The Somerset reporter., 1906-06-14
Encampment of the National
Guard

Neither of the two regiments of in
fantry of the National Guard of the
state Of Maine will participate in the
proposed military evolutions In con-
Junction with the troops Of the regular
army OF the United states, as had been
he subject of considerable speculation
earlier In the season, either at Platts-
ourg barracks in New York or at
Gretna, Penn which Latter place Was
the ast site decided upon for the mar
euvets, but will be gwen their usual
tour of duty in Maize, as has been the
general custom, with the exception Of
he trips To Portland and Manassas.
The decision has been announced by
AGjustant General Farnham in letter
written June 4 to Robert shaw Oliver,
a1sistant secretary of war at the war de-
partment at Washington. ID. c, by
whom letter had been addressed to
the Governor concerning the proposed
representation of the state troops at the
coming maneuyefs. The estim ates
furnished by Gen. Farnham show that
IT would cost large amount of money
10 hbud huO tIOOpo' INV Poy u NhO
men for the trip would amount to Sll,-
059 SO, and the subsistence $3626, while
the cost of ii transportation would figure
up $40, 024.95, amounting in all to 1884,
100 81
In addition to the estimate given the
expense to the State would not be less
than Sl7 600 as the state would pay the
men difference between the United
states aud the State pay, which would
be- about $12, 900, aud the other expenses
would bring the amount up TO BIT 900.
Az the state Appropriation Tor the
militia is limited, and as 1t Is under
stood that but one regiment would
participate la the contemplated maneu-
vers, it was not deemed advisable to
take part in them this year
AS the consequence OF this decision
the two regiments will go into camp
this summer at Camp Cobb for six days
each, the dates of which, while they
have not been fixed, will probably be
from the 5th to the 18th. 1t is likely,
however, that the tour Of duty will be
accompanied by some features quite
different from those of former enoamp-
ments In paper read to some of the
members of the Guard at the Capitol,
" edntsday, by Gen. FArnham, that of
ficer said that among other questions
" hich had been under consideration
was that of making practise marching
for part of the tour of duty. Ii is
thought possible that considerable bene-
fl could be derived from such course,
and while the matter has not been de-
tintely settled it is being carefully in
vestigated to an extent that it may be
considered more in the light, perhaps, of
probability rather than possibility.
In the paper referred TO Gen. Farm
ham outlined plan by which the First
Regiment could be modified at Bow
doinham and marched to Augusta by
three stages, via. Bowdoinham, Rich
mond, G lrdiner and HallGwell, spend
ing two nights and three days or part of
three days enroute. The Second In
fantry could be modified at aterville
aud proceei to camp at Augusta by way
of Oakland, BelgI ade and Sidney. This
woald give tour of duty of about three
days for each command; it would give
the people of the state located near the
con empated route an opportunity to
see the Guard on duty, and 1t Is be
lieved that the experience thus gained
would be of great advantage to the
organic ltion