The San Francisco call., 1897-06-28
Third line OF DEFENSE.
That Is What the Small Mill
tary Post on Angel Island
Practically Is.
Placing the Twelve-InCh Breech-
Leaders in Position-Next Military
Muster and Inspection.

On Angel Island, in the bay of San Francis
co, there is three-battery post ct which, if
the work that has been done there for several
months past is continued, will make it the
most delightful post that is under the juris-
dictlon of Uncle Sam.
The position that this post occupies in rela-
ton to the other fortifications in the harbor
makes it the third line of defense, the first
being the iortifcations at Fort Point, and the
second the guns that frown from The battle
ments of Alcatraz. The battery that is
mounted on Angel Island, and which could be
without difficulty increased If occasion re-
quired, commands a wide sweep OF territory
and waterway, including the Golden Gate If
perchance, in the event of war, the vessel OF
an enemy should pass the fortiicatons of
Fort Winfield Scott and those on the island
named for the pelican it would still have TO
contend with the guns which could be brought
10 bear upon ii from Angel Island.
The island has upon it beside the battery al
ready alluded TO a lighthouse, a quarry, the
quarantine station and the military post The
last named is located in q wide ravine on the
western end of the island. From the shore
line there is a gradual rise of the land up to a
point eastward where there is located the res
idence of the commander of the post. In the
early days OF the war post was established
at this point and 1t was named Camp Rev
nolds." Since then it has been gradually
transformed into q most delightful spot At
this time lorce of men are building a wall
along the western shore at the point where the
United States transport General Mcdowell
makes fast on her trips around the military
posts daily. In the center of the ravine is the
parade ground, not a very large one il is true,
but large enough for the number of men who
have to use it.
Facing on this parade ground and OF the
grass slope above IL are number OF buildings
that are used as offices connected with the
post ana as the quarters OF the officers and
the men. The home OF Captain James O'Hara
OF Battery Ii, post commander, is located on
the eastern end of the slope and overlooks the
entire ravinc. In front of it there is wide
verandah, which is covered with climbin z
roses and other plants. and the exterior pre-
sen Is to the eye an ideal bower, while the in
terror is a model of comfort. Since the present
commander of the post has been in charge the
old-tlme clay walks have been replaced by
artificial stone ones, which have been laid by
the men at the post In addition to the COM
fort these walks enhance the beauty OF the
place and are another illustration OF the fact
tina. art often adds to the attractiVeness of
nature.
There is one thing to the credit OF this post,
and That is the remarkable neatness, not only
OF the buildings and surroundings, but of the
men; every one, whether on or off duty, is as
neat in his attire as if he, to use common
phrase, had "just come out of a bandbox."
On the island there is a church, and there is
also a school tina is in charge of Post Chaplain
JOnn ii. Macomber. Ctrcing the island is a
good road that measures five miles by which
the quarantine station on the north may be
reached, and which leads to the quarry near
Point Blunt on the east. walk along the
road is Il most delightful one, as those who
pass over IL have an opportunity of seeing
much picturesque scenery, not only on the
island itself, but on the Marin County shore
across Raccoon straits and on theAlameda and
Contra Costa shores in the eastern distance.
There are on the island at this time First
Lieutenant Charles 7. Menoher, adjutant and
recruit oficer; FrSt Lieutenant Charles G.
Woodward, quartermaster, commissary and
police oficer; Battery D--Captain Charles
Hum phreys, exchange officer; First Lieu
tenant Charles a. Bennett, Second Lieutenant
&c rye lie K. Irwin; Battery H-Captain James
Second Lieutenant Edward z. O'Herne. ord
nance officer and treasurer; Additional Second
Lieutenant Lloyd England, signal officer; Bat
terry Captain Henry G. Danes, First Lieu
tenant Charles w. Foster, Major Benjamin F.
Pope, surgeon; John II. Macon ber, post chap
lain. The other officers who belong to the bat
teries named absent on special duty.
Colonel Marcus 2. Miller is under orders to
join the post.
Under the provisions of special orders of the
War Department the Presidio is designated as
the station OF Lieuienant-CoIonel William H.
Bisbee, First Infantry. This officer was lately
promoted rom major OF the Eighth Infantry,
located at Fort Russell, Wyoming. He entered
the army in 1851, served in the War of the
Rebellion, and since then mas seen much SER
vice in the country wherein dwell the turbu-
lent Indians.
The 12-inch rifles recently received are be-
ing placed in position al Fort Point under
direction of L euteGant Randolph.
The next monthly muster and inspection
will be he d on the large parade ground at the
Presido on "Wednesday next at 9 A. M
Sergeant Frederick Mayer, ordnance detaeh-
ment, Benicia arsenal, has been placed on the
retired list.
First Lie tenant Elmer w. Hubbard, Third