Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-13


bit in stopping; slight pull is all that
is necessary to bring charging horse
to full stop.
Among the pretty features of the
drill was the movements made in pla
toons backing out and through oppo-
site lines; riding in circle and weavin.,
in and out of; riding under arches
formed by raised sabers and wheeling
by fours, to right and left about, con-
tinuing the movement by ..fours in
circle
The troop moved down the field to
the Winthrop street end, formed in
line, and, in solid line, broke into a tros
for a short distance. then, at the com
mand "Charger' raised the sabers
high in the air. gave a yell that can
never be reproduced in type, galloped
madly down to the other end of the
field.
What magnificent riders are Capt
Dodd, Lieut.. Tate and Lieut.. Moses.
Don't they look grand on their flying
steeds. 1t would require a very de-
termined force of infantry to resist the
charge of Troop f. There is life in
that charge. There is decentralization
in that yell and there is downright fun
through it all. Capt. Dodd charged
both of bp al e,;x
crowd at both ends a chance to catch
the full effect of the charge. After
few more brilliant maneuvres the troop
retired from the field to change from
full dress to that of fatigue.
During the wait the band gave a
short concert that was appreciated by
the great crowd. When next the troop
appeared, the men looked as though
they had prepared for business. In
place of the heavy dress coat and cum
bersome helmet. they wore the blue
shirt and light service cap. Then came
the rough riding part of the pro-
gramme. BY fours, by twos and by
troopers. they secured the field. Draw
ing up in line at one end of the field
the field the men prepared to ride
standing. This was done by taking the
stirrups and crossing them over the
saddle, bringing the strrup itself well
up to the top of the saddle. Standing
;,, 4, ha;
and began a charge down the field fir
ing and yelling as they rode. This was
wild enough for the most exacting.
Saddles and trappings We're removed
and the exercise of mountings and dis
mounting in various ways was given.
This was excellent. The vaulting to
the back of the horse and then tum-
blings therefrom We're acts requiring
muscle and training. The horses We're
made to lay down, the riders remain
ing on the back until reaching the
ground. Then followed fast riding, dis
mounting and remounting on the run;
letting the horse loose and catching it
again, assisting comrade to the back
of a horse behind a rider going about
the field at will in a general way ex-
employing the exercises in which the
men had been instructed for service in
the field. This last was somewhat
amusing and was a fitting climax to
=,
All through the exhibition. which
continued for more than an hour and a
half, the audience was enthusiastic, re-
peatedly applauding the work of the
famous troop.
Among the guests at camp We're
Mayor Choate, Hon. j. w. Bradbury
Major McQuinness. Adjutant General
Richards, Capt. Morton of the United
States Army, Major Robinson of the
Second Regiment, N. G. S. NJ, of Ban
gor. Col. c. A. Philbrook. This after
moons entertainment was concluded
by a short concert by the Home band
during which Capt. Dodd and his OIL
GERS met many of Augustus prominent
citizens.