Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-24
Good Hunting

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was very much different from the 9TH
er two, which partly explains the com
pleteness of the surprise. The first sur
prise was a deer, so large that it was
thought to be q buck. 1t came trottinG
across the muster ground with much
less concern than barnyaro animal
would have shown had il been con-
fronted by the 200 men drilling with
army rifles in bayonet practice. 1t ap-
preached to within =. IS yards of the
nearest squad Of officers, surveyed the
scene With temerit. and apparent ap-
prevail, and then tretted calmly across
the fields. down the hill, across the
lawn Of the Gannett estate, and into
the Gannett woods.
Governor Curtis Calls
The second surprise was Of an en-
tirely different character in the person
of the Chief Executive of the State.
lust before the MONDAY meal Cover
nor Curtis arrived, took dinner with
the staff and field officers, looked over
the camp, and departed. He came
without ceremony, desired that his
visit be entirely informal, and visited
with the officers just as have other
citizens who have called for a brief
stay at the Officers School
Some Shower!
The third surprise was amusing to
all save the photographer: to him 1t
must have been somewhat annoying.
At 40 the entire school was formed
in a half circle in order that the ON
cia1 photographer might make cir
cult picture. Just as he was about to
start the cameras eye on its swing
around the semi-circle OF officers,
shower reached the muster ground and
was there in the line in civilians
clothes including a straw hat, and the
photographer was there with his cam
era: the photographer stood waiting
for the shower to pass-so did the
whole formation. Thicker and thicker
came the drops until, at the expiration
Of five minutes, typical Kennebec
valley squall burst in all its extrara-
gance Of water, and led by the fleeing
sta and field officers with the Cover
nor the entire formation fed to cover.
The picture was made about Is min
utes later.
Problem in Defense
Field and staff officers were given a
problem Wednesday in the defence OF
position. 1t was assumed that the camp
ground was about to be attacked By two
regiments coming from Manchester and
the officers were required to lay out the
Afr Al
rected by Lieut.. Farnum to make a
proper disposition Of his battalions and
each battalion commander subsequently
issued orders for the imaginary compa-
MES under his command. One battalion
acting on advance guard held the outer
lines until all the other companies were
supposedly intrenched, with the machine
guns company supporting on the right.
The advance guard was then withdrawn
from its defensive position and placed
in the rear as a reserve. After the game
was finished each officer explained his
orders and Lieut.. Faruum discussed the
problem and gave an approved solution
Other Instructions
Captains and lieutenants of the line
were occupied for the major part Of the
day in road and position sketching. There
were three separate parties engaged In
this work under the instruction Of Lieut..
Niles. U. S. A., Lieut. Resinger, L. S. A.,
and Captain Marston, Company E. Lieut.
Bonsteel, Z. S. A., instructed the nom
commissioned officers on the mechanism
Of extended order, and fire direction and
control. The non-commissioned officers
had several drills; squad and platoon. and
sighting, pointing and aiming bayonets.
Lieut.. Clark. U. S. A, instructor at the
University OF Maine, gave instruction
in the use Of military papers used In the
field.
The physical drill at 5.45 A. NJ present.
ed pretty sight and the officers evident
ly enjoyed the drill and profited by II.
The school promises to be one OF the
most successful. if not the most success
full ever conducted tn Maine The ,,,tli