Historical records of the New Brunswick Regiment, Canadian Artillery

72 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF .THECHAPTER VIII.1844-1859.Muster Days— Drilling on the Flats — Major Foster — Colonel Haynebecomes Adjutant- General^Debate on Militia Law— Its FormerProvisions— Uniform Companies — Beginning of Be-organization.HIS was an era of profound peace, and for years it seemedunnecessary to many persons that militia training shouldbe kept up. But despite the lack of encouragementfrom the government, which year by year withdrew its supportfrom the militia system, and despite the growing indifferenceof the people to its welfare, the regiment kept its ranks fairlywell recruited. It is true that the artillery did not drill manydays in each year, but it is equally true that whenever theirservices were required for the celebration of an anniversary,especially that of their Loyalist forefathers, they wereready and willing to respond. That the corps of which weare so proud has a century of history to which we can pointto-day, is the best possible tribute to that officer by whoseexertions it was kept alive. To Lieutenant-Colonel Foster isdue the credit of having by his personal influence and example,at a time when regiment after regiment of militia was dyingout,maintained in some efficiency a portion of the old regiment,sufficiently strong to preserve the organizations of 1793 and1838 until they were placed upon a firmer basis in i860.The reader must expect but little from these days, and besurprised rather because there is a record at all, than at thenioagreness of the one which is presented.^