The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-19
MILITARY CIRCLES.
Notes Fi0m the Little World at
the Presidi0.

The new stone quarry, opened about two
weeks ago southwest OF the officers quar-
:ers. was abandoned yesterday, the supply
OF stone proving much smaller than antici-
pated. Another quarry has been opened
near Fort Point, about one and quarter
miles from the reservation. There appears
10 be a large quantity of red sandstone in
this location, aud it is believed the supply
will be sufficient for the completion Of the
Lombard-street extension from Fort Mason
to the Preside. The work of excaYating
the stone is performed by force Of military
convicts numbering about forty, who come
over daily from Acatraz. They are in
charge of guard, comprising a sergeant, a
corporal and fifteen priyates. The convicts
are brought across every morning at
O'Clock and work until 8. They are allowed
one hour for dinner and mess in tent by
themselves. The soldiers decline and are
prohibited from aSsoclatlng IN any way
with these prisoners. for whom they have
great contempt, a number are employed
daily in the gardens of the reservation, one
squad of four convlctS being watched by
three guards a few months ago q detach-
ment of prisoners from Alcatraz constructed
large mounds for the protection Of the pow
der magazine and for cannon rests. The
quality Of convict labor may be Judged from
the fact that the rain Of Sunday completely
demolished the westerly mound. which the
men called Fort Hamilton in honor oil
popular officer of the post. The earth
cayed in, precipitating the wooden floor
upon which the guns stood. a squad OF
cavalrymen has been engaged in repairing
the damage during the past few days.
Every one at the reservation is afflicted
with ennui. The officers have named the
complaint 1.-The lenten blues" and it is
believed that the malady viii disappear in
about FIVE weeks. There are about twenty
five patients in the hospital, but many out
side cases are also receiving treatment Tor
la grippe" which has attacked the post in
a more serious form than the previous
winter, although the epidemic Is largely
confined to the women and children. The
recent rains seem 10 have purified the at
mos here, for there has been a marked de-
crease in the number of invalidS since the
beginning of the wet season.
This week has witnessed two accidents,
which, while not alarmingly serious, have
occasiOned no little distress to the unf0rtu-
nate subjects. On Monday a private of
Troop was riding from the stable when
his horse, which was unshod, in accOrdaD ce
with a regulation of the department, slipped
on the wet boards and FELL breaking his
riders leg and ankle. This mishap was
almost paralleed yesterday, when the
horse ridden by Corporal Ball of Troop l.
who was breaking the animal in at the
bull ring, fell, sustaining a bad fracture
Of the leg
The recruits at the post now number
fifty. Lieutenant Blunt, who has been alb
sent since the 81 lust. on regimental re-
cruiting service, has succeeded in enlisting
a number of good men, ten Of whom came
from San Jose. The officers are much
pleased with the character of these aspir-
ants for military hOnors, the higher standing
required by recent recruiting regulations at
tracing better class to the ranks. Lieu
tenant Blunt is now in Los Angeles.
Yesterday afternoon anumber of privates
were receiving instruction from Sergeants
in the signal code with the use of the hello
graph, and were also being drilled in the
use of plating instruments and angle meas
uremeuts The drill and instruction were
conducted under the supervision Of Lieu
tenant Sawyer, officer OF Inc day.
First Lieutenant 6. f. 4. Harrison, Sec
ond Artillery, will be examined for retire
ment to-day by the Army Retiring Board
of this division. The retirement is asked Tor
disability. Lieutenant HaTrsDn's hone is
In this State, and for four years ne was as
signed 10 duty as military instructor at the
University of California.
On the 28th inst. the ten sharpshooters
from the n. 6. c. will compete for the
States championship medal. The contest
VIII be held on the Preside range. and will
be under the superintendent of Captain
Adair. U. S A, and the Division Inspector
OF Rifle Practice of the n. G. c.