New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-12
THE FORTIFTCA7IONS OF NEW-YORK

The engineer corps of the Fifth Regiment (Germaus
went excursion Thursday, to the Notifications
in the barbr The time appointed for starting was 80
q. M, but the little steamer w. G. Putnam, with her
precious freight Of uniforms Rbein-weiD, lager-bier
and champagne did not leave the foot of Peck slip
until $40 a. IN.
The engineer corps of the Fifth is larger than that
of any other. Capt. Burger is at its head. Col.
Schwarz walder and Major Senior Of the regi nent,
and several officers of other regiments were in the
party, which umberei about seventy-five.
GOVERNORS ISLAND.
The irst landing place was Governors Island where
they were received by the Major in command, and
shown about the Notifications by Lieuts. Hill and
Camp The drummerboys' school at the South Bat.
terry was inspected Here boys from IA years old up
ward are received and taught the use of the drum
and the bugle. Most Of them are orphans or hal
orphans and as after their time of probation is over,
they receive sl per month beside rations and abund
ant clothing il is not bad thing fol- them About 6O
are under tuition on the drum and % the bugle.
An old Sergeant, who has seen Do years service, Is
one of the instructors The period required is from
TO 16 months, and this school supplies the whole
army. Their dioiDg-room inspected, as well as
their dinner which was cooking. Cabbage appeared
10 be aktspe articeo diet. In the sleeping rooms OF
the BOYS the iron bedsteads folded up, with
knapsacks on them, and plentiful drums were dis
PLAYED about the walls. The prints which were hung
up. few Of them in frames, exhibited taste for war
and love in about equal proportions There were
The Opening of the Sixth Seal, John Bunyan in Bed
ford Jail, McDonoughs Victory on Lake Champlan,
a Scotch Boy Riding Pony, A Happy Mother,
Lovers Quarrel, and Others. They have
iib-ary-s very good one for boys-One large case
filed entirely with Harpers publications.
But these are not the Notifications The South
Battery is simple work mounting 10 guns; it is de-
signed TO command But.ermilk Channel. From here
the party went round by the neat little chapel the
billiard and bowling room, and the neglected grave
yard to Castle William, the circular, yellow, casemat-
ed work which is go prominent when one goes down
the ha,bor II contains two tiers Of classmates, forty
guns il each, beside another forty in barbette. They
are az, 81 ALL 22-pOunders. private said that on
the Fourth of july when tbirtytwo guns were fired,
one at time. shook the wall, so that it seemed as
though they would come down. The walls, however,
look strong enough to sustain the shock and il i. diff
fcult to imagine how a war vessel would be able to
do much harm after it should once get in range of
these guns. From Castle William eastward, along
the shore to the ordnance yard where the ground is
covered with heavy siege guns, are also some light
pieces which were used in the Mexican war. Here are
the four pieces of Mel RDggolds battery, in relation
TO which were pronounced the memorable words
"a little more grape, Capt. Bragg They are much
grooyed BY wear. An old Spanish piece, trophy of
the Mexican war, attracted some attention from its
length and inscriptions. The ordnance on the Island is
amply sufficient TO furnish all the forts and batteries
ana leave surplus enough for 'iese or two.
The central work, occupying the highest portion OF
the island, and connecting and protecting the Others
is Fort Columbus 1t is regular hve-bastoned foiti'
6cation with hundred guns or so mounted on It's
western half Within are the rooms OF the officers
where the engineers met with hospitabie reception,
and toasas were triply interOhsnged. covered way
leads from this work to Castle William.
After listening q while 70 the Band of the island,
longing under the trees aud smiling generally, the
corps, Strengthened by the accession Of Lieuts Gill,
Dandy, Can and Howard of the United States Army,
LEFT Governors Islapd-which at present is little more
than the great recruiting station for the Eastern States.
taking in some 5000 or 1900 recruits year-and
steamed across 10 Bedloe's Island. Champagne
occurrences in the crowded cabin on the way led to
tie belief that the 9Th Regiment lives principally BY
suction. great many tossts drunk.
BEDLOE's ISLAND.
Fort Wood, on Bedloes Island is a small star fort
surrounded by battery skirtng the waters edge. II
Is capable Of mounting nearly iiO guns, and has ful
sweep over the channel. Ffy-four guns are mounted
al present, but only three men stationed here-no,
enough to keep things in order. Thence to
FORT HAMILTON.
Fer Hamilt.n is an obloDg work. directed chiefly
toward the west and south. 1t has but one tier o!
oasemstes but the curtain is very long, and mounts
eood number of pieces The rear approach is guarded
Dy an extensive redoubt. The neghborhoad Of the
ron Pos'esses fascination which some Of the party