The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-28
The Trip In the "Fulton" 70 the
F0ltiflcaflOns.

AhhicNsr HilLtdIy csCOIt,u Tic SOSCiHcut otCothci
Fulton, the other day, abounded in incidents comic,
sero-comc, exciting, tragical, quizzical, Interest,"
ing, and philosophical, and which would have been
worthy Of the pencil Of Cruikshank, or Jerrold.
Shortly after the Fulton started from Castle Garden,
putting, blowing, laboring like an exhausted por-
pose and slowly forging her way against Tile awful
East River current, one of our gallant militia Off
Gets -as heard inquiring Of one OF the foretopmen,
in tones where dignity and alarm seemed
strangely blended !" My dear fellow, at what rate of
speed do you mean to go - "Blow my eyes," said
the tar with grin, as he changed the quid from
one cheek to another, its damned lucky you got to
going at ALL for we had to start her engines with
handspkes this morning" "Bless my SOUL" ex-
claimed our worthy Colonel, as he turned to of
his associates in pepper and salt uniform, rather
the worse for the wear, and communicated to him
the interesting fact" This most recent i'm
provement Of Uncle Sam in steam machinery, is In
deed an astonishing effort Of human ingenuity 70
AS the steamer passed West Farms, most plea
sing incident occurred, and one which made the
breast Of every individual on board ihr with
Iion. The little fatherless urchins who are there,
fed by the charity Of the Corporation to the number
of some four or five hundred, ran down to the
brink Of the river, ard gave three hearty cheers,
which the sailors immediately returned. with more
earnestness and SPIRIT we will venture to say, than
they exhibited onany other occasion throughout the
day. About this time Two buckets of lcewater. and
Il dozen OF tumbers, all perfectly sound and tolera-
bly, clean, were supplied by the consderate bounty
Of the pprveyors Of the day, and being placed a
deal table on deck, were instantly surrounded by
dense crowd oi the distinguished heroes on board,
and their military ardor exist in ratio at all APP
preaching that of their thirst this occasion, we
DO think we may lay down thus nght perfectly as
sured that the country is safe. The delicious be-
verage--qulte favorite and fashionable one since
the immortal temperance punch-bowl at the Park
Fountain, disappeared Ill a few moments, and thus
ended the first treat OF this memorable day
The guests were then invited below to par
take Of REFRESHMENTS which consisted of the
best camp-fare-easily carried and not easily DANA
ged--crackcrs and cheese. There was on this first
attack on the nations cracker and an half for
each man, and three quarters OF an ounce of cheese
for all officers above the rank of Captain. Iced
water supplied in abundance, and there were
besides jug of lemonade, half dozen root beer OF
in which, as a Scottish Guardsman rather drily re-
marked, "the allowance OF rum appeared to find
as much difficulty in dflsing itself through the
ocean Of water as the Fulton did in forging her way
up the East River. In order to preserve order and
prevent that disorderly scoundre a hungry stomach
who does occasionally obirude even into the most
respectable society, from committing any breach of
military decorun. detachment of the :" National
Guard" consisting OF one with unsheathed bayonet
under the distinguished command Of Colonel Jona-
than d. Stevenson, was stationed at the head Of the
companlon-ladder, with strict orders TO preserve in
every instance the exemplary and self denying rules
of this hanquet-a banquet worthy of Sparta in the
palmy days of Lycurgus. As the most satisfactory
illustration OF the salutary effect OF this noble and
practical lesson In the cardinal virtues of trugaity
and temperance, we may merely state that we never,
In the whole course of our recollection. remember
to have seen General George p Morris look so pale
and thin-an hour had done the work of years
Oh !! ever TO be praised and admired this didactic
banquet! May the warriors of the republic ever
have the benefit of such more than parental guar
danship, Two cavalry officers in hussar uniform,
did indeed dare, like Oliver Twist, to "cry for
more,' but were Immediately quoted by the assu-
rance OF Colonel Stevenson, conveyed in the bland
est manner, that he would, if practicable, endeavor
10 procure cigar for each.
1t was then announced tina. if the party would re-
turn on deck "cOllation" would he provided
presto and it was upon the table. A ham, whose
lence OF invitation the oactories of the delight
ed guests, even before they descended into the ca
bin, and leg of mutton, constituted the collation.
and being divided into fragments by the gallant
Colonel already mentioned, were served out over
his left shoulder to the thronging guests, with dex
ferrous celebrity which, as of the party remarked
the gunners at Fort Schuyler would do well to im
tate when called TO charge their guns against theBr
fish, In order to diversity the scene, and afford
opportunity for some maneruvres and evoluons, the
bone OF the leg OF mutton was placed upon the Ia
bic, and the commandments Of companies ordered tc
charge upon it. A furious charge was instantly
iIlduc AL tie neat anu tuHuL OF TIE Tray, IL Was
tor time impossible to distinguish the respective
assaiants Victory was long doubtful. The
"Washington Greys" did wonders. The sT4ghi
Guard" seemed possessed of superhuman agility
and at one time had almost snatched the prize from
the jaws Of all competitors. Never were General
Morris aids so active. Captain Kracks company
and the Iilshlanders, made simultaneous assau
upon one OF the angles Of the baston, when just al
Of the scottish Guard" entered the breach in gal
amt style and amid shouts of bravo bravo!' were
left In undsturbed posses sion Of the spoils,
BY this time the. "Futon" had reached Fort
city in the almost incredibly short space Of time two
hours and three quarters! The Secretary and Off
GERS diseInbarked and entered the Fort. The forth
tications are OF great extent-constructed on the
Inost approved principles of modern military engi-
neeEing-and are as substantial and complete as hu-
man Ingenuity. could possibly render them. The
works are rapidly progressing to completion, and
when well garrIsoned by an American soldiery,
Toe, constituting perfect safeguard against the APP
proach Of any fleet towards this harbor by its eas
tern outlet.
The approach on the river side presents several
tiers Of batteries, OF about one hundred guns IN all
with bastions at each ange-the guns from which
flank and traverse front face, the trenches from
whichever side an attack might be made The rear
and flank faces present the same powerful bat
teries, loopholed tor mnsketry, with surround
ing trench, are about thirty feet deep and sixty eet
wide. The outer work forming the wall Of the
trench and masking the main fortlficaton is under
mined, and on the top Is solid parapet on which
Gun be placed heavy battery, commanding the sur
rounding level country for miles Outside ~ another
trench Of the same width and depth, graded Oft in
the usual manner, so that complete mask is formed
TO the inner works. There are numerous covered
ways and all the complicated outer defences, which
could not well be made Ineligible to the ordinary
reader by mere verbal description.
"a strong fort" said gentleman of the party,
who was formerly an officer in the British service
'by whom was 1t plan ned -
"Why,n replied the person addressed, and who
wore the United States uniform, "by one OF Ma
poleon's guards, who fled to this country after the
downfall Of his leader, and for several years taught
school in Thompson street, in the city of New York.
He also planned almost all the harbor Notifications
in this country"
'Oh be dad p exclaimed tall chap who had
been listening to the conversation, ~ thought 1t
was General Jackson that built all these forts"
But what became Of the old Frenchman y asked