Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-06-14
THE SIGNAL CORPS.
Preparations Made to Leave for Wash
ington, Wednesday.
equipping the Men Finished, Monday-A Re.
voIver Presented Capt. Butler.

Camp Powers will again be desert
ed field, after Wednesday morning, and
soon the grass will be growing almost
as luXur2ntly as though the soldiers
mad never camped there.
1T has been definitely settled that
the Signal Corps will leave for Wash
ington, Wednesday morning, thus tax
ing the last of those who on May 2, ar
rived at the camp. When the 1st Regi
ment left the camp, there was not q
more dreary looking place in the State
! But now after three weeks, with the
grounds carefully cleaned, the place is
once more prcsentable, and the grass
is actually sprinGing up in the well
worn streets, ana upon the hard
beaten guard lines, and by another
month one would never guess that the
place was busy army post SO short q
| time ago.
Captain Butler finished equippinG his
men, Monday afternoon. SO that but
very little outside the preparations for
the departure remains.
Il would like to stay and drill the
mon more" said Captain Butler, Mon
day, but | wish to have the Maine
corps in Washington before the others
arrive, and as / have the orders To
leave | shall do so at once. The new
l-men are fast learning the drill of the
signaling, etc, and of cource the tel
egraphers and linemcn. of whom have
a quantity Of experts, do not need any
work III that line, though they are con
tinually at the Instruments we have in
use here, and will not soon get out of
practice
Concerning the corps, a military Off
cial said, Monday. that if any other
be almost perfect, as the make up of
Captain Buffers is one that cannot be
excelod.
Look out for good reports OF the
corps, as well as an important assign
ment for them upon their arrival in
Washington" said the officer.
one Of the features of the day at the
camp. was the presentation Of Colts
army revolver to Captain Butler by the
men of the corps.
Captain Butler made a few remarks
to the men. and at the close he explain
ed to them. that though he was sorry
to speak of il. he would have to warn
them that when they arrived at some
other place he would have to be more
strict III enforcing the military rules
and customs. He said he was much
pleased With his good fortune in secur
ing 50 good a company If men, and
thought they would get along all right
with the higher officials if they re-
membercd four things: That they
should respect their country, their
State, their officers, and lastly them
selves.
Lieut. Walker was not included in
the order for those who would go to
WASHINGTON. and an inquiry was made
TO see if it was an oversight. The re-
ply came that as he had not yet been
aasi%ned to the AIainc corps, he would
report at Washington at his Own ex-
pcnsc. SO he Wili probably accompany
the corps en- Wednesday.
The CORPS viii start on the 10 o'clock
train, Wednesday morning, in a special
car. and one baggage car. IN attempt
VIII be made to have these cars go
RIGHT through to Washington.
The route to be followed will take
them through Portland, Boston, Jer~
scy CITY, Philadelphia ana Baltimore.
Two days rations will be taken.
The corps mascot, a young mastiH'
who bears the EARRING name of "Dyna-
mite" will hc taken along.