The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-03
INSPECTING The. FORTS.
Secretary Taft and General Sherman
Make a Tour Down the Bay.
INCIDENTS OF THE TRIP.
General Sherman's Opinion Of Bel
KNAPP and Babcock.


Yesterday the Secretary OF War. Judge Tan accom-
panied by tho General OF the Army, General Sherman,
and General Hancock made informal visit to Forts
Hamilton and wadsworth and 10 Sandy Hook The party
left Washington Saturday night and arrived in Jer
sey City about halfpast six yesterday morning They
at went board tho steamer Henry Smith which
was lying Jersey City waiting for them or General
Shcrman's stan there present General o. NJ. Poe
and Colonel Tourtollotte; General Hancock
panied by Generals Fry and Sawtcc and Captain
Mitchell II may DO stated here that the Secretary OF
War undertook this visit, informal as II in charnc
ter, on Sunday with much reluctance He told
tho writer that tho present cxigcncles OF his po-
ston In Washington such that Sunday Is about the
only day upon which he could absent himself; that he
anxious to form tho personal acquaintance OF tho
officers the various stations once, the length OF
their stay any place IL uncertain, and those
who are at present within easy distance might in
week a fortnight be far away. II tho express
dcsre Of the Secretary OF War TO mark his mlndulncss
Of the Lords Day. In consequence orders issued
that tho ordinary Sunday parade at the forts visited
should not be departed nom, and that the usual
salute Of guns should be omitted This order was
strictly adhered 10.
Il may be further remarked that in order 10
emphasize this respect for tho day, all visiting
officers. including General Sherman were in civilians
clothes
TAFT REGULATIONS
1t is generally understood that tho Secretary OF War
will, IN few days. issue order defining the powers
and sphere of action OF tho General OF the Army
that for this reason we'll the gvon above
he was anxious rs far possible to mako himself
quanted with the working Of present system some
ofthe chief stations OF tho army, that system having
under tho atc Secretary widely divcrgcd from what 1t
originally and from what the best interests OF the
army seem TO demand. 1t may, too, on this oc-
cason BIO said that the reasons alleged by jour
nails for General Shcrman's removal Of tho headquar-
tiers Of the army to St Louis although truo, by
the only or the strongest ones.
Long previous to General Shcrmans move to St.
Louis It had been, among officers high command
what the Germans call public secret, that Beknap
had succeeded In making the control OF the Gen.
eral OF the Army the army almost nominal As
Will DO below. General Sherman states this cate
goricaly, and gives it Of the why
he concluded that. with the powers left to him. he
could exercise his command quito well Mt ST. Louis
as at Washington. This, added to cogcnt family rea-
sons, determined the General in favor OF ST. Louis
Now, II would that the razng policy OF tho
Bcknap rtgime is hardly approved OF by the present
Secretary Of War, and that distinct departure from
that policy will DO marked in his forthcoming order
But Of this more anon.
INSPECTION
on their arrival at Fort Hamilton the illustrious
visitors were received by General Getty and the o-
GERS Of the fort The usual Sunday parade took place
at a little after nine A. NJ Tho weather was all that
could be desired The light battery OF artillery,
handed b.. Major Sinclair, first inspected. This
occupied but short time, and ended by the battery
nlng past the Comma nder in Chief who noticing that
OF tho teams consisted or TOUR instead Of six
horses, drew Major Sinclar's attention TO the fact
the sa'S os
ECONOMY" Then followed the inspection OF the
whole command on tho parade ground Of the fort
During the parade II was to sec how quickly Gen.
eral ShcrInau's eye detected the veteran Walking up
to one OF them. the extreme Lett Of company, he
asked him how long he had been IN the service.
.Twcnty-t hrco years" said the arterymnn.
.sHow do you like thisf'' SAID the General, laying
his hand upon the now sealskin knapsack Of the
'Not SO well as tho old one. General"
"Becausc It drags one down more than the old one.
and bumps against the Ions on the march,.
The Secretary was listening, and possibly making a
OF General Hancock was heard THAT does not matter
very much, Mr. Secretary they do very we'll In time OF
peace and in time OF war tho soldiers put an end 10
ali difficulties by not carrying them" smile from the
secretary recorded 10 the credit OF the soldiers
sagacity. Alter the men had been dismissed, the Sec
rotary OF War shown through tho mems barracks
and though evidently struck by tho admirable order
and apparent In every detail 0 General Gcttys
command still made tho soldiers reading room the
subject especial remark TO the writer observing that
he was glad this very material point Of the soldiers
welbcng and possible means Of improvement was |
officers we're at General Gctty's house by
Secretary and tho Commandcr-inC Chief. Tho steamer
then boarded as the next point TO be visited was
rnE FREEDOM or rnx PRESS.
council OF war was held upon the writer in the mid
die OF the littic pier. The HERALD man had re- I
qucsted General Getty to kindly tell General /
Sherman that, II not an inndmss,ble request, he,
the HERALD man, would esteem IL great courtesy
be allowed 70 accompany the party. Upon hearing tho
request the General Immediately turned round, with
prompt "Whcre is he !" Tho writer stood before the
said General sherman "what do you say, Mr.. Score.
tary This one Of the irrcprcssblcs The exalted
court OF emo thus appealed to smiled bcngnantly upon
the culprt and bowed rbancly him; but refer red
the case back 10 the General Upon The HERALD mans
kindly allowed 70 join the party, and board
the Henry Smith. The run 10 Fort wadsworth was
quickly accomplished. Unon nearing y the ravases
marked upon the steep carthworks. Deep
and numerous under channels gaped In strong con-
the faded green Of the grass covering the rest
OF the works, while the quantity Of gravel carried
down the base Of the fort showed how strongly tho
fingers OF the storm king had been drawn down It's
prec,ptous sides. flight OF wooden steps, trying to
weak lungs and obesity led TO the top O the first tray
erse; thence tho Interior Of the fort was reached by
gentle incline.
II should be stated that the party was met at tho
landing by Colonel Gibson. The troops were found
side tho fort up ready for inspection. AZ tho
outsct q rather touching episode occurred The third
man from tho extreme ic't o. inc nrst company IN.
spected was barc.hcadcd and Invested Of arms and
outrcmcnts. As the Secretary aud General Shcr-
man we're passing him he stood forward, sauted and
Tor Communication Of the sentence he was
undergoing.
..What was the offence ~ said the Secretary.
ssDcscrton,n replied the soldier, and, as he said So
his bleached and bis lip quivcrcd IL was impossi
Bile not 70 feel for the man.
.sAnd tho scntcnccy' rcjoncd the Secretary.
eight months aud hall imprisonment and 500 |
fine. y said the ariilcryman.
ssYou ought think the sentence light one" inter-
posed General sherman. kindly. The mans name /
taken down by the Secretary and he fell back the
ranks looking quite overcome The details OF tho in
spcct,on were similar those observed Fort Hamil-
ton Colonel Gibson however, drew the Secrctary's |
attention 70 thc fact that several Of tho cascaics
leaked In wet weather a. the extreme end of the
parade ground company was drawn up. made conspic-
mons by the rtcrng trowcls which occupied the place
OF the bayonct upon their rides. General Hancock
drew the attention OF the Secretary TO these Masonic
Upon being appealed TO Tor his opin-
ion OF these arms the General empha,caiy pro-
uounccd against them replacing the bayoucL He