The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-28
Visit to Fort Hamilton-The Condition of
the California Regiment.


There Is, perhaps NO fortress in the country more
beautifully situated, than Fort Hamilton. Its position
Is high and commanding, presenting fine view of the
surrounding country yet strange to say it is almost
totally disqualified for the of more than
or two hundred men.
Being the principal port Of defence to the great com
mercal metropolis of the Union, the necessity Is at
apparent that great improvements are required
In its present condition, the constantly ex
posed those diseases " ich arise from damp and i'm
pure air. The apartments now. entirely subterra
mean. and the consequence is tt at many Of the men
sick and present unhealthy and smaciated APP
pearance With view to strength, all the apartments
covered with about six feet of earth and only
ventilation s small loop hole. which is totally def
Gent for the purposes of health Besides which, the
dampness from above and below keep them always in
such condition that fire is necessary to prevent
continual dripping.
There is now quartered at this fort regiment which
will in few days embark for California The follow
ing is the list of officers
Lieut. Col and Brcve Brgadier Gen. Riley Commanding
Surgeon, King n..,. Breyet Captain Hayden.
:. Summers. LIST Lieut., E Murray:
1t and Asju,.n. D! RI Jones. si: sf,'i'
Capt ana b ksssy
sagaa o n,1 "' I'd Lieut. H,sss:sss GARNER
Brs'e' Captain R Ravissep Bs.'d Lieut. Slaughter
In this regiment there nearly thousand men,
for Of whom Is the least CON fort provided by
the government and surely they should have some Of
the comforts Of life in consideration of the services
rendered to the country In the Florida war this re-
giment distinguished itself Through q campaign Of
nearly years where they exposed to all the
hsrdships of the soldiers life and in the late Mexican
they fought side by side with the brave volun-
the hard battles which they fought how base it ap-
pears on the part Of the government to usher them
please to send them on another hs
are chosen above all others best adapted to defe
the rights and honor Of the country It Is but right
they should be properly and comfortably cared for
during their short from arduous duty There
besides those in the damp Of the fort
nearly hundred of whom sick about four hun.
dred men, whose only place Of repose is q stable,
place intended for and only at for horses. The
officers Of the regiment are Obliged from their
than be exposed to the horrible effects of ground
apartments. This the men are unable to do and are
consequently obliged to take such they can get.
They treated only horses denied the right
to live Is God has ordained them
For the pssttwsnty years petition after petition have
gone up to Congre asking for the necessary improve
ments, all Of which have shared the fate totally
dsregArded. Yet, the government has been most
and pretty neither Of which could possibly
tend to alleviate the mass Of human suffering which
crowded within its walls.
Such fragrant acts of injustice the part of the
government cannot be censured in terms stronger
than 1t deserves. But it is disgrsce which has al
who are possessed Of justice and humanity take the
matter in hand, there seems but little hope for re-
medy Of the existing evils. II the comfort of the
soldier h not considered and due regard had to his
health ow is II possible for him to perform his duty
to his country He has sacrificed all the social rela-
tons Of life for the service of his country and should
not greater value be set upon that sacrifice than the
making him man Of convenience? 1t shows q heart
leesness unparelled in the history Of military life and
should be frowned upon by a people who owe their
liberty and the blessings equal rights the bravery
and undaunted perseverance of the soldier. In the
days Of the revolution struggled for their liberty
which was bound by the hand Of oppression At the
present day, the act Of becoming soldier is volun-
tary-the liberty for which his fathers fought and
died IL his They the voluntary defenders Of the
rights and honor Of the country and should BE- looked
upon and treated SUCH instead of the base and in
human treatment they are obliged to submit to.