Evening star., 1901-10-09


spent in unloading and transferring the
battery, bag and baggage, to the new
quarters at Fort Myer.
Arrival Of Engineer Companies.
The barracks at the arsenal were de-
serted during the day save for the few
| troops and artisans engaged in preparing
| the post for the use of it's new occupants
the Engineer School of Application and the
Sd Battalion of Engineers, heretofore sta
toned at Fort Totten, Willet's Point New
York harbor. Those troops comprising
Companies L, K and L, are expected to ar
rive here this evening, in which event they
VIII take full possession of the arsenal
grounds tomorrow. They are making the
trip from New York city to Washington by
water The steamship Guyandotte of the
Old Dominion line was chartered for their
transportation and started with them from
the metropolis yesterday morning
Under the terms of the charter the
steamer is to bring the battalion and all
its equipments direct to the government
wharf at the arsenal AS already stated,
she is due here this evening. The COM
pany is allowed 5000 for transportation
expenses and 800 day for the time con-
sumed in loading and discharging.
Colonel True, the depot Quartermaster
has made complete arrangements for the
Decentralization of the soldiers and the dis
charge of their equipment, including all the
delicate instruments belonging to the engi-
neer school of application. That school Is
to be permanently established at Washing
ton barracks and is intended to be the
nucleus for the establishment Of other and
more pretentious institutions of military
learning at this post, including the pro-
jected army war college and the school for
national defense. Legislation by Congress
Will be necessary to provide for the estab-
lishment Of these last two named insti
tutions. and 1t Is expected that Secretary
Root will make strong representations to
Congress to that end in his forthcoming
annual report.
The Engineer School.
The engineer school Of application was
established at Willet's Point. N. Y, many
years ago and has proved most valuable
adjunct to the army. 1t is a postgraduate
school for the honor graduates Of the Mill
tary Academy assigned to the engineer
corps, and occupies the same relation to
that corps that the artillery school at Fort
Monroe and the infantry and cavalry schools
at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley, Kan,
do to the line Of the army.
One of the reasons for the transfer of the
school from Willet's Point to this city was
that the former post was needed for the
artillery In connection with the scheme for
tne better protection Of New York harbor.
Another and more important reason was
that the national capital was considered
better place for military educational in
structions because of the manifold advan-
tages afforded by the Congressional Lii
government.
Major Black to Have Command,
Major William NJ. Black, CORPS Of en-
gineers, now in command of the Engineer
School and the Sd Battalion Of Engineers,
VIII have command Of the engineer post
at Washington barracks. He was Engi-
neer Com missioner Of the District just prior
to the Spanish war and is well and ia
vorably known to the people of the Dis
rict He stands high In his profession and
Is regarded as one OF the ablest ana most
aggressive men In the engineer eoEps
The Sd Battalion OF Engineers has just
been organized at Willet's Point and as vet
lacks one company Of its complement Of
four companies. The remaining company
will be recruited and equipped IN this city
The three companies now on their way to
this city are accompanied by q regimentai
band. This band Is said to be one Of the
finest military bands In the service and viii
undoubtedly prove a welcome acquisition to
the military contingent at the national capt.
tai.
The Secretary Of War has authorised an
expenditure Of 100000 for the repair and
improvement Of Washington barracks fer
the special benefit Of the engineer school
and battalion. with view to increasing its
attraetiveness and making It q model mfii-
tary post.