Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-01-30

''ouiu the captain LOT ANY
reason become detached from his COM
Iii"Iid' would result in confusion. de-
rays ana perhaps hardship upon the
i'len ny reason Of inability to draw
supphes ana rations promptly. simply
1foin lack of knowledge of the proper
procedure.
Small Arms Practice. The annual
report of the inspector general of rifle
practlce, which should be read with
great deal of interest by every mem
per or the Guard, embraces about all
lhat can DC said upon this important
praich "l the service. a great stride
mas peel made in qualifications dur
ing the last season and in spite of the
diHlculty experienced in procuring
suitable ranges where practice with
the new rifle could be held with safety,
the percentage of efficiency in rifle
practice this year is higher than ever
before attained in this state
l find many Of the armories are pro-
vided with some kind of gallery range
lor lnuoof practice. In the interest of
economy as well as efficiency too much
cannot he said in favor of gallery
practice; 1t is the best method known
TO instruct The beginner in the use of
the military rife and in this connec-
ton proves a great saving in both time
and ammunition when qualifying men
during the outdoor practice season.
hope before another season to sec
every armOry provided with a well
equipped gallery iange
Annual Encampment. The camp
ground, which is owned by the State
its situation. permanent buildings and
camping facilities are too well KNOWN
10 require detailed description at this
time, sufficient 10 say that it is an
ideal spot for Il military camp and for
one regiment is all that can be desired
in point Of room, advantages and
facilities. The only drawback is III"
lack or water supply. All the water
used has to be hauled to the grounds,
which makes ii not only expensive but
ut times very difficult to supply in
sufficient quantities. 1t NAV be we'll
To nole mere the changes ana improve
mcntS that have been made. since th-
grounds Wer" last occupied by troops
in 1902. \ large StorehouSe 5OXS0 feet
and two stories high has been built
near the guard house on the north side
of the parade ground; the Kitchens
mess houses and sinks formerly used
by the ambulance corps ana the signal
corps have been placed on the south
end and III continuation of the line OF
company buildings; the general COM
misSary building ana healuuarters
mess house has been set back on line
with the hospital and headquarters,
buildings. which adds greatly to the
appearance of the grounds; the head
quarters sinks have been moved back
to greater distance from the main
buildings and suitable ladies' toilet
room provided at headquarters.
Following is Il detailed report OF the
encampment:
The camp. which was prepared in
advance by hired labor and all ready
for occupancy when the troops arrived
was occupied first by the Second In
fantry from Aug. 5th TO l1th, inclusive,
and by the First Infantry from Aug.
18th to 18th, inclusive The camp
was designated Camp Cobb in honor
OF the COMMUNICATIVE chief and was
commanded from Aug. 9Th to 11th by
Col. Evcrard l.. Newcomb, Second in
fantry. and from Aug. 18th to 18th by
Col. IuciuS Fl. Kendall. First Infantry
There was present during the entire
tlme the adjutant general. inspector
general cOmmissary general and sur
geon general of the staff of the COM
mander- in chief. Capt. +. NJ. john
son, Sth L. S. Infantry. was detailed by
the War Department as inspector and
instructor and he proved Il very eff :
cient officer thoroughly Interested in
the work. courteous to ALL patient and
p;tinStakinS in answering ana explain
ing the innumerable questions asked
by both officers and men; he imparted
mucn valuable instruction that cannot
fail to increase the efficiency of the
Guard. Capt. Johnson will be long re-
membered as one of the best instruc-
tors ever sent to this State.
Transportation was conducted much
as in former years, special trains be-
ing run from Portland and Bangor and
picking up the companies at their sey-
eral stations. Entraining and detrain
ing was promptly done in both regi-
mentS, the average time being about
four minutes. Except on the day of
arrival and Sunday, each regiment had
two drills per day of two hours each:
these diills consisted of the battalion
in close order. company battalion and
regiment in extended order, advance
guard and outpost duty by battalion.
The drills by battalion in close order
were very well executed, Il marked i'm
provcment being noticed each day as
the officers gained in practice. The
movements in extended order were at
first very poor. but by hard work. un-
der the direction and instruction Of
Capt. johnson. quite an Improvement
was made so that by the end of the
encampmont both regiments had gain
ed good understanding Of the work.
On Aug. Sth the Second Regiment
made n practice march to Togus.
camping there for the night and re-
turning the next day by another route
This march was combined with a field
exercise. one company, IL" being sent
out in advance with instructions to
select position and attack the adj
vancing column in such n manner as
would best compel it to dcploy for
attack.
The company sent out in advance
succeeded i'm capturing the left flank
u