Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-31

This closed the exercises at the range The
rifle practice has been under the supervision
of Col Z. j. Cram who is one of the finest
shots in the State and has worked hard and
increasingly in perfecting this branch of the
service, = work which has been most COM
mendatory and successful. Much has been
said in in reference to the fact that the
shooting has seriously interfered with the
morning drill and Col. Cram has conceived
plan for remeding this difficulty. 1t is
probable that sixteen targets will be placed
in the rife pits one for each regiment before
the muster in 1890. This will bring about
many essentials which are now missing The
men will then be compelled to shoot under
the same exterior conditions. They will not
be forced to await their turn at the target
but can all shoot together thus economzng
much time. 1t is true that more markers
will be needed but the expense will be no
greater as the shooting will be accomplished
in much less time. These plans meet the
approval of the Governor and Gen. Mitchell
and it is probable that they will be adopted
At9 30 the battalion drill was changed
into company drill and from that time until
ll.30 the companies were put through COM
pany movements and manual of arms One
of the pleasant features was the sham fight
| which took place between the companies un-
der the command of their respective cap
tains and was most successfully carried out,
Governor Burieigh and several of the mill
tary men present watched the movements of
| the companies with much interest and compli-
mented many of them IN their fine appear
ance. The movements were certainly very
correct and merited the words Of praise be.
slowed Especially is this true of the
| plAtoons of the battery which were pu,
through the manual in excellent form and
were highly complimeBted.
The Governor and Gen. Harper wen, the
rounds of the quarters during the day. Al
the frst round, upon the appearance of His
line and greeted him With hearty cheers
which the Governor acknowledged.
| The second round was made at the moor
mess hour, and all the mess houses were
visited while the men were eating The din.
ner vas one Of the finest il not the finest oi
the encampment and wh.n asked concerning
their treatment the men uaiversaIly voted
them the best ever served, fact which they
thoroughly appreciated and which bad done
| much for the success of the camp
Following the noon mess the men fell te
clearing their tents and packing their accou.
trements prepafa:0ry to striking tents. The
men on guard about the camp we're relievet
from duty At about half past one. Truck,
piled high With baggage could be seen cross
ing the field in every direction. the guns Of
the battery had been taken to the trains ant
long before the signal gun was fred every
thing was in readiness for the final boon
which should bring Camp Burieish to
close. The preparatory call sas soundes
from the front Of headqua1ters as 2.l5
Il Al the headquaften Gen Mitchell and stat
we're gathered near the flagstaff in fatigu
uniform, Sergt Jones held his bugle il
readiness for the final call, while q. N
Sergeant Moore took the guy ropes in han
70 drop the Gag the instant the gun vas fred
: At the quarters The men stood ready to dro
the tenss. The markers Of each regimen
and the battery appeared in front Of the lin
q . token thas al uas ready. Gen. Mitchel