Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-05
TO MAN THE FORTS
PROPOSED ENLISTMENT OF COL
oRED MEN FOR COAST ARTILLERY
Recommendation Of Gen. Barry, Com
manding the Department
81. of the Gulf.

Probably the most important feature OF
the annual report of Brigadier General
Barry commanding the department OF the
gulf is his recommendation for the enlist
ment of colored men for the artillery and
their assignment to the companies serving
at seacoast posts from Virginia to New Or
leans Most of these artillery stations, he
says, are in the formative period and many
are undesirable by reason of excessive and
prolonged heat, isolation, mosquitoes and
bad water. Men rarely re-enlist at these
posts. and General Barry says that the
maintenance of the organizations to their
authorized strength is a matter of serious
moment.
1T would seem only fair" says he, Ito
transfer the organizations after tour of
say three years at these stations, wh1ch VIII
maintain the organization intact and foster
it's tradition and history. With view to
encouraging their re-enlistment, the trans
fer of the non-commssioned officers. me-
chancs and cooks of these Organizations
has been suggested. but that will tend only
to further dissatisfaction and disorganiza-
ton. The enlistment of colored men for
the artillery and their assignment to the
companies serving at these stations sug-
gests itself. There would seem to be ample
authority for their enlistment under the
law. These men would be content at the
stations referred to, can be obtained in any
number desired, and in time will master
the requirements of the coast artillery
service. and there would be no difficulty
at all times in maintaining the orgdniza-
lions at their authorized strength"
General Barry in recommending the en-
listment of colored men in the artillery
branch, indorses the suggestion to the same
effect made by Gen. Corbin in his recent an
nual report.
1T would add much to the discipline and
contentment of the enlisted men at these
OutlylnR stations. the most exchange
fully established with the privilege of SELL
ing beer and light wines"
Referring to the absence of line officers
on detached duty, General Barry says it is
to be regretted that details to the general
staff do not make vacancies to be filed by
promotion and appointment as do details
to the several staff departments. He says
that legislation providing for filling such
vacancies should be enacted, and also eX-
presses the hope that in time the provi-
SIGNS of law authorizing the assignment of
retired officers of the army to active duty
in recruiting. for service in connection with
the organized state militia, as military at
tacheS, and to staff duty, will reduce the
number of detached active officers to the
lowest possible limit
Retirement With Higher Grade.
General Barry calls attention to the sim
gular fact that many officers entitled there
to, have failed to take advantage of the
very generous provisions of the act author
1Zing officers below the grade of brigadier
general who served with credit during the
civil war to be retired with advanced ra Tx
ana pay. Before the enactment of this ieo-
lSIation, General Barry saws that maior;rv
OF the civil war veterans below the grade
OF pr1gadier general had applied to the War
department. Tor retirement in the grade uf
Drlgddler general. But now that thew ,ra
so privileged under the law thew do not
seem to desire retirement TT seems TO he
CONSIDERED optional with the individual"
says General Barry, rather than the Presi-
uent, IN whose discretion the retirement
with advanced rank rests The nroner an
thorlLes would seem to be justified in Civ
ing these worthy and deserving civil war
veterans, VINO have reached the highest
grade from which they can be retired with
advanced grade, and who are not under
consluerauon for permanent appointment
ana retention in the grade of bripadiar
smeiai, the option, once for all, to accept
ing very generous provision of the law
DISSATISFACTION is manifested saws CO.
Barry, IN the frequent changes. alterations
ana ADDITIONS to the uniform and it is bonoG
&c o,Iao Ina. question may soon be determined
once and for all
10 Save Fort Marion.
Recommendations are made for the pres-
s.. Vi OH Marion, the old Spanish
-. d. 81 augustine, Fla, one of the
Oldest and most picturesque ruins in tho
United States. This fortress was bep,,n hv
uhoer the name of Castle of St MARI"
General Barry says that while the Old fort
serves no useful purpose it is attractive as
rene III portion of the reservation
Coulu ne set aside as national cemetery
Seheial Barry says it would be adyisa HE
LOT historic and sentimental reasons To ra-
tam the Fort Madison reservation, marking
accurately and properly its boundaries as
determined by proper surveys or selling To
.ne Parties who are located thereon under
revocable licenses. such portions of the
reservation as they hold, carefully bound
ing ana marking the remaining portion and
prohibiting any further encroachment ar
trespass thereon Then the lands embraced
IN what Is now st. Francis Barracks, the
adjoining hospital lot, national cemetery
ana the powder or magazine lot, might be
disposed of.
The buildings at st. Francis Barracks are
gong to ruin, the post will probably never
be occupied again. and it seems useless to
eXpend any money for repairs. An ord
nance sergeant alone is in charge of these
reservations, and has a caretaker for the
Fort Marion reservation and one for the
national cemetery.