tour of inspection, and by his direction "B" Battery demonstrated its ability to handle modern ordnance by conducting the test-firing of the newly mounted 8-inch breech-loading rifles, on their disappearing carriages. Shortly afterwards, Captain Lombard and his command changed station to Pickering, reporting to Colonel Pfaff on August 27th. The garrison for Marblehead, "H" Battery, under command of Captain Pratt, arrived on June 6th at its station at Fort Sewall. This old fortification, which properly should be classed as a mere field work, not only commands the entrance to the harbor of Marblehead, but also plays an important part in the outer line of defence for Salem. Having been ungarrisoned for more than thirty years, it naturally was in a dilapidated condition, and on the arrival of "H" Battery it was without armament. As in the case of Stage Fort, the request of Colonel Pfaff for two 8-inch converted rifles was ignored, and reliance had to be placed upon the rapid-fire guns brought to the post by the incoming troops. After pitching its camp and making the required repairs on the works, the garrison settled itself for what proved to be an uneventful tour of occupation. At this post Lieutenant Renfrew acted as adjutant, with Lieutenant Grant as quartermaster and commissary. The only break in the monotony of the summer came when a battalion from Pickering, after a forced march from Salem, feigned an attack on the post by a landing party, which was met and repulsed in a workmanlike manner by Captain Pratt and his command.