Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-20

The Cavalry Post at Fort Myer-rhs
Eastern Coast Defenses.
In the annual report OF Mai. Gen. o. o.
Howard. commanding the department OF
the east, from which some extracts were
given In yesterdays Star. attention 10 called
10 the lack OF barrack room for the troops
at the unfortined posts on the Atlantic. ana
IL Is recommended that a eommodious post be
constructed at St. Augustine, Fla, on the
land recently acquired by the War Depart
ment- Fort Ethan Allen, the new cavalry
post In Vermont, il progressing rapidly to-
warus completion. As this post il impor-
tant because OF its nearness to Canada,
zen. howard recommends its endorsement
ny tne purchase OF an additional tract Of
ground lying between II and the river. A
niiio protest Is entered by the general
against the large details OF officers to duty
as instructors at colleges. He admits that
tnese omcers do excellent service but the
drain thus imposed on the army IN detri-
mental to the troops. batteries and COM
panies thus deprived OF their officers. II
is hoped" he says. that much of this ab-
senteeism may be remedied by legislation
tnat VIII abrogate the necessity OF separat-
ing large number Of officers from their
proper commands. ANY policy
mat 80 separates the Officers from their reg
iments lis Ill advised"
Light battery c. third artillery, made q
tairiy long march to Gettysburg and back
AZ the New York celebration, ana did CAPT
.ai work. This battery held artillery prac-
sice near Aide, Va The subject of provid-
ing Tor target practice for the batteries
neayy and lights surrounded with DIM
cuities and 1t may yet demand legislation to
eject what every commander 6esires--that
-, opportunity to acquire the skill and facil-
NY enat come only from abundant practice
At Fort Myer.
There Is but one cavalry post-Fort Myer
vain the department OF the east. The
reports show a careful attention to drill.
put ne carbine practice. because there u
no range at the post where practice can be
neio without endangering life and property"
Inc post commander. Lieut.. Col Guy W
henry, especially urges that his battalion
nave an opportunity annually for q practice
marcn, by squadron, as 1t In only by such
marches that the efficiency OF cavalry 4.
maintained. march OF this kind to Sea
Sirt, n. j., was projected this year but
1alled from want OF funds. Gen. Howard
says On some public occasions the troops
nave been used In Washington and I have
oeen very DESTROYS to give them outside en-
campments, requiring lengthy marches, but
TINS years pressing necessity for economy
mas caused the disapproval Of every REQUEST
looking to these exercises. The expense
however, would not be great; but for tolla
camp grounds and extra transporta tion
some outlay is prerequisite. With refer
ence to target range at this station Fort
Myer), I will make another EFFORT TO secure
one near enough to the post: and II, owing
10 the fears and opposition OF civilians this
proves to be still impossible, I can send the
troops IN attachments to some artillery
post where there are limited ranges for
partial practice"
Gen Howard says that the enlistment OF
Indian soldiers has not been 30 successful
as ne expected and he concludes they render
peter service as army scouts than In any
other capacity. He says he does not feel the
same confidence in the Indians especially
while they are scarcely able to speak q
word OF English. that he does In other
Americans. not excluding negroes.
Coast Defenses.
In chapter on the important subject OF
coast defenses Gen. Howard says: Liberal
appropriations have already been made sum-
cient to make beginning In the proper pro-
lection OF our harbors. The rapid develop.
ment Of the navy and the encouragement OF
the naval reserves have placed that branch
OF the service considerably ahead Of the
permanent works on the coast. This d
doubtless for the best, but II may be ro.
membered by all OF US that the navy's
work. In case OF war. Is rather in the offen-
sive than the defensive establishment 90
tnat Tor the defensive purposes OF perma-
nent works. the seacoast batteries, Including
mortar shells and other proJectiles and al
the modern torpedo preparations, must BE-
Kept In mind. There has been q good begin
ming. but urge for these purposes the most
liberal support. The best economy In the
long run for the government IL to continue
these works with a. little Interruption a.
possible. Certainly the most important
ports. like those OF New York. Boston ana
New. Orleans. need the nrst attention: but
the defense will be far from what II should
be until such cities As Philadelphia. Balti-
more. Warrington. those near Hampton
Roads. Charleston, savannah and Mobile
shall be properly covered by defensible
works. well manned with modern ordnance"
He also advocates the increase OF our d.
lenses on the northern frontier