The record-union., 1898-02-21
UNUSUAL ACTIVITY.
Men Sent to Care for the Batteries
Near New York.

NEW YORK. Feb 20.-Unusual
activity has been manifested during the
last two days in the forts and fortifica-
tious commanding the entrance TO New
York Harbor Reports from other points
on the sea coast show that similar con-
iitions have been noticed and while
the officers in command of the Depart
ment of the East acknowledge that cer-
tain steps have been taken, they de-
clare these steps have no bearing what
ever on recent developments in the re-
lations between the United States and
Spain.
These unusual occurrences were
first noticed late on Friday night, when
the commandant at Fort Schuyler re-
ceiyed a telegraphic order from General
Wesley Merritt, commanding the De-
partment of the East. Within an hour
Of the receipt of the dispatch Lieuten-
ant Lang. commanding detachment
of twenty men, had started to take
charge of the new batteries at Willetts
Point. Lieutenant Langs command
took their tents and full camp equip
ment with them. Their orders We're to
take charge of the new guns and NOR
tars recently mounted there and to see
that they are kept in perfect condition.
Imperative orders Were also issued as
to the care of the large quantity Of
ammunition which has also been ship
ped to this point.
The batteries at Fort Schuyler and
Willetts Point command the entrance
to the harbor from Long Island Sound,
and with these batteries fully manned
and equipped it would be very hard
work for an enemy's warship to force
an entrance from that side.
Additional evidence that the War De-
partment is on the alert was furnished
to-day when a detachment of artillery
commanded by Lieutenant Arnold left
Fort Wadswogth for Sandy Hook,
where they took charge of the recently
completed batteries there. They were
quickly followed by a detachment of
engineers and other branches of the
service which brought the total garri-
son established at Sandy Hook up to
20o, men. They also took tents and
camp equipment.
At the same time Fort Wadsworth
was closed to visitors. Even civilians
whose daily associations made it neces-
sary for them to enter the fort were
halted half a mile away by the sentries
and ordered to turn back. No one not
a member Of the garrison or of the fam
lilies Of the officers was" allowed to en-
ter, and the sentries even refused TO
take notes or cards to Colonel Sinclair.
the commandment
Ammunition in large quantities Is
also on the way to Sandy Hook, where
there are sixteen Pinch disappearing
guns, four 10-inch guns and two tor
pedo tubes. At Fort Wadsworth part
Of the modern armament consists OF
four l0-inch breechloading guns and
five S-inch guns A shot from the
latter can sink a ship at a distance of
eight miles.
Notwithstanding all this activity.
the officers in command at Governors s
Island declare it has no bearing at all
on the recent international develop
ments. They speak of it as routine
work which would have been done In
any case.
The batteries have ben completed
and equipped, and we have simply
placed a few men in each to care for
the guns and equipment and keep
them from deteriorating. one officer
said.
When asked. however, If the force
was sufficient to fight the guns. the of
ficer replied: "Oh. yes. The guns are
automatic You have only to start
them going and they work them
selves.
Another officer admitted that while
the batteries would have been manned
sooner or later. it was not expected
that this would be dore until late IL.
the spring or summer.