Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-07-17
GOING ACROSS AT LAST.
The ''Miniken Regiment Designated
for Oversee Duty.

| The "Miiliken Regiment" Designated
for Oversee Duty.
| Congressman Peters has interested him
| self in the First Maine heavy artillery.
and has started things moving. The boys
OF this regiment have been fretting in a
southern camp when they wanted to be
overseas for sctive duty. Last week Con-
gressmsn Peters wrote to Hon. Blaine 3.
| viles Of Augusta as follows;
1.-THE situation OF the First Maine heavy
artillery, now the S6th Pioneer infantry,
at Spsrtsnburg, S. e., has been giving all
OF uss great deal OF concern. l had an
opportunity this spring of going over the
matter quite fully with one OF the officers.
He was very guarded in his statements,
and militarily correct in bis attitude, and
for these and other known reasons, / tsit
justified in making complaint 10 the
secretary Of war, which did.
~ called his attention to the fact that
this was a volunteer regiment made up of
some OF the best mstsrisl in Maine; that
it has been there about yeat, and had
received very little useful training; that
there vas not a gun in the regiment ex-
cept fifty rifles that they had stolen; that
they had never shot at mark, and that
they were kicking their heels, anxious for
work and for chance to be OF service,
and under the circumstances felt IL was
crime that this crop Of material than
which there is nothing letter in the
country, should not be used to good ad-
vantage.
a suggested an immediate inspection
and investigation OF the circumstances,
and / am happy to say that have had
letter from the secretary OF war in which
he following paragraph occurs:
This regiment has been designated for
important overseas service. IL IL about TO
be hiled to its maximum authorized strength
and will sail shortly. Full use will be made
o: the excellent material in this regiment.
The condition TO which you refer In this
camp will be fully Investigated. and any
remedial steps necessary will be taken"
This is Gratifying information, and
wish you would spread it as much as pos
sible among the people interested in the
boys who compose this regiment. A
great many boys from this regiment have
been made use OF 10 I'LL out In other states.
Ninety-hve officers and 3,s2s men are re-
quired, whereas In the Seth Pioneer in
tantry there are now 20 officers and $50
men. Our boys will constitute but q
small part of the new regiment, but am
sure that their spirit and ability will make
them felt, and that the tail will wag the
dog
The information contained in the above
is confirmed in the following letter re-
ceived by Senstor Hale:
Ny Dear Senator Hale;
The secretary OF var directs me to Inform
you that he is in receipt OF yoar letter OF the
and instant referring 70 overseas service for
the seth pioneer infantry.
This regiment will shortly be 6Iled TO the
maximum authorized strength and will be
sent abroad soon thereafter.
The citizens OF the State Of Maine may feel
assured that the excellent material in this
regiment Is known to the war department
and that these men will be given opportunity
to serSe overseas in the near future.
Very Respectfully,
HKsHY JERvKY,
Brigsdier Gen n. A. Acting, Asst. Chief of
staff, Director of Operations.
RODNEY +. MARSHALL, see'y.