HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, M. V. M., Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General State of Massachusetts. GENERAL: :- I have the honor to make the following report of the parade of this command in Lynn on the 3d instant. The several organizations reported promptly at 1 o'clock P.M., in accordance with orders from headquarters, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The troops passed over a route three and one-half miles in length, paying a marching salute to His Honor Mayor Newhall, who, accompanied by members of the city council, was located at the city hall. The head of the column encountered a barricade on Market Street, and details of sharpshooters, and Gatling guns with infantry support, gave an illustration of the use of militia against a mob, which was witnessed by thousands of people with much satisfaction. The column was dismissed at 3.30 o'clock P.M., and immediately took transportation from the city. The weather was excellent, the several organizations were in fair numbers, the deportment and discipline were good; on the whole, a very satisfactory tour of duty, as, in addition to the benefit derived by the troops from this day's duty, the people in this section of the State have had an opportunity to witness nearly half of the State force fully equipped, ready for any emergency, which has given them confidence in its efficiency. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, BENJ. F. PEACH, Jr., HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, M. V. M., Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General of Massachusetts. June 11 the several commanders of the brigade reported their commands promptly, and from a slight interference owing to heavy weather this date, the routine of duty was carried out. Considering that most of the commanding officers, all the adjutants and many other officers were in new positions, I feel that much credit is due them for their earnest efforts and able manner in which the general work was accomplished. For general results, I take great pride in congratulating officers and men. I would impress upon all officers the importance of thorough information on all duties pertaining to the officer of the day and guard. I desire to call your attention to the efforts of the medical department, and recommend the increase of the ambulance corps of each brigade to twenty-five, and that they be under the control of their respective brigade commanders, as now provided by law. Fresh running water on the ground was fully appreciated. I have to acknowledge my obligations to the Inspector General and department for many courtesies. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. F. BRIDGES, JR, Brigadier General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, M. V. M., Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General, M. V. M. SIR: I have the honor to report the tour of duty at Worcester, Oct. 14, 1889. In compliance with G. O. No. 10, c. s. A. G. O., the First Brigade, with the exception of Troop F, assembled in Worcester, and were paraded ready for duty before the hour (10 A.M.) named in orders. As soon as regiments were formed, they were conducted by a brigade staff officer to the agricultural grounds, where it was anticipated some benefit could be had from battalion drills; but, owing to the bad condition of the field, they did not realize as much good as anticipated. Yet considerable work was performed. The weather was so severe that great-coats were unrolled and worn during the remainder of the day. The command was rationed and mustered for pay while on these grounds. At 1.30 P.M. the brigade was formed, and took up line of march through portions of the principal streets, passing through Main to May, Woodland and Downing; counter marching, Main to city hall, where they were reviewed by His Honor Mayor Winslow of Worcester. At 3.30 they were massed on the common. Immediately Battery B, and four companies of infantry detailed from the Second, under command of Major E. R. Shumway, gave an exhibition of street-riot duty, which I think served a double purpose, being instructive to the officers and men, and demonstrating to the public who witnessed it the efficiency of the militia in an emergency. Total strength of the command, 2,143. Discipline was generally good. I think great benefit is derived from the mobilization of large bodies of the militia, and past experience has been valuable, but consider it a question whether the same cost would not produce better results if applied in extending our annual tour of duty in camp. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. F. Bridges, Jr., Brigadier General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CORPS OF CADETS, M. V. M., BOSTON, July 22, 1889. Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General of Massachusetts. GENERAL : — I have the honor to report that my command went into camp at Hingham, Mass., on Saturday, July 13, leaving Boston by special train on the Old Colony Railroad at 2.45 P.M. The corps arrived in camp at 4 P.M., mounted guard promptly, and began work at once upon regular routine. The ground has been improved by grading certain uneven portions during the past year; and a mess hall about eighty feet long by fifty feet wide has been erected, capable of seating 324 persons as at present arranged, with additional capacity, if necessary, to seat as many as 400 in all. On Sunday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, church service was conducted in this hall by the Rev. H. Price Collier. The congregation, beside the corps, numbered over 300 people, residents or visitors in Hingham. Saturday and Sunday were extra days. Monday, July 15, was the annual drill day of the corps; but no duty beyond an undress guard mounting, a drill in the mess hall in the manual of arms, and undress muster, was possible, owing to rain which began at daybreak and continued until nearly sunset. From Tuesday until and including Friday the weather was fine, except a shower at mid-day on Wednesday; and the whole routine. of duty was carried on without interruption. In the absence of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, General Dalton, Adjutant General, reviewed the corps on Friday afternoon, accompanied by several members of the staff of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. General Dalton, as Inspector General, was on the ground when the corps arrived, and remained in camp with it during the whole tour, carefully observing all the details of duty. His presence was, as usual, a pleasure to the corps, and thanks are due to him for many excellent and practical suggestions and information. Saturday opened with hard rain at daybreak, which continued until about 10.30 A.M., when it changed to light showers; so that the corps, in the hour that remained before its departure, was able to stow in the mess hall all property except the tents, which were too wet to strike, and were left standing in charge of a detail over Sunday. The corps returned to Boston by the noon boat, and reached its armory for dismissal at 1.45 o'clock P.M. I have much gratification in reporting that the work performed by the battalion in this tour was conscientiously and well done, in a soldierly spirit, and with an earnest desire for improvement. I have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that this camp was the best the corps has had during my experience with it. The report of the Surgeon is enclosed herewith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS F. EDMANDS, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding. HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS CADETS, M. V. M., Major General SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General. SIRI have the honor to submit the following report of the annual encampment of this command, August 5 to 10 inclusive. In accordance with orders, the corps assembled at the armory on Monday, August 5, at 8 A.M., numbering 16 officers, 119 enlisted men, and band of 24 pieces, and left Salem by special train at 9.35 o'clock for Centennial Grove, Essex. The entire camp had been previously pitched by volunteers from the corps, and, although the rain began to fall on arrival at the grounds, the men were sheltered from it. Nothing but the work of putting tents in order was attempted, on account of rain, until 5 P.M., when the weather cleared sufficiently to allow guard mounting and dress parade to be performed. Tuesday morning the regular routine of camp duty was begun, and continued without interruption until Saturday. Col. A. N. Sampson, A. I. G., arrived on Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock, but was obliged to return to Boston at 5.40 on that afternoon. On Wednesday during the dinner hour a remarkable hail-storm visited the camp, lasting about fifteen minutes, during which time the ground was covered with hailstones, collecting in ridges several inches deep where they had rolled off from the tent roofs. An unusual sight for August was snowballing with these hailstones, which sport was indulged in by the men for fully half an hour afterwards. On Thursday Lieutenant Governor Brackett and staff came from Haverhill by special train, arriving in camp at 11.30 A.M., and remaining over night. On Friday the command was reviewed by Governor Brackett at 3 P.M. No disturbance of any kind marred the quiet and good order of the encampment, excepting the arrest of a civilian, who was detected selling liquor to spectators. He was subsequently released, on condition of instant departure from the grounds. This encampment was in every way satisfactory. The strength of the corps was increased to 129 enlisted men after the first day. I leave details to the report of the inspector, which was submitted to your department after the conclusion of this tour of duty. The ceremony of escorting the colors was performed every afternoon, preceding battalion drill, the companies being successively detailed for the purpose, and was well performed. |