Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-08
GROWTH OF A POST.
What IL Years Have Done at
Fort Ethan Allen.
the headquarters OF u Regiment
with - Population Of 1900 aud
at n cost Of si.s00,o0o.

Tho recent arrival at Fort Ethan Allen
OF the principal ottcors, band and second
squadron OF the 18th cavalry regiment
have made the post one OF the largest
military forts in the records Of tho war
depart ment. within the past few years
the fort has Increased from four troop
garrison, with n Very few buildings, to
fun regimental post. with mounted
band, the most celebrated in the country,
berg the only ON" equipped with
white horscs. tho post containing
battalion of field artillery, one OF the
most important branches of the army.
The establishment of the fort was sug
Yested ~ Senator Redneld Proctor dur
ing visit of Ger. r. s. Peck. TO Wash
;ngtou, the senator at tho time being sec
rotary OF war. The Hon. 6. r. Edmunds,
then senator from this state. was also
present during the conversation. Upon
the return OF General Peck of this city.
Inc subject was discussed and tho follow
ing NAMED gentlemen became interested
in the project: Dr. William Seward Webb.
Lieut.. ten. John VI. Schofold /. : A,
retired then Ia command OF the army,
col LeGrand y. Cannon col. G. 6 .Hono-
dict. and Hon. william Wells. together
with other citizens Of this city and WI
1looski y meeting was called in the par
Tors Of the Van Ness House during the
month Of November, 1892. and tho subject
vas thoroughly disc used. The first site
considered for a military post was Ap-
pletree Point. but there were no railroad
facilities there nj that time When the
present site was suggested and met with
general approval. Then began plan for
the purchase ard donation OF tho land "a
the government. Doctor Webb offered 10
pay for the entire property but ii was
suggested that he should pay one fourth
of the amount necessary, the Central Yer
mont oro-fourth, and the remaining one
half b. raised by subscription IN Hurlnr-
ION and N1nooski. A meeting WAS called
IN tina Y. NJ. c. A. building on November
4. 1872. and the money required was soon
raised. The entire amount paid was Sl3.-
1tI3 for GOO acres of ground, divided
among tho following property owners
Baldwin, l9S acres: Weston, 100 acres;
Kelley. 80 acres; Brand. 1ci T.. acres.
Mosefy. 40 scres Dunbar IA. acres
The title to the land was placed IN the
governments hands March H. 1899. IS u
result OF Senator PROCTOR Efforts and
success in securing the fort for thi. state
meeting was called, at which it was
voted to extend thanks 10 the senator ana
10 present him with a coat Of arms :.
committee of two col G. q; benedict
and Gen r. : Peck, being appointed tc
carry out the honor.
Subsequent yenrs and events have shown
the wisdom of those who selected the site
for Fort Ethan Alien Il IS located with
IN - DAYS Journey Of New York CITY
Rostou Buffalo and other large and i'm
uortant cities and is the only post i'm the
East wIero mounted troops nave a good
access 10 the \etropolie In fact there
are Only three other garrisous east of the
Mississirpi where mounted troops arc
stationed. VIZ: Fort Mvcr Va. Fort q. 4
Thomas Ga. and Fort sheridan, ILL., Che
post is situated on hiah land. with excel.
lout water facilities and tho surrounding
country affords "a splendid opportunity
for tine practical marocuNrc, OF botl
srt.llerv a.o taNHlrv. TIC artillery last
season Wrro successful ia securing 70 tar
rot range for their annual Nring. WhiCl
J. another great advantage
The first BUILDINGS 70 be erected at Fort
Ethan Alien were two double sots Of cav
.lrv quarters. four stables. q guard house
Two scts of officers quarters. hospital am
several other small buildings From thai
limo the fort has been gradually enlarg.
% untl today il contains the following
buildings: SIX double sets Of caValrymen'
quarters. quartering g. men TO a troop
two double sots of artillery barracks l..
mon each; twelve cavalry. two artillery
ono bard and one ouartcrmastor stable
TWO artillery gun sheds one riding hall
ore post exchange and gymnasium: nino
teen double sets of officers quarters tw,