Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-15

Interesting and successful from any
point of view. The regular routine
camp work went on smoothly; the men
are now well broken in and the work
of the camp has begun in earnest.
Col. +. G. harrington. inspector of
rifle practice on the staff OF Gov.
Powers, expressed himself to the Jour
nal as well satisfied with the military
matches. They have surpassed his ex-
pectations. The practice promises fine
~ and in one or two years the shooting
of the 1st Regiment will have reached
high state Of excellence. Col Far
rington is being most ably assisted by
Lieut.. Elliott c. Dill, inspector Of rife
practice.
Yesterday passed without a COM
plant from the men regarding the ra-
tons. 1t is impossible to feed the men
on regular army rations during the
first few days in camp. Their appe-
ttes during that tine seem To be
tremendous and the rations have to be
increased. After q time, however.
when they have become accustomed to
the change the regular rations meet
with the satisfaction of all. We have
the best corps of cooks ever assembled
on the muster ground" said Quarter
master Harris. yesterday, everything
IS as neat as possible and the manage
ment of the kitchens is doing most
efficient work. Adjutant General Rich
ards and Col. Thompson are doing con-
scientious work; they went through
the cook houses. yesterday morning,
and gave everything close inspection
with the most satisfactory results.
Great credit is due General Richarde
for the almost perfect sanitary condi-
ton that exists at the camp. This
condition is the result of his patient.
energetic efforts. The electric light
and telephone service at the camp has
through the thought of General Rich
ards who thought it better that the
money formerly expended for that pur-
pose would give better results if used
for the purpose Of purchasing butter
and milk which have been minus
quantity at camp previous to this year.
The sanitary condition Of the camp IS
also due to other precautions The
sinks were burned before the muster
and new ones are in their place that
are as good as could be asked. Much
attention is daily devoted to the sinks
in order to keep them in the best con-
dition.
There is plenty Of room at the camp
since one regiment occupies the space
heretofore taken up by two and this
arrangement is conducive of good re-
suits. Among other things the rigid
examinations tend to make the Regi-
ment composition of men of the best
physical health. Although the weather
conditions have not been favorable,
sickness is very rare, indeed there is
less than was ever known before. the
Regiment arrived in camp on the hot
test day of the season and when the
men went to bed the air was very hot
and close. Yet before morning there
was a sudden change and the air was
cold enough for winter clothing. Then
the rain and dampness of Monday
night. and yesterdays raw air was apt
TO bring on sickness. but did not. Even
the slight illnesses almost invariably
attendant upon camp are not to be
found.
The cloudy sky is bad for the work
of the Signal Corps and up to the
present time their work has been con-
fined to flag signalling only. Four sta
tons were placed, yesterday, and the
flags were going through manipula-
tons during the forenoon, that We're
entirely unntelligble to the uninitiated
Preparations are in progress, however.
for work of an extensive nature as
soon as the sun makes its appearance.
A station will be placed far to the
west of the camp and another to the
east somewhere beyond Togus a:
which stations signalling with the
Photograph will be executed. Lieut.
George w. Butler went through an ex-
haustive explanation of the working
of the heliograph to some ladies and
gentlemen, and when he had finished
all seemed to have it down fine when
one of the ladies asked: Can you see
it without opera glasses
At the first call. yesterday morning.
the men shook themselves into their
clothes and moved about in the damp
morning air to get the blood circulat-
ing. All We're in good spirits in spite
of the threatening weather: it takes
more than one or two bad days to de-
crease the enthusiasm Of the list.
After the roll call. came the sick call
(Contirnod -, rovo SN