Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-08
Early Recruiting for
the National Guard

~ 40 O1lQCl olOOu az llC duJuldHl SCIl-
erals Office that immediate steps will
be taken by the United States war de-
partment to begin and carry on re-
cruiting in Maine, in general with all
states, in cooperation with the Ma
tional Guard. If orders are received to
that effect, Camp Keyes at Augusta
is Immediately available for the
men.
To say that the Indignation at the
false reports being spread in some
places as to the treatment Of the men
at Camp Keyes is intense is not MAX
ing it half strong enough. Said a high
officer in the National Guard on Fri
day:
Such talk, even from irresponsible
parties is sure to hurt Maine. The
yarn that men were sent home in over
alls is absurd. If people would inquire,
they might easily ascertain the absur-
dity and falsity of the story. Colonel
Hume in ample time for all to obey,
gave orders to all company comman-
ders to have the rejected men send
home for their civilian clothes. This
was because the regiment had uses for
those uniforms and in some cases if
carried away, they might be lost. The
company commanders are responsible
for the uniforms, each being charged
up to him. Some of the men did wear
home the uniform, giving a receipt
therefor to the officers.
AS to sleeping quarters, each man
had three blankets wherever wished
and only two are required by the reg
ulations. Each man had a cot bed or
a tick. as he preferred. Why, there's
enough of such equipment on the
grounds for hundreds of men and it
was freely issued.
Food not decent? Your Major Blaine
Owen of Augusta bought it all and
you know him. Every meal as it was
being cooked was inspected by Major
Bial Bradbury. accompanied by reg
ular army officer, and you know him.
Here is the breakfast served to the
men who pronounce it not decent:
Corned beef hash, potatoes, beefsteak,
bread. coffee and jam. A starving prop
osition, is it not?
1T is a shame that such blot should
be placed on the State of Maine by
such persons"
The Journal late Friday afternoon
talked with Sergeant w. S. Schaen-
ing, U. S. A., stationed at Fort An
drews, Boston harbor, and whose home
is in Detroit, Mich. The sergeant ad-
mitted that with about two and half
months more in uniform, he will have
seen &c years service as a volunteer
and regular. He remarked, during the
conservation regarding the false re-
port of conditions regarding the I'd
Maine Infantry and Camp keyes:
i've seen many state troops organ
lied and moved and | feel perfectly
safe in saying that | have never seen
a regiment of state troops in any bet
ter condition and better equipped ana
cared for than your Maine regiment
when it left this city for the South.
The only criticism I've heard from
regulars is that some of the state med
ical examination has been rather lax
so that a considerable number of men
were rejected when the strict regular
army examinations We're made.
Camp Keyes is a beautiful spot for
military purposes-a better one would
be difficult to find anywhere. Inc
treatment Of the men there was fine
and the quarters and food was better
than | have had to call good many
time during my brief army experience.
The kickers are evidently Of class by
themselves and their stories should
be Judged accordingly-they certainly
are not true"