Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-31
PRAISES SOLDIERS.
Col. E. E. Newcomb Addresses
Members of Co. NJ.
Says Kind and Complimentary Things
to Them.
Also Gives Men Much Valuable Advice
Heartily Checred.

Members of Co. M We're pleasantly
surprised at the drill, Thursday night.
Col. e. e. Newcomb of PASSPORT, Com
mander of the I'd Regiment, was in
the city, yesterday, in attendance at
the session Of the examining board and
| that evening went to City hall to see the
latest addition to the second work.
When the soldiers arrived at the hall
that night they did not know that the
colonel was to be present, but they
were soon aware of his presence, for all,
or most of them knew him, some hav-
ing served under him previously.
1t was not strange, therefore, that, as
soon as the men were marched upon the
floor for drill by Lieut.. Owen, they We're
made aware of the presence of their
colonel who sat at one side of the hall.
For the first time since the company
was organized they were all equipped
with rifles at the drill, the remainder of
their lot having been delivered that day.
They worked hard and made a very
creditable showing, a fact which pleas
! ed Col. Newcomb, as developed later in
the evening. 1t was nearly 9.15 o'clock
when the company was marched back
to the armory down stairs and then
they sent request to Col. Newcomb to
come out and say word to them.
Of course, he couldn't refuse request
of this kind, even though he was tired
and not feeling like talking, so he went
out and talked to them nearly twenty
minutes.
The colonel said in substance: That
he was proud of them from the good
showing which they had made in the
drill. He felt that they were to be con-
graduated. This for many reasons, not
the least of which was the interest
which they had manifest in their work
even though without guns, which were
SO essential to drill. From the showing
they had made that evening he knew
that they had put much time and hard
work into the drill. Comparisons were
,, said to be odious, but he felt that the
members of the company would have no
reason to be ashamed of themselves
after going to camp and seeing what
other companies did.
1t was q matter of congratulation to
the company that they were located in
SO Hne city and that they had been
supplied with new uniforms and arms.
instead of being obliged to take the out
hts which had been cast off by some
other command. He hoped that thew
would appreciate this.
AT all times they must remember
that much depended upon them and
must conduct themselves ACCORDINGLY.
There was a certain responsibility con-
nected with belonging to the Guard
which they should always keep in mind
hot,
vice, they We're liable to be called out
IN defence of life. property and home.
They must be always ready to respond
| to the call.
They must have regulations which
would bear inspection. He didn't mean
by that that they We're to be angels.
but good, self-respecting men, men
VINO could always be depended upon
and he knew that they could.
The colonel gave the men some very
| good instructions in regard to the care
| OF their arms. He said they should
take the best of care of them, never
allowing their weapon to go unclaimed,
even for half an hour 1t was essen
| tlal to the service that they should
| take as good care of the guns as they
would of their own private rifles. An
other thing which he told them was
never to point the rifle either at them
| selves or another.
| When the colonel closed he was given
| three hearty cheers.
| Surgeon J. F. Hill of Waterville, ex-
amined Is candidates for membership
IN the company, previous to the drill
| Thursday night. OF that number II
were passed.