The Republican journal., 1897-10-07
Two 32=POunders for Thos. Ii. Mar.
shall Post, q. A. K.
They were Obtained by Congressman Burleigh.


The following letter will be read with in
terest by the vete rams and their friends:
AUGUSTA, Me-, OcT. 2, 1897.
M. c. DilWorh, Esq, Adj. Thomas II. Mar
shall Post, G, A. r.. Belfast Maine.
DEAR SIR:-Your letter of July 4th to
Congressman Boutelle in regard to securing
two 32-pound cannon for the use of your
Post, was handed me in Washington.
1 Immediately went to the Navy Depart
ment and con ferred with Capt O'Neil, the
Chief of Ord nance, in regard to the matter,
and at his suggestion, filed formal request
for the assignment to your Post at the Bos-
ton Navy Yard of such cannon and neces-
sary proJectiles as go with them.
few days ago | received official notice
from the Navy Department that this assign
ment had been made.
Tuesday of this week l went to the Boston
Navy Yard and conferred with the Com
mahdant, Commodore Henry L. Howison,
in regard to the selection Of the guns and
projectiles, and the method of transporting
them. He said that he had received notice
of the assignment from the Department at
Washington, and that the transfer would be
made to your Post on receipt of an order
from your Commander, designating the per-
son to take charge of the removal. The
Government does not assume any part of
the expense Of transporting such guns and
projectiles. Both are deliv cred at the Navy
Yard.
Commodore Howison said that nearly all
the guns that had been sent out to Grand
Army Posts from the Boston Navy Yard
had been hauled to the cars and loaded upon
them by Mr.. P. O'Rierder, No. so Chelsea
ST., Charlestown, Mass. He said he was q
very good man for this work, as he under
stood exactly how to handle the guns, and
was fully equipped with the necessary ap-
paratus for that purpose.
l called upon Mr.. O'Reirden to ascertain
what the expense of loading the guns on the
cars would be- He said he would place
them there, very carefully loaded, for $40
each. This includes the block mounts. The
projecties Mr. Q Rierden will haul and load
upon the cars for 5 cents per 100 pounds.
This has been his uniform price.
1t requires 10 projectiles for each gun to
make neat pyramidal pile. The solid shot
weigh 160 pounds each. Shells Of the same
size which, when piled up with the fuse
holes down, answer the purpose quite as
well-weigh $50 pounds each. Therefore,
your Post can have either shells or solid
shot as it desires.
If you select solid shot the total expense
of transporting and loading guns and pro-
jectiles will be something less than $24
1t seems to me- in view OF the work to be
done, that this price is very reasonable.
l have secured three similar guns for the
Seth Williams Post of this city, which could
be shipped in the same car with yours by
ordering them at the same time.
From the Navy Yard l went to the Union
Station and saw Vice President Berry of
Boston 4 Maine Railroad, who very gener-
ously offered, in behalf of his road, to trans
port the guns and projectiles for both Posts
free of charge to Portland.
| On my return home | wrote General Man
ager Evans of the Maine Central Railroad
and he has very readily agreed to extend
the same courtesy in behalf of his road.
| The only expense, therefore, in trans
| porting these guns anu projeCt,a5 will he
| that attendant upon removing Ghem from
the Navy Yard upon the cars in Boston
| | enclose form of an order for the Jeliv-
| cry Of these guns and projecties. 1t would
| be well to have this order copied upon the
| regular printed letter-paper of your Post
and signed officially by your Commander
| and Secretary.
[ could then forward it to Mr.. 0 Rierden
| together with the order for the Augusta
! Post, and all the guns ana projectiles could
be moved and shipped at the same time. AS
| there are only few more mounts remain
ing at tile Navy y ard it will be Well to have
this matter attended TO as soon as possible
! While they may yet be secured.
| / have delayed answering your letter q
recent date in order that [ might be able tt
write you these facts.
! Sincerely yours,
| EDWIN Q. BuRLEIGH