MILITARY SCIENCE. Military science or the art of war was studied under the usual heads of organization, logistics, minor tactics, strategy, and battle tactics; the authorized text-books on these subjects being largely supplemented by notes compiled by the instructor from current military literature, of which the exchanges of the Journal of the United States Artillery afforded an ample resource, embracing as they do the military maga zines and periodicals of nearly every country. He was thus able, in his treatment of the subject, to place before the class with appropriate explanations such changes in the application of principles as improved methods and the changing conditions of war have made necessary. Want of good and recent maps caused some inconvenience, but steps have been taken to supply this deficiency. While not an essential part of a curriculum of an artillery course, a knowledge of these subjects is indispensable to every military officer, and a clear and comprehensive idea of them can not well be acquired without the aid of an experienced instructor and the advantages of a well equipped school. BALLISTIC MACHINES. Instruction in the theory of ballistic machines and practice in the use of them was given in the afternoons of November. The Boulangé chronograph, the instrument now universally employed for taking muzzle velocities, was used for this instruction, and the Springfield rifle, loaded with a service cartridge, was used to break the screen circuits. In addition to the Springfield rifle a few shots were fired each day with a .30 caliber barrel with a crusher gauge attached, using a smokeless powder manufactured by Lieut. Willoughby Walke, instructor in explosives. In this way each student officer became familar with the use and manipulation of the machines and apparatus, and the computations involved in taking velocities. During the month of June experimental firing was done with the 8-inch C. R., for the purpose of obtaining data for ballistic deductions. These experiments were of the greatest possible practical value in showing the causes of error in using the gun, and the special care necessary to eliminate them. To the knowledge thus gained, more than to any other cause, is due the greatly improved results of target practice with this gun. ENLISTED MEN'S DIVISION. The division for noncommissioned officers continues to be a valuable feature of the school. The course embraces all subjects within the sphere of a noncommissioned officer's duties, and requires two years for its completion. All are required to take as much of the course as can be profitably taken by them; those completing it being given a certificate signed by the staff, those taking a part of it only a certificate signed by the instructor showing in what subjects they are proficient. The average attendance during the year was 60, of whom 6 completed the course, 25 completed the first year, and others were in various stages of progress. While noncommissioned officers are instructed as fully as practicable in the theories and principles involved, their instruction is made thoroughly practical, thus greatly enhancing their value and efficiency. PRACTICAL MILITARY EXERCISES. Besides considerable necessary work in moving guns and carriages from the wharf and depot to their emplacements, and mounting them, practical artillery instruction for the year embraced all exercises in mechanical maneuvers prescribed in the programme of the school not completed the previous year, the service of the several classes of guns comprising the armament of the post, including field and machine guns, target practice with the 15-inch S. B., 8-inch Č. R., 8-inch and 10 inch siege mortars, machine guns, and small arms. Artillery target firing, especially with the 8-inch C. R., was much better than heretofore, due chiefly to a better knowledge of the gun. Experience shows that this gun, if properly used, is accurate up to 4,000 yards at least, and well suited to target practice. All parts of the carriage and platform, therefore, should be made as reliable as possible. The large amount of firing done here for some years past by this and neighboring garrisons has, by natural wear and tear, considerably impaired the condition of some of the carriages and platforms. The pintles of the three 15-inch gun platforms at the end of the water battery, the pintle transom of carriage No. 1, and the right chassis rail of carriage No. 2 are all bent and other wise damaged, and should be replaced before another year's firing. The four 8-inch C. R. are mounted on wooden platforms laid in the sand and have been in use for many years. Although repaired from time to time by the labor of the post, they are now in bad condition and should be replaced, two of them at least by concrete and masonry platforms, if practicable. The carriages of these guns are also defective. The front guides of the top carriages are frequently broken off, due chiefly to the unnecessary space between the guide and the flange of the chassis rail, thus permitting the carriage to jump, and the guide, striking the flange with a blow, is soon broken off. By making the flange fit with the least possible vertical play and strengthening the bolts, this defect would be remedied. The post is not thoroughly equipped for ballistic work; the field apparatus, such as screens, frames, etc., should be renewed for continued work in this direction. A more accurate weighing scales than are at present provided should also be furnished for weighing large charges of powder. From the foregoing it is seen that practical artillery instruction at the school is, and has been, limited to drills in the service of the several classes of guns at the post; to mounting, dismounting, and transporting heavy guns and carriages, and to target firing with individual guns, all of an obsolete type, and although not entirely useless, they fill a very subordinate place in a new armament. We have recently received, too late for use by the present class, one 8-inch B. L. R. and one 12-inch B. L. M., and I can not urge too strongly the necessity of providing the school at an early day with modern guns of every class, and with electric search lights, approved range and position finders, and all other auxiliaries pertaining to the defense of a modern coast fortress. While there is much valuable experience to be gained by the use of any gun, it is important that the artillery should be familiar with the use of our entire armament, and especially with the most important part of it. So many details have been introduced into the defense of a coast fortress that the most complete and perfect organization and training are essential to an efficient command and control of its various parts, in order to accomplish the common purpose. To develop such an organization and training should be the object, in part at least, of the drills and practical instruction at the Artillery School. Without a knowledge of all the means to be employed and a familiarity with the use of them such a system can not be devised nor training had in working it. I hope, therefore, that this post, garrisoned by eight batteries, and to which seven other batteries come for their annual target practice, may be provided at an early day with all classes of guns and other accessories to a modern defense. LIBRARY. Additions to the library during the year have been limited to such recent military works as have been purchased from the school appropriation. It is a very valuable collection of military books, now numbering upwards of 10,500 volumes, and should be housed in a more commodious and fireproof building. The most important accession to the library is found in the exchanges of the Journal of the United States Artillery, numbering more than a hundred, and including the principal military magazines and periodicals of every country. These are invaluable to the school, and from a material point of view far exceed the slight draft that the Journal makes upon its resources. BINDERY AND PRINTING PRESS. The bindery and printing press are indispensable adjuncts to the school, contributing in no small measure to the necessities and efficiency of every department. The character of the work done by them compares favorably with that of the best establishments; the nature and amount were about the same as that of the previous year. DISCIPLINE. The discipline of the command is excellent. Desertions are so rare that they may be said to have practically ceased, and for several years past the command has been kept constantly at or near its maximum strength, by enlistments made at the post of the best class of recruits. A good gymnasium is much needed, both as a means of physical training, and a place where men can find recreation and amusement. For a large garrison the space is exceedingly contracted. Roads and walks. are few, and no practicable open country is found except at considerable distance from the post. There would seem to be a propriety in expending some of the money saved in the recruitment of the garrison in providing for the improvement and comfort of the men. SANITARY CONDITIONS. Although the sanitary condition of the post is not considered good, the health of the command has been excellent. Frequent rainfalls have made the water supply abundant and of good quality, but as the supply comes from shallow wells, it is believed that great economy will have to be observed in the use of it during periods of drought. It is the opinion of competent judges that an artesian well bored to a depth of between 1,300 and 1,500 feet would afford a constant supply of good water. A sufficient appropriation for the construction of a complete system of sewerage having now been made, this source of danger to the health of the post will soon be removed. QUARTERS, ETC. A new administration building has recently been completed to replace the old and decaying structure which has so long been used for this purpose. The new building provides convenient and comfortable facil WAR 94-VOL. I– -12 ities for the administrative duties of the post and school. Two new sets of officers' quarters are now in process of construction, but at least six more sets will be necessary to provide quarters for all officers outside of casemates. GENERAL REMARKS. The school is in a healthful condition of progress and development Energy and activity characterize all departments, and the student finds here the means and facilities for profitable study and the assistance of competent instructors. With few exceptions these advantages are much appreciated and elicit the best efforts of student officers. In the few exceptional cases, failure rarely results from want of ability, but from a lack of professional interest and other qualities, without which an officer is not likely to be of much value to the service. In such a case I believe the better plan would be to relieve the officer from the school and send him back to his regiment, and when he goes before a board for examination for promotion let his record go with him. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROYAL T. FRANK, Lieutenant-Colonel, Second Artillery, Commandant. The ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C. |