The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-19
THE MONTGOMERY
What the United States Inspecting Officer
Says of Local Militia Company.

Adjutant General Conner has forward
to Captain Thoams j. Hogan
Lieutenant C. 6. Morton's report of
the inspection of Company E, of this
city, Sept. 21st. Lieutenant Morton is a
regular army officer, and the Montgomery
boys feel well pleased with the criticism,
which is on the whole fiattering:
"Arms, clean, but few had essential
small parts missing or broken. Equip
m ents, good. Clothing, good. Many
gloves were dirty. whereas they could
have been washed at no expense to the
owner. The men were of fine physique
as rule, soldierly in appearance and
steady in the ranks. One man married
the appearance of the front rank by
splitting continually. Present, 2 officers,
4 non-commissioned officers, and 30
privates; total, So. Memerbship of COM
pany,5 IS. Per centage of attendance, 62.
HArmory on Union St., occupying part
of the second floor of brick building,
the drill hall being on the third floor.
The drill hall is quite large, and was
found clean and attractive. A large we'll
furnished room is used for meetings and
by the officers. The rifles are also in this
room, in racks. A room of similar size
across the hall contains the lockers, and
is used by the enlisted men. This latter
room has dirty closet, containing
urinai and a water faucet. Property
is secure against thefr.~ The use of the
officers room for meetings and the
storage of rifles is something detrlment-
al to discipline lit would be better to have
an officers room that is used Tor no other
purpose An armorer is paid ~ per
year by the company to take care of the
quarters. The company has an INSULT
Gent supply of arms, equipments and
uniforms. The reserve ammuni tion is
kept for it's legitimate purpose. A
weekly drill is held, except during the
summer months. Each drill averages
consists of the school of the company.
There is no theoretical instruction, or
drill in the following: riot duty, ex-
tended order drill of squads by non-com-
missioned officers Except occasionally
when new members john The rifle
range is easily accessible by street car.
The bullet stop and marker shelter are
all that could be desired, but firing can
not be had at over 800 yards, without
shooting from railroad embankment
and skirmishing is not possible at all.
1.-THE books of the company were well
kept, but they were not up to date. No
receipt is taken of property issued to the
men. The necessity Tor using dlSclplln-
AIRY measures is reported 10 be rare In
the drill of squad in extended order
by the Inspector, the men showed
marked intelligence and eagerness to
learn. The drill of the company by the
Capital was Of marked excellence, there
being very little occasion for correction
of errors. The men showed snap and
perfect instruction in their work that was
very gratifying. The company was put
through number of movements in
double time, and performed them in a
manner that showed they had been given
thorough instruction. The drill Of the
company by the lieutenant present was
scarcely inferior. The 1st sergeant
drilled the men in the manual of arms,
which was also done well.
This company had gained slightly in
mem bership since January 1st. Speaking
of the company as whole, there is very
little to criticize and much of praise.
1t seems to have had an excellent record
in the past, and would appear to be a
credit to the State now"