawn
upon for street-ear and truck horses. This
part of the State does not produce much in
the way Of horse flesh. fhe driving was
good considering. and the men Of a
very fine class, intelligent and attentive. The
officers were good; the carriages serviceable,
though necessarily dirty from the clouds OF
dust that attended this eneampment; the iron
sheathing Of the lids Of the chest was torn and
ripped in some places. In addition To the
four brass pieces they had gatling gun, with
the barrels enclosed in a solid case. Many OF
the cartridges were too short and jammed re-
peatedly. | questioned the men and found
that they knew little Of the nomenclature of
the piece. The standing gun drill was very
fair and the frings generally very good. The
mounted drill was very creditable considering
the hired horses, and the captain was a very
efficient and intelligent man. The tents were
not as neat nor their camp as well polced as
that of the infantry.
TARGET PRACTICE
was the most important feature Of the Maine
encampment, and marked contrast 10 State
encampments, where this part Of a soldiers
duty is apt to be done in lifeless manner.
GUARD DUTY.
Guard duty is poorly done. This is the
weak point Of the Maine militia. Sentinels
rarely saluted during the day and weTs still
more rarely right. When l visited the guard
tent found both officers Of the guard absent,
and no one seemed to know their whereabouts
or be apparently in charge. In fact, out Of
guard of at least eighteen men only half
dozen at the most were present. At night
guard duty was much better and the sentinels.
as far as my observations went, always ehal.
lenged; and although very crude, seemed anx-
ious to do their duty.
Military courtesy was most entirely me-
elected, men rarely ever saluting an officer,
and never rising or standing at attention.
INSTRUCTIONS.
The orders require a semi monthly drill in
the armories, Of which return is made in the
form Of morning report, through the usual
channels TO the udjutant general. These orders
are not always carried out. In addition to this
prescribed drill there are Of course many drills,
varying in numbers and thoroughness accord
iuN " tiG Athit khpNAcdHt anu OF tuc
company officers. Some companies. noticeably
the Montgomery Guards, give proof Of con-
slant and unremitting drill. Some show great
want Of knowledge Of details, but all are able
to get fairly through all ordinary moveme nrs
The great difficulty in this State is due to It's
size and scattered population, giving 10 so
many companies absolutely no standard Of
comparison, no chance for emulation and no
chance Tor Improvement. Inc great want is a
thorough systematic course of instruction, pre-
scribed from headquarters and rigidly insisted
upon, and the immediate establishment Of an
examining board, before whom all officers re-
ported by the inspector general as ignorant and
incompetent could be brought and rcmorse-
lessly dropped. Such board coupled with
great personal zeal on the part Of the adjutanl
general has done wonders for Massachusetts,
Guard duty should be especially taught and
praeticcd in the armories.
Target instruction in the I'd regiment is mosl
thoroughly taught, and in about half Of the
companies of the lst. but the companies in
the large cities, as is quite natural, show much
greater proficiency in drill than in shooting.
Discipline within certain limits is very good.
Sosrety is almost universal rule. The camps
vere perfectly quiet and orderly at night, and
when under arms and on the field orders were
obeyed in way that showed willing. self
respecting. and intelligent men. The defects
are noisy, rough joviality, when not on duty.
which does not always respect the person and
the authority Of officers, and a sturdy rather
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