Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-03
COMMUNICATION.
THE PUBLIC DEFENCE.

THE PUBLIC DEFENCE.
The reports and the bill and resolution submitted
by Gen. Shields from the Senate Military Commit
tee on the Sd instant, have direct and practical re-
ferences to subjects Of vital importance to the interests
of the country The attention of the public has been
called to of these by discussion in the columns
of the Intellgencer, and although different writers
have taken different views and suggested different MEANS
the necessity Of reformation and improvement Of the eff
cheney of the artillery Of our army has generally been adj
med The subject of the report and resolution concerns
ing Notifications is closely connected with that Of the BIZ
and both look preparation for emergencies ~ war
which it would be the height Of folly in to Overlook Il
is truly said in the report upon the artillery that the ne
culiartes of position and Of institutions relieve
us from the necessity of maintaining large standing
my but this very fact renders II more than ever
ry that what force do maintain should be kent at
maximum state Of discipline and efficiency This is es-
pecay the with reference 10 artillery which there
is practice ut all by the Of citizens and which
must play such an important part in future wars
The effect Of the artillery during the late with Mex
leo great and 1t added much to the glory Of
that 1t is matter Of surprise that the most
conspicuous branch Of should have been neglected But
appears from the representations Of artillery officers
that not only the heavy but the light artillery has been
reduced by the force Of circumstances and
the necessities Of the service from the high standard Of
efficiency which made it and its achievements the pride
and admiration Of the country Only two batteries remain
mounted in the United States and the officers and soldiers
losing that proficiency which 1t took much time and
labor acquire and which is essential in state of
Heavy artillery must be reliance for the defence Of
cities and naval depots from maritime attack under
any system of fortfcaons and perfect knowledge Of
its use all of its particulars is imperatvey demanded
to the end that there may be sufficient number Of
competent to instruct the Of citizens who in Of
win be required auxiaries and who will be entire
ly ignorant OF all things relating to its use.
At present it is said that the artillery troops themselves
deficient in instruction, from the want of the Of
the proper material and competent authority at the
head Of the CORPS to supentend and the proper
and uniform instruction officers and The artillery
is divided into four regiments each with its own
colonel and there is bond between them except the
General of the army who having command the
whole army to enforce the general system of discipline
and arrange the general duties of commands and the
bned action of different corps, cannot in justice the
other branches Of the military service attend 50 closely
to the details Of the instruction and discipline of parcu
lar and scientific corps like the artillery the nature Of
the corps and its duties demand For this end he needs
the assistance of able and energetic chief The bill
ported by Gen. Shields has in view the appointment of
such chief have charge of the whole artillery service
under the commanding general and to make the unit of
organization what should be, and practically in spite
of Legislation, in active service, that of the company
The effect of this must be beneficial for it will give spe-
cfc duties to officer who will have the power to COM
mand his corps and its instruction Now unor-
nifty and system hardly be hoped for when there are
four chiefs each separated from the other and seldom
having command over the whole of his own regiment .
The bill does contemplate any fusion Of the artillery
and ordnance which idea has been strongly objected TO-
Notwithstanding many arguments which have been adj
vanced to support it.
The report upon the Notifications presents general
view of the system adopted and pursued since 1876 and
the progress which has been made under it in terrifying
our coast Facts given showing that system
pared with European systems has been restricted and
economical and has grown out of and been adapted
necessities Yet in view Of the acknowledged truth that
in certain localities as at Fort Monroe &C., money has
been unnecessarily expended and that in the three classes
Il" and F,'' In the report of the Secretary of
War to We House Of Representatives, are enumerated
seventy I'VE works none q which have
ed and many of which for harbors and towns
Importance the inquiry has arisen whether engineers
not constructing works Of great magnitude and
cost and also concerning the necessity of works many
OF the localities the report dwes upon the necessity
adopting restricted system Of completing as early
possible 1t is admitted all sides that important
cities and harbors and naval establishments should have
defensive works. yet several vital points works are
incomplete, and at others have none at all.
Fort Delaware, for the defence of Philadelphia is un
finished Fort Carroll, for Baltimore is but commenced
the Dry Torugas and Key West both of the greatest inn
porance just ready for an enemy to seize and profit
by the labor which has been expended upon them and the
Pacific coast is entirely naked Whatever may be said or
thought of the extension Of the system to include minor
harbors and inlets the papabe and vital importance of
these works cannot be disputed The Dry Tortugas the
only harbor for neo battle ships which we possess south
Of Norfolk Every vessel leaving the Gulf makes
first the Tortugas, and next Key West There are no
other harbors for menowar in that vicinity and the eff
feet upon the great stream of commerce flowing from the
Mississippi and the Gulf these harbor in the hands
of enemy readily be They are easy Of de-
fence, their works half completed and should con-
ngency of and they be seized by enemy he
would have occasion to thank for what have already
done When recovered possession we should be fully
of the fact and Of the importance of the points
There only few harbors upon the Pacific which
quire defence But these must have it. San Francisco
and San Diego the most important and should be for
tilted at this moment and they both easily defended
The report upon the Notifications before the Senate
admits all these facts and the necessity Of appropriations
and the resolution provides for the appointment Of board
recommended by the Secretary Of War; for the dete
nation Of the minor points to be fortified.
1t to be hoped that both Of these subjects the i'm
proyemen Of the efficiency Of the artillery and the fort
hcatons may receive the attention Of Congress.
While much is said concerning the doctrine Of nerven
non and that matter being acted upon abroad it
sensible to look little 70 condition see what
we shall do in other nations choose practice upon
u.s. and intervene upon this side Of the Atlantic. A.
FORMS AND REGULATIONS FOR THE AS
signment Of Land Warrants and Locations.