Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-14
lHEYus7ER.
AfrlTi Of lalnss Soldier Boys Il Canp
nlrhle.
How the rroops are Located -rns laeu
Cheerful Dsspiss the Storm


OF muster week that its appearance with the
troops this year vas nothing Of a surprise.
Never, however, have the men been ohhsvd
to pitch their tents In the midst Of 10 cola
and dismal a storm a. that Of yesterday. The
keckland boys were the 6rst ta arrive in he
city, - Me special trains that reached Az.
sasta aheut noon from the east and west
ercashs the remainder Of the troops with the
exeereioa of the Frontier Guards. who did
not arrive ull afternoon. The companies
marched directly from the depot up Win
threp hill TO the muster ground,
Al noon the opening Of camp was announ-
ced by firing one Of the battery guns. Des-
pitc the storm-thc most cheerless Of the
sesson--the camp yesterday afternoon was q
scene of animation, Tents were going M
with astonishing rspidiy. Heavy teams
were hauling In camp furniture and supplies
and the company cooks were making mstsers
lively ia the culinary department. Everyone
was busy, II ~ouki he hard TO nnd . mors
beautiful field in which tn hold O muster,
elevated, smooth, aud aGording ample room
for all military movements Il presents many
advantages which Il would be difficult 10
find elsewhere. The hill which must be
climbed before reaching twill furnish gentle
exercise for the men and doubtless
prevent injurious results from the rich fare
Of the mess tents. We imagine that many
of our older citizens who view this tented
field, will be strongly reminded Of the time
when old Camp keycs occupied this very
field during the dark days OF the rebellion.
That muster Of the troops OF Maine will new.
or be forgotten. We imagine that soldering
In those days lacked many-perhsps most Of
the convenienocs, and from military stand
point--luxuries of this later generation, but
IL was all earnest and terribly real. Surely
II military memories can inspire increased
devotion and zeal, the troops who participate
In this muster will be models of both.
The shoe stores were the frs, places 10 be
raided after the arrival Of the blue coats. and
rubbcrs sold for while like hot cakes, but
even these did nst always avail. and many
valiant soldier boy Wrapped up vet feet In
his blanket last night. Despite the unpless-
ant weather the men appeared TO accept tn
situation very cheerfully aud good -naturedly.
Now aud then grumbier would be found
bewaiing his sad fate, but TO the credit OF
the troops II must be said that such were ex-
ccedingly rare.
The first group Of tents that meets the eye
Of the visitor to Camp Marble are those Of
Gen Mitchell aud staff. A large hagsta6
floats the stars and stripes there. The troops
are stationed some distance beyond this place
In another part Of the field. On the left Of
General Mitohells ten, Is that Of the genial
Assistant Adjutant General, Major c. l..
Lunt.
A fine group Of officers 10 stationed here,
conspicuous among whom IL II. j. Hill Of
A -. l.. a.
as major Of the First Regiment. A rain
storm has no ,errors for the major and In
spite Of yesterdays torrents he started with
team from his home In Auburn At 4 o'clock
In the morning and drove through 10 Au-
gusta, Col. Lynch, Col. Sprague, Major
Thayer. the surgeon. and Lieut.. ID A. Rob-
inson, assistant and surgeon Of the First reg
iment, were also among those whom tSe
yQSfnal scribe noticed at headquarters yes
tt<day. One of the busiest officers ON the
field was Capt. A. X, Paul, brigade quarter
master, who 10 conducting the many and
arduous duties of his office In a most EN-
cieDt manner.
Everything possible was done for the con-
venieDce and comfort OF the men. Guards
were TO have been stationed at 2 i. NJ, but
in consideration of the stormy weather and
in order TO give the men sufficient time 10 be-
come settled. Gen. Mitchell did not require
guard duty during the day, and sentinels
were not stationed till evening.
The tents of the troops are well laid out
and make very pretty appearance. Com
ing into the field from the main road, one
sees first the field pieces Of the battery, four
In number. The battery 10 commanded by
Capt. o. 4. DesJesuI Of Brunswick, and IL
composed of two pla'oons, one from Lewis
t.,, ..xl tt,<, uruus~t,k he
company tents are directly in the rear Of the
field pieces. Continuing down the line We
next come to the tents Of the From
tier Guards Of Eastport. There
is large number Of useful
fine msrksmen in this company and they will
doubtless give n good exhibition Of their
skill in this direction before the close Of the
encampment. Company v, Skowhegsn
Light fDfantry, comes next, and beyond
them are the Hamlin Rifles Of Bangor Cros-
by Guards, Hismdea; wstervilIe Light In
fantry, Go. H.. Neslley Rifles, Levlsson
Frye Guards, Lewiston; Doughty Gusrds,
Dover; Co. c. Dexter Light Infantry; Cspi-
tai Guards, Augusta; Co. d., Norway Light
Infantry Co. o., Biddeford Light infantry
Montgomery Guards, Portland 20. A.. Port
land Light Infastry. In the Fear Of the
company tents are those Of the bands. On
the left is Chambers First Regiment band.
and on the right the Second Regiment hand,
S. Cream, master. But probably the most
interesting part Of the encampDent 70 the
average blue coat IL that occupied by the
large company mess tents. These are situs-
ted in the rear Of the company quarters, and
are new and most cofnmeDdshie feature OF
the muster. Formerly the troops ate their
rations in the open air or their s.seping tenss.
This year all that 10 changed. The large
airy, mess tents furnish spacious dining
rooms and enables the soldiers 70 est their
meals in comfort. These tables are sil pro-
yided With long tables and beach seats.
Back Of the mess tents ars the cook houses.
These are constructed Of boards, and while
not an ornamentative are certainly q necessary
feature Of the camp. Zach company has its
own kitchen. and cooking utensils. The
ssvory odors that came from their quarters
yesterday, were ample proof that the
company cooks were equal 70 the emergency.
The bean holes were 10 full blast, and II 10
evident that this good old, New England dish
will haze q place Of honor on the Bill OF
Pare. The camp IL 10 be. supplied with
Diamond Spring water. PeddIers -
booth keepers viii not be allowed 70 do euair
ness on the grounds.
| A. the scribe vas leaving the grounds, he
! cauRut sRbt OF u. " 1AffihBsWtt DsssS
| inspector Of Rife Practice, and asked:
when do you begin shooting, Celonelr"
Tomorrow morning II the weather PER
mits."
aHow do you like the Ranger
Very much indeed. Il 10 by al odds he
noest one we have ever had, both for team
and skirmisb shooting"
"How 10 the interest among the men this
Year,
"very good, indeed. All Of them are saB-
ious 70 get or 10 the new range, and there
apps srs to be . very general interest In the
! mx;cbes.v
IL the weather is fair Tuesday, whst viii
come frstf
The company team shoot, and We shah
20 on through the other matches In regular
order. and ~ rapidly ~ possible"
IN company wish Col. Staples, Il . vssy
bright yonng soldier from Portland, Iieutss-
amt CoBiey Of the Primary fraternity Cadssf
He 10 . thorough solIier and ooe of the
drilled In the camp. IL was quit bv
night before morpheus succeedes
. 6rm gnp on Camp MAJ
probably do better In theA- - :