Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-16

pair of rubber boots. / noted nearly 20
cases of this and wonderful to relate
about one-half We're officers. For the
latter l can propose no explanation
except that they thought more latitude
is allowed man after he gets a COM
mission, which is anything but true.
One man in this nondescript garb of
course ruined the appearance of
whole company. / also noted that four
officers, who had been in the volunteer
artillery during the Spanish-American
war, still wore that insignia and fac
ings without authority and with a gen.
eral effect almost equal to the above.
Furthermore j noted that some of
these irregularities We're by fine, hard
working officers, who did not seem to
realize that they We're thus by a little
personal carelessness giving their com
mands the first black mark. | am
happy to say that this was nearly all
corrected before the end of the camp
and the troops presented very reg
ular appearance when they marched
away.
: "Officers and on-commissioned cffi-
GERS were very careless at first about
the volume and infection of the voice
while giving commands. The method
that produces the best results is given
in drill regulations and there was very
great Improvement in this respect
after their attention had been called
to it.
MANY men and few officers absent
ed themselves from drill without au-
thority, and there was no determined
action taken to stop this practice and
punish the offenders.
Holding the exciting competitions
during drill hours sometimes drew so
many competitors and spectators away
from their commands that the drill was
almost useless. These shoots should
not be held during the two main drill
hours of the day.
The rifles were not properly cleaned
as rule. The men need careful in
struction in how to get their rifles
clean and keep them so.
MANY guides came to the camp very
ignorant of their duties as such, and
much time was spent in correcting and
instructing them. A few evenings to-
gether going over the different move
ments with the aid of blocks or dia-
grams would change all this.
Some officers while giving their
commands properly did not make cor
rentions or explain the movements on
the field at once. This led to some ele-
ments making the same errors time
after time.
'These small Irregularities are men
toned here Cor one, purpose-the good
of the Maine Guard, which is now very
near my heart. And on the other hand
there is so much to be said of the
courtesy, intelligence and hard work
of the officers and men that the criti-
cisms are almost petty. Ceremonies
were as rule nearly faultless, the
command is compact and disciplined;
and the spirit that animates it cannot
be surpassed. The officers were not
only soldiers but also gentlemen who
practiced all the social amenities of
life, and who by their courtesy and
patience made service With them a
pleasure. Among the men there was
not one case of rowdyism reported nor
were either people or property in the
neighborhood disturbed in the slight
est degree. 1t was only in the small
matters noted above that any i'm
provement could have been possible.
In closing I wish to thank His Ex-
cellency, Governor Hill, Adjutant Cen
eral Farnham and the officers and men
of the Guard for their unfailing court
esy and kindness to me during my tour
of duty with them"