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A trophy, presented by the field and staff for the company making the best appearance on the line of march, was awarded to Company D of Fitchburg, Captain McConnell.

Col. George A. Keeler, A. I. G., was present during the day as inspecting officer.

Five men of the First Brigade Ambulance Corps served as volunteers during this tour of duty, and, although their services were not required, their courteous action is none the less appreciated.

The strength of the regiment was 43 officers and 548 men, a total of 591, including band.

Most excellent order prevailed in every company throughout the tour of duty, and reports rendered by field and staff officers detailed to accompany the troops show that the same condition of things was, without exception, maintained en route from and to their respective armories.

The drill, notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, I regard as one of the most successful ever held by this command, demonstrating, as it did, that our citizen soldiery will unhesitatingly undertake work in the line of duty, even though its doing may involve a sacrifice of personal comfort, and have in it many elements of positive hardship. The willingness displayed by officers and men to carry out the program of the day, the spirit with which the troops manoeuvred and marched through wet grass and mud, ankle deep, is worthy of the highest commendation; and, if the day's work was somewhat abridged in consequence of the weather, I believe it to have been more than compensated for by the confidence which it inspired in every member of the command in their ability to overcome what might at first appear to be insurmountable obstacles.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY PARSONS,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY, M. V. M.,

SALEM, Oct. 31, 1892.

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General, M. V. M.

GENERAL:

I have the honor to submit the following report of the annual drill of this command at South Framingham, July 11, in accordance with Special Orders, No. 71, A. G. O., C. S., dated June 21, 1892.

Did not report until 11.30, on account of a delay on the Boston & Maine Railroad. Particular attention was paid to disembarking the troops quickly, and immediately taking up the line of march. Thirty minutes from the time the train stopped at South Framingham depot I reported with my command to General Peach at the State camp ground.

The afternoon from 2 until 6 was devoted to guard mount, the new battalion formation and dress parade. The regular guard was posted, but the duty was below the average. The night was quiet, and the men were in excellent condition for duty on the morning of the 12th, although the weather was oppressively warm. Another guard mount at 9 and a sharp drill by battalion filled out the time until 12 o'clock.

The new system of regimental catering was tried by this command for the first time, with moderate success. It is my opinion, however, that it should be adopted. There was less sickness than ever before among the men, and I believe that regulating the food had much to do with it. In order, however, to cater by regiments successfully, the number of guests to be fed must be regulated, and different facilities for cooking furnished.

I am, general, very respectfully yours,

J. ALBERT MILLS,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS CADETS,
SALEM, Oct. 7, 1892.

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL Dalton, Adjutant General, M. V. M.

GENERAL:- I have the honor to submit the following report of the annual drill of this command, in accordance with General Orders, No. 14, A. G. O., dated Aug. 27, 1892.

The several companies were ordered to report to the adjutant at 9 o'clock A.M., Thursday, September 29, at the armory, in fatigue uniform. Line was formed at 9.30, and forty rounds of blank cartridges were issued to each man.

The command then marched to Loring Avenue near the new rifle range, passing through Essex, Washington, Lafayette streets, and Ocean Avenue, at which point Captain Osgood, with Company C, left the main column and started off through the village, at Castle Hill, to obtain a position in the woods back of the French settlement. The men of Company C turned their coats inside out, to distinguish them from the attacking force.

The attacking body consisted of companies A and B, acting as the fighting line, and Company D on the reserve.

After crossing the Boston & Maine Railroad, the engagement became general, both sides being deployed as skirmishers, and covered a great deal of territory.

When in sight of Highland Avenue, Captain Osgood's force took a final stand on a high elevation surrounded by a swamp. The attacking force by this time was pressing him hard. One body appeared in front, the right flankers were moving upon him from down by Powder House Lane, and a body was bearing down on the other side. After a short time Captain Osgood displayed a flag of truce.

The attacking column came up, and after a short consultation, he made an unconditional surrender.

The men by this time had been fighting about two hours. The ground, which consisted of a series of hills and swamps, was very hard to cover, and the men were pretty well tired out when the battle ended. After a short rest, the battalion assembled on Highland Avenue and marched to the head of Warren Street, where street column was formed, and marched through Warren, Flint, Chestnut, Summer to Essex streets, giving a practical illustration of street firing. The movements were watched by a large crowd of spectators, to whom they proved decidedly interesting. At about 1.30 the movements were concluded, and we marched through Essex Street to the armory, where lunch was served. At 3 P.M. line was again formed, and with the Veteran Corps made a short parade, and arrived on the Common at 4 o'clock, where a large crowd had gathered. Here the closing exercises of the day were held. The corps first passed in review before Major Rantoul and the Veteran Corps. We then performed the ceremony of escorting the colors on to the line, which was followed by inspection and muster. The day's work closed with battalion parade, under Maj. Samuel A. Johnson.

Col. Fred G. King, A. I. G., staff of the Commander-in-Chief, was present as inspecting officer, and accompanied the corps. throughout the day. My thanks are due him for kind and valuable suggestions. I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

JOHN W. HART,

Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Second Corps Cadets.

HEADQUARTERS NINTH REGIMENT INFANTRY,

SECOND BRIGADE, M. V. M.,

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL DALTON, Adjutant General.

BOSTON, Dec. 26, 1892.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the tour of duty performed by this command at their annual drill, Oct. 21, 1892, at Boston.

In accordance with Regimental Orders, No. 6, the six companies located in Boston reported to Lieutenant Colonel Logan at the East Armory at 8.45 A.M., and after line was formed took up the march to Boston Common, arriving there at 9.40 A.M.

Companies D, F, G, K, L and M, according to orders, reported to Maj. William H. Donovan, on Boston Common, at 9.30 A.M. Immediately on the arrival of the six companies under command of Lieutenant Colonel Logan, regimental line was formed and turned over to Colonel Strachan.

In this connection I cannot refrain from becoming retrospective for a moment, and wondering if there was a man in the command on that morning who realized that it would be the last time that they would hear the familiar voice and gaze on the magnificent presence of their beloved commander. Truly not! The ways of Providence are too strange for man to solve.

On taking command, work was at once begun, the regiment being first exercised in regimental movements, after which the battalions formed separately street column and squares, and each man supplied with six rounds of ammunition. Street firing was then practised, the battalions firing volleys, and at will, after which the companies were dismissed for dinner, and ordered to report back at 12 o'clock.

The companies with one exception, M, reported back promptly, and at 12.15 the regiment started for the corner of Columbus Avenue and Berkeley Street, to take part in the Columbian Day parade. The regiment reached the head of the column and reported to Gen. M. T. Donohue, chief marshal, at 12 25, and at 12.30 started over the route of procession, a distance of about four miles, passing in review before His Honor Mayor Matthews at City Hall and His Excellency Governor Russell at the State House, and arrived at the Common at 3.20 P.M.

It was the intention of the colonel to have dress parade on the Common after the day's work, but the music of bands in the parade passing down Beacon Street prevented a successful performance of the ceremony, and the idea was abandoned. The men were then mustered for pay, and the companies from out of town dismissed. The companies located in the East Armory pro

ceeded there, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Logan, and on arriving there were immediately dismissed.

Besides spending the morning in a very profitable manner, the afternoon's work afforded the citizens of Boston and a large number of visitors from out of town a chance to witness a representative regiment of the Volunteer Militia of Massachusetts.

The strength of the command on this tour of duty was 714.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

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GENERAL:- In compliance with General Orders, No. 14, C. S., A. G. O., I have the honor to report on the annual drill of my command.

Pursuant to the above order, the command paraded on Thursday, October 6, mounted, in fatigue uniform. Overcoats were rolled and strapped to cantel of saddle.

In accordance with my orders, the staff, non-commissioned staff and Troop A reported at these headquarters at 8.45 A.M. The march was immediately taken up for the drill field on Wellington Hill, Dorchester. Troop D was ordered to assemble at its armory at 9 A.M., and await the arrival of the remainder of the battalion. Troop A left its armory at 8.20 A.M. The command reached the armory of Troop D at 9.08, and the drill field at 10.15 A.M.

The march to and from the field was over the following route: St. Botolph Street, West Chester Park, Columbus Avenue, Camden, Tremont, Hammond, Westminster, Raggles, Washington and Warren streets, Walnut and Humboldt avenues, Seaver Street and Blue Hill Avenue. This route was taken to avoid, as much as possible, stone pavement and street cars. Distances and time consumed in marching are given in the following table :

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