Morning journal and courier., 1891-08-05
HIsTORIoALPAPER.
Training Day in Milford Fifty Years Ago.
 TAnsonia Seminal

Training Day in Milford Fifty Years
 Ago.
 [Ansonia Sentinell
 We are indebted to Judge John J. Miner for the following interesting paper. The men who were members of the military companies of half century ago are almost all of them through with the scenes of this life, and it is well to have record of their doings to hand down to the descendants of these patriotic citizens:
 "Three weeks from Monday it is train ing day" Such was the exclamation that might have been heard from every boy in Milford old enough to talk, fifty years ago, and not one ever made mistake, not one that did not have the exact time concern ing that great and important day. What an interminable three weeks then ensued. How slowly the time passed along as if it would never pass away, and now half century has been added to the lives of the survivors how the scenes and incidents of those days crowded upon the memory as fresh as if occurring but yesterday. May and September trainings being the two great holidays of the year, the entire population being equally interested, the boys expecting and receiv- ing new jackets and trousers and the girls new bonnets and frocks. When the day did at last arrive what smiling faces, what perfect content pictured on every counte- nance. An, me; shall we ever have any thing to replace the good old training days fear not, for with all the advance of modern civilization they have given us nothing to compensate for the loss of training day. Fifty years ago and more Milford bo6 fhraa military oroopizo
 the Grenadiers. the Milford artillery, and company of militia. The grenadiers have been faithfully and graphically de- scribed and their history minutely given by Judge Fowler in pamphlet, which should be in the hands of every descend ant of those patriotic and sturdy men.
 The Milford artillery, at the time of which am writing, had just blossomed out in their new uniforms of dark blue cloth and gold lace, their bright shining swords, two cannons, each drawn by two of the most showy horses to be obtained driven by Treat Clark and Darlington Merwin. Their captain was the popular and handsome Alfred Mallet; first Lieu tenant, Miles Davidson; ensign, James Hepburn, who had been taught the broad sword exercise by a graduate of West Point. Such was the company that claim ed to be the crack organization of the town. As the ranks of the grenadiers had then been decimated by the forty five linn it law their claim was conceded without opposition. This was the company with which the writer paraded one fine Monday in May some fifty years ago. The roll was beaten by Isaac Davidson, the greatest snare drummer in the world, as the boys verify believed. By his side stood Nathan Bald win, the no less renowned fifer, and be- L II. | drummer, his drum about the size and shape of the casks now used in shipping crockery, his head canted so far back that if his tall, bell-crowned hat had fallen of it would have struck the ground ten feet behind him, it was said. There, also, was Charles Hine, an equally good drummer, with Fife Major Charles Smith. After the drill in broad sword the company marched up Broad street and counter marching halted in front of the store of Miles David son. about il o'clock 8. m. Here they were served with crackers and cheese and buckets of lime punch. The line of march was now taken up for River street, where they again halted in front of the store of Charles Clark, nearly opposite the.Episco- pal church.
 Refreshments were again offered and accepted, after which the company was marched to Broad street. Here occurred little interruption to the thus far har- mony of the day. The artillery had al ways looked upon the old "melish," as they termed them, with dislike, and a large portion took no pains to conceal their contempt. The militia being in company formation the gunners thought it to be a good joke and stigma on the company to march through and break the ranks. Cap tain John Burns, divining their intention, instructed Sergeant Hiram Bristol to re- pei the attack. As the gunners came were ordered to halt Paying no attention to Bristors order, who was armed with an old Queen Anne musket weigh ing some twelve pounds, they at- tempted to force an entrance, when Bristol, swinging it like a bail club, landed the breech on the side of Freddy
 Stowe's head, which raised lump like { | small hens egg. The next sweep of the gun and Skys Davidson went to grass Johnny Green now came with re-enforce ments to Bristol's aid, and a portion of the artillery to aid the gunners, and general battle was in progress when the officers ot both companies, with drawn swords, rush ed in and after approximations, threats and commands brought the belligerents at last to order. But the gunners did not march through that time and they never attempt ed it again. The writer at that time being one of the gunners concluded it was best to go around. The muskets of Sergeants Bristol and Green were afterward looked upon with great respect.
 It now being after 12, noon, the company were dismissed for dinner. At 80 o'clock the roll was again called. After marching to the head of the green the line of march was taken for North street. Passing ove1 the bridge and up the hill they were halted at the Chittenden store, afterwards kept Inequalities of the place, and then to the North street store. The proprietor, being one of the first enlisted men, received the company right royalty. He was found the staunch friend of bilious collie, chol era morbus and grips, tamarind punch, together with all other refreshments ir country grocery stores at that period Homeward now the hard marched soldiers tread their way and yet thei1 feet seemed to lift easily After calling upon Anon their last sampling place wal left, River street passed through and Hep burns corner reached. Here the company changed front. The ear piercing notes of Nate Baldwin's fife could be heard at the Gulf and the drummers far behind the bay or Charles island. In Broad street were gathered all the people of the town, except the sick and those too infirm to come out Here were the peddlers with their wheel
 barrows, Sack Glenny being the largest dealer in irecrackers, candy, cakes of all kinds, oranges, figs and peanuts. MT Smith, the fat man, with barrel of cider in his wagon, one cent a glass. Root beer made of genuine roots by Captain I. I. Green, two glasses for five cents. Every
 one did 6 rushing business and everybody with money and all spending it innocently
 happily, joyously if we except the little gamblers pitching pennies and throwing joke sticks. As they gennerally came out square there was no harm done. As the afternoon wore or the marching became more lively, and when the two infantry companies com menced firing it was understood that the last hour had come, and in the roar and smoke of the artillery cannons, the rapid discharge of musketry, the incessant rol of the drums, the enthusiasm was at its height. The firing being over the com panies were drawn up in hollow square, the officers in the center, when the captain l and officers rendered the men their thanks | for their soldierly conduct through the | day, which afforded convincing proof that | it would be exceedingly dangerous for ! foreign foe ever to invade land defended ' I1, 1