The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-08-03
DEFENCES nF CRnNsTADT.

-~@ A-'OAAo Va AAhOANO M
The New York Daily Times says, the same
unceasing vigilance and indomitable energy
displayed by the Russians in repairing the
damage done by the artillery of the Allies at
SebastopOl, and constructing new fortihea-
tons, has been also evinced in the northern
portion of the empire. Night and day thou
sands of harday workmen and skillful engi-
neers have been employed in strengthening
the offences of Cronstadt, and rendering the
approaches to the capital perfectly impregna-
bic. Risbank, situated at the extreme right
as you approach Cronstadt from the sea,
mounts one hundred and fly guns. II has
been much strengthened during the Winter
BY the erection OF two hanking batteries,
which sweep the lines Of advance to this
formidable fortress. Risbank is an enormous
square fort Of solid masonry, and, if approach
ed in regular form, might have been battered
by heavy siege guns, but the additional earth
works, which now support its tremendous
fire, will render its capture MS difficult, il not
more so, than the storming Of the Malakoff
and Redan.
Then comes Fort Alexander, which the
London Times says looks like m "uncondi.
toned hay.rick;" and no doubt, the enemy
will find him a most stubborn, unmanagablc
and Unconditional fellow, should they ever
come within saluting distance. "Peter the
First" next shows his grinning front, and
defes approach. Cronslot, which commands
the narrow entrance to the Neya, receives nd
ditional mid from two tiiree-deckers moored
across the passage, and these are again sup.
ported by number of paddle-steamers, which
are protected, in turn, by Fort Menchikoff.-
These, together with the mole.batteries and
numerous detached earth forts. armed with
the heaviest metal, complete the impenetrable
line of forts which occupy the south side of
the island. Detached works, which had no
existence last year, are carried across the is
land from the south to the north side, where
an enormous earth work is now being con-
structed, and on which three thousand men
are daily employed. TO prevent the entrance
of vessels submarine piings have been sunk,
leaving just sufficient space at certain inter-
vais for the passage of gun.boats. This bar
rier is protected in the rear by four liners, FIVE
frigates and two corvettes, besides a large
number Of gun.boats. 1t is also flanked by n
recently erected fort. Should Admiral Dun.
das attempt to force this passage, he may
calculate on warmer reception than "Od
Charley" would have received last year. Next
come the internal machines, which were the
laughing stock of London and Paris up to a
recent period. But these agents of destruc-
ton are no longer the myths which they were
supposed to be.
We cannot see how any serious injury can
be done to place so fortified by art, nature
and science, and so powerfully defended by
race of men who have proved their mettle so
well at Sebastopol. 1t was formerly suppos-
cd that the combined armies of France and
England could conquer the united forces of
the universe, and that to their fleets it would
be only the merest pastme to batter down
and demolish the strongest fortress. Before
the commencement of this war it was sup
posed that tho world had only one Gibraltar
1t is now nscertained that there are at least
t,oo others. The Allies, with invincible oppo-
silion in front, and discussions brooding in
the camp, may really be considered in for
lorn condition. Unless Sebastopol be cap
tured, and the power of Russia crushed, and
her military pride BUNDLED, the other king.
doms of the Old World will begin to despise
and defy the hitherto dreaded champions of
civilization.