New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-10
THE COAST WELL DEFENDED.
A FAVORABLE REPORT FROM COLONEL HUGHES
WHO HAS Jr-sr COMPLETED THOR
OUCH INSPECTION.

OUCH INSPECTION
A much martial appearance than heretofore
was presented in the offices at the Army Building
and on Governors Island yesterday by the COM
plance on the part 81 all officers with the orders
o. the War Department 70 uniforms when on
a,.iv. duty Men who had appeared In shout
der-straps FOR years. upon dress occasions.
brought ont their military clothes. and the dis
tinction between Army officers and their subordi-
mates was apparent at a glance. Especially in tho
Commissary and Quartermaster departments has
the custom ot wearing civilian clothes become
marked.
MajorJGeneral Merritt had replaced his uniform
with a civilian suit late in the afternoon. when ne
was met coming on the Governors Island ferry
boat He said he had received report from Lieu
tenant Mott in regard 70 the camps Al Mount Gret-
ma and Sea Grit and he expected Lieutenant Hale
10 return to-day with report the available
sites FOR camps in this State and New England.
Colonel Robert p. Hughes. INSPECTOR General on
the staY o. General Merritt. returned yesterday
from m Official trip occupying n month. in which
he made a complete and thorough inspection OF tho
Notifications In the Department OF the East. from
Cape Fear. y. c.. 10 Cape Lu5eck Nc, with the
exception o. those about New-York Harbor. which
General Merritt inspected himself Colonel Hughes
made daily reports to the Department of what he
learned. and so important were some OF these re-
sarded that they were transmitted I'm cipher. Upon
the basis o. them work contracted for and
hurried to completion as rapidly as possible toIo-
mel Hughes said the task was arduous and dif-
fcult one involving constant and careful super
vision o, work in progress. and allowing nothing
10 escape notice AS the result Of his inspection hs
felt warranted in saying that the coastwise forth
ncatlons were able TO cope with any fleet that such
a country as Spain could send 10 attack II Is
expected that Colonel Hughes will be sent by Gem
eral Merritt to inspect the fortfcations on Long
Island Sound
Brgadier-Ceneral John |. Rodgers. Artillery In
spcctor and Ordnance officer the staff Of Cen
eral Merritt was called 10 Washington Yesterday
He is regarded the most expert artillery officer
in the Regular Army. and was advanced In rank
from colonel last week. II Is understood that ne Is
likely TO be made chief OF Artillery on the staff OF
tbe comma nding general During the Civil War
there was such official but he title has been a.
the construction OF Qualifications and the placing
charge OF operating and firing them. General Rod
gers nad charge OF the artillery on the Pacinc
Coast before he came to the Department Of the
East.
There was great activity In the Quartermaster .
and Commissary departments yesterday, IN view or
the expected movement Of large bodies of troops 10
Chickamauga and Washington. and bids have been
sought for the transportation OF men and supplies
AS soon as the orders To move are received there
will he trains I'm readiness 10 carry the men as
fast as required. From this district only the New
York and New England troops will be moved FUR
Their South In the Department the work devoves
upon the Quartermaster in Washington