The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-01
TROOPS IN GARRISON AND TROOPS on THE
PLAINS.

More Of tho Sentiment of tho Soldiers,
Fort MONROE Va June Of 1870

FORT MONROE, Va, June u, 1870.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HEBALD:-
A late issue of the HERALD contained an allusion
to the presence of the large garrison stationed at
fortress Monroe and other posts on the seacoast,
while the hostile Indians are devastating the great
trail from the Kansas Pacific Railroad to New
Mexico and the vast tract west OF the Missouri
Permit me to invite your attention to statement of
facts, which take pleasure In placing before YOU
with the hope that you may find something In 1t Of
which you can make use.
General Hancock, commanding the Department
OF Dacotah, has not more than five hundred troops
available for defence In his whole command.
General Pope, commanding the Department of the
Missouri has few troops for defensive operations
in that department that the greater part of the four
batteries OF light artillery stationed at Fort Riley
kan., mas been sent up tile valley Of the Republl-
can after the Indians.
General Auguf, Commanding the Department of
the Platte, has wretchedly small force to guard
territory threatened with one OF the bloodest
Indian wars we have ever experienced. The
need OF troops on the Plains Is 80 great that the
settlement OF OF the most fertile districts in the
West utterly retarded by the dangers to which set
tiers must expose themselves in pushing beyond the
frontier, and those who are there are threatened
with all the atrocities which mark savage warfare.
There are at this post i've companes OF ari,lierT
belonging to the five regiments OF artillery OF the
United States Army. each OF which viii average sew
enty men. Fort Monroe is called an artillery school:
that Is To say. twenyOur officers are here on duty
who are required to return to the text books OF
boyhood and pass the summer in enforced useless
work which Will be OF no possible service TO the gov.
ernmeni. assure you that there Is scarcely one OF
those officers who would not cheerIully 20 on the
campaign against the savages
In time OF peace the seacoast defences should be
garllsoned by the ordnance department. Tae troops
or the ARTILLERY should be at that point where they
can do substantial service and That service at such
time as this Is frontier service either as infantry
or mounted rs cavalry. Three companies OF the
Fourth artillery at Fort Mcenry two OF the First at
Fort Delaware ana other companies OF other regi-
ments OF ARTILLERY are stationed at posts on the sea-
board. These could ali be utilized on the Plains
Lieutenant ACTIVE.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Wednesdays HERALD has In 1t three letters on the
subject OF artillery troops being out West to de-
fend the frontier. The most singular circumstance
III this matter is that those three letters are all from
Fort Monroe. Some may say, not acquainted
with the facts that 1t is strange that out Of all the
posts garrsoned by the five artillery regiments that
al Fort Monroe ai0le should exist the military
esprit to serve the country and fight Indians: W.
is this? Simply to avoid being tault: g knowledge
Of their professi5h ana duties as soldiers. Fort
Monroe is an artillery school OF instruction, where
officers are taught in rigid careful lani,ser all that
pertains TO That important arm Of the service and
officers not wishing TO go TO school now take hi, on
poriunty 10 break up this important school, II the
arilery are W go out to fight Indians let those at
Fort Monroe remain On the other hand WIN
are 10 guard our harbOrsY The presence of troops
IN our lorts would certainly deter an enemy from
sending IN vessel to burn any city and then clear
Out; rake New York. vessel to pass the Mario ws
could at any point for three miles have con.
cenirated on her before getting in q number
Vi guns whose weight Of metal thrown woud
amount to over 10000 pounds or iron. This would
not be pleasant pill TO be taken before having the
pleasure OF seeing New York. Our national honor
and name as Q military nation, for we are 30 con-
sldered, demands that we be represented. This is
particularly so at Fort Monroe, where vessels of war
OF an natlohs cal and nave the Inequalities Of the
United States extended them
However, 1f we are wanted let the word be given
and We 60 but let Fort Monroe and its garrison re-
man TO represent us among civilized beings while
we ada fresh laurels to our corps. regret can.
not agree with Captain Armstrong, Corporal Casson
and Lieutenant Pluck, the writers OF the letters in
question: In their views, and recommend they get
transferred where they can fight and not be troubled
by the mysteries Of the chronOscope, or finding the
reason why x and are used in algebra, or In vain
attempts to commit TO memory the table or loga-
rltnms. No, sir, let these gentlemen be educated
and ask Congress to supply troops to defend our
western people, and let the artillery learn In time Of
peace prepare tor war;" Captain CANNON.