The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-25
TROOPS FOR FORT PULASKI.
A BATTERY OF ARTILLERY WILL
PROBABLY BE STATIONED THERE

The Secretary of War Favorable to
Garrisoning the FOrt-It VIII
Probably he Done Within SIXTY
Days-savannah Will Feel safer
Under the Protection of Uncle
SANS Guns.
There is good reason to believe that the
action taken by the city council calling
upon the Secretary of War to garrison
Fort Pulaski will be followed by the re-
suits asked for.
An inumation has been received from
some source that such a request might be
favorably considered by the Secretary Of
War. Col William Garrard, who recev-
ed this intimation lost no time in having
meeting of council called and the action
reported in yesterdays Morning News
taken.
Copies of the resolution adopted by coun-
ell have already been forwarded to the
Secretary of War, the senator's and repre-
sentatives from this state and Maj Gen.
Miles, commander-in-chief of the United
States army. 1t is desirable that action
should be taken by the cotton exchange
and the board of trade and that prominent
citizens should also interest themselves in
the matter.
Col. Garrard. who was seen yesterday by
a Morning News reporter, said: Il am
not at liberty to say from what source l
obtained my Information, but | am sat
isfed that action will be taken on this
matter within the next sixty days and that
the matter will be settled within that time.
! also believe that it will be settled in our
favor 1t would be well, however, for
the commercial bodies and all citizens hay
ing influential friends in Washington to
bring such influence as they possess TO
bear, and that they should act promptly
This matter does not have to be passed
upon by congress, but rests entirely with
the Secretary of War. Evidence that the
people of Savannah strongly desire the To-
cation of such garrison here will, of
course, have its effect"
1T is very important to the people of
Savannah" continued Col Garrard that
the Secretary of War should act favora-
bly, upon this application. Fort Pulaski
could be put in condition for occupation
at comparatively small expense and
there are accommodations there for a
large garrison. A battery of artillery is
most likely what will be stationed there
by the government, which force could be
at once increased in case of necessity
l,
still of importance as a fertilization and
the government has expended considera-
bic money there recently in providing
bombproofs and magazines and providing
Tor the operation of torpedoes. The forth
fcations could be materially streng thened
and doubtless will be, if a garrison is
placed. At present Savannah is entirely
defenceless and in case of brush with
Spain or any other power, the guuboats
OF the enemy could ascend the river and
lay the city under tribute or destroy it.
while Pulasli alone would not be suf-
fcient defense against an invading feet
1t would be of great effect in preventing
any expeditions up the river as the river
would be guarded by torpedoes operated
by the garrison of the fort. 1t will, in all
likelihood. be the forerunner of more i'm
portant defenses. The war department
already has an unexpended appropria-
ton for the erection of a mod
ern fort on Tybee Island and It
is likely that important work will be done
there this summer. The knowledge that
strong garrison was located at Tybee
would be a great satisfaction to the peo-
pie of Savannah, in case of any trouble
occurring suddenly with foreign nation
Then an army garrison is a desirable addi-
ton to any city. Pecuniarily 1t would
mean a good deal to the merchants. Then
Savannah has always been a favorite with
the army officers and assignments to duty
mere would be received with pleasure by
them. Savannah being a military town
the presence of the government troops
would be a great advantage to the local
military, and would influence them to raise
their present high standard to an even
high degree. The garrison will likely be
small one at first, but it is almost GER
tain to be increased and would likely be-
come an important post in time"
THE reasons advanced by Col. Gar
rard are very good reasons why the people
of Savannah should bestir themselves. and
seek to secure the establishment of the
garrison al Fort Pulaski.