Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-13
Is the Unanimous Opinion Of
All About Troop f.
Capt. rodd and Men Give Exhibition
We'll Worth Witnessing.
Several Thousands Present, Every Person Ap.
plauding Reception in Evening.

dress uniforms, cleaning UP accoutre-
ments, getting ready for the drill in
the afternoon. Many ladies and gen
tlemen visited the camp in the early
part of the day and had an opportunity
to get very good idea of the routine
work OF the cavalry camp and the
strict discipline maintained at ali
times.
Among the forenoon visitors were
the veneral ex-senator Bradbury, Ma
jor McGuinness of the United States
arsenal of this city, and Adjutant Gen
eral Richards
The horses We're carefully groomed,
something that Capt. Dodd is very par
ticular about, and the animals looked
sleek and nice. Some people were sur
prised that the horses We're lean ana
not fat A fat horse would be of very
could not count the ribs of Troop Fs
horses, could you2 The horses are fed
just SO much every day, and very reg
ularly. This keeps them in not an
over-fed condition. but they are hard
and muscular, well fitted for the rough
work they are SO often called upon to
perform.
All the men reported for duty in the
morning, not one being on the sick list.
Hospital Steward Williams. very
pleasant young man, doles out pills ana
tablets for all kinds of ailments, and
thus far has successfully handled cases
reported to him. Corporal Greppo AMI
Sergeant Rentz, who had been i'll for
ready for business, and they are two
valuable men. Capt. Dodd takes es-
pecial pride in First Sergeant Harb
son, who has been with the troop for
10 years. The sergeant is magnif
cent rider. as all who saw the troop
drill can testify.
Mrs. Dodd, daughter and son, and
Mrs. Moses, wife of Lieut.. Moses, We're
in camp most of the day.
Captain Dodd's troopers never gave
a better drill than was given in this
city, Saturday afternoon. 1t was I'M
fortunate that rain fell in the middle of
the day and until within an hour Of
the time set for the drill. This kept
thousands away. for it had become
current that the drill would not be
given if it rained At $50 o'clock, at
least $500 people had gathered on the
field, and this number was consider
ably augmented during the next half
hour.
1t was O'Clock when the troopers
went upon the field for drill The space
marked out by guards was the fiat
section of the field in front of Ma
tional Guard headquarters, extending
clear across the campground to Win
throp street The Togus Home band
was stationed a short distance directly
| in front of headquarters. and during
the wait before the drill in full dress
and between that and the fatigue
dress. dscoursed fine music.
| When the bugle call sounded For.
| ward.' all faces were turned toward
| the camp of the troop, which was set
| in front of the mess houses and on the
ground usually occupied by the Ma
| tional Guard. Troop F moved out
| gallant Capt. Dodd on the right, ac-
companied by a trumpeter. Down the
field they came, a glorious column OF
bay chargers, set by a troop of sturdy
! riders, in the gay colors of blue ano
/ yellow. Tossing yellow plumes re-
Elected the rays of the sun. that by TINS
time has struggled through the riffs
in the clouds as though to lend add
tional glory to the occasion. Simulta
neously with the appearance OF th'
column, the crowd broke into applause
1t was a magnificent spectacle. 1t wa'
soul-stirring Many a war veteran
spectator to the event, found 1t dlfhcui
to refrain from marking time to tn
music. and from falling in in tn
rear of the column.
When near the eastern end or tn
field. the troopers guided their horse
into that side-step movement that ma
caught the people everywhere IN
troop has appeared. Across the field
the horses seemingly proud to do tn
trick, zig-zagging in and out IN ser
peptine course; now IN coluinn
fours again; then by trooper; the ban
n,aying waltzes and galops. the horse
following the cadence; the men sittln
] choir mounts straight and motionles
, except in the movements of the horse
} in the changes. The handsome beast
: seemed anxious for the drill and whe
the light touch of the bride rein wa
. felt ON the neck, they quickly respond
cd. The trained cavalry morse is no
I Guided by the bit. Holding the rein