Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-23
At CAMP POWERS.
Continued from page ~

| not sun with his belongings in blan-
het roll over his left shoulder.
This inspection was the feature of
'he day, Saturday. and it was the first
real inspection that has been given by
the officers since they have been in
camp.
IL was known that the inspection was
10 take place. 50 all due precautions
were made for it, and the result was
that Colonel Kendall says it was most
creditahle taking everything into con-
sideIation
From carly morning the men were
at work upon their uniforms leg
Sings and rifles. y button was sewed
on here and polished, a little rip was
saWed up in a manner that would have
done justice to a Paris tailor, and every
little detail was attended to with the
greatest of care, for the eagle eye of
the inspecting officers will detect the
slightest error in ones personal make
up. They will give one as great 4
hauling over as country sewing circle.
Nothing escapes their eye and they do
not hesitate to mention anything that
they think should be known. for it is
for the good of the service that they
should do so.
II a mans personal appearance IS
all right. and he is considered entitled
to q score of 100 per cent the officers
are just as willing to give the man the
praise that he so justly deserves, as
they are to call down the men who are
slack about their appearance
If the shoes are not we'll BACKED they
are spoken of, and tan shoes will not
be tolerated under any consideration
in the army.
The men PASSED quite a little time in
| the morning, in getting their quarters
in shape, and in doing up their equip
| mentS and treasures in the blanke;
roll, outside of which was rolled the
shelter half, making neat round bun
die that would weigh anywhere from
% to 40 pounds, according to the
amount of extra equipments, that Il
man possessed.
Extra attention was paid to the
cleaning Of the rifles. as these We're 10
be closely inspected.
When the order to fall in for inspec-
ton was given, the men shoudercd
their blanket rolls, the roll resting on
the left shoulder, and being tied by a
string over the right hip. Haversacks
We're put on, canteens slung. and
everything that goes to make up the
heavy marching order equipment was
carried. Attached to the lower part of
the blanket roll was the tin dipper. and
the noise made by these as they walked
about reminded one of the sound Of the
cow bell. This caused great sport.
The men fell in" in the company
streets and then Colonel Kendall. as
sisted by Lieut. Col. Morton, Chaplain
Estabr0ok, Adjutant Davis, and the
three majors, began their tour of in
| spection of the men. This consumed
quite an amount Of time, and standing
in the warm rays of the sun, made the
boys think that all the hardships Of
army life were not all in the drills.
The rolls began to grow heavy, and
by the last Of the nearly two hours
inspection the loads weighed down like
the same amount Of stone. This was
what made tho men decide to abandon
all that they did not really need.
The inspection of the men over. th'
company commanders began their in
spectlon Of the rifles. He who had
taken pains With the interior and eX-
terror Of his piece was duly compIi-
mcnted. but woe was unto the man
who had missed some particle Of dust
In presenting his piece for inspection
the soldier comes to the port, opens
he chamber and holds the piece in ms
left hand just above the'breech- Inc
CAPTAIN reaches for the gun, unfiXes
he bayonet, looks through the barfel
examines the sights, the chamber, lh'
lock. makes his comments, afilXeS th'
bavonet. and returns the piece in tht
same way that he receives 1t. Inc
soldier closes the chamber, drops thf
butt to the ground, and unfixes tht
bayonct.
The companies were dismissed after
stacking arms and depositing theh
rolls in their quarters. Then came th'
insnection of the streets and quarter
of the companies.
JnsDection over, and it was time io'
dinner
Following the dinner hour 'hIi'
came the drill of setting up the shehel
| tents.
The men were formed in heavy
marching order and marched to I'M
muster field, where the tents were
erected.