The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-10
GEN. CHAFFEE HERE
MAJOR GENERAL ARRIVED THIS
MORNING AT 2i15 O'CLOCK.
TO INSPECT FORT SCREVEN.
INVITED To VISIT RIFLE RANGE.
AND SUPPER AT THUNDERBOLT.

VIII Go to Tybee This Morning al
10 O'clock - After Inspection OI
Fort and Review of Battalion, Re-
ception viii be Held. at Command
ants Qunrters-WiI Return to Sa-
Vannnh in AfternOOn-May Accept
Invitation of Military to Inspect
Range Present Plans Are to
Leave for Fort Fremont This
Evening.
Maj Gen. Adna r. Chaffee. accom-
panied by his staff, arrived in Savan-
nah this morning at 2:15 o'clock over
the Atlantic Coast Line. The occasion
of Gen. Chaffee's visit is the annual
inspection of Fort Screven. He will go
to Tybee this morning, conduct the
inspection, and return to Savannah in
the afternoon. The military of the
city have extended him an invitation
to be their guest, and if his engage
ments permit, he will remain over in
Savannah until tomorrow morning
though his present plans are to leave
in the afternoon for Fort Fremont,
s. C.
Gen. Chaffee will go to Tybee on the
10 o'clock train. Directly after his ar
rival he will begin the inspection of the
post. A salute of thirteen guns will
be fred in his honor. 1t Is probable
that part of this inspection will con-
sist in a battalion review. In inspect
L; he
to it's crowded condition, and other
numerous needs. The improvements
which it is hoped he will recommend
have been outlined in the Morning
News.
Reception at Headquarters.
After the inspection of the fort, re-
ception will be held at the quarters of
the commandant, Col. A. c. Taylor.
Gen. Chaffee will return to Savannah
on the o'clock train, accompanied by
Col. Taylor and Adjutant w. G. Pease.
1t is the intention of Gen. Chaffee to
go at once to Fort Fremont, leaving
the city in the afternoon, on the Ang-
Ter.
1t may be, however, that he will ia
Vorably consider the invitation of the
military. This invitation was written
last night by Col. G.. Arthur Gordon,
at the instance of the officers of the
various commands, each of which held
a meeting directly after drill. The ac-
ton of the military was made known
to Col Gordon by telephone, and he
Immediately addressed a letter to Gen.
Chaffee. This letter will be transmit
ted to him this morning.
May Inspect Rifle Range.
In this letter he is invited to inspect
the Avondale Rifle Range, with a view
to reporting upon its availability for
the use of the troops at Fort Screven,
jointly with the military of Savan-
nah, to the end that government as
sistance may be received. An invita-
ton is also extended to him to dine
with some of the officers in the even
ing at Thmderbolt The body of the
letter is as follows:
II have the honor to inform you that
the officers of the First Regiment of
Infantry, Georgia State Troops, of the
Savannah Volunteer Guards Battalion,
of the Chatham Artillery, and of the
Georgia Hussars wish you to inspect
the rifle range with a view to report
ing upon it's availability for the use
of the United States troops at Fort
StI CNNllf tIlAl rtleb do W WIltlileI II NAY
receive government assistance.
Certain of the officers desire the
honor of your presence at a fish sup
per at Mrs. Bannon's at Thunderbolt.
] have the honor to request that you
advise me of the date that will best
suit your convenience. Hoping that
You will find it possible to accept the
Invitation to visit the range, am very
respectfully yours, G. A. Gordon,
Colonel Commanding.
Everything depends upon the an
swer of Gen. Chaffee. 1t is generally
thought that he will accept the invi-
tatiOn since, by its character il
comes within his duties of inspection.
The officers are hopeful that ne will
accept and are anxious for him to in
spect the range. 1t has recently
been put in excellent shape, and would
no doubt impress him most favorably
Even though he does not accept, the
invitation is an example of the enthu-
siasm of the military riflemen and
their determination to win general
recognition.
With Fort Screven's Officers.
Gen. Chaffee will return from Fort
Fremont on the Angler Thursday. He
will be accompanied to the South
Carolina fort by Col. Taylor and Ad-
jutant Pease. In the event his engage
ments prior to his inspection of the
fort conflict, it is not improbable that
Gen. Chaffee will accept the invitation
of Col. Gordon on his return to Savan-
nah. Because of that contingency
Gen. Chaffees pleasure as to a suitable
date is sought in the communication.
Maj. Gen. Chaffee is commander OF
the Department of the East. and is
third in command in the United States
army, the only officers who are Ills SUI.
periors being Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A
Miles and Maj. Gen. Young. He
began his military career as a private
in Co. X, Sixth Cavalry, on July %
1861. He was made -brevit first lieu
tenant for gallant and meritoriou:
service in the battle of Gettysburg,ant
was later made brevit captain foi
meritorious services at the battle OF
Dinwiddle Court House, Va. He has
on numerous occasions been rewarded
Gov