Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-17
THEY MARCHED.
Co. H. Boys Swung Into Line
Like Veterans.
They Marched Out to Camp and They
Marched Into Town.
They Enjoyed the Tramp and Had
Good Time.

Co. III, N. G. S. NJ, swung in onto
like veterans, after q six-mile march
from Camp Pullen, where q night and
u day had been spent in practice. Cap
tain Besse, who has served in the regu-
lars, and therefore knows what's what
in military matters, was delighted with
the showing made by the men all
through. They took to their work
in fine style and showed a good knowl-
edge of their duties, although most
of them are new to the business and
it was their first appearance in real
war. On the march, in camp and at
drill, they showed up in a way that
delighted the officers and gave great
encouragement for the work ahead at
Portland. This practice march shows
that the company has made remark
ably fast Improvement and that it will
be in fine shape in a very short time
now When it returns from Portland
it will be capable of doing some pretty
good work.
The company left the city, Satur-
NS'S clIOi iiooii, III llcciNy OI-
der, carrying everything that was
needed. Each man had his tent and
cooking utensils and was prepared to
live comfortably in any kind of wealth.
er. AS it CHANGED, the weather on
both days was very fine. 1t was pretty
cold, along towards daylight Sunday
morning, but the men We're all COM
Portable.
There were 80 men in line on the
march out in command of Captain
Besse. AS soon as the country was
reached small detachment in COM
mand of Lieut. Alden was sent out to
do what it could towards blocking the
the march and harrassing the main
column. This was soon captured and
put back in the line and the rest of
the march was made unmolested by the
enemy.
The camping ground on the Pullen
farm a short distance from Messal-
onskee lake, was reached about
twilight and the camp pitched on the
spot previously selected by a small
squad sent out earlier in the week for
the purpose. The regular routine was
followed very carefully in everything.
Sentries were posted in the regulation
style, the reliefs being arranged, posts
and guard tent established just as if
it was a regiment engaged in actual
warfare.
A small detachment of the company
made up of men who could not get
away from their work during the after
noon, went out on the ElectricS and
made a big try at running the guard.
They waited until about midnight when
the camp was all quiet and then tried
to sneak in by the guard and surprise
EN- by being on hand in the morn
ing. But they reckoned without their
host, for the guards were wide awake
and paying strict attention to bust
ness, so the whole squad to a man
was captured and landed in the guard
house.
The regular camp routine was OBJ
served, Sunday. First call was sounded
at $50, and reveille at 6.45. A short
period of setting up drill followed, mess
call being sounded at Z. The commits
sary department furnished a baked
bean breakfast of the regular military
style that struck the men right in the
spot. Beans probably never tasted bet
ter to any of the members of the COM
pany than they did on that fine Sun
day morning out in the country. 1t
was pretty hot during the forenoon,
so the men were not asked to do much
heavy work. The first call for guard
mount sounded at S.45 and guard mount
at 8. Mess call was sounded again
at IL.
The first call for drill was sounded at
and assembly at 2.15 in the afternoon.
The company was then given some pretty
sharp work in skrmish drill in extended
order and battle exercises. The recall
was sounded at SIS and assembly again
at 80 with general at $50. Then camp
was struck and the march started for
home. The armory was reached about
20 the company coming in from camp in
about one and one-half hours. 9All the
men, with two exceptions, landed fresh
and in good condition for more hard
work. One of the two ate more green
apples and drank more water than his
would stand for, and it was
about the same with the other one They
came in by electrics and We're at the
when the company arrived.
Neither were very sick and would doubt
less have been ready for duty all right,
the next day, had they been in camp.
The regular khaki uniforms which were
received few days ago, We're worn on
the trip. and the men had the full equip
ment of regulars. This fact with the one
that it was the first real military work
ever done by most of the men, makes the
showing very creditable one for the
company. The men enjoyed the trip very
much, and We're very enthusiastic over It
on their return, and will now go into
camp at Portland with a good deal more
confidence than they would have had
without making this little practice march