Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-21
Report Of Adjutant General
Selden Conner for 1895.
Good Words for the National Guard.
Well Uniformed; Well Equipped.
Possibility Of Signal Corps To Be Equipped
With Flying Machines.

"A'N ii'e'' c'Nh Nlstti ut itPpl L
is embracing and interesting 1t gives
in part the following:
The strength of the Guard is as follows:
Officers of the staff of the communicable
chief. II: LIST Regiment, i3 officers 564 en-
listed men; I'd Regiment, A officers. Sc,
enlisted men: Ambulance Corps, officer.
commissioned officers, II privates;
Signal Corps officer. 3 non-commis-
stoned officers. IL privates. Total. 100 Off
GERS. lltS enlisted men.
The Signal Corps is a valuable Access
| sion to the Guard. 1t has been provided
with two sets of telegraph and telephone
instruments. 900 yards of cable "A hello
graph Il pocket compass and signal flags.
The men are armed with Springfield
| Il. l.. carbines and equipped with woven
cartridge belts. Some members of the
corps volunteered for duty at the rifle
competition at Brunswick. and rendered
good service there, as did the corps at the
Iencampment. in communicating with the
| tarset-pit and the tring-point. 1t will be
supplied with sufficient cable to make it
of use at longer ranges.
The greatly increased range of modern
artillery and rifles and the use of smoke
less powder serve to enhance the useful
ness and enlarge the field of observations
of this branch of the service of informa-
ton. The captive balloons of the signal
| service of the Army of the Potamac were
not only the means of affording inteli-
gence of the whereabouts and move
ments of the enemy. but also. their
officers have declared, of dsconcerting
| their plans
Recent experiments point to the posi-
bility that the signal corps of the near
future will be equipped with Il car and II
series OF kitc-liie sails for raising 1t i'll
the air. all inexpensive and easily porta-
! BILE. that will enable an observer to reach
| a commanding elevation.
| Equipped with such device and with
| the bicycle to quickly attain vantage
| points OF lookout. and with the hello
graph, flags. and appliances for tele-
| graphing and teephonng to commune
cate the results of observation, a we'll
| trained signal corps could render service
of incalculable value in war.
| The Signal Corps is composed of intel
iigent young men, many OF them skilled
| telegraph operators. The character and
| the variety and interesting nature OF the
| service which has attracted them gives
| assurance that the Corps will aim at Il
| high standard of efficiency and prove a
| credit to the Guard.
| on the whole. the encampment of 1873
was successful and profitable, ana in
many respects an Improvement upon that
| of 1894 which. according to the testimony
of competent witnesses, was the best that
had ever been held in the State. All cere-
monies were remarkably well performed.
| The simple but expressive ceremony OF
| Escort of the Color formed a part of
nearly every parade of the iSt Regiment,
land was well executed. This homage to
| the flag ought never 10 be omitted. 1t Is
an object lesson in patriotism and serves
to impress the upon the young soldier
| the precious and exalted character OF
the symbol he pledges his life to uphold
| in honor.
| There appeared to be a good degree of
| Improvement in guard duty. but generally
| this duty had not evidently received SUI
| ticient attention in the instruction OF en-
| listed men at the armories. The drill was
| not so much in advance of that AT last
years encampment as 1t should nave
| been. Too much time was given to the
simpler movements and to trehearsing
| for the review. OF course this criticism
applies in much greater degree TO some
portions OF the command than to others
| In spite of these shortcomings. which are
mentioned that they may be amended
| the fine physique, soldierly bearing and
| good conduct of the men. the degree OF
| skill shown in the drill exercises ina,
| were practiced, the esprit de corps ana
the pride and interest in the service
| shown by the great majority OF othcerS
| and men. made the encampment oil lN',
| exceedingly creditable to the National
| Guard and to the State.
The largest number present on any DAY
was % officers and 1876 enlisted men
| In my report for 1894. reference was
made to the provision of new armory
| accommodations for four companies ana
| to the Improvement of the armory OF one
| company The expectation then eX-
pressed as to Co. G.. I'd Regiment Ban
| gor and Co. D.. LIST Regiment Norway.
| has been realized. and those companies
are now well quartcred The Duiiuihs
containing the armory OF co; r.. "a tseIi-
| ment Dover. was destroyed by ire IN
| June Through the personal ehorts OF
Colonel Philbrook satisfactory accommo-
dations were soon furnished by the lo"i
| IT is with great pleasure that now am
bile to report that the city OF Portland
has under construction II handsome ana
Substantial armory in the centrai part o,
the city with large drlll Sfleu attacheo
| containing ample and convenient quar-
| ters for all organizations OF the ''uaru
stationed in the city, and that II VIII
| probably be completed and ready tor oc-
| cllpancy early in the summer; that III"
city of Augusta also has under construc-
ton II city building, a principal lea."i ~, =
of which is an armory for its company OF
the National Guard which will be ready
for occupancy early in the coming year :
and that as | am Informed by the mayor !,
the city of Lewiston has purchaseu d,
the cost of $500 10000 square feet OF land
in "A central portion as site for an
armory. and that without doubt steps
will be taken in the early spring toward
the erection of satisfactory bulidine.
| General Conner says: 1t Is beHeVeo
THAT the State never before had so large
n body of citizen soldiers. so well UNI
| formed. armed. equipped as that CON
shutting the National Guard; or one
COMPOSED of a better class of men IN "a
higher state of efficiency. lie urges
that steps be taken to furnish each com
pany with uniforms, arms ana EQUIP
ments sufficient for the complement, Oh
their minimum strength at least. WIN Il
few exceptions companies require out
fits for eight enlisted men each to give
Them the minimum number in the ranks.
With the report of the Adjutant Gen
eral are printed reports OF the o1her
members OF the Governors stall sur
geon General Thayer calls attention to
The need of a hospital building on the en-