Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-02
NAMES mlllr,A.
Capt. HALL Writes on Tho National Guar,
Of tho State d mains."

published In New York, will contain
the first OF a series of very interesting
articles by Capt. Chas. b. Hall. 18th
u. S. Infantry, the subject being "The
National Guard Of the State Of Maine ;,
This first paper,an extract of which we
give below, is finely illustrated. On the
first page is a scene from the field.
/ This shows the governor and star
awaiting the troops, which are forming
to pass in review. It affords. however
an inadequate idea of the snlendid
field. than which none are better situa-
ted or better adapted to the purposes
of an encampment. This field was ob-
tanned by the State during the admins
tration of Gov. Burleigh, he being the
chairman of the committee having the
matter in charge and it is one in which
the State takes pride and is improving
year by year. Other illustrations
are: group of portraits including
Gov. Cleaves, Adjt. General Conner.
Col. VIM. S. Folger, Lit Mark l.. Her
sey, 18th U. S. Infantry. Maj. Albert S.
Rollins, Col Chas. II. Prescott and Col.
w. w. Whitmarsh. On another page
lis group consisting of Gen. w. s.
Choate, Col L. c. harrington and Col
l. X. Stetson.
Capt. Hall writes as follows in the
introduction of the series:
OF all her sister states Maine occu-
pies. geographically the most EXPOSED
position as regards danger from attacl
by any other power. A glance at the
map shows the State in shape as no,
unlike the immense head of some 81
gantic body thrust far out and unpro.
tected into foreign land. On accoun
of its location as the most northeast
erly of the United States. embracing
some $4,000 square miles of territory.
and being nearly as large as all of the
other New England states combined
Maine, in military sense. is the out
post of all the states of the Union. Or
the north and east and northwest som.
SIX hundred miles of her border Offe,
an easy crossing for the troops of Eng
land and England's allies, while abou
two hundred and thirty miles lin di.
rect line) of her coast present fai,
objective for the operation of the navie
of the world. With the most magnifi
cent harbors on this continent, in on,
of which PortlarD the largest ship
now built can ride at the docks, Wit
her navigable rivers, her fine roadsan
~, vino of no of ~
great artery of communication witt
Canada,-the Grand Trunk Railroad
affording to England direct conlmuni
cation with her colony at all season
of the year. and with the Canada,
Pacific railroad traversing the Stat,
from east to west, giving equally goos
connection with Canada from eithe
Saint Andrews or Saint Johns strate
gically Maine becomes of the creates
Importance and its possession would b.
eagerly fought for, holly contested ,ant
of inestimable value, especially t,
England, in the event of war.
Her exposed frontier made her sol
the scene of many bloody battles il
the early days. and her history is ricl
with the stories of Indian wars ant
battles between the French and English
Wherever the fight has ragged the son
of Maine have always been found con
spicuous for their bravery and whethe
required for service at home or outsid.
her borders, they have freely responde,
and offered themselves las sacrifice
need be to the glorious cause of liberty
At the time of the transfer to Main,
of the statute law and government o
40
count of military organization in tn.
State is noticed. At that period the mi
litia was a most important part of tn,
government, as upon it's efficiency de
pended the safety Of the people and tn,
existence of law and order. ''All able
bodied frcemen and others who hav.
taken the oath of residents" belonged
to the train-bands. Those in a tow
formed a company, and if they mum
bered siXty-four they We're entitled T.
q captain, subalterns and non-commis
stoned officers, otherwise they wer
exercised by ScrgeantS, or perhaps, b
a subaltern. Until 1868 the captains
lieutcnants' and ensigns, were clecte,
by the freemen at town meetings, ant
afterward reelected by their RESPECTIVE
companies and in both cases the choic.
was presented to the county court
which either confirmed it or rejected
and ordered another election. Thu
soldicry of each county formed a regi
mcnt which was commanded by ;
sergeant-major chosen by the frcemei
of the same county in town meeting
Each regiment was mustered once il
three years. All of the militia in tn,
colony was commanded by major
general who was, like the governor
elected by the freemen at large. En-
signs and all superior officers were
at a subsequent period, commissioned
by the general court.
The militia was required to train
by companies six times in a year. an(
so scarce were firearms in those day.
that only two-thirds Of the soldiers
were required to have muskets anG
bandoliers Ga broad leather belt, for
mcrly worn by soldiers over the RICH;
shoulder and under the left arm to sup
port the musket and twelve cases OF
cartridges. but later as a cartridge
belt;) the remainder might serve with
pixies provided they had corselets and