Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-03
MAINE MILITIA.
Annual Report Of Adiutanl
General Conner for 1896
Valuable Facts Concerning the Ma
tionaI Guard Of Our State.
New Companies - Crack Marksmen - En-.
campment-- Recommendations.

The report of Adjutant General Sci
den Conner, for the year 1896, Is nov
made public and contains much to in
terest the people of the State at large
The National Guard of Maine re
| rains the same as in 1895 except tina
II has been increased by two compan
les organized Dec. 90. Co. NJ. LIST Reg
at Westbroolk, and Co. NJ. I'd. Reg't a
Machias. In order to complete tn.
three battalion organization the cleo
ton of third major In each regimen
is required.
The officers of the LIST Reg't We're as
sembled for military instruction II
Portland, April a. and those of tn,
I'd Regiment in Skowhegan. April %
The second school usually held tn,
early part of the winter was omitted
for lack of funds.
The annual encampment was held a
Augusta, August 1928. Two days o.
the seven of the encampment were
voluntary service, without pay. by tn,
militia. Col. Lucius II. Kendall. Is
Regt was in command of Cam
Cleaves. Capt w. S. Edgerly, I'll
L. s. Cavalry, was assigned to duty
at the encampment by the war depart
ment. The encampment was well con.
Quoted and profitable to the guard
The largest attendance at the encamp.
ment was 1853 officers and men. 10 les.
than the previous year. Every office,
of the first regimena was on duty.
Gen. Conner describes the new arm
cry built by Portland for its four com
panies as an honor to the city and
State. Co. f of Augusta. has new
quarters in the City hall. The Lewis.
ton armories are reported as not at all
satisfactory and improved quarters are
needed at Hampden. Calais. Waterville
and Houlton. At Watervile there is 9
prospect that better armory will soor
be provided.
In speaking of the State can't
ground Gen. Common says that ne
buildings have been erected the pas,
year. but that two cook houses and
| mess houses will be required
before the next encampment 70,
the accommodation of the two new
companies. The parade ground would
be better If the headquarters buildings
We're removed to the eastern extremity
of the ground. a hospital is needed on
the ground. A new roadway should bt
built to facilitate the hauling of bag
gage and supplies. The hill ground
should be made more even. though
there is no need to grade the grounds
to a great extent. The grass on the
grounds was sold for S15
The rifle practice of the guard has
been excellent. and the Second Regi-
,;,.t,
of its strength may be justly regarded
as the strongest regiment of volunteer
guardsmen marksmen in the country
Some of the companies of the First
Regiment also have a fine standing.
Others have not made due efforts to
become proficient. Indifference must
rot be tolerated. An increase of 500
shells to the present annual allowance
to a company is recommended, also the
establishment and maintenance of q
good State rifle range.
Gen. Connor recommends change
in the laws so that the guard could BE-
taken outside the State for service in
case of need by the United States gov
eminent. 1t is doubtful at present
Under the constitution whether il
would be compelled to march out O.
TIE State. The government should be
able to command the services OF the
troops for whose training it has contri-
buted. No doubt. however, the Guar,!
of Maine would respond with alacrity
tc any national call for service, whether
or not compelled by law.
This year Maine will get s51.5 of the
100000 appropriated by the national
government for distribution among the
states for support of the militia. The
attempt is being made to have the
government increase it's appropriation.
and this seems really necessary. Com
panies of artillery and cavalry are
wanted as well as infantry, and mere
destruction is needed.
The adjutant general calls attention
to the resolves for the collection of thu.
necessary data for history of the
Maine troops in the war of the Rebel
lion. explaining the work done under
The appropriation of 1895 and the need
Of a further appropriation this year by
the Legislature.
Among the recommendations with
which Gen. Connor closes his part of
the report are the following: Equip
ment and supplies for every company
10 be kept in store for issue at need :
l9 more conical tents to provide for all
the organizations of the guard when
increased to its minimum number:
rev woven cartridge belts:new SPRING
field rifles to replace many long used
and worn in the service.
The adjutant general takes occas-
ion to commend the faithful service OK
Capt Thomas Clark. clerk in the Of
flee. Following Gen. Connor's report
come the reports Of the several staff
officers ard various fluctuations rela-
tive to the National Guard of Maine
The whole report makes very interest