The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-12
WAH FOOTING AT THE NOON.

600 ArtiiIeryn mon to Move Down To-day, with
Tents and EquipnEe. and 60 Int Camp.
Pursuant to orders from the Secretary of War
received yesterday Major-Gen. Wesley Mer-
rift, Commander Of the Department of the East.
issued orders last night for the transfer Of two
batteries of soventy.fve men each from Fort
Slocum. Davids Island, to Sandy Hook. At the
same time he ordered two battalions Of seventy
five men each from Fort Wadsworth to Sandy
Hook. These transfers, together with the men
already at the Hook. will make tho garrison at
that point as large as it would be in time of war.
The men will be transferred to-day. As there
are no quarters for any large number Of men at
Sandy Hook. the officers and men of the four
batteries will live in tents and the discipline Of
the camp will be that maintained in time Of war.
The order issued by the Secretary of War yes
terday, creating a Department Of the South In
the army, with Brig Gen. William Montrose
Graham in command. has caused a change in
tho plans OF Gen. Merritt in reference to his
proposed tour Of inspection Of the army posts
along the South Atlantic coast. Until further
orders are issued by the War Department, 1t
will not be definitely known whether these posts
will be inspected by Gen. Merritt or by the COM
mander of the new department.
In speaking OF the division OF his department
last night Gen. Merritt said that 1t was an ex-
ccllent move. He said that the Department of
the East, as it existed until yesterday. was all
right in time of peace and when nothing much
moro arduous was required Of the commanding
officer than to make Il tour of inspection of all
the posts once n year. When tho business OF
war was to be attended TO. however, the depart
ment was too large. He said that Gen. Graham
was q fine man and a brave soldier, and that the
Secretary OF Wal could hardly have found u
better man to omman the new department.
A Board of Examination for the junior officers
of the two new artillery VIII soon be
convened at Governors Island. 1t will consist
of three officers of tho line and two surgeons.
Col. John !. Rodgers of the Fifth Artillery. sta
toned at Fort Hamilton. has been designated
as tho President of tho board. Twenty.eight
officers will be examined.
The news from Washington yesterday that
Gen. Greely, Chief OF tho Signal Corps. had been
ordered by the Secretary OF War to establish at
once telcgraphic connections between the sea-
coast Notifications made all the army officers at
Governors Island jubilant. One Of the officers,
commenting on tho news. said:
This is the best news since we heard that
the bill authorizing an increase In the army by
two artillery regiments had become a law. The
facilities for communication between the forti-
hcations along the coasts are, and have been for
years. wretched. Right here In New York harbor,
where the War Department has tried to make
everything about the Notifications is perfect as
possible. IL requires about three-quarters OF an
hour to communicate from one fertilization to
another. Around Washington they are worse
off than we are here. Tho only method OF COM
municating between the Capitol and Fort Wash
ington, on the Potomac. Tor instance, Is by mes
senger. l suppose that work will be begun here