Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-15
RIFLE PRACTICE
A Brilliant Feature of tuesday
at Camp Cleaves.
Weather Favorable to the Excellent
Work Done by Troops.
Governor cleaves. Councillors, and Other
Distinguished Guests Witness Parade.
CAMr GRAVES, Aug. IA.

NAMf \ NLtANES, aug IT.
A dry, cool and generally healthful camp
on wet, sultry morning is appreciated.
The Maine soldier appreciates Camp Cleaves
and more than ever that the weather has
not been all which could be desired.
There was, however, no dampness to
interfere with the work of Tuesday fore
noon. In fact the cloudy weather is
preferable if quarters are not dampened
through and the grass is not too wet.
Last night was the quietest that ever
put in in camp" remarked man, today,
whose badge of honorable service indi-
Gated that the Stat, muster was no move lty
for him at least.
There is little running guard. This will
not seem strange when it is known that %
men and seven commissioned officers CON-
pose that branch of the service on guard
duty, to-day.
The general effect Of the law passed by
the last Legislature relating to the State
troops, is considered to have been excellent
The equipments are better and the induce
ments to join the service are greater
There is more money for this camp than
there has been heretofore, and the advan-
tsges are apparent. There is little per
functory service noticed on the part of the
men. They obey orders promptly and
seem earnest in their work.
The United States inspecting officers ap-
pear pleased with the work done. Indeed
it is apparent to inexperienced observers
that every time movement is made it is
an improvement upon the previous one.
OF course there are lots of criticisms to be
made from military standpoint,
and the inspecting officers are no,
slow to perform their duty. The mos,
promising feature is that the men are here
to do their best and to learn, and learn they
do and quickly.
Capt. Hall and 1t. Hersey inspected, this
forenoon, the quarters of the I'd Regiment
The result of these daily inspections of the
regmental quarters will be known on the
last day " hen the prize of $25 is awarded
to the regiment which excels in this partcu-
lar.
Col. Thayer, surgeon-general, Capt. Hall
and Gen. Choate inspected the messes in
the morning and found very little criticism
to make. The men appeared well satisfied
and content with the conditions. They
found quarters well policed.
The battalion drill, this forenoon, was to
say the least encouraging. The battalions
of the lst Regiment were drilled in column
masses. In forming line from column
fours to right and left, line face to rear and
in other movements all did very saiisfac-
torily. The I'd formed line to the right and
line to the front from column of companies,
also formed line by two movements, also
broke from right of liae 10 form column to
the rear. There was formation of line of
comp anies in column of fours from line, all
well executed.
The Governor, with members of his
staff and the Executive Council. have ac-
cepted an invitation from Col. Kendall, in
command of Camp Cleaves, to dine at his
headquarters on Governors day.
Hon. L. B. Mallet, Jr,, of Freeport. was
a guest at headquarters, Tuesday. Among
others who we're at camp greater part of
the day were Hon. S. j. Chadbourne, Hon.
o. B. Clason, Silas Adams, Esq., of Bow
doinham, and quite a number of others who
came later in the day. Gov. Cleaves and
Col. Stevens, the Governors private secre-
tary, rode up to camp in the morning
State Pension Agent +. C.Milliken imbibed
early his interest for military matters and
has never lost it even in degree. When
l3 years of age he enlisted with his father
at this camp, then known as Camp Reyes.
and he can shoot rifle with clear eye,
steady hand and accurate aim today. He is
an interested witness and excellent critic of
the military movements.
Some of the members Of the State team
got in practice at 500 and GOO yards, this
forenoon.
Capt. b. F. Bradbury, lst assistant sur
geon Of the 1st Regiment, was detailed at the
hospital, today, and was assisted by Sergt.
Continued on 9TH page.