St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-08-22
THE ANNUAL MUSTER.
90. D. Holds a Leading Place.


The eight days muster of the LIST Regt
Vermont National Guard at the state
camp ground near Fort Ethan Allen
which closed Saturday morning was
without doubt the most successful in the
history of the regiment. The rainy sea
son which interrupted the work OF the
first DAYS of muster was followed by
weather which was almost ideal, and
each day witnessed an unusually large
amount of work on the part OF both off,
GERS and men. The Spanish-American
war was an excellent school for the
citizen soldiers of the state, and although
TIE experience of the regiment during
that time was almost entirely one OF
camp lite, the influence of the summer at
Chickamauga will be potent force in
the state militia for some time to come
The encampment was planned and con-
Quoted in a strictly military manner and
many Of the features of former musters
which have caused merrinent among
military men were eliminated. Theguard
line which in the past had been little
more than form became fact this year
and full guard house on one or two
mornings during the first part OF the
week, did not fail in having an effect
upon the discipline of the camp. COL
Estev, Lieut.. Col Bonette and the other
officers worked hard to make the muster
one of good, sensible, practical, work and
they are to be congratulated on the dis
tinct success which rewarded these
efforts. The rank and file of the regi'
ment is of a very high order and Yer
mont has reason to be proud OF her citi-
zen soldiers. The competitive rifle shoot
for the state trophy which was held
Tuesday was declared off Co. M. OF
Burlington has held the trophy since
1897 and this year the contest seemed to
be between Co. NJ, Of Burlington, and
Co. E. of Barre. Co. E. succeeded in
securing the highest average but as there
was evidence that outside marksmen |
had been introduced, the outcome of the
contest was that Col. Estey now has the
trophy, and it will be contested for at
some future time.
Thursday was Governors day and in |
the afternoon large number of visitors
from all sections of the state were pres !
ent. The regiment was reviewed by |
Gov. E. c. Smith and staff. Immediately !
after the reviews the service badges were
by Gov. Smith. Those of Co.
D. who received these badges were: Ten
years, 1st Lieut.. c. A. Celley; five years,
LIST Sergt. H. A. Wilcox; Sergt. E. D.
Cook; Lieut.. Col. Bonette received a
Is year service badge, One of the most
features of the week and one
which was greatly enjoyed by both
officers and men was the battle n owe
ment which took place Thursday night
and Friday afternoon. Late in the after
noon Thursday the 2nd Battalion i'll
command of Major Dyer left camp in
heavy marching order for the purpose OF
selecting and fortifying a position, the
arrangement being that the 1st and Bird
Battalions under Lieut.-Col. Bonette
were to locate them and assail their
position. During the night scouts were
sent out and succeeded in locating the
bouts of the Dyer command.
The attacking party left camp at 5 a. M,
and after a march of about three miles
Lieut.. Col Bonette's command were
formed in battle formation and adj
vanced to the position OF the opposing
force. The defending party constructed
an excellent line of defense and were
we'll intrenched. The attacking party
succeeded in capturing quite number of
men on outposts. The movement gave
the regiment a practical lesson in the
important matters OF defense and bttack
and it proved exceedingly interesting to
those engaged
The health OF the camp during the
entire muster was excellent, the surgeons
and hospital corps having little to do.
Only one accident of any account
occurred during the encampment. While
charging rife pit, member of Co. E.
of Barre, received charge of powder in
his face. 1t was thought at first that
he would lose his sight but after an ex-
animation at Mary Fletcher hospital it
was thought his eyes could be saved.
AS usual Co. D. took leading place
among the companies. In the reports of
the sanitary inspector the company
ranked with the best, receiving the most
of the time a mark Of 100. Quarter
master Sergt Tinker is to be praised for
the excellent quality OF food which was
served to the boys during the muster
Although the guard house held many
men during the week, Co. D. was not
represented and for work on drills anC
parades the company was the recipients
of a host of compliments.
The company came home on the Satur
day afternoon mail from Cambridg
Junction.
Democratic Caucus.