561 
NOTES ON PLACES OF MILITARY INTEREST IN 
THE UNITED STATES. 
BT 
CAPTAIN J. F. MANIFOLD, R.A. 
Having recently returned from a visit to the United States, where, 
through the courtesy of American officers I was able to see something 
of their army, I thought, perhaps, it might be an advantage to brother 
officers to mention one or two places of military interest, which can be 
reached and seen without difficulty from the principal cities which are 
likely to be visited by anyone travelling in America. 
To see something of the New York garrison, Governor's Island and 
Fort Hamilton should be visited (at the latter the Field Artillery is 
quartered). Fort Hamilton is on Long Island, to reach it one of the 
many ferry-boats should be taken to South Brooklyn, whence an elec¬ 
tric railway conveys passengers to the fort. Ferries start every half- 
hour and the railway runs in connection with the ferry, the time 
required for the whole journey being about three-quarters of an-hour. 
The barracks of the field battery are entered through the fort, the 
officers' quarters are close by, and the mere fact of any English officer 
calling on the Commandant will ensure his being received with all 
civility and being shewn everything of military interest in the place. 
Mounted parades are generally held at eight o'clock, directly after the 
men's breakfasts, so that anyone wishing to see the batteries at work 
should not be later than this hour. The barrack-rooms, kitchens, and 
all arrangements connected with the interior economy of the men are 
excellent, and may be studied with much advantage. The stables are 
good, and the harness, especially as concerns pole-draught and slight 
peculiarities of material, should be carefully examined. 
The stamp of horses to be found all through the States is most suit¬ 
able for military purposes, those which I saw with the battery at Fort 
Hamilton, being particularly so; the purchasing of the remounts for 
this battery had been left entirely in the hands of the Battery Com¬ 
manding Officer and had been mostly bought from New York dealers, 
averaging from £36 to £38 each—a very high price to give in the 
States; these horses are, however, of an exceptionally good stamp, 
and few batteries in any army are better horsed, than the one at pre¬ 
sent at Fort Hamilton. 
West Point is easily reached from New York, either by train or by 
one of the Hudson River Steamers. The latter route is the most com¬ 
fortable, but where time is of importance, train should be taken. The 
11. VOL. XXI. ^ 
