Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-09
FOR AUGUSTA A.D BELFAST.
Explanatory Letter from Congressman Bur
leigh Relative to Condemned Cannon.

The following letter which appeared
in the Republican Journal of Belfast
relative to two 32-pounders which
| Congressman Burleigh obtained for
Thos. H. Marshall Post. G. A. R..
of that city. is of some local interest
| here for the reason that Mr.. Burleigh
has also obtained three similar cannon
for Seth Williams Post of this city:
Augusta, Me-, Oct. 2, 1897.
NJ. c. Dilworth, Esq. Adjutant Thomas
II. Marshall Post, G. A. r., Belfast,
Maine:
Dear Sir-Your letter of July to Con-
gresham Boutelle in regard to securing
two 32-pound cannon for the use of your
post was handed me in Washington.
l Immediately went to the navy depart
ment and conferred with Capt O'Neil.
matter. and at his suggestion. filed a for
NAL request for the assignment to your
post at the Boston navy yard, OF such
cannon and necessary projectiles to go
with them.
A few days ago I received official notice
from the navy department that this as
siGnment had been made.
Tuesday of this week. l went to the
Boston navy yard and conferred with the
commandment, Commodore Henry l.. How
ison, 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 COM
mander designating the person to take
charge of the removal. The government
does not assume any part of the expense
of transporting such guns and projectiles.
Both are delivered 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'Rierden,
No. SO Chelsea street, Charlestown. Mass.
He said he was very good man for this
work. as he understood exactly how to
handle the guns, and was fully equipped
with the necessary apparatus for that
purpose.
called upon Mr.. O'Rierden to ascertain
what the expense of loading the guns on
the ears would be. He said he would
place them there, very carefully loaded,
for $40 each. This includes the block
mounts. The projectiles Mr. O'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 a neat pyramidal pile The solid
same size-which, when piled with the
fuse holes down, answer the purpose
quite as well-weigh 100 pounds each.
Therefore, your post can have either
shells or solid shot as it desires
If you select solid shot. the total ex-
pense of transporting and loading guns
and projectiles will be something less
than $24.
1t seems to me. in view of the work to
be DONE that this price is very reason
able.
I have secured three similar guns for
the Seth Williams Post of this city, which
could be shipped in the same car as yours
by ordering them at the same time.
From the navy yard / went to the
Union Station and saw Vice President
Berry of the Boston & Maine Railroad,
who very generously offered, in behalf Of
his road, to transport the guns and pro-
jectiles for both posts free of charge to
Portland.
On my return home 1 wrote General
Manager 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 and projectiles will be
that attendant upon removing them from