The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-24
THE COAST FORTIFICATlONS
General Merritt to Make an Imme-
date Inspection.
SOME EXCITEMENT IN ARMY CIRCLES
One of the New Artillery Regiments
VIII BE Stationed ut sandy Hook.
other Goes south.
SOME EXCITEMENT IN ARMY CIRCLES

New York. February 23.-The World
says: Major General Merritt, in command
of the Eastern department of the United
States army, will start OIL tour of in
spection of the Southern Notifications
before the end of the week. 1t was his
original intention to leave Governors Is
land today for New Orleans, but at mid
night it was generally understood that he
would not be able to start for day or
two.
This sudden move on the part of Cen
era Merritt, following SO closely on the
order of General Miles relative to the nee
essity of completing the new work at the
Notifications throughout the country. has
created a little excitement in army cir
Giles. He is probably going on his annual
tour of inspection, but at the island. Fort
Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton it is IN
derstood that his mission is of far greater
Importance than the regular visit 1t Is
believed that work on the new ordnance
for the Southern Notifications has not
been going on with sufficient rapidity to
satisfy either General Miles or General
Merritt. At the new works at Fort Ham
ilton of the four new guns only three are
now in position. Fort Wadsworth has
Jared more fortunately.
Another feature which has bearing on
General Merrtt's departure is the artl-
lery bill which passed the senate. This
bill provides for the maintaining Of two
more artillery regiments 1t is thought
General Merritt will have one of these
quartered at Sandy Hook. Thei other VIII
in all probability be distributed among the
various posts along the Atlantic coast.
When General Miles sent word to GEN
eral Merritt relative to the necessity OF
getting all available ordnance ready FOR
immediate use, he especially referred to
the work under way at Fort Hamilton and
Wadsworth. These points are OF the great
est Importance and practically control the
lower bay. Their works will all be per-
soDaily inspected and investigated by Gen
eral Merritt in the near future.
u is General Merritt's intention to first
II is General Merritt's mention 10 first
visit New Orleans and inspect Fort PhilIin
and Fort Jackson. The other forts that
General Merritt will visit are at Mobile.
| Charleston, Galveston, Savannah Pensa-
cola and Key West.
Said an officer at Governors Island last
/ night: ''rhe passing OF the artillery bill
| Will change the entire state of affairs at
Sandy Hook. Just now the only thing We
can use men for down there Is to keep the
! sand from cloggng the machinery of the
guns. With two regiments, however. all
/ VIII be as II should be. One of the regl-
ments will be stationed at the Hook. That
| has already been practically decided.
u am quite convinced that the work on
the quarters Of the officers and men there
VIII be pushed forward with all possible
| speed. Just now we have far too many
J onicers for our men, but under the new ap-
preparation this evil will also be remedied. .
General Merritt Departs.
New York, February 2s.-Major Gen1raI
Merritt commander OF the department of
the East left today for an inspection of
the defenses on the Atlantic coast south
OF New York. His route Is understood TO
include New Orleans Mobile, Pensacola
ana savannah. those cities being visited