The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-19
GEN, BARRY HAD
NOTHING TO SAY
ANSWERED NO QUESTIONS
pEcARDING FORT sCREvEN OR
HIS RECENT ORDERS.

seemed Unable to Say Anything Ex-
cept "I Have Nothing to Say"-Re-
fused to Discuss Recommendation
That Negro Troops be Placed at
southern Forts-Said Nothing
when Asked His Criticism OF
Georgia Troops at Manassas.
"I have nothing whatever to say
and must decline to be interviewed
on any subject.
With these words Brig. Gen. Thomas
H. Barry, commanding the Depart
ment of the Gulf, dismissed all in
nuiries yesterday. An attempt
was made to get an expression
of opinion as to the efficiency Of the
troops and the defenses at Fort
Screven, but not word could be OBJ
tanned from the officer who has re-
Gently gained so much notoriety by his
recommendation that negro troops be
placed at the Southern forts, and who
SO harshly criticized the Georgia troops
that took part in the Manassas ma
neuvers.
Gen. Barry was seen as he stepped
from the Tybee train, surrounded by
several army officers, members of his
staff. and prominent Savannahians.
He declined to say anything at first,
hut well" and when questions were
asked him he gave the stereotyped re-
ply quoted above.
What has become of your recon-
incubation concerning stationing ne
gro troops at Fort Screven and other
Southern forts,'' the officer was asked
"and will you kindly state on what
grounds the recommendation was
made?'
II have nothing to say whatever on
that matter or on any other" was the
reply.
Manassas and Fort Screven.
''Will you say anything at all regard
ing your statements on the conduct
and efficiency of the Georgia provi-
sional regiments at the Manassas
maneuvers?
Il have stated that I must decline
TO discuss any matters whatever"
Have you noticed the reply made
by Savannah officers to your criti-
cism?"
This question brought forth abso-
lutely no answer. even the nothing
to say being dropped.
The reporter then tried compro-
mise measure and asked for some
statement regarding the conditions at
Fort Screven as the officer found them,
and how they compared with the other
forts that had been visited on this
inspection trip. This request brought
forth the usual nothing to say" and
then the officer started to move away.
How long will you be in the city,
q question
will leave at 10 o'clock tonight
for Atlanta" was the answer. All
other questions were met with silence.
Spent Day at Fort.
Gen. Barry spent yesterday at Fort
Screven, reaching there by boat from
an inspection visit to Fort Fremont.
He at once made an inspection of the
fort, in company with Col. H. R. An
derson, Lieut.. Col. S. P. Jones, and
Lieut.. Bruce Mcbride.
Target practice was held at night,
in order to bring out the use of the big
searchlights. A tug, in charge of
Capt. Brown was sent out about 81
900 yards the big searchlights played
on it, and then the men in the fort
began firing. The practice continued
for over an hour.
At the conclusion of the practice an
inspection of the fort was made, and
Barry expressed himself as well pleased
with conditions. After the drill Gen.
Barry and Col. Jones were the guests
of Col. Anderson for the night.
Men Went Through Drills.
During the morning Gen. Barry in
spected the battalion and put the men
through the drills. All the maneuvers
were gone through with and the show
ing made by the companies stationed
here was very good. The Fifth Com
pany, under command of Lieut.. Mason,
completed the programme by firing the
sub-callbre rapid-fire guns. The prac-
tice was very good one, coming up
to the previous good records that have
been made. Gen. Barry himself re-
marked upon the efficiency of the men.
In the afternoon Col. Anderson enter
tanned Gen. Barry and Col. Jones at
an oyster roast on the south end of
the island. Those present, beside the
visiting officers and the officers sta
TONED at Fort Screven, were Capt. Jo-
seph Davidson, u. S. A., in charge of
the Improvements at the fort; Col.
James b. Quinn, division chief of Unit
ed States engineers; Col Jordan F.
Brooks, retired, and one or two invited
guests
Left city Last Night.
The entire party, with the exception
OF some of the post officers. came to
Savannah last night at 6 o'clock and
repaired to the De Soto, where dinner
was served. At 10 O'Clock Gen. Barry
left for Atlanta.
Lieut.. Col. Jones is chief quarter
master for the Department of the Gulf,
ana his visit here was principally for
me purpose Of looking over the work
mat has been done on the improve
ments ordered at Fort Screven.