Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-29
GEN. GALLAoHER'S REPORT.
He Discusses Military Matters with
Consider able Criticism.

The late Adjutant General, s. j. Gallagher,
in his report for 1883, just issued, says the
last muster was not conducted in a satisfac-
tory manner. The quartermaster's duties
were poorly performed The morning re-
ports, required every morning. were not re-
days after the encampment was over. Gen.
Gallagher compliments Surgeon Gen. Hill
and Inspector of Rife Practice Harrington.
On the whole he says'
"The encampment of 1888 cannot he
looked upon as Il success. While some few
duties were very well done there were many
badly and loosely performed and could be
called anything but military. One creditahle
thing noticed was the sobriety and good be-
havior of the men and the attention paid in
salu,ng which | have never seen more gem
eral than this year.
THE guard duty, drill, dress parade. re-
views. policing and discipline were not what
they should have been. But little xas a.
compished this year. These encampments
should be confined strictly and wholly to
military duties, and not converted into pic
ncs. running dances and the like. Such
camp.
II regret to say for the good name of the
State and her militia, that never during all
my military experience Of 25 years did
ever hear Of such unsoldierly acts, such a
breach of discipline among certain commits
stoned officers, as was displayed and permit
ted in the face and eyes Of the commanding
officers, as occurred at this encampment and
since. | submit 70 your Excellency whether
the good Of the service would no, be bene-
fited by carcelirg the commissions Of such
officersl Else such unmiltary acts occur
again at any of our encampments, all of
which tend in the line Of insubordination
Gen. Gallagher says the Inspection was
not made st the proper time bv the Inspector
General. He recommends that the brigade
organization be abolished. The constitn-
on of Maine should be so amended. he
-ays. "a 10 allow the Governor aad Comman-
der-in Chief to appoint the Adjut mt General,
which should ont-rsnk all other officers
Gen Gallagher also says that there is vast
room for Improvement in the organization
drill aud discipline Of the second regiment
He severely criticises the commander Of the
battery, Capt Despaux of Brunswick, who,
he charges has neglected his command
Gen. Gallagher devotes considerable space
70 the charges and trial Of Col. Lynch He
says the charges 10 his krorledge, With the
exception Of number FIVE. accusing Col.
Lynch, of the "free use of stimulants so AZ
to render him unfit 10 be in command during
a portion of that tour of duty in camp in
1885" are all trae, and much more Ugh,
have been told of his acts in violation Of both
la~ and orders sod neglf citing his command
in the past four years He thinks that the
charges against Col Lynch are such as to
have required regular court martial trial
instead Of a board Of inqui y.
Gen. Gallagher fu-.he7 says that from his
knowledge Of the'acts and discipline during
the muster and prior thereto. substan,iaiiy
the same charges might With equal force be
brought against the Brigade Commander and
| his staff, excep pit that the Brigade Commander
/ doesn't use strong drinks.
| He says the much-,alked of Brigade In.
| spector's report of the Encampment, which
was placed in his hands BY Gen. BeaI, late
| Inspector General, Jan. 3lst last, appears tt
have been written Sept. ist AID forwarded
TO Gen. Beal BY the Brigade Commander
| Oct. 18th. being received after Gen Bea
had resigned and vas discharged. Gen
BeaIs report Of the annual inspection made
in the months Of May and June. 1888, va
! not received By Gea. Gallagher until Feb
2s,h last. long after Gov. Marble and him
self were oct of Office. So that it was i'm
possible for either Of these gentlemen q
have taken any action With these reports
Gen. Gallagher says the report made by tn
Brigade Inspector should not have been for
varied a. il vas TO Gen. Beai. a. he was Of
duty during the encampment at his own re
quest, and the CommaDder-in- Chief ha,
assigned the duties Of the Inspector Genera
. TO no one else.
He says after reading Maj Piaisted's re-
! port sent to him for publication in his repor
J with that Of the Inspector Generals Of anoth
er duty done prio. 10 the encampment, b.
! saw ii was not proper report to 60 into prin
, from such an officer; that the language o
, the report toward his superiors was ansshin
, but gentiemanly and military. II vas prot
: ably intended for Brigade Headquarters an
, no further, Gen Gallagher says be 10 soms
. what surprised At the Brigade Commando
, sending out such = report
a II mas been my especial desire and e6oI
2 TO promote the efficiency Of our small militi
force, to enforce all laws and discipline; i