The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-05-25
OLD FORT INDEPENDENCE
THE CASTLE WILLIAM OF REVOLT
TIONARY TIMES.

TIE NHS IG WILLIAM VI NEWLY
TlONARY TIMES.
President Opposes-The Ocean Steam
ers Pouring in a Flood of Paupers al
BostOn-Gossip of the Hub.
From Our .,pecial CORRESPONDENTS
Boston, MAY 20.
The president, decision that Boston can
not have Castle ISLAND Fort Independence
for play groun because of military ne
cessities, is a keei disappointment to those
who realize what an Incompatible addition
to our marine lark it would have made.
Only narrow channel separates the old
fort from City Point, which is at present
the favorite breathing place of the masses,
and it was proposed by the construction Of
a viaduct or causeway across the water to
connect the island with the city. The view
from the island embraces the whole harbor
with its irregularly indented shores and isl
ands, its innumerable sails of small craft
and trading vessels, its sea going steamers
and gay excursion boats, and, behind, the
mellow tinted, brick built city, rising from
the bustling docks to the gilded capital and
the hazy hills at the west. All for a
5-cent horse-car ride, if the president had
agreed. However, the larger section Of the
view can be had from City Point at the
same price.
Interesting associations cluster round the
island, the Oldest regular military post in
United States. AS early as 1884, when the
colonists became uneasy regarding the
frowning face of the mother country, Gov
ernor Dudley, with divers ministers and
Others" went down to see what could be
done to fortify the island whose proximity
to the city rendered it the natural fortress
in the days of short range guns. The peo-
pie put up defense work which became
known as "The Castle" The Bostonians
of the time regarded the cross in the royal
colors as an emblem of idolatry, and so no
flag was hoisted over the castle until some
angry British captains threatened to
bring charges Of treason against the
colony. Then by advice of Rev.
John Cotton it was decided that, though
the ensign was idolatrous, yet, as the
fort was maintained in the kings name
his colors might fly there. Several years
before Governor Endicott, the ancestor of
the present secretary of war, had cut the
cross from British flag, and had therefor
been prohibited from holding Office for
year.
This first fort was nothing more than an
earth embankment, mounted with a few
light cannon, which never had to ,rowl
except in salute previous to revolutionary
time, though the Dutch threatened the city
in 1865. Later q fort was built of pine
trees, brick and earth This was burned,
and subsequent structure met a similar
fate. Castle William" was the title the
Bostonians named the brick fort which
then arose, thus honoring the Protestant
king whose accession gave them great de-
light. Castle William was burned by the
British when scared away by George Wash
gton's straw fence on Dorchester Height.
The provincial forces renewed the works,
and in 1897 it was christened Fort Indepen-
dence, while President John Adams looked
on. The island was given the next year to
the general government, which now refuses
to allow its use without parting with its
ownership or military character. The
present fort dates from 1850, but a small
part of the wall of the old castle remains.
1t is not of primary Importance to the
defense of the harbor, Fort Warren and
Fort Winthrop being the chief works at
present, though the whole series of
defenses will be of little account till
mounted with modern artillery. During
the rebellion prisoners were confined in
Fort Independence and Fort Warren.
.~A
Fort Independence is at present garrisoned
only by janitor or two, and is occasionally
captured by freebooters when the garrison
is off fishing or seeing the ball game. 1t is
worth VISITORS while to sail or row over
from City Point, for the fort is a majestic
one Each of its five sides is guarded by
bastions and flank defenses; it is armed
with large howitzers in easements and
fifteen-inch Rodman guns on the barbettes
1t has roomy quarters for garrison, store
houses etc.
The thirty British invaders who are at
present on their way TO Boston belong to
the Oldest military body in the British en-
pire, the Honorable Artillery company of
London. 1t has always been entirely dis
tinct from all other military organizations,
nd stands alone as the only military body
over which parliament has no control, be-
ing self-supporting and existing by virtue
OF royal warrants, granted and confirmed
by succeeding sovereigns since the time of
Henry VIII. The company depends alone
on the good will of the crown, and there
fore in one sense regards itself as the per-
sonal bodyguard of the sovereigns. 1t was
originally composed of archers. but it
adopted the use of artillery at an early
period of its existence. For more than two
centuries the sovereign or Prince of Wales
has always held the command as captain
general. In 1888 branch of this company
was formed in Boston by Robert keayne,
ana this the oldest military body in the
United Sta es. is our Ancient and Honora-
lie Artillery company, motel for its excel