New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-04
FORT HAMILTON.

REBUILDING AFTER THE RECENT FIRE-HEALTH AND
HABITS OF TIE GARRIsOS-PREsENT CONDITION
AND VALUE OF NEw-YORKs HARB0R DEFENsEs.
Since the burning Of the officers quarters in
The classmates Of Fort Hamilton, The night Of the Sd
~ March last they have been living In residences fur
oshed by the Government In the vicinity The war De
partment lately ssred contracts for the erection OF
three new buildings for officers quarters the sites for
which have selected the reservation and the
classmates will be used hereafter barracks for the
soldiers.
The fort is garrsoned by $50 men Of the Sd Artillery
commanded by Col. Geo W. Getty The ratiOns OF the
soldiers are plentiful and OF good quality Fresh beef Is
Issued every other day the men preferrng corned pork
three times week 10 a continual diet OF fresh meat
Vegetables raised in abundance The bread used is
baked at and the soldiers entirely content
with their raoDs. DesertiOns not unfrequent but
they generally occur about the time thu troops paid
which takes place every two months and when they
receive a large OF money at one time they are led
Into designations become reckless perhaps lose al they
get overstay their leave and are fearful OF punishment
on returning they conclude to return to their several
homes In order in some other occupation We're
daly or weekly payments 10 the men introduced. dcscr
tons would a very great extent cease. and the dis
epline and effectiveness Of the army would be vastly
improved.
The health OF the post is excellent There are
no baths sinks etc, for the OF the men, and they
suffer much discomfort IN consequence. They are re-
oured TO battle nj week, but the nature Of
the beach prevents them from avaing themselves of tins
very and healthf practice The hospital outside
che walls spacious well ventilated building
and the receive the most sku and generous treat
mept The cemetery at Fort Hamilton appears TO be
much eglected, but no inermeDis have Den made III
aimee 1868 There prejudice AGAINST the spot III coIsc
ouence OF men, Who during the war; forfeited Their lives
q the law being buried in IT, Those hung AT 0rt lalay
cite and othrs who shot for deserion during the
war found their last resting place there During the past
been other places Of burial but large num-
Dor of graves still undistuIbed 1ntellncns from
FORT Hamilton made in Cypress Hills Cemetery
Though II r. than 80 years since Fort Hanl-
built II has been condemned, ana It's cdschlaleS
arc now ONLY used barracks for troos All the guns
have been from their embasurcs with the cx-
ception of a few mOrars Improvements III the manu-
fsc;urc Of cannon and in the building OF ships OF war
have rendered the work of little value But very strong
eca-wal batteries mounted with guns Oi the heaviest
eaber have erected at Che point 10 add 10 the de-
Seses Of the harbor Seventy Of the new guns are al
ready In position. The rear of the seaWa mas been
Aed with earth TO general Level ~ TWO rect below
the level of the sea-wal sixtravcrse magazine. in
ending three service magazines, Las been hnlt AL al
Aona earlen barbrttc battery with magazine traverses
Tor heavy guns below the channel front Of the Fort
tending 10 existing batteries stO be erected Opposite
On the staten Island Shore is Fort WadswOrt al earth
work Which, when completed. will mount 200 sis' and
will be one Of the largest and strongest ccc>ye WORKS
I'm the United States Fort Lafayette Is no Longer OF
value Ii used however, Is central Inalaglhe nom
which all the posts In the der ncn receive anhu-
milton Fort Hamilton IN conjunction with FORT " ADS
worth onsidercd sufficient TO bar the passage OF the
most powerful ships Of war.