Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-29
OFFICERS SCHOOL
CONTINUED from page -


DESSERT.
v.n,,,, ree cream. Assorted Cakes.
Vai''''' st Strawberry Short Cake.
Fruit Jelly. Whipped Cream am
Tea CoHee. '7"'s
The folder contained an eNceiient
likeness OF Col. Phlbrook on the front
and school of Commissioned Oflicers
second Regiment, n. G. S. M. The
back cover was adorned with cut Oh
the Heselton.
AZ the evening session the officers
listened to some interesting talk on
different matters and the following
naner by Major Edwin NJ. Fuller of
Path. surgeon of the Second Regiment
'.The duty of company commanders.
toward their men, in approaching, depart
ing from. and during camp. in the
National Guard of Maine" by Major Ed
win NJ Fuller. Surgeon I'd Regt:
THE care of men in moving to and
from camp and during an encampment,
is a very important matter. The more |
study into the duties of the company
commanders life. the more l am con-
WINGED that ii is one of the most respon-
sible positions in the National Guard
when properly attended to. TO belong to
the National Guard. that a man may have
Il weeks outing in camp, and some fun.
is not all that IS contemplated by our
military law. From the time companies
start from their armories for the annual
camp commanders should be very care
full concerning the health of their men,
The object of a National Guard is to so
train men that in the event of war. an
organized body would be armed and
equipped at moments warning, ready
for action. with healthy and able bodied
men. TO allow men to come into camp
each year like school boys. would do the
National Guard no good 1t would DO the
men much harm. Some privates have an
idea that camp means rolllcklng
time q big drunk, and night IN the
Guard house.
Every one of these things should be
reduced TO minimum 1t can only be
done by the authority vested in the COM
mander Let every man be instructed
in the armories, that to make favora-
BILE impression as part of the National
to enjoy a soldiers life in camp: he must
so conduct himself, from the time he
breaks up home habts.--till his return TO
them. that he will avoid eXcesses and I'M
soldierly conduct at all times. This re-
ouires discipline: and discipline is
part of soldiers life. Steady home
habits cannot be suddenly given up to
over feeding and over smoking: excess
sive use of stmulants, loss of sleep, and
roting. and then expect men TO be good
soldiers. Often caution men about such
matters. and encourage lives of discretion
and soldierly conduct. Patriotism. love
of country. love of the soldiers ideals is
what induces men to enlist in the Nation
al Guard II one cannot deny himself OF
some things. he had better not attempt
to be a soldier, for the soldiers life is
full of deprivations. The successful
warrior Is the soldier who avoids eX-
cesses. who eats with discretion who
drinks never to excess who obeys his
superiors, and who can deny himself.
when necessary, of some pleasure with
out attempting to break up Il camp.
These things must be impressed upon men
in every company. throughout the year
in company talks
Companies which are to be moved long
@
long ear ride; after the ordeals of a tire
some wait at Il railroad station. followed
by a march to the camp grounds, and the
fatigue of tentage settlement. men to be
fit for duty the following days of camp
should be kept quiet If in the journey
a meal is to be lost. some. arrangement
should be made for proper feeding If no
other arrangement can be made for
meal in transit, proper ration should be
provided and served under the direction
of the commander. Never allow men.
while under authority, to eat indiscrimi-
nately while travelling. and especially
forbid them to drink beer or hard liquor.
Nothing will undermine Il soldier quicker,
than either of these practices. Give the
men plenty of wholesome food. but have
stated and known hours for serving it.
Water of known purity should be pro-
When possible it is better to serve warm
coffee and milk. Allowing soldiers to
miss Il meal. and permitting them to OBJ
tain food as best they can on journey
of only few hours duration even, will
impair their digestion and induce other
ailments which will destroy their useful
ness for several days as soldiers. Men
often do things which injure them I'M
Willingly. when left to themselves, while
If they were properly advised. they would
pursue d different course and preserve
their health. Some men who come into
our annual camp yearly. are as exhausted
and nearly played out" physically. as
other men would be after weeks rough
campaigning. In the one instance the
man is utterly reckless regarding his
habits Of eating. drinking and sleeping
while in the other. he exercises judicious
in all three directions. If men of the
first instance We're journeying to meet
an enemy, they would be an easy prey in
the combat. while battalion of the
second instance would be we'll nigh in
vncible. 1t must always be remembered
that this is no boys play. through which
we are passing. Every movement should
be planned ana executed as though you
had received orders to appear before 4
hostile enemy. To arrive in the best pos
sibe physical form should be the duty
and pride of every commander. If this is
not done, certainly your men will never
learn how to act or behave, or care for
their personal comfort and welfare. whei
in the face of an enemy. Loss of sleep
excessive convivality. excessive smoking
and over eating the first night in camp
has laid the foundation for sickness and
consequent uselessness of many a pri
waite during the last two camps of TIL.
National Guard. l believe radica
change regarding discipline the frs
night in camp is called for from medi
cal as well from military standpoint
Some commanders say; Oh. the mef
are not settled. and it's the first night in
let them have good time. That pull:
down the barriers to an extent that thu
one nights excuses are not recruited
from. throughout the camp. In m.
opinion when a soldier car stand al
excusable hardship for short season
without murmuring. he shows the effec
of good discipline. That man will maxi
good soldier. Surprising he was callet
into active service, and on the eve of al
engagement should spend the nigh
i'm facilitating eXcesses and riotous living
IL he did he could Withstand the fatigu
but a short time in the face of an enemy
This being true. there is much need o
better discipline in the National Guard
LIST. because II is military. and End. be
cause 1t is sure to weaken the service b.
allowing facilitating excuses, thereb
laying the foundation for sickness
throughout the tour of duty.
On arrival in camp every effort shou
be made to settle the men in their variou
quarters as speedily as possible, in orde
that ihe men may obtain necessary quie
and rest. Company commanders shoul
have general oversight of their men un
til they are properly settled. Bring NOR
blankets. Every man sholld be furnishe
,sat