The San Francisco call., 1896-11-02
ACTIVE DUTY
FOR THE THIRD.
Drill at the Twelve-Inc
Rifle and the Dynamite
Battery.
Artillerymen From Angel Island
and Alcatraz Will Come to
the Preside.
THE ARRIVAL OF TROOPS.
Historic Battery of Light Artillery
That Saved the Day at Buena
Vista.
THE ARRIVAL OF TROOPS

The batteries of the Third Artillery, U.
S. A, Colonel E. c. Balm bridge, recently
transferred fro;a Florida, Louisiana,
Texas and Washington Barracks, are now
here at their respective stations this
harbor. Captain Potts, Light Battery Il,
from San Antonio, Texas, arrived last
Saturday and is now at the Presidio. Cap
tain Smith, foot battery, from Key West,
arrived yesterday forenoon via Los
Angeles. Captain Lancaster. Light Bat
terry G, from Washington Barracks, ar
rived last evening via Ogden. These two
batteries also go to the Presidio.
Light Battery is an organization that
holds place in history. At the battle of
Buena Vista, Mexico, the battery was
commanded by Captain Braxton Bragg,
who subsequently attained the rank of
maior-general in the Confederate Army.
When the fortunes of the day at Buena
Vista were in doubt and the Mexicans
were massing superior mum bers against
the American army, General Taylor
noted the skillful manner in which
Captain Bragg was handling his bat
terry of light artillery. Tradition says
that General Taylor rode to the guns
and accosting the battery commander said,
"a little more grape, Captain Bragg"
what was really SAID assert that the hero
of Buena Vista did not say anything of
the kind, but used language of an en-
phatic character, the meaning of which
might be conveyed in a newspaper by a
display of dashes and exclamation points.
1t was the kind of language that is often
used in the crisis of battle, and which the
men now composing the battery would
com prehend should occasion require it
General Taylor did say in his official re-
port of the bloodiest battle of the Mexi-
can war that this battery saved the day.
Lieutenant-C Colonel Williston, COM
manding the post at the Presidio, has is
sued Special Orders No. 1913, of which the
following is paragraph:
BATTERY 6, Thru Artillery, is especially
detailed to take charge OF the care and
preservation OF the guns, slopes and
grounds generally of the new batteries,
and will furnish all details, including
working parties, in connection Herewith
upon application of First Lieutenant j. d.
Miley, Fifth Artillery, who is charged
with the response bility and given full con-
troll OF the guns and material as ordnance
officer. During this detail the battery will
be excused from all post duty, except
active guard duty. This will not relieve
the officers of the battery from court-mar-
tia duty"
When the four troops of the Fourth
Cavalry return from the duty of guarding
the forest reserves in the mountain parks
the garrison at the Presidio will consist of
twelve companies-two light and two loot
batteries of the Third Artilary, four
| troops of the Fourth Cavalry and four
companies of the First Infantry. 1t is
claimed by some critics that the Presidio
IS essentially an artillery post, and that
all the batteries in the harbor should be
| concentrated there. The critics overlook
the fact that the Presidio is a NJ ainland
post adjacent to large city. Surely it is
good disposition OF forces to have artil-
lery, infantry and cavalry Immediately
| available.
! Colonel Shnfter, commanding the De-
| partment OF California, has issued genera
orders No. 10, directing that artillery in
structlon shall be resumed to-day Fol-
| lowing is the text OF the order:
| HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF CAIIFoRN1A.
| SAN FRANCISCO. Cal Oct. 80, 1896 I
General Orders No 1O.l
Beginning Monday, Novem Der q 1896 the
| following will be the drills tor the heavy ha +
gel Island. A catraz and Fort Mason, during
| the month of November 1896:
Monday, 2-Battery d, 12-inch rife; Battery
/, 12-inch rified mortar; Battery A, 12-inch
rifle; Battery Z, 12-inch rihed mortar at
heights above Fort Scott.
Tuesday, 3-Batteries d. l. H, A, L and Z, one
drill IN gymnastics, one drill i'll signaling at
/ the posts where batteries are stationed.
| Wednesday, 4-BaIiery l. 12-inch rife; Bat
| terry H. rife mortar; Battery L, 12-ineh rifle !:
Battery E, rifled mortar.
Z; one drill, first aid or litter drill, at their
Thursday. - Batteries d. l, 81, A, L and
respective posts.
| Friday, 6 = Battery H, 12-inch rife; Bat.
| terry d, rifed mortar; Battery A, rified NOR
| tar; Battery Z, 12-inch rifle.
!. Monday, 8 = Battery d, rihed mortar; Bat