Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-21
VOLUNTEER MILIIIA.
Their Attention Called to Matters in
Which They are Dsfioisnt.
HEADQUARTERS MAINE MILITIA, !
ADJUrANT GENERALS OFFICE,
Augusta, April l8, 1891. J

u OENthAL oFfICE,
Augusta, April l8, 1891.
Circular No. /.
The attention Of officers is specially d.
recied to the following matters, in which
the volunteer militia iave shown them
selves deficient, or neglectful, and open 10
criticism:
l. Many incorrect commands sre used
on drill ard parade, snd too frequently
commands are badly delivered. A COM
IN ard should never be given Otherwise than
exactly in the words pretcribed. Tie tone
of command should always be animated,
Distinct and of loudoess proporiioned to
the number Of men under instruction.
Each preparatory command should be pro
nounced in an ascending tone of voice, but
always in such manner that the command
Of execution may be more energetic thar
elevated. For foot movements the com
msnd Of execution should be pronounced
in tone firm sn1 brief. A well defined
pause separates the preparatory command
snd the command Of * cutio1; also the
preparatory commando, when there are two
or more. Commands should be correctly
pronounced: custom has, however, sane
tiooed deviation from the usual pronun-
cisiion of TIE word o5iique, where the letter
! may be prorounced as in o5hgs; and the
word rnute, where on may b. pronounced
50 in out.
Tie preparatory command company.
division or battalion, is frequently used
when no. prescribed, and omitted when it
should be used; the same is irue of the
numerical designations Of companies and
div sions. The notice OF change in the
numerical designation is more often omit
ted than given.
2 One Of the things most neglected, is
the setting up drill, and the consequences
of such neglect s-e conspicuous. As the
importance of ing up can not be over
sa,imated, soldiers should be frequently
rrsc;iced in the drill, and the proper car
?isge Of the body should be insisted on on
all occasions when in uniform.
8. The frst step forward in quick time,
vt the commsDd march" should, IS we'll SIS
the subsequent steps, be thirty inches,
This step is almost invariably short. 1t il
the duty Of officers ard non commissioned
officers to cause this to be corrected. 1t Is
slso necessary to remind officers and non-
/ commissioned eff GERS that in quick time
The cadence step should always be 120 steps
| to the minute.
| L. In view of the probable change in
] tactics. ii is desirable that drills should be
| devoted to the practical movements, which
must remain substantially the same in prin-
ciple, whatever change may be made. The
essentials of the manual, such IS the carry,
| present, right shoulder, arms port, charge
bayonets, losdings and Hriogs, should be
prscticed, rather than these which are non
/ essential.
5. More attention should be given to
guard dnhes. There are too many in
stances Of ron CON missionod officers who
are totally lost a. to their duties when on
guard, ard this is is rot slons confined to
non commissioned ofHcers-msny officers
are also found at fault A thorough knovl-
edge of guard dusies can only be impaired
TO officerr and n,sn Of the Militia, who are
only in camp for brief period, by theo-eti-
cal instruction. schich should always pre-.
eede practical instruction.
g. Reports and returns are frequently
rot received ~hen due, and often, when re-
ceived, are found to be Incorrect. A little
thought in the preparation Of these papers
will make them correct, snd save the maker
m are than he gains, apparently, by hssty,
Ill considered vork
Z. Un6er present conditions. the en-
tire responsibility for the success Of the
Maine volunteer militia rests on the resi-
mental commanders; good colonel has a
good regiment, and good captain good
company.
). Great care should be taken in recruiting
The anteeedents and employ ment Of all ap-
plicXnts should be sscertained, ard their
surroundings known.
The number Of men on the roll Of a
company is no criterion Of is prosperity !;
the percentage of men presen. fer duty a.
drills constitutes its strength.
The socisl element In the militia il q PC
tent factor, and no selt-respecting man will
enlist in = company in which the officer.
sre not Whist they should be, or in which
there il bsd element in the ranks
To raise the standard AID raske it more
difficult to enlist will increase the number
Of applications.
8 There are two promipen. causes for
the absentee list being large snd nece.si.
tating the discharge Of men before the ex-
piraiion Of their enlistmfns: First, want
Of care in enlistment and second, al errene-
Gus idea Of discipline Military order.
should discays be enforced acith COURTESY
dnd frmness, and atfhopt diseussoa. Al
order given should be followed Up and i
should never be allowed to rems;n unexs.
cuted. Violence of speech and manner
have no place IN cur mi itsry establish.
ment. HExRY v sraAeUE,
Adjatans General.