The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-05
NEWS FROM HILTON HEAD.

Naval ortance-Railroad Projects
for Connection with Augusta and
Charlestom-The United States Machine
Works NJ 81. Helena, and what They
are Doing, &c. J
OUR HILTON HEAD CORRESPONDENCE.
HILTON HEAD, s. c., August Is, 1895.
After two months absence from here a return for q
brief visit makes striking TO some Of the changes
which that short time has effected in the military
headquarters Of the whole coast south Of Wilmington
THE HARBoR PORT ROYAL
exhibits the most noticeable change Nearly all the neet
have lehe old South Atlantic squadron-and the bay
contains only two three gunboa among them the old
threedecker New hampshire, four Eve transports,
few merchant schooners one brig and perhaps craft
two besides. year ago the brstling masts Of Port
Royal visible far out at sea, and the hsrbor was
alive with craft Of every kind plying to and FROM while
at night the lights Of vessels OF every description
illuminated the whole anchoring ground This change,
however, is not SO much indication Of the falling Off
OF the result of the rapid reduction Of mill
tary and naval forces.
HILTON nHAO
is dullcr than have il before since the capture
but is still not the dulIest place wot Of either North or
South. II is still headquarters for many merchants in
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, who had formed
connections here before the opening Of direct
mescia communications with their localities and who
give much wholesale and jobbng patronage their old
sellers The local retail trade Is confined largely freed
men from Mitcheville and the surrounding plantations
and islands; but.s partly kept up by several hundred
government employees and by government transpor,s
no MORE BUILDINGS
Some time since order issued forbiddiug the
erection Of buildings inside of the fortiBcations
view Of the projection of extensive government works
Hilton Head will lose its commercial importance,
unless one Of
SEVERAL EAHRoAp SCHEMES,
under consideration, is carried There two
principal projects-one for road from ST. Helena on the
opposite side Of the harbor to connect with the savan
nah and Charleston road which would make Hilton
Head sort Of suburb Of the city, and the other for
road rom this island across Skull creek and the Savan
nah and Charleston road to the Georgia Central road
Both parties aborng for the roads in which they
respectfully interested very earnestly. Joseph H. Sears
Esq, Of the Neo Sovh-one Of the oldest and most
prominent citizenss one o. the principal workers for
the Hilton Head line and is confident Of success. II Is
estimated that $500 900 will be all the capital required
and clamed that investments will prove Of almost
unprecedented profit Whether either road is buiit re-
mains yet 10 be seen.
GENERAL GulxoRE's ADMINISTRATION
General Gilmore recently Issued general order,
captivating the terms Of the proclamation appointing
Mr. Perry Provisional Governor of South Carolina and
directing all military officers 10 cooperate with him in
psg%DSS % the s%es st. therein him bu
recty required by the terms Of the proclamation appoint
ing him II is understood, though do not pretend to
speak e1 cdfhe~d on this point that the Governor has
taken action matters not considered in accord.
ance with the government policy; for instance connu-
compliance with the regulations in regard 10 e:sln,ed
classes General Gilmore has not yet had view
with him. although be notified him OF ~'se w "eo'
and confer with him. -
., 20 a r SeneIa Ames General Devcus and
another general. whose .Sme have not learned.
~ - SIGNAL CORPS
Tn sccoro,cc 9Th orders from the War Department
the Officers men OF the Signal corps here have been
sh @ a0S ,Ss Of jesse ssT
men ,1sergeants Thomas O. Parson and Wilson Eddy
si first class privatcs o. " Bender Henry f. Croydon,
the excepted mon TO proceed to Washington and
over the property belonging TO the Signal corps and will
then be mustered out
THE UNITED STATES ARMY MACHINE WORKS AT sr HELENA
Paying brief visit to 81. Helena the other day, I
found the army machine works there in full operation,
under charge OF Captain John II. Mans, chief marine
engineer tried and faithful officer The works were
first established at scabrook Hilton Head Island an.
der Captain Mars supervision, In May, 1863 Captain
Mars had come out, think, month or two previous,
IN charge OF the transport nee and after bis arrival by
his energy and skill several vessels which had been con-
demned were put In condition, and running.
Tho hrst works were on small scale, and q donkey
pump was used as steam engine to drive the works
with The removal to St. Helena occurred in January,
1864 when several large buildings erected for shops
and many others for occupation by the aborers. The
necessary machinery Tut in, and the required depot
established SO that everything steamer requires from
her Keel 70 her truck can be supplied here.
All the departments arc veil ofcered, filed with com:
pctent workincn, always busy in working hours, and
constantly supervised by Captain Mars.
One Of the steamers recently repaired s the Samson
Captain Dennettc captured on the Savannah river Her
boilers were changed from wood burners coal burners
her engines generally overhaued, her bottom sheathed
o hurricane deck built over the promenade one and
three or four state put In Among other
recently repaired, or under repairs the General
Hunter, Plato Achilles, Iewisburg, s. Mary's, Foote
lput in on her way 70 New 0reans Savannah Neptune,
Nelly Baker, staudlsb, ard the coast survey steamer
Bibb Tho principal repairs for Charleston Savannah,
Beaufort the coast OF Georgia and Florida have TO be
made here, and much work Is done for machinery on
land There seem no signs OF any stacking up work in
this establishment al present
THE sfxm REGULARS
now doing guard duty ts commander Colonel Green
being district commandant and Lieutenant Colonel Cs
In command OF the post
uQuoR SELLING
entirely stopped here week or two ago by orders
from the Provost Marhal and II s doubtfulf IL any more
permits are given
MASONIC.
The Masons OF Hilton Head organizing lodge and
propose 10 building for Masonic purposes f they
can obtain the necessary military permits