Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-30
THE STATE MUsrBa


Volunteer miitfia oil the St"ts, thA1 hA~
ever occurred 10 its history. Several
hsypy elements have coDspired to BRING
si1at this result 10 the first place the
weather has been superb, and this has
contributed not a little to the general sat
isf.sction and assisted largely in making
everybody happy. The pleasure Of the
entire encamp,nent In the new muster
field has also been one great cause OF CON
tentnient and good discipline on the part
OF the entire force. Finally, harmony
and good feeling among officers and men,
q disposition 70 excel ia every position,
n high conception Of the duties OF the cit
ixen soldier and a desire to discharge
those duties worthily, has been pervad-
Ing persOnal inspiration among the entire
militia throughout the whole eDcampment.
One Of the best moves ever made by the
State towards the more complete efficiency
Of its military force was the purchase OF
the present muster ground by authority
Of the last legislature. The location Is
one Of the most desirable 10 New England.
The field embraces sixty-tbree acres Of
perfectly level land, located on the high
-. fh. h.tId
western bank Of the Kenuebec, at this
city. 1t ia an elevated site commanding
wide and varied panoramic view Of the
kennebec valley, at just the right distance
remove from the city, proper Being 40
elevated, no location could possibly be
more healthy. The drainage is perfect,
the air warm aud dry, Ia refre .hing
breeze has been present during every day
OF the encampment), and all the sanitary
conditions such IA cannot possibly be
improved upon. Having purchased the
field, the State has erected permanent and
convenient buildings for the uses Of the
various important departments Of the
militia. which has been done at cost but
little above that OF leasing ground for
the encaupment, where |; has been
necessary to do this in holding the annual
muster ia some parts of the State 10 wears
past. Ia negotiations for the purchase OF
the iairl on which Camp Burleigh" l.
located. 10 the work of erecting the build
ing-. aud the exacting duties incident to
TIE preliminary arrangements for the
muster To insure i,- success, most admir-
able service has been performed by the
Adjutant General OF the state, Henry NJ
Sprague Of Auburn. In all the duties
Gen. Sprague has entered into their ne.
complishment with an untiring industry,
and has inauguratcd his first term in the
mOs, creditable manner. demonstrating &c
the people of Maine the wisdom of the
legislature In placing him at the head OF
the important department over which hs
presides.
The several officers of the Brigade and
its regiments have performed their res
p~etive duties In manner deserving the
highest commentator. At no State
encampment has there been manifest sc
high degree OF harmony, efficiency and
good will. Brigsdier General Henry l.
Mitchell has again proved himself
the splendid commander. tine dis
ciplinarixn. and corteous gentle.
man which he Ia. Col. Lucius II
Kendall and Col. Victor Brett of the First
and Second Regiments respectively, have
each gained new laurels to add to theiI
already acknowledg, ability as fine com
manding officers. The staff officers Of
each regiment, OF the Brigadier General
aud the auder-ir- Chief have wor
high encomiums for their practical eff.
cheney and fine military bearing. Finally
1t has seemed that with every man OF
every company on the field, there has beer
present throughout only desire to ex ,e
In the place where his duty has called him
II has been the hest governed and easiest
controlled muster the militia has evel
held.
Special mention ought to be made of tn,
fine work done In the Departments OF
Rifle Practice, Artillery Service and
sAr Ambulance Corps. In the
fofusef Colonel 4. J. Cram, the
Inspector Of Rifle Practice has proved
most worthy and efficient officer. The
requirement s Of this part Of the service
demand high order Of precision, accur
acy and skill; and the results have beer
such ~ reflect high credit not only upon
Col. Cram, but W on the several gentleman
entering the competitions. Capt. Oren T.
Despeaux of the Mounted Artillery, did
most excellent service with his Battery
and the thorough drill Of the ambulance
department under charge of Medical
Dirccto, rred'k c. Thsyer, was highly
complimented.
More noticeable than At any previous
State Muster has been the number Of dis
tinxuished military visitors. Among
these have been Maj. ". NJ. Dunn, L. 5.
A., commandant Of Fort Preble, detailed
- US. Government Inspector; Col. S. H.
Ieoaard Of Boston, of the 18Th
Massachusetts, v. NJ, AdjutAnt Gen.
eral Dalton Of Massachusetts, and Col.
Harrison A. WHEELER Of the ID Illinois
Regimcnt. These gentlemen all expressed
Themselves in the most emphatic manner
q 70 Tie beauty Of location of the
groands, TIE 1ne military discipline Of
H. troops, and the perfect success Of the
encanpneat. MAJ. o. Il. MicAaelis, CON-