New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-01
THE NAVAL LANDING AT KEY WESI.

TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED MEN IN ACuoN-A FINE
DISPLAY OF MARTIAL TACTICs-pARADE or THE
SAILORS AND MARINEs-OFFICERs or THE NAVAL
BRIGADE.
rFRom AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
KEY WEST, March 25.-The fleet exercises
were brought to close yesterday by landing in force
of the sailors and marines, $500 in Number upon the
beach near Fort Taylor. The execution of few simple
orders would been sufficient to have placed upon
shore within an hour of any appointed time. several
thousand armed men, and to have burned gunpowder
enough to deafened the dwelers at Key West But
the work actually done much more comprehensive
and there remains scarcely possible emergency which
the experience OF yesterday will not enable the force to
ant,etpate in future Admiral Case Flag Lieutenant
soley (who acted as AdjutanGenera to the brigade)
and the commanding and junior officers OF the several
battaons are entitled much credit for the perfection
and good results OF the landing and parade.
Although the sea had high for some days pro
vlous to admit of landing merely as matter of prac
tce II had subsidized during the night TO quiet swell
and moderate surf pleasant was blowing, and
by the apponted hour, o'clock, the boats being
manned and their and ornaments put in Shortly
before 10 Admiral Case his aid Commander Ames, and
MS secretary SeatOn MunrOe accompanied by Senator
Edmunds who had come from the Powhatan, pulled
ashore in the barge and presently seated in
the convenient pavilion erected the beach by Col
Best o. s. A., commanding the artillery barracks Here
pleasant company Of the families Of army and navy
officers had gathered and absorbed in watch
ing the gradual formation and approach OF the various
divisions of boats Of the fleet Oh these the NTH
battalion posed of the blue Jackets OF the Wabash
and the first composed OF all the marines OF the feet
were first position. From around the fort, the Dis
patch, Pinta, Maynower, and Fortune presently ap-
reared. having the remainder OF the boats in tow
When these were OF the point Of attack they
slowly headed the boats being cast loose began
10 assume formation ordered They were now fairly
off and they essened their distance from the shore
the vessels covering their advance opened with broad
sides from their heavy guns. Their black bulls were
soon obseured by the white smoke OF the cannonade.
and the eighty loaded boats rushing on amid the
roar of the great guns formed imposing spectacle.
The steam launches dashed off to the right with the
marines, whose white belts gistened over the boats
sides and then the beach where the men speedily
assumed their formation The pulling boats seemed to
rush to the the left and center in incredibly
short time and the beach for half mile was COW
cred The howitzers which had opened fire soon after
leaving supporting ships ceased until the men
working them could disembark, remount them on
the beach, and then dash across the sand and
reopen fire with their allies the Calling guns.
The masses Of infantry were now pouring
their columns into the different roads, and through I'D
over every obstacle with seeming wildness that bore
little indication OF o preconcerted plan. The rapid
tramp Of the men prelude to the rattle OF muskery
that soon swelled into exciting fusade. The rapidly
executed assaults and retreats and the long lines of
skirmishers whose positions only marked by jets
OF flame and smoke made sharp work for the next half
hour
Then. after a short rest came tho dress parade.
The artillery took up position the right of the
line, followed by the marines and other in
faptry battalions OF blue jackets No delay 0c-
Cured, and the brigade taken In hand by the
Adiutant, Lieut.. Solely. and then by its commander,
Capt Simpson Of the Franklin. The manual OF arms
was executed with precision that would have done no
discredit the It'll Regiment OF NewYork, and this,
too by battalions composed Of from IL or is
different ships, who had never before served To-
gether In the same company organization. Con
spicuous for thorough training were the 500
marines under Lieut..Col. Charles Haywood.
The blue Jacket has the opportunity for drill
as his whitebeted brother in arms but the excellence
OF his bearing yesterday proved that he has both intel
ueence and pride. Among the persons OF note on the
ground were Senator Eimunds, Commodore lie Roy,
Commodore Bryson, Commodore Nicholson and Capts.
beaumont, Barrett and Lowry. Many accom-
named by their wives and daughters The Admiral with
large party OF ladies' adjourned to the town. and
took I'D position the reviewing stand The brigade
then marched by giving the proper salute proceeded TO
The wharf and embarked.
The following are the officers Of the Naval Brigade,
Rear Admiral Case CommanGern-Chef
Cant simpson, Commanding Brigade. brigade STAT.
Lieut. soley, tant-General; Lieut. Belden ord
Officer; surgeon wells, surgeon Kay na n,e
Cosby, Paymaster. Aid. Midslpman Calkins MID
shipInan OuoItrOugh, MidshpmaD Babcock, Midship-
man Vail, Midshpnan M0rreil, hidshipmah Oase mid-
shlpman Halsey.