The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-08-09
The ISLAND FORT
Large Garrison to Be Es.
tablished Here at Once.
Col. Barber and the First New York.
Looking for a Site-ArtIliery and
Engineers Coming.

Col. Thomas II. Barber commander Of
the First Regiment New York Volun-
teers and also head Of the garrison which
will be stationed at Honolulu. is quart
cred at the Hawaiian hotel. He is a fine
looking soldier and a most pleasant ac-
quaintance Col. Barber IL a West Point
graduate. He has been inspector general
of the New York National Guard and
colonel Of the Twelfth Regiment of that
State. He is noted as one of the most
efficient soldiers in the country.
Since his arrival Col. Barber has spent
his spare hours driving about the city
and seeing the sights. He was out SAT-
urday afternoon with DR.. II. W. Howard.
of the Red Cross hospital, and again yes
terday with some of his own officers in
carriages. Col. Barber has taken the op-
portunity thus afforded to examine var
ious tracts of land near the city avail
able for camp purposes and has made dill
igent inquiries of owners OF outside prop.
critics.
AS for camp location no conclusion
has yet been reached. Colonel Barber
said he would not try to secure "A level
tract. the conformation of the land maxi
ing an ideal drill ground of any great size
quite hard to find. He will select a level
place for the immediate camp and do the
best possible for drill grounds. on the
camp grounds Will be erected at once a
barracks, an immense one story build
ting, to accommodate 200 men. In its
construction there will be special eve
to comfort in this tropical climate, and
compete sanitary arrangements The
camp VIII be directly connected with the
water mains of the city If possible. and
II too far away will have an independent
artesian well of its own. Up to late last
night nothing had been done but work
on the building will likely begin before
IN" week Is out. Ii is the idea of the
commander to employ Hawaiian work.
men as far as possible on the barracks.
The business of the commissary depart
ment OF the garrison is also still In an
indefinite shape. Capt. Lydig Is here with
three clerks and will outline the work
during the next two or three DAYS, He
VIII nave substantial and comfortable
mess hall at the garrison and probably a
depot in town. While some of the sup
plies viii be shipped from the factories IN
tn" States, the bulk Of It. such as fresh
meats, vegetables, fruit, etc, will be pur-
Col. Barber will have about 900 men
in his garrison. His own regiment num-
beers over 1,3b. The engineers detailed to
honolulu number 800 men. Then a bat
talon of California heavy artillery. num-
bcring slightly over 100 men, has been
assigned to this garrison. Thus the camp
viii bc quite "a little city. The officers OF
the garrison will have suitable quarters
at the camp.
As yet Col. Barber has nothing to do
with the National Guard of Hawaii. He
expects to he appointed Brigadier General
in the near future, and most likely will
he, In which event the First Regiment
in Honolulu Will probably be assigned TO
his brigade. In its career for the present
after the flag raising, however, the y. G..
II. will exist in the capacity of territorial
militia, out of service. Col. BARRIERS per-
sonal desire, as expressed yesterday,
would Ice to muster the First Regiment
in compliment. In this event II
would likely remain as now and still have
the honor of an active service" record.
These opinions or suggestions of Col.
Barber are by no means official and must
not he so regarded. He has received no
instruction from Washington AS to the
future status of Iiawaiis warriors.
Col. Barber expects the New York reg
iment to arrive about next sunday on the
Lakmc, North Forak and Charles Nell
son. three steam sChooncrs. II is not a
fact. as reported in san Francisco pa
pcrs, that the New Workers We're averse
to coming to Honolulu. At first they were
exceedingly anxious to see fighting in Ma
Mia, hut with peace prospects in view
they early became rcconCiled to duty in
these Islands. Col. Barber believes his
men will hc more than pleased with Ho-
nolulu and will never regret the assign