Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-16

II was rather discouraaing to the
soldier boys when they issued forth.
yesterday morning, to see that the sky
was still enshrouded with clouds and
the atmosphere was raw and misty,
but their courage was good and jolly
good humor pervaded the camp.
The regiment was formed in battal-
ions. in the forenoon, and was inspect
ed by Col Kendall. staff, and Major
Strong of the regular army. The men
made an excellent appearance. Every
day sees them putting on more and
more the appearance of veterans.
The Ambulance Corps was drilled,
yesterday forenoon. under the direction
of Sergeant c. A. Jumper. The corps
has been put through thorough course
of instruction and practice, this week,
and is able to do its work with quick
ness and surety that is surprising; the
neat way in which the boys carry
patient from the field to the hospital
is remarkable
The Signal Corps also went through
a forenoon's work with the flags but
the absence of the sun again prevented
any work with the Photograph. Men
signals by flag We're transmitted
At the morning inspection Major
Charles Collins was in charge of the
regiment as senior major. Capt George
A. Dow, Co. \, had the command of the
LIST Battalion.
The sham battle was to have been
held. in the forenoon. but the weather
conditions were unfavorable and it was
therefore postponed until afternoon. Of
all the sham battles held in the State
yesterdays was pronounced in military
circles to be the best. The entire en-
gagement was carried on with an
earnestness that gave it the aspect of
reality. The charges We're made with
almost as much spirit as though the
opponents We're real enemies and the
entire scene was one never to be for
gotten by those who witnessed it,
Soon after dinner, the Sd Battalion.
under the command of Major John
Bird marched out of camp and disap-
peared in the direction of the quarries
of the Hallowell Granite Co. A detail
from the Ambulance Corps and the
Signal Corps accompanied the battal-
ion.
1t was nearly an hour later. when the
"a Battalion, commanded by Major
William Q. Peterson. started out to find
the enemy, also accompanied by de
tachments from the Ambulance and
Signal Corps. The route taken was
toward the south. Over hills and fences
and through swamps and woods
marched the second. The Sd Battalion
was sighted on the hill just beyond
the quarries. The I'd pushed its way.
single file, through some thick woods.
almost mile from the enemy's posi-
ton and halted behind a fence on the
outskirts of the forest, directly oppo-
site the Cd.
Scouts We're sent out to locate the Sd
Battalion and a shot from the front
soon showed that they had discovered
the advance picket: The Sd could be
seen taking position on the top of the
hill. The detachment from the hospi-
tai threw up an impromptu hospital in
the woods. to be ready to receive the
wounded and everything was put in
readiness for a fierce battle.
The advance toward the hill was led
by Co. X with Co d for a reserve. Co.
X had advanced but a short distance
when the firing began and Companies C
and T followed the advance. A fierce
fire was poured from the first line Of
the enemy and was responded to vigor-
ously by the 2d. The advance grard of
the I'd fired a rafting volley and the
advance began in earnest.
The command was. Forward. Double
Quick. and the I'd Battalion went for
ward on the run. Sharpshooters perched
in treetops or crouchng behind stones
kept up continuous fire upon the %.
hut the men rushed forward and drove