The New York herald., 1869-04-19
THE BGo0AEYy uaRiNE BARRACKS.

The Brooklyn marine barracks. located on Flush
ing avenue, adjoining the Navy Yard, are The finest
barracks, perhaps IN the United States both in point
OF convenience and general arrangements The
grounds attached embrace area OF several acres
which, though comprised OF made ground are never
theless sufficiently firm and level for parade and
drill purposes, and by no means considered un-
healthy. The entrance to the parade s through
fine arched gateway on the avenue named. Imme-
diately inside the gate Is located one side guard
house. and upen the other side are Offices Of the
commandment OF the post, officer Of the day. orderly
sergeants, &C. Near by stands handsome nag
STAN erected to replace the one which was
shattered into a thousand pieces by
fash Of lightning during thunder storm
upon the evening Of June 49, 1868. With reference
to this event Is a fact worthy OF note-the shat.
tered musket stock and bent bayonet carried ut
support on the left forearm Of private La Bagah,
who was on sentry duty on post one, and, together
with his musket received injuries Of serious
molished the nagstan. The escape Of the sentinel
from instant death was, indeed most providential
under the circumstances. His left arm severely
fractured, and he is still in hospital Across the
parade ground stands the barracks, two story
brick structure about 800 feet in length, with bal
Here, connected with the main building, are wings
extending beyond the balcony-the one On the
chapel while the lert is used as Kitchen
bakery rtorehouse and the apothecarys depart.
ment The dining hall is on the first floor, and the
second story is devoted to the seepng quarters Of
the men. The whole is admirably ventilated cleanly
az e
ofiicers in command. The library, which IS sup.
ported partly by the post fund and partly by contri
buttons OF citizens, contains about 900 volumes OF
choice works, and tiles Of the NEW YORK HERALD
for the use Of the men, all Of whom have ample op-
portunty for indulgence OF taste for knowledge
through this source.
The prisoners convicted and sentenced BY naval
courts martial for various offences abroad are sent
here, and not long since there were no less than
fifteen sailors and marines undergoing punishment
by confinement at the Brooklyn barracks. But the
latter number, owing to the clemency OF Secretary
Weles, who pardoned several OF them Just prior to
his retirement, is now reduced TO five or six. The
remaining prisoners are as comfortable as the disc
pine Of military prison VIII admit. The cells are
clean, ana IN most every instance very tastefully
decorated with pictures, notices suggestive or the
prisoners hope" and such contrvances as tend to
same time AFFORD an opportunity to give vent
to their ingenuity It Is remarkable with what pride
their humble attempts at decoration. One OF the
Olliest fellows, undergoing sentence OF yearsa
perfect MARX iapiey-s william Brown. black
writer that he had but Zone month and few days,
more to put In on his time, when he and Uncle Sam
would be square. Among those now undergoing SEN
tence OF court martial e one man whose term of i'm
prisonment does not expire till September H. 1873
buring O visit to the barracks on Thursday last an
opportunity anorded to witness the promptitude
with which the marines respond to call for their
services In the role Of nremen A quantity of rub
bsh and brush In the Navy Yard, just adjoining the
marine grounds, was set on nre by some mischiev-
Gus boys, and for time the Ere extended with such
rapdy as TO threaten the railroad trestle work. The
fire hose carriage was speedily brought into requ-
stion and lively stream from the nozzle of the hose
soon put an end to all fears OF Its spreading.
The marine battalion here, which IL divided into
two companies numbers 259 men. The station is o
receiving depot, however and as men constantly
coming and going the number varies. One ofilcer
and guard o! thirty men are furnished from the
barracks daily for duty at the Navy Yard. Morning
parade ana guard mount are held every day. at eight
O'Clock In summer and nine O'Clock during the win.
ter season. on Monday OF each week there is a
general parade and inspection OF the garrison which
Is facetiously termed quite swell anair." Then
the officers aud men don their brightest colors
fags are flying, bands playing. drums beating
&c. Visitors are admitted TO the barracks at any
time during the day. The officers quarters are very
superior buildings, being constructed after the most
modern and approved plan, containing all the ac
commodations and several OF the luxures of the
modern and perfect house.
The Commandant Of the Brooklyn marine bar.
racks Is Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Jonn
L. Broome. The other Officers are:-Captains, q. p
Houston, William J. Squres, Charles A. Stillman;
First Leutenants, James r. Breeze +. c. Saltmarsh:
Second Lieutenant, w. j. Mcdonald Jr