The Portland daily press., 1898-05-05
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J

. Camp ToWol9, AuSustet, Mtty e lHer6
ia great anxiety among the officers of
the First regiment this evening. 1t has
all come about through the examination
which was given the officers OF Col. Ken
dall's staff, the captains and lieutenapts
of the different companies in Col. Ken
dall's command. All of the officers have
been rather blue during the day, for they
knew that some of the men would not
pass the examination, and now four OF
the best officers in the First regiment
have been set aside.
The examination given by the regular
army surgeon, DIR. Stiles was very rigid.
Captain John Bird of Co. H: of Rock
land was rejected because it is said that
he was under weight. The United States
army rules state that an officer shall not
weigh over 1870 pounds or less than 1875
pounds. Captain Bird did not come up
to the requirements as to weight. He is
one of the best military men among the
line officers Of the First regiment. He
has been captain OF the Rockland COM
pany FOR three or four years. People in
Maine will well remember him as the
man who was captain of the company at
Roanoke, Va, and who was mixed up in
some trouble there which neoessitated his
leaving the city for time.
Captain Erwin S. Gowen of Co. G, of
Biddeford was not accepted by the surgeon
because he was over weight. Captain
Gowen is able bodied as any man ever
could be. He is blacksmith, six footer
and is.perfect physically. He has been
captain of the Biddeford company for
two years, and was placed at the head of
this organization through the efforts of
Col. Kendall, who considers him as
capable in very way as any man in his
regiment. Lieut.. Col. Eugene B. Smith
of Norway, was not accepted because he
was over weight. The colonel is fine
looking man, he has been in the service
three or foGr years, and was appointed
to his present Office on April 30, 1896.
Major Charles Collins was not accepted
because he was under weight The major
has been in the military service ever since
he was boy. He began his military
career with the High School Cadets in
Portland and has gradually worked up to
his present position. There is some oues-
ton about accepting Lieut.. G. @.
Tibbetts of Rockland on account of his
eye sight, but he has been given to under
stand that he has not been entirely re-
Jected and his case will probably come up
for settlement later. The wires between
here and Washington tonight are hot. The
cases of Captain Bird and Gowen are
the cause of it. Both congressman Ding
ley and Boutelle have been notified how
matters stand regarding these two nen
and it is hoped that they will be able to
prevail upon the Secretary of War to
notify DR.. Stiles to accept the men. Col.
Kendall and the captains of the different
companies in his command have been be-
seiged since three O'Clock this afternoon
by men who want to enlist. Col Kendall
said tonight that doubtless many of the
men in his regiment would not pass the
examination and there would be plenty
of vacancies. All men who want to enlist
can notify the Colonel and they will be
sent transportation t, this city were they
can be examined. The second lieutenants
are being examined tonight.
The full strength of the militia of
Maine is now represented in camp. The
Calais and Passport companies arrived in
camp Wednesday forenoon at about ten
o'clock and they were given quite an
ovation by the rest OF the soldier boys and
particularly by the members of the Second
regiment to which they also belong.
Gov. Powers is still here and it is ex-
pected that the matter as to what will be
done with the Second regiment will be
settled in few days. Major Hoxie wants
the regiment to go to Fort Preble and
there is some talk that a part of the regi-
ment will be put on the monitor Montauk
which is soon to arrive in Portland har-
Dor, and the rest will be formed into a
company of heavy artillery. 1t is said
that if this is done that there is not a
man in the Second who will volunteer to
enlist in the government service. They
want to &C. as regiment or stay at homs.
The men have been afraid and they are
still talking about it, that if they are
moved, that they will be obliged to leave
their companies. They say that they
want to go and be known as Co. G or
Co. Fl, just the same as they are now
known, as members of the state guard.
Sergeant Pagan of Portland,ss PRINCIPAL
musician of the First regiment has
resigned and Sergeant Harvey of Bidde
ford, has been appointed to his place.
Sergeant Frank Long and Sergeant M
7. Dooly of Co. Portland. have been
detailed as special clerks at the office Of
the adjutant general In the state house