Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-29

lation three miles meals day. Or
account Of the delays and the irregu'
lar speed ON the Southern railroads Il
was impossible for them to plan ahead
and telegraph for their meals. They
simply had to take their meals wher
they could get them. At Washington
some of the officers were left by going
after something to eat but again
caught up with their trains.
In Boston the officers rebelled
against the railroad officials and start.
ed into Park Square station to ge,
their supper They had been told that
they would be in Boston in time fol
breakfast. rs
Friday morning. but there was de-
lay Of six hours in transporting the
troops from Jersey City to Harlem and
they did not arrive in Boston until
night.
Private Hackett Of Co. G of Bldde-
ford was taken Ill with cramps In Bos-
ton, the result of being poisoned by
eating some canned goods. Two ply
sicians were summoned. the surgeon
Of the regiment being away from the
train. at the time getting his supper.
They ordered his removal to the city
hospital and gave Colonel Kendall
small encouragement for his recovery.
While going around the Y from the
Boston & Albany tracks through Cam
bridge to the Boston & Maine station
an accident happened to the engine of
the section containing Col. Kendall. his
staff and the LIST Battalion. 1t caused
a delay of several hours and the sec
ond and third sections were sent out
ahead OF it.
On the side of one of the cars occu-
pied by Co. F. was the famous banner
which decorated their tent when in
camp in Augusta. last spring. The
banner reads: Go. r, 1st Maine,
Dewey's Dandy 5th. Montgomery
Guards" On either side of the dan
ner were displayed two Irish flags
which some Of the boys "norrowed' in
Richmond. Va.
In speaking Of the sickness among
the Maine boys the majority think the
carelessness of the men had a great
deal to do with it. Some of the men
would sleep with their tent flaps up and
all their clothes off. They We're not care
full of what they ate nor did they take
proper care of themselves. This of
course does not apply to all but only
to some Of the men.
They were encamped in very I'M
healthy spot and received the ordor
from the sinks of several other regi-
ments. They had a good water supply
when they first went there but the
transfers who went after the water
would drive their mules into the spring
up to their bellies and otherwise con-
taminate the spring so the owner re-
fused to sell them any more water.
The boys of the regiment are almost
Unanimous in their complaints of the
people who were instrumental in hav-
ing the canteen closed. They do not
stand alone for the officers are as much
in favor OF it as the men. While it
was open they were able to buy luxur-
les and the way it was run made 1t
impossible to become intoxicated.
There was a narrow passage and the
men as soon as they got their glass OF
beer had to move on and make room
for the next man. AS soon as the can
teen was closed the men had to go
army rations.
Then money raised in the State was
to provide luxuries for the men after
they had become Ill, but the canteen
provided the tent floors and food lux
uries to keep the men from falling ill.
The heat would put the men in a
dopey condition and unless they were
absolutely forced to do some work they
would be taken with the fever. The
men who moved around camp and kept
busy about something were the ones
to keep on their feet while the shirks
and those who worked too hard were
the ones to go to hospital.
The trip was very delightful in many
ways and although there were delays
and other annoyanees the men enjoyed
it on the whole. Still there was never
a happier moment in their lives than
when they stepped from the cars. in
Augusta and fully realized the signifi-
canoe Of the words. Home, Sweet
Home" which were on a long streamer
on the side of car in the second sec
ton when they left the South and re.
manned there until they reached Bos-
ton when somebody pulled it off.
the PRAIRIE ARRIVES.