Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-08
GALLANT TROOP f
Starts on Its March from
Bangor to Augusta.
camped, Last Night, at CarmeI--
Handsomely Entertained.
Will Stop at Piitsiisld, Tonight-Ths Journal
Man As Soldier.

Camp Carmel, Troop F, Sd y. S. Cav
airy. In the field, Sept. 7.-(SpeciaD.-
l feel very unkindly toward the man
who invented the idea of newspaper
reporter accompanying troop of cav.
airy on the march. A railroad train is
good enough for me, in nine cases out
Of ten, but when one goes down from
the comforts of nicely upholstered
passenger coach of the Maine Central
to an ambulance wagon with driver
who just likes to "let 'em SAIL" partic-
ularly when he is several hours behind
the game, the change is something
fearful to contemplate.
Oh, but l am having a nice time.
But perhaps l don't care what / say.
l arrived in Bangor at $50 Of the
clock in the morning. l babe Con-
ductor Frank Gardiner a fond farewell
when / told him was going for to be
soldier. and turned my face toward
Maplewood park, where l expected to
find Troop F of the Sd U. S. Cavalry in
camp. found that the men had taken
breakfast and were awaiting orders to
strike quarters.
At o'clock. Capt. Dodd came to
camp from the hotel and at once all
was hustle. At 7.31 the General was
sounded and the boys struck quarters
with yell. There were a number Of
visitors in camp, among whom were
Gen. Smith. Hon. F. o. Beal. Mrs. Beal,
Mrs. Dodd. Mrs. Moses, wife of Lieut..
Moses.
And Of course there were a few new
made sweethearts who had come out
early to bid the boys a fond farewell
and wish and hope that they would
come again another year.
There is something about the soldier
boy that never fails to attract the at
tention of many of the gentler sex, and
if what the troopers say is true, a
large number of the gentler sex were
attracted during the week passed by
the troop in Bangor" Many's the heart
that was broken. after the fair" But
the boys had a good time during the
week and they were entitled to it.
Troop r has added many laurels to
the fame attained before entering the
State of Maine and Capt. Dodd will. in
all probability receive many overtures
from fair managers, next year. But to
get Troop F to appear at any public
gathering, you must have a friend at
court, for the troop is no side-show or
dime museum, to be had by the man
ager offering the highest figure, but is
part and parcel of the United States
army and one must go to headquarters
for favors.
Capt. Dodd's men know good thing
when they run against it, and they are
never backward in showing their ap-
probation of favors. 1t was with re-
luctance that they turned their faces
from Bangor, this morning, for they
were leaving good thing behind.
Boots and Saddles" was sounded at
7.42 and the horses were made ready
for the march of the day, the objective
point for the day being, as announced
In the Journal, this morning, Carmel,
16 miles away.
Capt. Dodd was suffering from very
bad cold when he entered camp, this
morning, but he at once assumed COM
mand and in few minutes after Boots
and Saddles" the command Prepare
to mount-mount." was given, at 500.
The troop broke into columns of tours
and proceeded out of the enclosure to
Main street. All along the street, from
the shop and the counting room, men
and women appeared to wave q fare
well to the departing troopers, even the
steam holster at the pavilion for the
Maine Musical festival giving three
loud blasts of it's whistle, which was
answered by Mig" the near pole mule
OF the ambulance. Teams turned ana
followed and the Electric cars did not
have the street all alone by any means.
At the Bangor house, Capt. Dodd,
who began to feel quite i'll, dismounted
and went into the hotel to consult a
physician. Lieut.. Tate proceeding with
the troop.
About this time Lieut.. Moses, in
charge of the transportation outfit, was
having little side show all to him self
and transfers down the street. One of
the teamsters, who owns his team,
which is employed by the government
to transport camp equipage, had taken |
advantage of the week in Bangor and
snapped horses.
Of his trade but when he come to get |
out into the world with that new horse |
hitched to a overland schooner, the |
horse showed his staying qualities by |
making bluff at staying in Bangor.
The horse acted admirably bad. 1t |
had fire in it's eye and SO did Lieut.. |
Moses, when the horse succeeded in |
dragging the rest of the team into the |
hitch and caused general mix-up that |
required several hours to straighten
)ut.
Lieut.. Moses never said a word that |
would not look pretty in print, but 1t is
stated on reliable authority that he |
ooked several unpulpitlike utterances,
ind who could blame him?
The ambulance waited in front Of the
Bangor house until 1890 p NJ, to SEE |
f Capt. Dodd would proceed to camp,
tut at that hour the captain sent out
word to the hospital steward to pro-
ICED and he would follow by train.
Right here was where new life be-
ran for yours truly. 1 had ridden in
before and had appreciated
1, rriyi1aDo HIT Isf<~ ,,,c :, 7