Evening journal., 1922-05-27
MORE SOLDIERS
ARRIVE At FORT
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Continued From First Page.)
lowing statement to correct a wrong
conveyed as TO the future
OF Fort dupont:
THE article in the Journal Of May
"a, entitled Engineers Now at Fort
dupont appearing on pages and
II, contains the statement on page 1:
The fort will be abandoned as a De-
fense and will be occupied as an en-
gineering post In this statement,
the use Of the word abandoned is
incorrect, and unfortunate in that It
will doubtless convey to many read
ers an incorrect idea OF the plans for
Fort dupont and the Coast Defenses
OF the Delaware. will therefore
appreciate your giving publicity TO
an item correcting the above. The
facts are as follows:
"Ca) Lack of appropriations for
the maintenance OF Camp Dix has
necessitated abandoning that great
camp, and sending the various units
TO permanent posts for quarters. In
this, process. certain engineer roops
have been assigned For dupont
and Fort Mott, these being the near
est permanent posts.
''b. To make room for the above
engineer troops. the Coast Artillery
troops az Fort DUPONT have been
transferred to the nearest large
Coast Defense Post, viz. Fort Han
cock, n. j.. on Sandy Hook, there
by accomplishing at least three de-
slrable ends. viz, economy In up
keep: efficiency in military instruc-
ton: and making room for the en-
ylneer troops from Camp Dix. Fort
Hancock is a large Coast Artillery
post-one OF the most complete In
he Army; and the local troops from
DUPONT will be consolidated with the |
roops at Hancock, thereby increas- |
ng the total efficiency and obviatins I
he necessity of maintaining two
with the Incidental 4
taft and clerical work that con-
umes so much time at the expense
II more important strictly military
&C. Fort Dupont and Fort Mott
ave not been abandoned as De
enses: they are being maintained
n working order. by a caretaking
of Coast Artillery left
or the purpose under command of
ant. V. p. Foster. now the Coast
,efense Commander. who is respon-
ible that all guns and mine system
re kept in efficient condition at all
mes, ready foruse as soon as sufiici-
Mt appropriations are again avail
BILE to warrant assigning a full
oast Artillery garrison TO those posts
nd erecting satisfactory accommo-
ations for the Engineer troops.
ID. The expression Coast De-
enses OF Delaware is the military
erm used to designate the entire
'oast artillery assignment. with the
guns pertaining thereto. at the four
local forts. viz, Fort Dupont, Del.
Fort Delaware, Del; Fort Mott. n.
j., and Fort Salisbury, Del. These
four forts are, under the present
conditions, in the hands Of a care
taking detachment as explained
above, but they have not been aban-
doned as artillery forts. Within a |
few days, most of the armament can
be put in commission by an ade-
quate force Of artillerymen
"e. The engineer troops who are
now to occupy Forts Dupont and
Mott for station, will in no way in
terfere with the upkeep of the ar
tillery armament at these forts. The
commanding officer OF the engineer
troops, Major Powell. Corps OF En-
giDeers, U. S. A., will be the senior
officer on duty at Fort Dupont. and
will therefore command all troops
Enthusiastically; but the purely ar
tillery work in connection with up
keep of armoment will be entirely
in the hands of Captain Foster and
his artillery detachment.
If. The change in plans for Fort
dupont, as above, will necessarily
cancel the plans that had been fully
worked out and approved, for NOR
ar target practice at DUPONT this
summer. This is greatly regretted
,y the Artillery officers concerned,
md will doubtless be a disappoint-
nent to some Reserve and National |
suard officers who expressed inter |
st in the forthcoming practice.
"g. The temporary change in
lans for garrisoning Fort dupont, !