Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-04

monweslth Of Massachusetts, to appear at
Thomas N0rt0n's, at nine o'clock the next
morning armed and equipped as the law
directs for military duty, with three days
provisions, there To await further orders.
On rising In the morning found my moth
er and the girl xho vas at the time at work
in the house. in tears. and busily engaged in
cooking biscuits and doughnuts and pre-
pairing a knapsack. the fabric Of which was
tow aud linen cloth, into Shieh was deposit
ed q bountful supply of the said biscuit
and cheese and \ wool blanket. all of
which filled the knspsack TO its
utmost capacity. While thus the house.
hold was being engaged, our old colored
Pero7 called TO give counsel how to con-
duct h time OF battle, (he having been a
soldier in the Revolutionary war, which
instruction gaze small encouragement TO u
novice like myself. After breakfast |
strapped on my drum and wended my way
10 the place of meeting where the mil tia
company into which | had but recently been
enrolled. were assembling. The company
having been duly inspected and found law
| fully equipped, viz gun and ramrod, bay
Onet, pruning wire and brush, two spare
| iuts cartridge box AMI knapsack,
we commenced our march, and arrived
on Cross Hill n Nassalborough at night,
where we found shelter in barns. etc.
Early next morning. Tuesday the COM
pany was formed and roll called. Found
no desertions nor any on the sick list After
ligh'ening our knapsacks by somewhat re-
duCing their contents, We took up our
march for Browns Corner. where We
found the Sd regiment forming into line,
under command of Col. Herbert More of
Win.los Lieut. Col Hayden of Wins
low. Major Daniel Stevens of China
then Fsrfax) and an sijutant of Water
Vile. The officers Of our company were
Robert Fletcher, Capt Nathaniel Bragg,
Lieut. Caleb Par nenter, Ensign, and
John Weeks, Orderly Sergeant Mr..
Blithen vas ifer and myself drummer
James Crosby was Drum Major, and Wiz
liam Crosby Fife Major. The regimental
line having been formed. we took up our
line Of march for Pi,tston, where we ar
rived at night
10 marching through Augusta. we dis
covered standing opposite the Old Cony
Female Academy. the venerable Judge
Cony uncovered with his snow white locks
floating ia the breeze. whsreupon the mu-
.icans struck up Wash ngton's March"
which apparently had very touching eff
feet upon the old Judges Patriotism. to
which he gracefully responded by bowling
to US his noble and reverend head.
Arriving at PIltston, We took lodging in
barns. Sentinels we're placed around Us.
guard plsced over magazine. colors and
other camp property, and after the tattoo
had been sounded at nine o'clock. we all
retired to night quarters. The next morn
ing. Wednesday,, thf reveile being played,
the regiment was formed in line,
the roll called and none reported
sick. A new guard being drafted. We again
broke ranks and commenced TO finish up
our three days provisions AT night beef
OF was driven in and slaughtered for our
company, which efforded u. a capital sup
per. The seectmen who furnished the
beef were Josiah Ward, Nathaniel johnson
and Constant Abbott
Thursday - This day was passed as yes
terdsy.
Friday morning, at break of day. q horse
man with fosmug steed appeared at head
quarters with orders to march at once to
Wiscasset, where the enemy was expected
momentarily TO sack aud burn the village.
The regiment was Immediately formed
into line after taking slight repast.
1 ne hiuNitN uI war utiHk TtAI 10 US.
we proceeded on our march to Wiscasset
where we arrived at sunset weary and hun
CRY. having marched in rainy day through
mud ard water. Col. Nathan Stanley who
accompanied us had lately returned from
the serious battle of Shsttsga Woods" and
had bad some war experience. He rode to
the front when he reached Wiscasset and or
dered the houses TO be at once opened for
-. e.. l. q. ~
place through fear of the enemy. Satur-
day at Wiscasset living upon government
rations, viz salt beef aud sea bread. cot
fee without milk or sweetenng and one
gill of rye whiskey per day. We marched
through several streets, merely to let the
citizens know how formidahly they were
protected. Perhaps one half or more Of the
guns would not discharge if called upon to
fire
Sunday morning the regiment formed a
line and marched about the village until
the church bell tolied for meeting when VIC
marched into the meeting house whore We
behaved ourselves very well. and received
the earnest prayers OF the pastor for our
safety ,hrouga the perils of our expectt d
bloody engagements with the British red
coats. After church service and rations We
took boats across the bay to EISecomb
Heights where our tents were pi,ened in
straight line. into each six soldiers were TO
lodge. Camp kettles were hung upon poles
fires lighted under them aud supper pre-
pared.
Monday our regular routine of duties
commenced st day break At revtille the
men would turn out, fern lire and have
the roll called and guard for the day drafted.
then break ranks, (aftcr receiving our gill
of whiskey) aid go to breakfast. orr food
being spread upon rough boards, and con
sistins of sAlt beef aud hard bresd. y hich was
not aiwsys exempt from worms: and cof
fee in tin dipper- Such change of diet
from our accustomed food AZ home |
soon had its effect by bringing |
on sickness among the soldiers. |
After breakfast line wonlj b formed for |
the purpose of drill. marching &c. com.
manded generally by Col. Stanley. who 1
was splendid officer, with large experieu c. |
Break ranks at ii A. NJ. and DO mare duty |
until near night when the line would be |
again formed and the retreat played in front |
Of the regiment from the right to left and |
back. After receiving the hanks OF the /
colonel il we deserved them, and if not, /
bis ceusure which would be poured out |
upon uswithout stint. re would again break |
ranks-
We had but one deserter; his punishment
Was to be tied to the tail of a cart drawn
by an old skeleton of a horse an front of
the whole line. A false alarm was made
one day ordering the regiment into line for
Immediate action. Officers chaaged their
military hats, coiers were brought out, bali
cartridges distributed and mu.kets loaded.
The regiment marched down to the river
and placed skirmishers behind q stone wall,
but no enemy appearing We marched back
With much cheerfulness of countensnee
aud with double quick time Previous 70
breaking ranks the muskets we're DISCHARGED
IN ths air, those that would ignite. and the
cafsfiages IN the remainder we're
snndfavn for further use. This
scare produced considerable sudden in.