Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-02
CAMP POWERS.
Men Given Their Shoes and Shirts,
Monday.
The Usual Anxiety TO Go to the Front Exists
in All.

danger OF not knowing the breecf
from the muzzle of the cannon. and
get chance to bang away at the
Dons as mater of practice.
They have always wanted to do this
unkind deed, and when the news ar
rived that the LIST Maine Volunteers
had been ordered to Porto Rico. they
were wilder than ever to go also.
1t has been suggested that is is pos
slble and more than probable that the
batteries will be ordered to some
Maine fort. or to one in some State
near by where they will be drilled But
whatever has been said and will be
said, don't on your life say anything
about it to the officers. for it infuriates
them as much to tell them they are
liable to grace the streets of Bar Har-
Dor with their pretty uniforms and
winning ways. as it infurates a Yam
kee to call him a Spaniard.
They simply won't hear to it. 1t is
case of Porter Reek of nothing
With them.
How long would it be before you
could be ready to march?" was asked
of Quartermastcr Dutton, Monday.
so far as the quartermaster's de-
partment goes. | can finish cquipping
the men with the exception of their
undershirts and drawers in half day.
at the longest" replied the officer
Major Newcomb has ever since he
joined the batteries had desire to see
the Bible term fulfilled The last shall
be first 1t was fulfilled in the case
of the Signal Corps, and why shouldn't
il be once more?
or course they are glad for the Isl
Maine. and extend to their former
companions in the National Guard
their good wishes for plenty of service.
lots of honor. and a small loss, to-
Sether with speedy promotion for the
officers. so that Massachusetts can
stop growing over Maine on account
of the fact that she had troops before
Santiago. when Maine was only long
ing for the chance to get her troons
there, but 10y the fortunes Of war was
prevented from doing SO. Still there
is that same old longing that is in ths
heart Of every man-that something
may tdlai up that will give him the
chance to get ahead of the other fell
low.
They say they have the men now 50
we'll in hand and So we'll started in
the line of drilling, that to send them
whore there is work would not in the
least endanger the service
The men are improving in their drills,
and it is apparent to the most unmili-
tary person who ever lived. Every
day shows great gains in the manner
in which the men conduct themselves.
There weren't men enough in the
guard house. Monday morning. to
clean up the grounds. and the old
manner of having whole battery po-
lice the camp and ground was resorted
to. 1t must be that the effect of the
majors cure has ben great. for they
are shyer of the guard at night now
| and don't care to run the risk of the
guard house. as they did.
The hospital now contains several
inmates who are good singers and
WHO are often out on the piazza where
they render selections that are APP
plauded from the main camp. one
man has a sprained ankle, while there
be on duty.
Quartcrmaster Dutton returned
from his home in Waterville, early
Monday morning, and there was not
a shoe dealer in the State who dispos-
ed personally of more shoes during the
day, and not satisfied with this, he
passed the evening in issuing the blue
flannel shirts to the men.
Major NeWcomb received an order
relating to the shirts, Monday. 1t
stated that the soldiers might go on
guard and drill without their blouses.
if they wore these shirts. 1t further
more said that if the officers placed
the straps upon the shoulders of the
shirts they might go without blouses
when on duty.
This will be greatly appreciated, us it
is not very comfortable to wear a but
toned blouse on the warm days. es-
pecially when drilling and on guard.
The socks for the men have arrived
and can soon be issued Each man
may have more than one pair if he is
willing to pay for them, as 1000 pairs
have been obtained.
Rifle practice Will begin again. to-
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