[pg 211] [undecipherable] Feb^y 1799 Sir In obedience to your order of the [undecipherable], I enclose one the Returns, of the Men, Clothing, Ammunition, [and] Instruments, & Camp equipage. The articles in the Quarter Masters Store, with Inspection Returns of the four Companies of Artillery and Engineers under my Command. With a Return of the Artillery for the use; and the practice of the Troops. It being the Generals orders, to give a full and particular account of the State of things; within my imme[diate] Command. I beg leave to say. Clinton as it is known by that name; I believe was originally, from what remains of it, a regular constructed Crownwork; agreeable to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] method with a circular work; [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] on the Public Ground. The [undecipherable] [undecipherable] on the East; or near to the River, with a [undecipherable] Battery on the branch, has been rebuilt; and [undecipherable] under the care, and superintendence of [undecipherable] Tousard, of the first Regiment of Artillery and Engineers, some time in the Year of [17]90. But not completed agreeably to plan. There are eight Embrasures in the whole, in the Branch [undecipherable] Battery, all without Platforms. There are two Iron eighteen pounders; Mounted on Seacoast Carriages, which are placed to fire in barbet. Also three Platforms; for Mortars, with one [undecipherable] & One eight Inch Mortar; mounted on beds, which are used for the practice of the Troops, whenever the season will admit. F. Putnam [as it is called] [undecipherable] on [an] irregular fortification; has in part, been rebuilt; and [undecipherable] about the time [undecipherable] Tousard; was directing the Works of [undecipherable]; but not being completed agreeably to plan, now is; and has been; in a State of ruin [undecipherable] as also Clinton, which cannot be avoided by any other means, than completing them, agreeably to some made or plan, which may be thought [undecipherable] by the Public, and at a very great expense. The interior walls of F. Putnam, may be considered as the best part of the Works. There is no piece of cannon mounted. I keep a Corporal's Guard. There to [undecipherable] the portable property of the United States, from being carried off by the inhabitants [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a week. To Comprize the situation of [Clinton &] F. Putnam, in a few words, they are at this time; only the Apology; for fortifications and places of defence. I am informed [Major] Tousard is in New York. If the General should think it necessary; to make the enquiry of him, He can give the best information, on the subject of the two fortifications; of any Officer, who has been [stationed] here; [belonging] to the Corps. The Buildings are generally good, with some small repairs, [and] not at a great expense, with the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable], could be made completely, in point of comfort and convenience, both to the Officers; and Soldiers. The Barracks, where the first [&] second Regiments are Quartered, may accommodate; about four [hundred] Non com^d Privates; in the Winter season, exclusive of the Wings, which where built for the quarters of the Officers, and can be made comfortable so; again, when it may be thought necessary, and not at a great expense. The Buildings in [number] [undecipherable] under my immediate command; are [seven]. exclusive of Bake houses; and [domestic] buildings; which are [undecipherable] by the [undecipherable] Soldiers. There appears sufficient room [in] the Buildings; needed for the Officers, for the [mustering] of two full Battalions, agreeably to the Military establishment. The Men [undecipherable] [will be] seen by the Returns. Their discipline; can only [be] [estimated] from their time of service, and the nature of the War, for that purpose. The greater [number] of my command, Officers & Men, are late [undecipherable] with; and recruits, knowing them to be [young], and knowing the [necessity] of a strict application to their duty; in order to acquire the habits; as well as the immediate duties of the Garrison, I have [applied] every principle; to the Public, myself, and them, making exertion; for regularity; and order; and I am pleased to say; not without effect. The General is too well acquainted, with the difficulties; that exists; with young Soldiers (of which I have my share); for any comment. But at the same time, wish the General may have a favourable Opinion, of the [undecipherable] of the Officers & Men, to acquire [the] knowledge of their profession. I shall but [a means] of communicating to the General, what ever more [attention] to the discipline, health, Comfort, of my Command; with a full assurance of support, in every [undecipherable] and at all times, which is [undecipherable] for the good of Service. I am fully of Opinion, with the General, that a general relaxation exists with the Troops of the Atlantic States; but at the same time, [undecipherable] commanded, it will not much longer [be] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of a [Garrison]. [The] fuel for the use of the Garrison is furnished by the Private Contract, twice a year, in the Autumn; for Winter and in the Spring; for summer. The Public ground is generally covered with a small growth of wood, which is a considerable advantage to the Troops; of the Garrison, from the circumstance of their small allowance, they receive from the Public. To attended; with some expense to the Soldiers Clothing; in bringing it in from the woods; where they cut it; which I would wish an additional allowance; both to Officers; and Men. I in particular, those Gentlemen, who may have [families] with them, through the cold seasons of the year. The Garrison is not conveniently Watered; but cannot be otherwise; only at a great expense. The [water] from [springs]; is not of an excellent kind; some lying under a difficult Hill; for the Men to [spend]; with [due] quantity to exceed four Gallons. [Obtained] from the opinion of most men; who have made it their enquiry, respecting the healthy situation; and is a preference to most other Places; more [particularly]; for the Quartering of Men; for the purpose of breaking them to the habits of Soldiers. The country around the Garrison, affords a great variety of vegetables; in the summer season; and their commodiousness; for the health; and comfort; of the Troops. The Training; the Officers and Soldiers; to the knowledge; and use of Artillery; in the service of the United States, depends much; on what will be ordered and established; hereafter; and when. No [general] regulation; has been given generally; which has left it with the Officer Commanding; to put in practice what he may think proper; and so different has been the practice; in different parts of the Union; that a well arranged system; is absolutely; and imm[e]diately necessary. It has been the practice here; [which] is to be governed; by the French Manuals; and until some more order; on the subject. I shall; as soon as the season will admit; continue it; to the Officers; and Non[-com]s under my command. If the General should have any order or system, for the Artillery; I shall be pleased; to put it in practice immediately. I have some French, & English Books, & Instruments; belonging to the Public; with a fortification in Miniature; [made] of wood; of a [moderate] worth of ten [undecipherable] [undecipherable]; which are intended; for the use and instruction; of the Gentlemen of the Corps; and from the want of a Preceptor; they are but little better than the amusements of a moment. I would now mention a Laboratory; to be established; at this place; [as] highly useful; to the young Artillerists. The Gentlemen; discover a great inclination; of becoming professional Men; and without the means, I am afraid, that [science], will continue the stranger to the Corps. Captain [Mutt] of the first Regt. of Artillery & Engineers; is at this Garrison; without command or duty; waiting the order of the [Secretary] of War; for instructions; to be sent some place; for the purpose of recruiting [a] Company for himself. [A] [undecipherable] is here also; not belonging to any Company; which I beg leave to recommend to the Generals Notice; in order they might be employ[ed] for the Public good, more than at this place, in their present situation. The new Contract for the supplies of provisions; for this Post; I have not received; of course I am unable; to say any thing respecting the provision furnished the Troops; under my command, whether they are agreeable to him; or not. M^r George Fleming, [an] man of [military] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Keeper; has under his immediate care fifteen Buildings (Public); with [public] [property] in them. The [articles]; and what amount; I am unable to say. He has also; a small detachment from the first Regt of Infantry; there Number; and [amount]; I am unable to give, the least information of to the General. There is a chief Armorer; and others; which is at work for the Public; which is [all] I can say of them. The two Artillery [undecipherable] under my command. One of them; is a new and good; the other is very old. The number of Tools; are sufficient to employ twenty or more Men. In which I conceive; to be my duty to report to the General; however well informed; He may be on even [unimportant] circumstances; with the expectation of the Generals [application]; of my answering in [writing] the order of the [11^th]. I am Sir with great Respect Your Most [obedient] Servant [signature] Cap^t [undecipherable] Commanding [Capt inserted [Fort] [undecipherable], Feb 13. 1799] Major General Ale^x Hamilton Inspector of the Armies of the United States