Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-01
THE Sd MAINE

spirit and unbounded patriotism in the
present crisis" said Adjutant General
George Mel. Presson of Pennington
Saturday when asked about the for
nation of the new regiment Of infan-
try which IS to be added in the near
future to the National Guard OF Maine.
But the federal government believes
and I think this confidence is well
founded, that there will be an enthus-
iastic response when the plans now In
the making for the organization Of
new infantry unit for the National
Guard are fully made public.
Adjutant General Presson continued
by showing how the events Of the
past year had proved beyond any
hope Of successful contradiction that
the National Guard Of Maine had made
good in every way. The I'd Maine In
fantry, following successful expert
ence on the Mexican border last year
has developed into an organization OF
which the citizens of the state may
we'll feel proud. Now known as the
103rd Infantry. the regiment is one of
the best Maine has furnished al this
or any other war.
ne ueN SlcpillSHL VI tAio "a ASGl~
ment started under the tutelage OF
Capt. Edwin Butcher, U. S. "A, VINO
was detailed to Maine as an inspect
or-instructor of infantry" continued
Gen. Presson. And the good work
started at that time was ably con-
tinued by Major Francis H. Farnum,
L. S. A., West Pointer who had
served as tactical officer at the United
States Military Academy. To the in
struction impaired by these able Of
f1cers as well as to the enthusiasm and
interest Of the officers and men Of the
regiment is due the splendid organiza-
ton which now represents Maine In
the infantry arm Of the service in
the 26th Division.
The Coast Artillery Corps has also
stood the acid test Of actual SER
vice and has left the critics Of the
National Guard with little material
for fault finding. That the war de-
partment should call upon the Maine
Coast Artillery for engineers and field
artillery proves conclusively the stand
ing the corps has won with the off,
GERS Of the regular establishment.
Practically every officer in the Coast
Artillery Corps has finished the diff
ficult courses required by the federal
government, in fact, all have done
so whose other duties allowed them
the time to devote to the study Of
the subjects involved. The instruc-
ton Of the Corps has been of a SUI
perior kind for many years Be-
ginning with Major Spinks the good
work was ably continued and during
the past two years has been in charge
Of Capt. f. w. Niles, U. S. A., a grad
uate of the U. S. Military Academy.
Capt. Niles is a Maine boy and was
chosen by the war department to or
ganize the railroad artillery, new de-
parture for this country, but one
which will continue to see development
in the years to come. Capt. Niles Is
now in France with the organization
he took such a prominent part in ef-
fecting. His work in Maine is being
carried forward by Major Shartle, who
was military attache in Germany Wnen
the war broke out.
The First Maine Heavy Field Ar
tllery, known as the Milliken regl-
ment, was organized in 10 days, GER
tainly a great feat and so recognized
at Washington by the War depart
ment With one or two exceptions,
the officers of the regiment are without
military experience but the personnel
from an educational standpoint is
probably the best ever sent from Maine
and in a short time they will be fully
capable of handling all complicated
problems of field artillery. The gov
eminent officials report the regiment s
camp at Nestfeld s par excellence In
discipline and camp sanitation. There
is no doubt Of the success of the reg
iment.
In the mater of shooting the state
has long been proud of its members
of the National Guard. The success
which has followed its teams Of small
arms riGemen is well known. while
with tho big guns the State of Maine
led the whole country few years
ago. There is something about shoot
ing which comes naturally 10 the
Maine man and it is said that he can
he trained in this respect to high
or degree of efficiency than those
from other sections. Perhaps It Is the
bunting Of game in which so many
indulge which makes this aptitude, but
whatever the cause iASAi iA' =
won fine reputation at target prac-
tee. a reputation which actual SER
vice can but increase.
The new regiment will probably
he called the Third Maine Infantry.
The Coast Artillery is really the First
Maine. the 10Srd is the old I'd Maine
under a new name and the regiment
about to be formed would suitably
be called the Sd Maine. While drilling
and otherwise learning Of affairs mill
tary. the regiment would be available
for riot duty or in any emergency
beyond the control of local author
titles. Governor Milliken has been OPP
posed to the organization Of Home
| Guard or similar defense body such
as has been raised in some Of the
other states He believes that such
bodies were but makeshifts for an
army and would not be Of sufficient
value in any real emergency; would
he difficult to handle and not ef-
| fective.
The War Department was not sur
prtsed at the request that Maine be