The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-19
PRAISED The FORT
GEN. IAN HAMILTON IMPRESSED
WITH APPEARANCE OF
FORT SCREvEN'S SOLDIERS.
FOURTEEN INVITED GUESTS SPENT
ENJOYABLE DAY AT POST.

Gen. Hamilton, Mr.. Muir, Gen. Cor
don and Party of DistfnGuis h e d
Military Men Made Trip as Guests
of Col. Quinn-TroOPs and Forti-
AcattOns Were Inspected and Gen.
Hamilton Addressed the Men in
Stirring Speech-Met Officers of
First Regiment on Return to City.
Talks of His Visit to Savannah.
Lieut.. Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton. K. C.
B.. D. S. o., and Sir Kaye Muir by
Invitation Of Lieut.. Col James B. Quinn,
Corps of Engineers, U. S. A, visited
Fort Screven yesterday, accompanied
by Gen. W. w. Gordon and several in
vited guests. An inspection Of the
garrison was held, and the party hos
pitably entertained at the command
ants quarters. after which they re-
turned to the city. In the evening
Gen. Hamilton met the officers of the
First Regiment at the home of Gen.
Gordon.
The trip to the island was made by
rail- the party leaving on the 10 o'clock
train. Arriving at the fort, they were
met by Capt. H. H. Whitney, COM
mander of the fort, and Lieut. Bruce
Mcbride. adjutant. and escorted
to the commanders headquar-
tiers. After a short rest they
witnessed parade of the
garrison under command of Capt J.
c. Gilmore, Jr., Capt. Whitney, Gen.
Hamilton and others of the party in
speeding the troops.
Addressed the Soldiers.
The distinguished British officer,
after inspecting the troops in the open
rank formation, made a short and
stirring speech. He spoke of the serv-
ices rendered by the heavy artillery in
the Boer war, and said that the heavy
artillery which had been suffered to
be only for garrison duty at forts, did
valiant and effective service with
their heavy guns in the South African
campaign.
He said that in this respect the Beers
had taught the English a lesson. With
their heavy field pieces they had
OISNliCA eahNdilbdSC ONGL TIC Ell Sllbu uIl-
til his people became aware of the eff
fectiveness of the 5-inch pieces in the
field; and before the campaign was over
he did not feel satisfied unless his COM
mand was composed in part of heavy
artillery. They were far more effective
with their guns, which had a range of
six and seven miles
If the opinion of a. British officer were
entitled to any considera ton, when it
is known that he would not be apt to
censure, Gen. Hamilton said he would
presume to express his appreciation of
the splendid appearance of the men.
And in this he was fully authorized,
for the men did put up a splendid eX-
hibition. Col Quinn said that the gar
rison was composed of about the sturdi-
est and most intelligent set of men in
the service. 1t was evident that Gen.
Hamilton was pleased.
Inspected the Fort.
After the inspection, and when Gen.
Hamilton had concluded his remarks,
a casual inspection OF the Notifications
and quarters was made. A number of
the guns are of English make, and
there was much that was rot new to
the distinguished visitor. A detail was
ordered to give an exhibition OF the
workings of the big 12-inch
disappearing gun, and this it
did with commendable alacTity,
occasioning especial remark from the
guest of honor
After this exhibition the party re-
turned to headquarters, where pleas
ant interchange of ideas was had. The
officers questioned their visitor ex-
haustively on many questions of mill
tary import, Gen. Hamilton respond
ing freely and graciously, and himself
directing many enquiries to them.
At O'Clock the party embarked on
the government launch Angler, which
was awaiting their departure at the
fort landing. Gen. Hamilton and Mr.
Muir. as We're all the party. were great
ly pleased with their visit to the fort,
and their trip from and to the city.
Those in the party were Lieut.. Gen.
Sir Ian Hamilton, Sir Kaye Muir, Gen.
w. w. Gordon, Col. James b. Quinn,
Mr.. John M. Egan. Col. j. H. Estill,
Col. G.. T. Cam, Col. G.. A. Gordon.
Col, William Garrard, Col. Bierne
Capt. G.. p. Walker Capt. w. G..
Austin. and Capt. w. w. Gordon,
Jr.
Met LIST Regt. Omcers.
After the return to the city, Gen.
Hamilton met the officers of the First
Regiment of Infantry at an informal
reception at the home of Gen. Gordon.
About fifteen of the officers of the
regiment had the pleasure of meeting
Gen. Hamilton, and were all much
impressed with him.
Gen. Hamilton and Mr.. Muir left
last night for Fort Riley, Kan,
where they will view the maneuvers
The experience will not be a new one
for Gen. Hamilton. who was zone of
the representatives of the English
crown at the great German maneuvers
a year or two ago, on which occasion
he met Gen. Corbin, whose guest he is
in this country. En- route the party
will stop at Chickamauga. The govern
ment has furnished them especial IA
cilttieS for viewing the famous battle
field. They will remain twenty-four
hours, and Gen. Hamilton will prob
ably reYiaW the SaNanfh Cavalry