Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-25
CHANGES AT OLD POINT.
General Royal 4. Franks Plans for Man
ming Fort Monroe.


General Royal T. Frank. command
ing the Department Of the East, has
ordered many changes at Fortress
Monroe. to go into effect at once. 90. e.
The most important detail is that
sending to the fort the famous Brock
vile Battalion Of Connecticut Heavy
Artillery. These men will be better
lifted for the duties at the fort than
light artillery and infantrymen. and
the order attaching them to Fort Mon
roe was received with pleasure by the
colnmandant.
The news that the regular artillery
men at Fort Monroe have been ordered
to Chickamauga caused the greaest
surprise among the officers and men OF
five batteries of the Sixth Regiment.
U. S. a., now at Old Point. They had
not expected 10 b: sent South Their
officers express the opinion that the
order means the formation Of I. bril-
gade of siege artillery. which will be
used in the operations on Cuban soil
The men are not averse to forming
part OF the army of invasion. Many OF
them expressed pleasure at the pros
pect of seeing active service at last
for there is small probability that Fort
Monroe will be attackd.
DIME AND YOSEMITE.
The auxiliary cruiser Dixie Is still at
anchor in the river, awaiting the last
of her ammunition. The Yosemite is at
await the test of the Dixie'.; guns be-
fore coming back to The siiipyard to
have her decks protected With steel
plates within the range of her guns.
GOOD FOR NEWPORT NEWS.
1t WIS leaned Yesterday
afternoon from Il trustworthy source
that preparations are now on foot by
he war department to establish in the
vicinity of the shipyard en-
placements for the protection of the
governments interests here in the fu-
ture.
1t is stated that the small fort, for
that is what the stronghold will be,
will cost several hundred thousand dol
lars and viii be q permanent mstitu-
ton.
The armament will consist of several
Of the heaviest type of modern guns,
number of and G-inch rapid fire
guns, and secondary battery of the
small rapid fire rifles and FOUNDERS"
Details OF the departments plans
could not be learned, as they are
guarded with the same secrecy that
enshrouds all official matters at the
present time.
1t WAS even impossible to obtain any
information as to the exact location Of
the fort, but it is limited that when OPP
erations begin they will be in full view
of the public gaze. and this is taken to
tlistl tIlt lOTl VIII De located
either within or Immediately ajacenl to
the city limits.
BATTERIES AT FORT MONROE
The new mortar batteries at Fort
Monroe will be practically completed
within ten days and the range circle
Will be corrected in short time after
the guns are Installed in the emplace-
ElentS. -
A new battery consisting 81 four ten
men guns Will be mounted a short dis
lance north Of the present one as soon
as the emplacements are ready. This
VIII increase the number of ten-inch
guns at that point to seven, all mount
ed behind concrete emplacements from
seventy to one hundred feet thick.
General Frank. it is understood, has.
in his new capacity of commander Of
the Department Of the East. recon-
nended to the department. the erection
of heavy rapid-tire guns on the rip
raps and at Willoughby Spit. just OPP
posite the fort. Thes guns would com
mand not only the channel but the
shoal water out of reach Of the guns of
the fort. . "E H0.