The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-06
The Use of Artillery Regiments.

I'm looking over the United Statc- army
Est. and comparing it with the actual re-
quircments of the country, it has often been
a puzzle TO foreign military student, To- lind
what is the real Use OF "A great part OF tive
American army. The popular impression
that the cavalry are chasing Indians all the
time il found, on examination, TO be Il mis-
take, inasmuch rs the officers are careful to
keep out Of the way of all Indians except
the half-starvcd bcggnrS who crowd the
reservations on ration days. The infantry
is chiefly employed in lounging around use
less posts. whore the officers drink commits
sary whiskcy as the serious business Of life
and spend their moments OF leisure in
swearing at Congress
or MI the branches Of the service how
over, the most pulling to account FOR is the
artillery The engineers are supposed To- hc
devoted to science, and tho visitors at
Wilctts Point are aware that in scientific
billiards, at least, they are a pattern to the
army. But what is the use of the artil-
lcry" asks the innocent Investigator.
They don't bully Indians, they don't know
how To carom on four cushions at a time,
and they are comparative failures A. solid
drinkers What do they find to do to pass
away the time :"
We are now able to state. owing to the re-
searches Of an esteemed contemporary. that
n Use has been found for the artillery at
last Three English ships OF war have just
visited Newport. II. l., and the artillery
rendered valuable service to the United
States from the ramparts Of Fort Adams.
Let not tho tmorou, reader start; the
British bull dogs came into Newport grace
fully wasging thoir high-bred tails, ON a
| friendly visit to Uncle Sans war dogs.
We ara proud to say that Col. ISRAEL
NoGDis, First L. :. Artillery, IN command Of
Fort Adams, was equal to the task before
/ him, aud carried off the honors of tho duy.
! The occasion was momontous. for real
/ live British Admiral, "A Captain Loastiny
| the names Of ST. GEORGE and DARCY
! before his surname, and moro than one
scion of nobility, were coming into Newport.
! The naval torpedo station was alive TO the
| Importance of the visit aud the [. ). :.
/ Saratoga was dressed up to receive the
| strangers. The great Wcstchcstcr Polo
/ cub WIS frantic with suppressed excitement,
| tine summer residents of Newport were hold
/ INK committee meetings TO consult BURKE :
/ Pcemge and find "who was who" on board
/ tine Bcllorophon, and the Mayor of Newport
| had gone to the BARRIERS preparatory to
Offering the hospitaiitics Of the city to the
distinguished visitors
But NoGDi3 and tho gallant artilcrymcn
| If Fort Adams were bound to get the first
recognition from the British squadron and
/ they had their way. As the ships entered
/ the harbor they fired a salute and NoGprs
! answered IT, gun for gun. like man, while
/ the artillery band struck up God save the
/ Queen. like heroes. Tho British Admiral,
/ uOt To- be- outdono ordered up his band and
/ tla melting strains 81 Hail Columbia
mode NooIL. happy. He had got the first
recognition. Tine Captain of the Saratoga
might man hi zig and be first aboard, but
/ WOODS had first salute.
With the promptitudo that marks the ar
/ tilaYmau u search of excitement, NoGDEs
. hurried iWm hla rampant galopcd to
Newport, and had the satisfaction Of taking
a social glass with the bold Brlun and his
staff hcforc the naval coat tails of the COM
nnudant Of the torpedo station had fairly
Disappeared ou ia" wharf.
lhoafl'ory had conquered, and tho naval
I t1rpcdno- had only gol second recognition
after al. For the nest ten days the nrtll-
lory oniccys at Fort Adams are expected Ia
Doe Immersed in business" There are balls
TO b" danced at games Of polo to be wit
messed, dinners To be given and received
0ud Fort Adams Is happy.
The scorniul man who doubted the uso oi
the artillery is answered. The artillerymcn
! ut Fort Adams are not only useful, but nec-