The Portland daily press., 1893-06-07
SOLDIERS OF LONG AGO.
The White Goats Trained With Full Ranks
at the Kirkwood.

The White Coats, that famous veterans
association of the Infantry of the long
ago turned out with full ranks yesterday
and went to Scarboro where the day was
spent at the Kirkwood House. The usual
sports, good dinner and many a story
of the past made the time pass quickly.
An interesting feature of the occasion
was the following contribution by Com
rade Albert Harmon:
Mr.. President and Comrades:
Some time in tho early thirties an es
teemed aunt, Mrs. Halliday, presented
me with fine writing case which used
in Portland and Boston for about ten
years, when the key was lost. 1t was
then put away and not again opened for
fifty years. Recently upon taking it
from its retreat, I felt quite curiosity
to see what it contained, so | took it to a
locksmith to have a key fitted. On open
ing 1T had two or three days pleasing
employment in examining its contents,
bringing to mind many important events
OF early times which had been forgotten.
Among the many letters were three from
William L. johnson who had seen an as
sociate apprentice in the Argus corlpos-
ing room. He later took UP his pesnla-
nent residence in Augusta, where he
must have been quite popular, as he was
selected to fill the chair of Secretary of
State for several successive terms. He
died some years since. The next was
complimentary card for admission to
banquet held at Faneuil Hall June "a,
1910, on the ''400th Anniversary of the
Art of Printing" signed by Uriel Crock
er, Treasurer. The ticket holders as
sembled at the State House and escorted
by band of music, marched to Faneuil
Hall. After the banquet appropriate
speeches were made by many of the
most prominent men of the day.
Another interesting article was book
containing the constitution and bylaws
of the Niagara Fire Engine Company;
James Leavitt, clerk, and the following
approval: Portland, Sept. 5, 1882. The
foregoing Constitution and Bylaws hav-
ing been read and considered, were APP
proved by the selectmen. A. L. EmeI-
son, chairman" Mr.. Emerson was the
first mayor of the city Of Portland. In
early times there was an arrangement by
which the military companies of Port
land should act as fremen In certain
cases; probably that is the reason of my
e
What will probably much more interest
the comrades was the finding of men,
orandum book containing among other
things a diary of the memorable trip of
the soldiers from Portland to Augusta
in 1889. It is probably well remembered
by the older citizens that in 1888 much
trouble was anticipated by the Canada
ans on the border Selling land claimed to
be Maine territory, and there was much
sklrmishing taking place. Finally in
1889 Gov. Fairfield ordered draft Of 40
from every military company in the
State. Soon another order came to draft
20 from 40 already secured to march to
the frontier. Here follows copy of the
diary:
Tuesday, March 5, 1839.-Took up line of
march from headquarters to Washington street,
then took stages and arrived at Brunswick.
IN Inc state authorities had engaged the hall of
tne Iontlne Hotel for the accommodation of
on going to the hall It was filled with dancing
party on the floor. Sudden exit of da ncers and
floor.
Wednesday March 6.-Roll call at 7 O'Clock:
marched through Brunswick to Topsham amid
rived at HallowelI about half past o'clock,
+. M; took up quarters. at the. Town House;
dismissed for one and a half hours. At s
of Capt. Kinsman; guard kept through the
night.
Thursday March ,7.-Roll call at O'Clock.
partook OF breakfast at the States expense;
then dismissed until 10 O'Clock. Roll call at 10;
then formed in companies for Augusta; ar
a a s at a1p bps s}ory E NJ took in
lance over the bridge; took supper on raw pork
and hard bread for the first time This will not
compare very fayorably with our rations here
tOu9V1 Took frarnn oh Arn1 70 In ,a
evening.
:. Friday, March 8;-..Roll call about 8 A. M;
dismissed for breakfast, to meet again at ii
at II on Winthrop street, with Oxford detach
ment. and marched In body to- a field in front
Of TIE State House; formed in double ranks.
review; then the detaehments formed hollow
square around the Governor when he delivered
an address al to them then marched to quarters
evening; returned tOquarters at 10 O'clock
Saturday, March 9. Roll call at Z, dismissed
until " past II, then dismissed until to re-
was told by the captain that hereafter the roll
call would be called at 7, II, and O'Clock each
day. and that no man would be permitted
to leave ave Iq quarters unless BY written per
been complaints by citizens that some Of the
soldiers had been quite disorderly at times).
During The evening was visited at our quarters
Sunday, March 1o.--Turned out by the En-
sign and prepared for breakfast on hash beef
potatoes, coffee and bread. Roll call at g. then
cleared up the quarters for the reception of the
AdJutant General, who is expected to visit us AT
10 O'Clock, he arrived at ~ past IL. After re-
Baker partook with us. Roll Ecall at IL. A lot
OF US went to rchurch in the afternoon. Roll
call at 5; turned in in good season..
Monday, March 11.-Roll call at 7: breakfast
at 1a past z; drill at 8; roll call at 70; dinner
at 70 past II; drill at Q; supper at 6. A part
of our men went over to Augusta In the evening
where little disturbance occurred,
Tuesday, March l2.-Turned outsat q o,cJoc,t
some preparing breakfast, others getting their
equipments ready to march up in front of the
State House at 8 o'clock for drill, under com
mand OF Col Ripley; drilled until IL O'clock
then dismissed for dinner; dined on hash ameaf
and boiled rice; lounged about Augusta during
10. 'n."'
Wednesday March 13.-Turned out at 6
O'Clock; roll call at Z; breakfast at 1s past 7:
at . drilled one hour under Ensign Wilson. then
dismissed until II. During the forenoon had
orders to load our baggage carts for travel: inst
nnlshed loading when the order was counter
manded, then the carts were forthwith unload
ca 70 await further orders. Roll call at 12;
drill at 2; roll call at 8.
Thursday, March 14.-Turned out at "a past
=; roll call at z; at which time an order was
read to us by the captain from the Colonel. that
hereafter we shall be under strict martial law:
the roll call would be at sunrise noon aud am
co mo, ux.ra ,,1I ~