The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-13
Troops Inspected By Commander.ia-
Chief.
GOV. POWERS MARCH TO THE
ENCAMPMENT,
Graphic Pen Picture of the Events of Yes
terday at the Muster Fie1d-Goyernor's
Speech to the soldiers-AIen BreaA
Camp Today.
ESPECIAL TO THE pREss.]


Camp Powers, August 12.-One Gov
ernor's day is very much like another all
an encampment of the National Guard,
but Governors day Is always the interests
ing one of muster to the people who do
not wear blue and gold lace and to the
men who do for that matter. Early this
morning there was much furnishing up
of equipments and much brushing Of
clothes in preparation for the reception of
the commander chief. The Governor
and his staff, gorgeous in new uniforms,
with glistening lace and clinking swords
met at the State House at $50 and at
about that time the Second Regiment
marched down the precipitous slopes of
Winthrop hill to serve as an escort to the
encampment. The feet of the marching
men ohurned the mud into black paste
as they marched through the streets. They
wound around the State House and halted
before it. Meanwhile the horses for the
Governor and staff had been collected at
the side door. A big bay which stood as
motionless and silent as the Sphinx was
to bear the Governor, and gave evidence
of an even and self contained disposition.
1t appeared at glance that even tn" new
80 foot coast defenders at Portland Head
battery are not able to make noise enough
to ruff1e the spirits of this particular
charger. Over his military saddle was
thrown blue saddle cloth. Around him
clustered the horses destined for the staff.
They were not SO impressed with the
soleInnity of the occasion and backed and
twisted and fretted like ordinary steeds.
Nearby mounted orderly holding the
big blue flag with the arms of the state
emblazoned thereon, sat and waited. The
coming of the Governor was preceded by
the arrival of two of the uniformed en-
ployes of the State House bearing between
them a box over which carpet had been
nailed. This was placed by the charger
of good disposition and the attendants
ing duties to perform but to man who
is not accustomed to horseback riding
perhaps no demand is more trying to the
nerves than sitting in the saddle in the
midst of blaring military music, with
flags and plumes waving and cannon
booming. However, Governor Powers did
it successfully. He mounted, the box was
removed, the staff clambered into the
saddle and the little band of horsemen
moved down the curved drive to State
street where the escort was waiting. The
horses were we'll behaved and there was
nothing to mar the success of the cere-
mony. Major Spaulding's horse to be
sure attempted to back through the
granite walls of the State House but gave
with the rest On State street there were
a few commands as the troops presented
arms and then lining into column and
the march began. For minute it looked
as if an electric car would get into the
parade ahead of the Governor but sharp
command to "stop that car" was obeyed
and the electric waited.
1t is hard to march up the hill to the
muster field but the column arrived in
GOOD order. Out in the middle of the big
parade ground the 1st regiment was watt
ing to help do the honors to the COM
mander-in-chief. The three battalions
made three square patches Of blue in the
yellowish green of the grass as they sat
and waited, the horses of the officers rest
lessly lodging about and adding much to
the movement of the scene. In front Of
the headquarters building at the sidesof
the field a couple of men stood at the
halliards running to the top of the tall
white flag staff and on the grass at their
feet lay the stars and stripes and stats
flag. On the roof of one of the buildings
member of the signal corps was stand
ing The head Of the escort reached the
brow of the hill and the man on the roof
waved his flag. A cannon doomed, the