The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-10

with regard TO the danger which engrossed the attention OF
the Engineer Board which ort ago planned ths pre-
Sent system, we have for fresh apprehension from
method OF warfare from which distance and uncertainties
OF the no longer protect In view of the prodgious
development the of the first Powers OF Europe
and OF the Increased range which their steam navies
enable them to exert the utmost strength OF their land
armies. as well ms floating forces am in favor Of making
DIVISION against descents upon coasts Of hostile
armies cooperating with steam fleets.
In proportion as our seaports increase in wealth they
will increase the incentive which would incline mari
time rivals to resort IN case OF war to revival upon
shores OF the system which they pursued Sebastopo
Knhurn, Odessa Sweberg and Bomarsund with such de-
structlve effect
In my report alluded to the militia the proper re-
lance against similar attempts but much depends upon tho
maturing providing for before hand each probable
point of attack Of plan Of action which shall enable
them compete equal terms with the veteran
of Europe Our railroads indeed capable transport
ing great bodies of men, but beyond
certain limits the very numbers of raw troops become
dsadyantageous and 1000 militia would do better SER
vice. IL managed profit by the Workmanship and
intelligence Of individuals than 100000 of the
who should attempt to outmanguvre well disciplined
regular army.
For example we may reasonably apprehend that New
York might be the object Of an expedition which would
debark large army on Long Island; the enemy could
hen march Brooklyn, and, if victorious, could either
lombard that city and New York. and destroy the Navy
Yard or exact heavy contribution line OF field works
around Brooklyn would however, obvate such a caam
~ for would compensate its defenders for their infer
'ry IN the habit of war and such line could be thrown
up and armed in few days.
city has already oyeTspread the positions which the org
nal topography Of the vicinity indicated advant
eeous for such line, and that the present rate only
ones which remain available may be found, when the
emergency arrives, similarly occupied.
therefore recommend Congress to take steps to
the key points ut least OF the really fine position ques
ten, BY reservng few pats Of ground 10 be occupied
when the occasion requires, by redoubts.
Similar views to the above are advanced more ella
bofatcly in memoirs which have been submitted to
this department, among others in one the
deiences Of New York, which has been ad-
Cgad ma nv Ilaltn Of In
engineer corps, and which recommend for your consi
deraon The plan proposes for the location and comb
the defensive works around Brook appears
be practical and judicous.
MILITARY
The military road from Fort Smith to the Colorado river,
by OF Albuquerque progress OF construction, with
every promise of its being executed with promptncss and
skill The work done upon that portion OF il lying west
OF Fort Defiance last year begins already TO demonstrate
the benefits the country the appropriation and the
work. Large numbers of emgrants bound for California
have passed over this route during past season. and
unusually large herds Of cattle have been that way
because OF the abundance of grass and water met with
upon H. For all the purposes Of military road this
possesses many very striking advantages The line is
straight nearly from Fort Smith TO the Color ado of the
West The surface which passes excellent for
road, whilst there is almost the entire line abun.
dance Of grass and water.
The position being on thirty fifth degree of north
latitude renders grazing abundant at very early period
in the spring ana late in the autumn. For this
might be marched this road at period late
early that other routes northward would be mpass
able from frots and SHOWS The altitude the mountain
range prevents that aridy in summer which charac-
terizes some Of the more southern routes
This route derives security from the popularity Of the
conformation Of the country lying to the north Of IT, from
the western the Navajo tribe the Colorado river
The corrugaton of the country north Of this route by
and impossible that perfect barrier against all posi-
bly Of Indian attacks from the north for distance of
several hundred miles must exist forever This doubt
less constitutes very great recommendation 10 the
as for emigration and transportation Of stock.
In another point of view this route important In the
construction military posts keep in subsection the
utin hand III ms az hcrt
the topography of the country presents points for them
very TO this line Of road SO that it will be protected
by line of posts along from the borders Of the friend
ly Indian settlements TO Albuquerque With judiclous
location of other posts between that point and the Co
road throughout its whole extent upon any territorial
road in the United States. think would BE- advisable
TO make appropriation for still further improving this
road.
Great improvements have been made in the roads
through the Territory Utah since the march of the army
thher. route has been opened from Fort Brdger
the present cncampmont OF the army Utah lake.
by what is called the Valley of the rmpanogos which d
mnishee the distance 10 California, in comparison with
that usually travelled by Soda Springs, two hun
bred and fifty miles and is shorter by hundred and
thirty miles than the present route through Salt
axnenaed On hn ypaa west Of ra LAKE, or Rush Valley
towards Carson Valley, would no doubt be both udcous
and beneficial II would open and materially improve
which may be very essential at some time IN trans
porting supplies from the Pacific side 10 any troops sta
EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS
Every developing the great advantages TO the
public which cnurc from appropriations made for military
explorations and surveys. The and almost wholly
unknown region Of country lying between Atlantic
and Pacific frontiers is becoming every day fami
ary understood by means Of information gained through
these explorations and surveys Some important expe.
dtons have been consummatcd since last report I'm
portant additions to our geographical knowledge have
been made by these surveys, and extensive Snior.
nation upon many scientific subjects have been
procured at the same time The public interests are
much promoted BY ,sis expenditure. ask SPECIAL
81 exploration aud surveys IL embraces the results Of
the expeditions heretofore fitted out 70 examine the
hitherto unknown regions Of the Colorado 81 the West
well the Black Hills lying OF the Nebraska Terri
Important and valuable Information has been
furnished by both expeditions That OF Lieutenant Ives
among other things great interest exhibits OF the
most remarkable Typographical phenomena met
with. He discovers that the waters Of the Colorado
in al their various ramhcaons Of brooks creeks
and rivers, make their way the main stream through
ccf,s IN the solid rock al depth Of from
a SIX thousand towards the head waters OF the streams
below the surface OF the earth These canons present
Tor the most part perpendicular faces O soS rock, aud
give TO the whole country aspect of wild desolaton
without parallel or an approximation on the American
continent These reports will constitute valuable add
ton 10 science. and will be found very interesting
very large aud think important portion Of ter
riory, lying north and west Of the Black Hills, towards
the Of the Missouri and it's tributaries coming
from the south side of IT, u slmost wholly unknown II
ought he thoroughly explored have but little hest.
taton ia FAY ing that most important line Of niercommu
ncaon between The Missss pp valley and the river ore
gon VIII ot b. oTcucd, and probably, at no distant day
either through the country spoken of little further
north. uIcn In. extending from lake superior along
upon tho 81 the upper Missouri those Of the
gen At all events need much Information about this
country winch nothing bit n careful exploration give
There strong grounds 81 believe that between the nav
gable waters The ssouri and those II the Or con
portage ~ not more than foUr hundred miles nervencs
u tbs should turn oui a. bc true, AMI Tie ground should
prove suitable for the construction oi road, THE route
vii be eventually enc - the most important yet dscoy
cred between the Atlantic and Pacific for military prr
osts. other regions ~ interest and Importance ofwhch
We Know next 20 nothing. require 20 be explored.
There . large amount 81 important scientific inorma
ION IA the bureaus 81 tbs department which could be
made valrabe % the general Interests ~ the country
properly presented 10 the pablo. II ought To be
done through means ~ geological map. such map v
public necessity, ard no equal sum ~ money could be
expended which wogd confer many valuable benefits
0fon he country the amount necessary FOR the prca
ration II such a map.
The extensive deposits ofprccions metals throughout
vast dnmir Mon in search for which such
annually expended, would he accurately marked
whilst the great articles rational wealth and prospe
ircn, coal and saltwOuld be clearly defined that
money need he thrown away in fruitess search
for them localities where they DO not exist. Such
rap would direct wisely the expenditures money and