Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-15
TO MAN RIVER FORTS
PROPOSED USE OF PART OF THE
NATIONAL GUARD.
Gen. Harries Invited to Cooperate
With the Regular Forcesrin the
Potomac Artillery District.

Gen. Oliver, assistant secretary of war,
has issued circular in regard to the con-
templated organization Of a coast artillery
reserve among the coast-line states to meet
the military needs of the country. Accord
Ing to statement prepared by Gen. MUIR
ray, chief OF artillery, LISA officers and
Al, S33 enlisted men are required to furnish
one manning body for the coast defenses
now completed or under construction,
whereas there is provision for but ia OIL
GERS and 1891 enlisted men. Congress
may IN the future provide some small addi-
tional increase. but the chief of artillery is
OF the opinion that approximately 10000
coast artillery troops, officers and men,
must be drawn from the state forces to
furnish the guns mounted or soon to be
body or shift. a.
1t is because Of this condition that the
chief of artillery has urged the organiza-
ton of the coast artillery reserve among
the coast-line states.
Defenses of Washington.
With respect to the Notifications at Forts
Washington and Hunt, on the Potomac
river. assignments for machine guns and
field gun supports were recommended by
the chief Of artillery as follows:
At Fort Observation-Disclosures: Meigs,
Humphreys, Wilkin and Smith: the 18th,
44th and 10th companies of Coast Artillery
regulars), with total strength of 26O
men, an equal strength of coast artillery
reserves and also four companies of infan-
try, with four machine guns and four field
guns as supports in artillery district.
At Fort Hunt-Battery, Mount Vernon:
The 47th Company, Coast Artillery (regu-
lars), with a strength of Ill men, an equal
strength Of coast artillery reserve and two
companies of infantry. with four machine
guns as artillery supports.
Use Of Local Troops.
Assistant Secretary Oliver has sent a copy
Of the report of the chief of artillery on the
use of the organized militia In connection
with coast defense to Brig. Gen. George H.
Harrfes, commanding the District of CO.
lumbia militia, for his information ITO
put this plan to a practical test" says Gen.
Oliver In his letter to Gen. Harries, camps
Of instruction will be held in the Artillery
District of the Potomac from July 1 to 10,
or at such time as may be most acceptable
to you, and you are invited to cooperate
with the regular forces by designating or
CARNATIONS Of the National Guard of the
District to report for duty to the command
ing officer of said artillery district for one
week or ten days during that period
LAS the strength Of the various compa-
MES of your National Guard is below the
number of men required for each battery
as specified, 1t will not be practicable to
furnish the full force so far as strength is
concerned, but the following detail is sug-
gested:
Fort Washington, three companies of
infantry to act as coast artillery reserves
at the batteries; four companies Of infan-
try as supports.
Fort Hunt, one company Of infantry to
act as coast artillery reserves at the bat
teries; four companies Of infantry as sup
ports.
"All field, staff and non-commissioned
staff officers Of regiments from which COM
panies may be detailed are invited to take
part in. the course of instruction.
This duty will be without expense to the
District of Columbia, and full instructions
will be given by the chief of artillery should
camps of instruction"