Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-05
FORTRESS MONROE.
saAm PROTECTION or NORFOLK,
RICHMOND, AND NEWPORT NEWS.
Absolutely Unprepared on Land and
water for Coast Defence--str. yewetrs
Illness Musical Tresss--pcrsonaL

correspondence Of tfo Richmond Dlspatch1
OLD forSr CoxFonr. VA. April A.--The
nrobabilities Of a war with Italy have been
fuuy discussed In military circles here du-
mig the week. and the general opinion Is
lbat there viii be no powder burned over
he New Orleans affair. II is frankly con-
csAeA that we ere entirely unprepared.
bolh ON land nnd water. to defend our
coast against an attack from tho frst-class
,,onclad feet that Italy has now ehost.
,,d the hope is expressed that the incident
I'll serve to call the attention OF our law
,,otere 10 the Importance OF early action
g. provlding suitable fortifcations ut i'm
nariant points and strengthening the navy
a. n will be able 20 hold its own against oil
comors. When this fort was originally
built it was designed 10 protect Norfolk
s1d Richmond. Now y has the new and
rspidly-growing city Of Newport News
s3dea. ard yet there has scarcely been
dollar other for improving the work or
upplying IL with modern ordnance since
LIE war closed.
TIE ONLY HOPE ToRrrDoEs.
The war demonstrated that IL was worth
less even against tho guns then in use.
The most formidable gun mounted here
1r0uld scarcely reach a distance OF i've
rriles. while our friend the enemy could
isv Al anchor eight or ten miles down the
iig and make 1t extremely lively for the
parison. Our only hope to prevent feet
{rom passing would then depend on tor
pedoes. for the placing of which active
preparations are now being made. The
mining casemate from which these will be
oporated Is now under way. Lieutenant
George A. linn. United States Engineers,
lately on duty at Willetts Point. has been
ordered here 70 supeTintend the work and
push il forward as rapidly as possible. IL
v.l take about six months 10 complete IL
AID get the three hundred odd torpedoes
now stored hero ready for planting. In
lhc mean time we are in the same position
g. the Texas man without revolver.
Mr.. JTwFTT's CRITICAL CONDITION.
NJ Hugh J. Jewett. ex-president Of the
Ere railroad, has been at the Hygeia with
his wife for the past two weeks. He went
60 Florida early in January and caught
severe cold on his way up. which caused
congestion Of the lungs. He was also at
lacked with Bright's disease, aud was criti-
cs'Iy Ill TOR several days. Hrs family ply
Fcan, DIR. SappingtOn. ex-State senator
hon Hartford county, Nd. was telegraph
al for and came on last week to take
charge of the ease. Since his arrival Mr.
Jcwett's Improvement has been rapid, and
hi, morning the party left in President
Roberts's private car for Baltimore. They
will rest few days at the Rennert before
proceeding 10 Mr.. Jewetts country-seat,
Iawnsdowne." near Darlington.
AwEEK or MUSIC.
The lovers of music have had no cause
10 complain during the past week. Fol-
lowing the concert by the Yale boys on
saturday night the Hampton students
cave the cantata of Easter Monday night.
w. II ITl,ststpu I.laa Itr IA arvfvad an,
Tuesday and sang TO fine audience that
evening.
MIR. John Sherwood, a prominent elo-
tutionist, well known in New York society
circles, gave reading III the banquet hall
Monday afternoon for the benefit Of the
Episcopal church IN the garrison, from
which handsome sum was realized.
Mr. Colgate Hoyt, vice-president Of the
Jul0n Pacific railroad, and wife arrived
here on visit Sunday. Mr.. and Mrs. Hoyt
were here IN January, but were called home
nv the illness of General Sherman, an
uncle of Mrs. Hoyt.
Commander Robley d. Evans, whose
family occupy cottage near the light
house. IS home on q visit. He ~ enjoying
YEARS leave Of absence, which is now
nearing its end. and he may soon be ordered
h. command ono of the new ships now
beng fitted out for service.
DESTROYING wREoEs.
Tho steamer Yantic, Commander G. II.
Rockwell, which has been engaged for the
past month destroying wrecks along the
coast between New York and Charleston,
arrived IN the Roads yesterday.
Mrs. General Hoskins, of Washington,
who has been spending a month with her
daughter. Mrs. Colonel Miller, returned
homo Wednesday, accompanied by Miss
Mary Miller.
A COMING WEDDING.
Cards are ont for the marriage of Mr..
Charles II. Riley, of Cincinnati, and Miss
Aaudo @. Bodell, of Old Point. The cere-
mony win take place in the post chapel
Colonel Harry W. Fuller, general passen-
ser agent of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail
way, arrived, here on Sunday last, accom-
panied by his wife and two charming
daughters.
Miss Annie Williams, beautiful and nc
complished young lady Of Richmond who
ha. been spending a month at the Hygela,
returned home Monday.
Miss Salie Dreamer, OF Baltimore, Is here
on a visit, tae guest of Mrs. John Ii. Kim
berly.
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.
Mr. Alfred Frank. who is attending Colo
nelGordon McCabe's school in Petersburg;
Mr. John liGnon, from William and Mary
Alr. Frank Phoebus, from Sing Sing, and
Mr.. Lawrence Brown, from Poughkeepsie,
ave home for the Easter holidays.
Mr. W. +. Whine, of tho Richmond and
Danville railroad, Manchester. Va, who
used 10 play first base on the Old Point
club twelve or fifteen years ago, was visit
il friends at the post Wednesday.
Mr. j.. @. Dame, travelling passenger
agent Of the Chesapeake and Ohio railway,
arrived from Richmond last evening.
Tho tide Of travel from Florida has been
very heavy during the week and promises
O. keep the Hygeia crowded foramonth TO
come, as the weather is still unsettled
North. They find this happy medium be-