The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-22
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY AUGUST % S7o-rRlPLE SHEET

the island with their presence In the character OF
recruits. One there was who hourished In ward
politics very extensively few years ago. Domestic
troubles drove him to seek rest and s0lace in the
ranks OF the army. His friends were making an
antagonists, hilIng high post at present. wrote to
the Secretary OF War In the Johnson administration
and asked as particular favor that the soldier.
politician be retained In the ranks for the good OF
his country OH devious are the ways OF politics.
the government perhaps does well in refusing to
parents OF q rash recruit from buying him out OF
the service; but II errs the other hand in allowing
recruit to escape If he can bring any political inu
PERFECTION OF THE RECRUITING MACHINE.
tho machinery for putting recruits through the
mill works with delightful harmony. Everything Is
arranged In such shape that no time IA uselessy
pended, and thousand recruits make no more russ
"a going through the aforesaid mill than score or
ATTENTION.
In the matter OF assertions from the United States
pianatory. We have more assertions from the
service than any other army Ia the world. This fact
cannot DC disputed.
Various causes have been assigned for this state OF
AFFAIRS, but soldier, who ought TO know, told the
writer OF this that the main aversion TO the army
ward them Of the Officers. Tho latter are repre-
sented as tyrannical, rude unsympatheric and insult
ferably snobbish. They attempt TO ape the manners
or British Officers and copy In carlo AZURE their very
worst traits while al the same time they forget they
are commanding American troops, most OF whom
are American citizens besides. Ii Is no wonder
there are assertions when young prg from West
Point acts ike Bashaw OF nineteen tails toward
the men under his command. When the army Is
In finding recruits and such, too, IS will reject
credit on the ranks OF the American army.
STRENGTH OF THE GARRISON.
The force ut present garrisoning Governors
Island is about 500. with the following of1cers:-
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding. Thomas II.
Neill; Medical Onlcer, Charles Page; Assistant Sur
ge0n, George II. Sternberg; Captain, George l..
Tyler, commanding Company q; First Lieutenant
Edward Rice inventor oil the Trowell bayonet; First
Lieutenant II. A. BeiZer recruiting officer depot;
First Lieutenant James Reagan, Adutant COM
manjlng Company b; Quartermaster aud Commits
sary Of Subsistence and Librarian, Il. q. Rutherford.
BEDLOE'S ISLAND.
Captain CHARLES J. Wilson, commanding; Assistant
Surgeon William T. Whitehead. TO Sergeant Klett,
OF the ONCE for enlistment entries the reporter Is
indebted for q great part OF the Information con-
tanned In the foregoing.
IMPROVEMENTS on THE ISLAND.
Governors Island is very much changed for the
better since 1t came under The administration OF
General NELL Various improvements have been
effected on the shore line ana in the interior which
serve as an attractive and useful establishment OF
OF cleanliness, and may well excuse the pride which
Is felt In It's appearance by the steward, Mr. Robin
son. The excellent band or the post has had new
-house erected over the saOre on the ButtermilK
channel side. The only thing needed TO complete
the improvements Is the continuation OF the sea
wall The stone lies ready for the purpose
on the beach, but government economy forbids
the small appropriation necessary TO finish this very
necessary 1or Necessary IT may be said for in the
putrld oGal are driving IN by the tides and create
horrible smell under the hot sun OF this season.
AN OLD VETERAN.
Among the characters u the island is Sergeant
Charles Hancke seVenty-twa ears OF age, iorty-ninc
years in the service Of the United States.
a h years music rfadeat Of oots
capable OF lasting score Of years longer, which is
toelaby good testimony to the satbrlty OF this little
aspires to commissions which IL Is to be hoped the
government Will give MIN before he dies.