The Portland daily press., 1863-03-03
visit of Gen. Wool to the Forts In the
HarbOr.

visit Of Gen. Wool TO the Forts in the
Yesterday forenoon Maj. Gen. Wool and
suit. accompanied by the Mayor, members OF
the CITY Government, and perhaps fifty invit-
ed guests. made visit Of observation and in
spection in the steamer Favorite, 10 the differ
emit forts in the harbor. The boat left her
wharf at little past Q o'clock, and went d.
rectly to Fort Preble, where Gen. Wool was
met by Col Green, of the 18th U. S. Infantry,
and was received by a salute appropriate to
his rank The troops quartered at that fort
were drawn upin order attended by their SPLEEN
did military band, and were reviewed by Gen.
Wool, who seemed TO be in his happiest ele-
ment, and to take deep interest in their APP
pearance, their soldierly qualifications, and
their noble bearing. The Gen. then visited
the works. He took especial pains to inspect
the soldiers who are to be retained at that
post.
Fort Preble, II is well known, Is an open
fort, mere earthwork, enclosing small but
beautiful parade ground, and is valua-
BILE now, in these days OF improved gun
merry, when shells do the work oil death manly
for its location but we are glad to learn that
new and substantial Notifications are to take
the place ofthe present arrangement, SO that
vessels approaching by the ship channel will
be obliged, for long distance, to approach in
the very teeth of the heaviest guns.
From Fort Preble the company proceeded
to Fort Gorges, and delightful sail it was
over the silvery waters, glistening in the rays
of the bright vernal sun,-so delightful that we
did not deeply regret that Gen. Wool had Sc
lected the present season rather than the ver-
dant month Of June, for his official visit Al
most any place appears beautiful when clothed
with verdure aud fragrant with flowers, but
there are few places Of sufficient natural beau
ty to present an attractive panorama to the
stranger, in this northern latitude, in the cold
and forbidding season Of early March. But on
the present occasion, so attractive was the
view presented from the deck Of the little Fa-
vorite, that Gen. Wool reluctantly yielded to
the prudential suggestion Of a member Of his
staff to go below, out of the fresh breeze, to
Nv old its chilling effects after the fatiguing
walk he must have taken at Fort Preble.
At lO.45 o'clock the Gen. stepped upon the
wharf at Fort Georges, and leaning upon the
arm of Capt. Casey-the accomplished engi-
neer for the Notifications on this coast-pro-
ceeded to inspect the works so well begun at
this point. One of the four magazines with
which the fort is to be provided is now COM
pleted, as are also twenty eight classmates and
embrasures belonging to the lower tier. Eight
gu rs are already mounted, of ten inch caliber,
carrying solid shot oil 12S pounds, and these
guns, elevated six degrees, will throw shot
tn rec miles. Their sweep takes in sixty de-
grees of the horizon, so that, were the whole
twenty-eight guns now provided for mounted,
they could all be brought to bear upon sin
gle point in the channel
We were surprised in the extent and
sire myth Of this fertilization. 1t is designed
to be one Of the strongest on the coast, and
ev en- now a sufficient number of guns could
be mounted to meet all ordinary demands,
could they be obtained. Though every means is
being used ythe government to provide heavy
guns for the Notifications, yet the demand
vastly exceeds the supply. 1t is more difficult
to make good guns of large size than most
people are aware OF, and single fact may af-
ford convincing proof OF the justice of this prop
osifion. The TACT is this: that of tUenty-seren
private companies that have contracted with
the government to make large guns, only three
have succeeded Ofthese the Portland Com
p any Is one. The other successful companies
are in Boston, and in Providence, r. l. This
fact shows one of the great needs of our gov
eminent; that we should have national foun-
derry 10 turn out such guns, gotten up upon
scale adequate to all reasonable emergencies.
From Fort Gorges the party next proceed
ed to Fort Scanned, where large preparations
are being made TO erect one of the strongest
defenses on the coast. Here as at Fort Pre-
Preble, are few soldiers, and Gen. Wool in
spected them with military care. He directed
the officer in charge TO have them carefully
drilled in artillery practice, and to make requi-
sition for suitable ammunition stores, which
requisition he would cheerfully approve.
Having finished his tour of inspection the
General and his suit returned to the boat,
where, by direction Of the committee of the
spread in the after cabin, prepared by that
popular caterer, 4. l.. Robinson. In his best
style. Gen. Wool and suit were seated at
the right and left Of his Honor, the Mayor,
who presided, and after invocation of the Di-
vine blessing by Rev. Mr.. Stebbins, the viands
were discussed with relish not in the least
impaired by the iatigues of the tramp and the
bracing atmosphere. After the repast the
Mayor said he would propose the health of an
illustrious gentleman whose name and whose
deeds were familiar to the American people,
MAJ. GEN. JOHN E. Wool. The sentiment
was received with applause that brought Gen.
w. TO his feet He said he came here on BUSH
ness, not for pleasure; to work, and not t. re-
ceive honors. In all his life he had never met
with warmer reception than from the people
Of Portland, or one that would be more care
fully cherished in his memory; and he accept
ed it not as personal compliment, but as an
expression of loyalty to the government, and
Of determination to stand by its flag, to up
hold its honor, and to submit to no peace
based upon less than the subjugation of re-
bellion, and the unconditional triumph of the
loyal government over all that may oppose it,
Col. Howe made few remarks which put
every member of the company in the best of
good humor. Rev. Mr.. Stebbins followed in
his usual felicitous strain. He was no parti-