Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-30
Made Hurried inspection of Fort
Ethan Allen Monday.
said Tint Another Ridlng Hail, En-
1arged Drill Ground and Addition
to COmmissory building Were
Nccdctl-1'Ost In Fine Con.
dlt1on.

A.. commanding general of the depart
ment Of the East and ono of the mcst
prominent army officers i'm the service ac-
|companied by Colonel Nalery Hazard.
chicf surgeon of tho department, and
Capt. William Il. Johnston. 18th cavalry,
the Fort Ethan Allen officer who gained
fame as the commander of Troop e., now
acting adc-dc-ca,np to the commanding
general, arrived in this city Monday
afternoon at four O'Clock on the steamer
|Chatcausay from plattsburgh barracks,
NJ y. They were met at the wharf by
Licut..Col Alex Rogers. 18th cavalry. aic
driven rapidly to the military post
General Grant was interviewed at the
Champaign Transportation company's
wharf by n Free Press man. he having
previously arranged that a reporter should
accompany him on his tour of inspections.
The general said: II made arrangements
for newspaper man to accompany me,
but there will be no use now. Sunday
has broken up my trip and ! Will merely
go to Fort Ethan Alien for administrative
purposes. There viii be nothing special
to sec. If could have arranged it !
would have reviewed the command. but |
must hasten back to New York Tonight
AS tho commanding general passed the
drill ground at the fort the entire COM
mand of tho military post was drawn up
in command of Major Wilbur +. Wilder.
The general arrived ut Fort Ethan Allen
after retreat had sounded and therefore
the salute accorded an officer of his rank
was not fred. The 23rd battery was
ready TO give this salute if General Grant
arrived before retreat AS the comma nd
| ing general passed the drill ground, the
troopers presented sabers, standards and
rudons were lowered and in the twilight
the spectacle presented was n pretty
sight. Colonel Wallace. post commander.
met General Grant and his party at tins
point and they proceeded to the homo of
the post commander, while the command
was dismissed
| General Grant in company with Colonel
Wallace then drove around the garrison
to buildings which were recommended for
repairs. He visited the older quarters. the
guard house. tho riding hall. hospital
post exchange and other buildings, and
then returned to Colonel Wallaces house
All of the officers and their ladies then
repaired to the homo of Colonel and Mrs
william. NJ. Wallace, where "A reception
was held. The general and his party were
presented to the officers, who wore dress
uniform and side arms. Colonel Wallace
entertained the commanding general al
dinner. The two officers then had pri.
waite talk regarding the administration OF
the post. Colonel Hazard and Major Jo-
Iseph L. Clarke. post surgeon, discussed
the physical condition of the garrison.
1~x,
Hazard, Captain johnston and Capt L.
roy Eltinge. post adjutant. left the post
shortly after nine o'clock for this city
to take the sleeper to New York city.
| General Grant in a final interview with
n Free Press man stated that he found
THAT Fort Ethan Allen was much in need
Of an additional riding hall. in fact two
but he did not believe an appropriation
could he obtained for it. Further. h,
thought that the drill ground should be
enlarged. An addition to the commissarI
building was needed and he had already
Recommended this. He said that the burn
cd hay sheds would be rebuilt at once ol
that a temporary structure would h,
erected. The "a. leo which he recommended
last year for this year he said had bee,
spent judiciOusy and Fort Ethan Aller
would need only about 5000 or $500 NOR,
to carry them through tho year.
| "Thc conditions at Fort Ethan Allen
said General Grant, are very good, Their,
is not much work to be done. as n larg,
number of improvements have alread,
been made. Ny inspection was merely I,
keep me posted on the condition of thing:
90 that would know whether to approve
or disapprove any recommendation fo
work that may come to me during mex
year"
Colonel Hazard said he found tho hosp
tai in excellent condition, that the number
Of sick were about three per cent. of tlI
command, and they consisted mostly %
bruises and Commissions caused from kick.
or football injuries. Further. he sale
that tho post hospital, when the presen
additions Were completed. would he plcnt,
large enough for the posts needs an,
would he one of the best equipped hospi
tails in the department.
General Grant was asked il he believe.
that Congress would vote to re-establisl
the army canteon. lie said he did no
think they would get II through this year
When asked what steps the w. 9. Il. L
would have to take to erect building a
Fort Ethan Allen. he said they would
have to obtain authority but would no
be invested with any rights. at least IL
would not approve a move of this kind.