The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-02-24

gencies. The troops stationed at the
posts in the harbor are in readiness
at moments notice to respond to any
emergency, and if occasion requires to
move to points where needed. A six
months supply of clothing and equip
ment Is on hand at each post, and in
case larger supply is required it can
De obtained from the general depot of
the quartermasters department in this
city. 81
The military organization of the De-
partment of California comprises the
First Infantry, Third Artillery and
TOUR troops of the Fourth Cavalry
about 1900 men and 1875 officers.
The Presidio is the largest post in the
army, and is garrisoned by four bat
teries of the Third Artillery, four
troops OF the Fourth Cavalry and eight
companies of the First Infantry. Col
onel Evan Miles, who commands the
post. is war veteran who entered the
regular service in August, 1851. The
COLONEL served with the Fifth Army
Corps, Army of the Potomac, and was
engaged in the battles of Second. Bull
Run, Antietarn, Fredericksburg, Chan
cellorsville and Gettysburg. His un-
plemlshed record shows that in case
OF hostilities the Preside under his
ADMINISTRATION will be safely guarded.
The next officer in rank: at the Pre-
sidio is Lieutenant Colonel Edward
winston, who commands the artillery
FORCES at the post. Colonel Williston
entered the service from California in
august, 1861. For gallant and meri-
torlous services at Salem Heights. Va.
IN the Gettysburg campaign, in the
battle of Winchester, Va, he earned
me orevets OF captain. major and lieu
tenant colonel. March Is, 1866, he was
prevetted colonel for gallant and meri-
torious services during the war.
Colonel Marcus P. Miller. Third Ar
tillery, commands Angel Island Col
onel Miller is another war veteran,
having entered West Point from Mas
sachusetts in 1854, and was graduated
IN 1898. He served in the War of the
rebellion and took an active part in
the battle of Malvern Hill, campaign
from Winchester to Richmond, and
battle of Dinwiddie Court House. He
earned the brevets of captain, major
and lieutenant colonel For gallant
and meritorious services in action
against Indians in the lava beds of
California, April. 1873, and special gall
lantry and military ability in action
against Indians at the Clearwater
Idaho, July, 1877, he was brevetted col
onel, February. $780,
In army circles of this department
the war talk is largely discounted
The veteran officers who were engaged
in the battles of the Civil War reason
that conflict is possible, but not
probable. They are content to leave
the question of declaring war to Con-
gress and the executive department of
the national Government The younger
officers grow indignant at the thought
of hostilities between Spain and the
United States, and fancy that all the
war talk emanates from sensational
press correspondents. 1t passes their
comprehension that Congress should
think of permitting war without con-
sulting the army.
Colonel John S. Mosby, the noted
Confederate leader of cavalry, takes a
keen interest in the war news. He
does rot entertain the thought that
the Spanish Government had anything
to do with the disaster to the battle
ship Maine, but holds that Spain has
every reason to avoid a conflict with
the United States.
Spain is in a position" said the
Colonel, somewhat similar to that of
the North when the Civil War came.