Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-29
Victory or Death.
Augusta:
Printed by Peter Edes
Is07.

1907.
The constitution begins with the fol-
lowing preamble. which defines the
purposes for which the organization
was formed. the use of the - for the
IS being eliminated:
Sensible TO the benefits derived To n
Republic from a well regulated Militia;
and believing il TO be the duty Of all to
contribute in some way towards the
support and defence Of our country and
its laws:
I'VE, the underwritten. do hereby
form ourselves into Military Associa-
ton, by the name OF the Augusta
Light Infantry; and for the purpose of
cultivating social principles; promoting
harmony; giving energy and force to
our military exertions; acquiring per-
feet discipline. and thus making the
Crops truly respectable; We do agree to
be governed by the following Con-
stitutional Articles"
The constitution consisted Of II
articles. and which were the rules
under which the business of the COM
pany was transacted, the first article
providing that there shall be public
parade of the Augusta Light Infantry
on the eleventh day of September an
nually excepting when said day falls
on Sunday, in which case the meeting
shall be on the Monday following) to
celebrate the anniversary Of their first
appearance: on which day there shall
always be a public dinner for the Com
pany."
Next follows a list Of the officers and
members of the company, which is as
follows:
Captain-Solomon Vose.
Lieutenant-Amos Partridge.
Ensign-Peter T. Vose.
First Sergeant-Joseph Wales.
Second Sergeant-John Partridge.
Third Sergeant-James Williams.
Fourth Sergeant'Cyrus Alden.
First Corporal-Charles Williams.
Second Corporal-BenjaminB Burbank.
Third Corporal-Charles Ranlet.
Fourth Corporal-Ephraim Dutton.
Treasurer-H. Weld Fuller.
Armorer-BenjaminB Burbank.
William Babcock,
Samuel Bond,
John Briggs,
Greenwood c. Child.
David Church.
John II. Hartwell,
John Jones.
Stephen Jewett,
Joseph Ladd.
Bartholomew Mason.
William Partridge.
Jonathan Perkins.
Daniel Ranlet,
Oliver Rouse.
Prince Tobey.
Josiah H. Vose.
Ebcnezer r. Williams.
Samuel williams.
Robert Williams. Jr.,
Seth Williams. Jr.,
Theodore Wilson.
Nahum Wood.
John wyynan.
Several pages are devoted to the IN
struction OF recruits. commencing WIN
the position of a soldier without arms.
the opening paragraph of which says
that .he is to stand straight and hrn
upon hie legs. with the head turned to
the right so far as to bring the left eye
over the waistcoat buttons; the heeiS
two inches apart; the toes turned OUT
the belly drawn in a little. but without
constraint; the breast a little pro-
1ected; the shoulders square 10 tne
front and kept back. and the hands
hanging UOWH tie SiuSS, WIN ~"> F
close to the thighs.
The manual exercise takes up ABOUT
IL pages and contains the details vi
loading and firing. together with the
handling Of the gun in general. the use
of the bayonet. etc, and n noticeaot
feature of the manual is that nowhere
"a the arm referred to otherwise thah
as the "frelock" As might be ex-
pected the work Of firing was some"ha,
slow compared with that OF today am
here Is what the members OF the Au-
c,,sta Light Infantry had to go through
before they were ready TO fire n voiies'
Poise-Firelock. First. with your
left hand turn the firelock prisAS'
bringing the lock to the front. at tne
same instant seize IL with the rish'
hand lust below the lock. keeping the
niece perpendicular. Second. Win a
Quick motion bring the fireiock directly
before the face. and seize u win ,he
left hand Just above the lock. so tha'
the little finger may rest upon tne
feather-spring. and the thumb lie on
the stock; the left hand must De an
equal height with the eyes.
Cock-Firelock. First, Turn inc
barrel opposite to your face. ana place
your thumb upon the cock. raising the
elbow square at this motion. Second
cock the frelock by drawing down your