The morning call., 1891-04-07
SECRETARY PROCTOR.
His Inspection of the Military
Posts on the Bay.
The Reception Accorded Him at the Various
Stations Which He Visited - He
Reviews, and Is saluted.

eSttTudy morning SeCTeldTy VI w dI
Proctor visited the principal military posts
around the bay. to which he was conveyed
by the tug Relief. General Gibbon was pre-
vented from accompanying the head of the
War Department, owing to his affection with
severe cold, so the task of escorting the
Secretary was delegated to General o. D.
Green, Adjutant- General of the Division of
the Pacific.
The other members of the party were
Colonel r. w. Batchelder, Quartermaster-
General of the United States Army. Captain
Thomas NJ. Woodruff of the Secretary's
staff, Colonel George Il. Mendell. United
States Supervising Engineer for the Pacific
Coast, Colonel Smedberg. Major j. Ii. Lord,
Colonel Lyman Bridges. Captain Charles A.
Booth and Lieutenant Catel.
A start was made from the Washington
street pier about 9:30 o'clock, the Relief be-
ing headed for the United States ship San
Francisco, now lying in the stream The
gentlemen were transported from the tug to
The cruiser by the little steam launch of the
latter. Secretary Proctor was received on
board the San Francisco by Admiral Brown
and his staff and by Lieutenant Moser in
the absence of the commander, Captain
Thompson. The marine corps OF the ship
was drawn up on deck under the command
Of Captain Muse and presented fine ap-
pearance. The party was escorted over the
ship and many former acquaintan :eShipS
were renewed.
WANT ACTIVE SERVICE.
The officers are a little disappointed at
not being sent to Asia, but are nothing lOath
at the Idea Of seeing more active service
than that afforded at the Mare Island Navy
yard.
Captain Muse, in the course of converse
ton, remarked that there could be no
stronger argument in favor of the establish
ment of an arsenal at Benicia than the fact
that the railroads were unable to transport
the twelye-inch guns for the Mdterey owing
to their weight and that they must neces-
sarily be brought around the Horn. pro-
tracted and difficult undertaking.
When the party lett the cruiser Secretary
Proctor, in accordance with naval etiquette,
as being the most distinguished guest, was
the last 10 step into the launch. A salute of
seventeen guns was then fired under the
direction of Ensign Reid.
The Relief then proceeded to Alcatraz,
where the two batteries were drawn up on
the dock under the command of Captain w.
B: Beck, Captain G. w. Crabb, Lieutenant
w. +. Hancock and Lieutenant c. G. Gal
lup. Lieutepant- Colonel A. G. Wildrick.
cOmmandant of The Rock" received the
Secretary and escorted him through the
military prison. The batteries then pre-
sented arms and the visiting party started
for Angel Island. En- route Secretary Proc
tor was taken in charge by Colonel Mendell,
who explained the various fortlncatlons ana
defenseS of the harbor and indicated our
requirements. The chief of the War De-
partment listened attentlvely and asked
number of questions, but was not disposed
TO answer queries whenever they related In
any way to his official plans or intentions.
ANGEL ISLAND.
At Angel Island the five companies of
the First Infantry stationed at the post were
formed in line under the command of Cap
tain w. G. Dougherty, who is in charge OF
the barracks during the temporary absence
of Colonel Shafter Headed by the baud of
twenty-five pieces, the companies marched
up to the battle-ground, where they araded
and were reviewed by Secretary Proctor.
\ strong west wind was blowing, rendering
the drill exceedingly unpleasant Tor all con-
cerned. Adieus were then said, and as the
visitors departed the band of the regiment
played "The Soldiers Farewell"
The last post visited was the Preside,
which was reached az u o'clock. The
guests were received at the wharf by Lieu-
tenant j. c. Sawyer, officer of the day. AT
this, as at tue other military stations, saluteS
Of seventeen guns were fired. Carriages
had been provided to convey the members
of the party to the dril-ground, where the
entire force of the Preside was drawn up,
the heavy batteries b, c, Ii aud X, as foot
batteries occupying the left, light batteries
D and F, with their field pieces. being sta
toned in the center and troops l and x at
the right of the ground.
They marched around the ground in the
following order: The Regimental Band of
twenty-five pieces, band-haster and drum
major, the heavy foot batteries light bat
teries, cavalry, the commandment and his
staff bringing up the rear. AS they passed
the spot where the visitors were sta
toned Colonel Graham left the line
of march ana stationed himself short
distance in the rear, Secretary Proctor,
who reviewed the batteries and troops,
standing near the road, while behind him
were Lieutenant-Co Colonel Graham and his
staff comprising DR.. Towne, DR.. Wood. Dr.
.Brechimen, Lieutenant L. Il. Adams, Lieu
tenant W. Il. Hamilton and Lieutenant Ed
mund Blake, Acting Adjutant of the post.
All the commissioned officers were mounted,
the battalion commanders being as follows:
Heavy foot batteries, Captain Charles Nor
ris; light batteries, Major d. Ii. Kinzie;
two troops of the Fourth Cavalry, Lieuten-
ant-COlOnel Mills.
REYIEw OF THE LIGHT BATTERIES.
After marching around the battle-ground
twice the foot batteries were dismissed, and
the light batteries went through q number
OF tactics, which they performed in good
style. The guns were put in action, I'M
limbered and loaded. while the horses faced
to the rear and to the left flank. Battery d
had Hotchklss guns and the Parrot
nine-pounders.
The cavalry was then the object of uni
versal attention, the troops going through
a number of evolutions, ending, to the de-
light of the spectators, in grand charge,
which was admirably executed. Both
troops gave unmlStakable evidence OF
thorough drill, although X troop, with its
horses of uniform dark brown color, pre-
scented the better appearance, the tout
ensemble of l troop being rather impaired
by the presence of a sufficient number of
dark horses 10 make marked contrast with
the general gray mounts OF the majority OF
the troopers.
Secretary Proctor was much pleased with
the review, and warmly complmented
Lieutenant Colonel Graham upon the ap-
pearance and drill of the various batteries
and troops. The Secretary and his party
were then entertained by the commandant
at his quarters, after which the chief of the
War Department returned to the residence