The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-29
FORCES FOR SAVANNAH FORTS
HARD FIGHT TO BE MADE TO HAVE
GARRISoNS ORDERED HERE.

The Movement COntempIntes the Lo-
cation of Companies at Forts Pu-
lnski and oglethOrpe ana at the
New Works ON Tybee IsIand-Sen-
ter to Give the Matter Their Earn
est Attention.
Washington, Jan, Ex-senator Bacon
called at the war department to-day and
had a talk with Gen. Miles, commandlns
general of the army relative to ordering
garrison of troops to Fort Pulaski. SEN
ator Bacon explained the subject in all
its details and Gen. Miles took a very
favorable view of the proposition. lie said
he recognized the wisdom of equipping
the old, as well as the new, fortihcations
in the South Atlantic coast states, ana
he is willing TO do whatever lies in his
power TO accomplish that end. 1t will
be necessary, however, for congress to
make additional provision for the extern
sion of the artillery branch of the SER
vice before Fort Pulaski and similar for
tiiications can be provided with troops. He
added that there is now a bill pending be .
fore congress authorizing substantial
increase in the number Of artillery regi-
ments, and If the bill passes Fort Pu-
laski will be garrisoned as requested.
Senator Bacon also called the attention
of Gen. Miles to the new fertilization 10
be established at Tybee and urged that
troops also be provided for that station
Gen. Miles replied that the object of the
proposed bill is TO provide for the new
fortiications now being constructed along
the coast and Tybee will be taken care
of. Senator Bacon says he proposes to
give special attention to the pending
measure and use his influence to have
1t enacted into a law during the present
session.
Representative Lester has not received
the resolution of the citizens of Savannah
recently adopted, favoring the rehabita-
tion OF Oglethorpe barracks, and the es-
tablishment of a garrison of troops az that
point. He says he proposes to do every
thing in his power to carry out the de-
sireS of his constituents in that -onnec-
tion. He realizes that special egisla tion
is required and he will cooperate with
Senator Bacon and other members OF the
delegation in securing the passage of a
bill authorizing Gen. Miles to equip Fort
Representative Benjamin Russell is
greatly distressed by the sensational sto-
ries sent out from here about his present
Illness. Representative Tate called upor
Mr.. Russell this morning and found him
rapidly convaleseing. Mr.. Russell has
been suffering from a severe attack OF
grip, which is prevalent here, and there
was no justification in the cruel report
that he attempted to take his own life.
He has been confined to his rooms at the
Mount Vernon hotel for several weeks un-
der treatment. Cold settled in his eyes
and his physicians prescribed lotion with
which to battle his eyes. Night before last
he awoke and took what he thought was
the medicine his doctor left for him. BY
mistake he took the eye lotion, which con-
tained fluids not intended for internal
consumption. The result was a violent
attack of nausea and other uncomforta-
Bile complications. Mr.. Russell is now on
the road to recovery and he hopes to re-
sumo his congressional duties al an early
day.