Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-06
REPORTS ON THE NATIONAL DEPENcEs.

Messrs. EDIroRs have read with mush interest
the reports of the Secretary of War and Of the Ar
my and Navy officers the subject of Notifications,
and with your permission | will present the follow
ing brief summary of the principles which seem to
be established by their unanimous concurrence with
some observations upon the admirable and compre-
hensye report of Capt. DU PoNT
Allow me, however, to state in the outset, that /
am no friend, par excellence, of Notifications That
they play important and indispensable part in all sys
TENS of defence do not doubt But this problem of de-
fence is to be solved BY impartial consideration of all
its elements, not anagonstic but as pars Of gen.
eral system As the spirit Of the defensive renders
1T oentmes necessary to attack the question of the
public defence involves offensive operations This large
view must be taken in te Of fortifcatons in
der to to just conclusions
would say, in the event of a with Of
the great Powers of the earth which must
and essentially be naval war; that navy will be the
Offensive and Notifications the defensive element in
the protection Of our coasts Our navy must the
soa~, prceot wids-spead commerce. engage and de-
sy ~ snys assts- compel him to keep his force
q home to defnd hsoxn shnres - peculiar oiee is
to pass from to sea, making known our flag power
to the nations Of the earth.
But it is not the policy of the country grd either the
land with Gordon of ships or FORTS squander
the public in time of peace in costly armies
ves the European plan. Il has wisely determined in
times Of peace, simply maintain nucleus Of both
of the public Defence in the highest of discipline and
efficiency and mainly devote its energies those peace
full conquests renowned than and which, push
ing the country forward unparalleled of great
ness viii it to outstrp the glores of ancient
and modern times.
relies upon its peace army and its peace navy to de-
vote the full powers Of patriotic hearts keep their be-
loved nation always far in advance Of all other nations in
the military art. SO that, applying the energies and
nurtured in times of peace the duties and det
nes of war; the ascendency of counys flag shall be
gloriousy maintained.
These facts to be well understood in the several
reports which call attention They advocate small,
economical, highly energetic, and thoroughly efficient
tablshments all in due proportion each other all
having reference to present and preparation for future
duties
In reference to the public defence, they all take the
ground that important Cities harbors and naval
adjustments must be defended by stronglyconstructed
and extensive water batteries secured by works at least
sufficient to resist coup de main; that the rapdlyin
creased and increasing ftes of concentrating military
by the railroad and telegraph has diminished the
strength necessary to ressea land attack that in many
works resist coup de man. and in others works
to hold out but few days only necessary and that
but in few places the keys of the gulf entrance to
San Francisco strength to resist considerable siege is
necessary; that citizens may be chiefly relied upon
for the manning these works. and that the disciplined
and instructed officers and soldiers must be reserved for
operations in the keld.
They all take the ground also, that improvements in
proeces favor of forts Shells which break against
stone WALL sink into earthen parapet, enter the
sides of ships, spreading destruction in their path.
The steamship, though il passes fort rapidly, il
vulnerable, and may be- and often win be- disabled
80
are also in favor of forts for arrangements which will
be for working heavy guns mmovabe plat
form viii often miscarry floating Some ten
inch and tweve-nch Coumbiads viii be mounted all
works. and vessels viii be reached two three miles.
They all agree, moreover, in deprecatng the use Of
floating batteries urged years since by the late
amented and distinguished Gen. Gaines, except in some
very peculiar cases. and exception to the general
rule 1t is either fertilization fast-saing ship, and
all hands it is admitted that both necessary
Here they begin separate. Whilst all agree that at
important points must have heavy seacoast batteries
armed with the heaviest guns they differ the strength
to be given to the land fronts But, this is purely
professional question: the fact that the Engineer officers
with single exception nearly agree in relation to it,
ders it unnecessary follow this branch Of the subject
further.
They also differ the extent fleets should be
sdered as auxiliary harbor defence but all con-
tend that the navy do its mission the high seas
the question is practically decided in favor Of forts by the
smallness of our naval establishment.
As just, concise, forcible, and sum-
mary Of the great facts Of this amporant question,
refer with pleasure to the report Of Capt Du Pont 1t
would well pay republication in your columns, for
convinced your readers would fail to be delighted
with the patriotic spirit and persuasive eoquence which
characterize it. and with confidence and admiration for
its distinguished author We happen to know that even
those distinguished naval officers who have presented
piece as one they are proud Of the production Of
brother officer
Twill close by recapitulaton Of these facts, mainly
gathered from the report of Capt Du Pont.
l. That our great cities and important harbors and
our great naval establishment should have formidable
water batteries arranged in easements tier above tier
when the space is small the ground low, or behind
epaumcnts Of earth when the ground is ample and eeya
ted with such land defences viii enable the place to
hold till suceoring army is brought to its relief That
cities towns harbors of secondary Importance may be
protected by similar arrangement Of works smaller
scale That many towns, harbors, and anchorages win
simply require fedworks to be thrown up in time Of
9 That fleets must protect commerce and engage
the enemy on the high seas, annihatng his fleets and
thus repellng all attempts to invade annoy
shores But the policy Of the country being simply to
keep up nucleus in time Of peace, time viii be required
the breaking out Of to put navy proper
footing.
In the mean time our own coasts would be subjected to