Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-11-10

IT is to Re Located Batwesu Burliu gton
and EsseN Junction.
As our readers know, the suudry civil ap-
preparations act Of the last session OF Con
gross authorized The secretary Of war to "es-
tablish military post at point near the
northern frontier where be may, in ha
Judgment, deem it for the public good"
provided that land sufficient and suitable
for the purpose be given TO the United
States.
The military system, of which this
Vermont post will form en- important
feature, has been thus described in a report
made by Gen. Scholeld to the secretary of
war,
AS n preparation for tho execution of
q harmonious political and military policy
in the event of any future necessity, it is
necessary to maintain at proper points on the
northern frontier the nuclei OF troops OF all
arms, infantry, cavalry and artillery, where
the forces from the adjoining States might
Immediately unite to take the initiative in
such military movements as might be requi-
site to prevent the enemy from using their
waterways to move guubont5 into the
lakes. 30
Congress authorized and appropriated 5000
coo for the enlargement Of the infantry post
ut Plattsburgh; and undar the authority
given by the last Congress, the war de-
pgrtment decided to establish q four-con-
| pany cavalry post on tie eastern side OF
| Lake Champlain. The location of the post
was left open, and has just been determined
| by the secret ary OF war, The question prac-
! ticSlly lay between two sites, one near Es-
sex Junction in this county and the other
in the town Of SwHuton For the former,
about square mile of fine, dry, level land
| in all respects well fitted for the purpose
near the place known as Jack Merrill's, -
on the highway between Ninooski and Es-
sex Junction, and rendered to the govern
ment, was secured the funds for the pur-
pose being subscribed Ly citizens Of Shell
burne, burlington and Colchester. the chief
giver for the purpose being "A generous and
public-sprited resident in this county, who
has not cared to be known hitherto, but tc
whose handsome action in the matter we
hope to have permission to allude more
particularly hereafter. A tender Of land
for tho post is also understood to have been
made by the citizens OF Swanton.
The considerations which decided the
question Of loc4 tion we understand to have
been, first, the military ana stragetcal adj
vantages of the site in this county. ]. i,
not well to have such post too near the
border line, either in war or peace. In tn,
event of hostilitios the frontier OF Vermont
can doubtless be better guarded from Esso2
To.
other. As Il military station il would bt
iess exposed to raids than oae near tho line
and the railroads radiating from il cal
more readily carry troops TO any thrsatene,
portion Of the frontier, IN times of peace
distortions would be fewer from there thar
from post close to the line; and there ar
obvious advantages in the facilities 70
transportation, and in the proximity to Il
large and attractive q place as Burlington
The Establishment OF such post, with it
necessary buildings, for barracks, officers
quarters, stables and store houses involve
large outlay on the part Of tho govern
ment. Two hundred thousand dollars vii
probably he spent Mt the point selected
4 within a year. and more in years to come
As it is the policy OF tho war department
D to draw the troops Of the regular arm
, from the Western plains when they are n
- longer needed TO fight tho Indians 10 E8s'
ern stations, IL is probable that the CARR
son at this post will lie increased in years t
r come A battery OF artillery is likely to l.
{ added 20 the cavalry force before long an
t the post is sure to grow N Importance an
q strength.