The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-13
The uNsor1on Dcroaces', an Long Island.
TO rUK EDITOR or THE HERALD.

TO rUx EDITOR or THE HERALD.
The defences of Williamsburg, Brooklyn and OF
.h;. o;,v baye been prominent themes for discus
;on within the last few days. We do not perceive
anu eanse for alarm on this subject. There is no
oh;;,v of this country being suddenly involved
I'll, o,,v power in war that would become mere
l., defensive ON our part In the event of war
,.,;,h either France or England we have no idea
.h, either would venture to attempt the seizure Of
the cities named by a coup de main across Long
Iuland or otherwise. Yet as it is the part Of pru.
dence and wisdom for a nation TO make prepare
lions for war even when it is not expected, and to
Mace defences around exposed and important
points, the plan proposed by the Secretary OF War
for he erection of a line OF earth works on Long
Island, the cost OF which viii be comparatively
trifing, is judicious. W
But there is no necessity to create dsquetude in
the community on this score. The government has
in it's employ regularly bred engineers Of long
perience. The country has reposed in security,
upon their vigilance and foresight and ability for
The last forty years. 1t is their exclusive function
TO attend to such matters sIhey receive liberal
Gated at public cost for this very business. The
idea of inexperienced persons presuning to thrust
forward their naked, crude and undigested notions
against the grave opinions of such veteran and
scientific officers as Gen. Totten, Maj Chase, Coils
De Russy, Deafed or Thayer, or Professor Dem
mis- Mahan, of West Point, il worse than preposte-
rous II is the very bisublimate and double refined
essence of self assurance and can only be excused
the ground that 1T is the natural concomitant Of
stupid ignorance.
We have not seen the documents accompanying
the valuable report OF the Secretary of War at this
session, which always contain the report of the
Engineer Bureau. A Geographic despatch few
days since indicates that there is some trouble re-
speeding it, or rather that there has been. 1t is
presumed the Congressional printers are to blame
for the delay in the forthcoming Of the report
Though we have not the report of the Engineer
Bureau at this session, we have copy before of
Tat lAhp oto1r fln
national defences, sent to Congress in 1851. 1t
is accompanied by divers papers from other officers
of the army and navy, gathered by Mr.. Conrad
then Secretary of War. Some Of these papers seem
merely brief historical memoranda about battles;
some, the exposition of fanciful theories some So
phOmorical dissertations on matters and things in
general, but some advance sound views of practical
good sense and well seasoned judgment
General Totten is lucid writer and he mani
testify has studied and reflected upon this subject.
In relation to the defences OF New York, we make
the following extracts relating to the land defences
on Long 1sland:-
The security of the city Of New York, Brooklyn &c,
and the navy yard requires FIRST deences the passage
from the Sound vz-The completion of Fort Schuyle Ter
Second, repairs Of works on Governors Island Bedlows
Island and Ellis Island Third, repairs Of the works at
the Narrows and fourth the erection of outer deences on
Sandy Hook.
To explain how the work at Willetts Point con.
iluces towards securing the city from land attacks,
General t. presents the folowing:--
(of the Sound he might by leaving parties in suitable
positions vita view to preventing our crossing the
yard having no obstacle in his front To prevent this
eectualy and also to accomplish other objects work
should be erected on Wilkins Point opposite Throgg's
Point This work besides completing the defence that
channel, would involve march against the navy yard
from this quarter in great danger since all the forces that
cover of this work, be crossed to Long Island and
fall on the rear Of the enemy, cutting of his communica
ton with the fleet The two works Throgg's and viii
a fpctlv
tecting, on that side, the city and navy yard.
That the fort at Wletts Point will prevent
hostile descent upon the sea shore of Long Island,
Mt any point east of Rockaway, including that
beach, appears from the following reference TO
such contingency
The hazard Of such expedition would moreover
be greatly enhanced by the fact that our own troops by
passing to Long Island under Of the fort at
Wilkins Point could cut of the return Of the enemy
his feet, which must lie at or somewhere Rockaway
Gen. Totten next shows that the only remaining
landing place on Long Island, viz, the beach of
Gravesend Bay, is interdcted to the approach of an
enemy by the fort proposed to be built Sandy
Hook
apparent that the defences city and those
at the Narrows, Indispensable they for other pur-
poses be made prevent this enterprise which
thoroughly guarded against only by outer bar
cupy the position of Sandy Hook at which they will afford
very good defence of the main channel and prevent the
10 occupation Of the Lower Bay for hostile
purpose whatsoever, &c
II will be seen that whilst Gen. Totten refers to
the fact that there are no land defences on Long
Island to prevent an enemy landing at Gravesend
Bay, nJrth eastwardly on Long Island, or in West
chester county, he does not deem them at all neces-
sary. Our natural difiidence and becoming defe-
renee to his high rank constran us to say that we
place confidence in Gen. Totten's judgment forti
fed il is by the experience of the of 1872
when the British did notventure to attack New York.
though we were less prepared to repel them then
than now. 1t is estimated that the number of
disciplined militia that could be rallied in defence Of
hours in a day
10000; in two days. S0000 in three days, 100 600;
in four days, 100000; in five days 100000; in six
days, 100000; in seven days, 100000, and SO on.
Boston, Philadelphia and our inland cities and
towns, and every country village, would send forth
their thousands and tens Of thousands of as good |
aye, Of better soldiers than any of the Wanted
veterans Of France or England.
We admit that we do not understand how the |
General proposes to make the contemplated fort |
at wilkins (Willetts) Point "a perfect protection
against or how it is to be regarded "efectually
preventing" land attack, except on the principle
Of its acting as moral restraint upon the enemy
Certainly the shot or shells from the guns of |
the fort anticipated to be built at that point
if directed across the island even with cannon |
not reach to the sea shore. The General, we pre-.
sumo, goes upon the supposition that the invading |
force would not, if headed by prudent comman.
der violate the maxim, 1--WE believe it was of |
the famous Turenne) Never leave an enemys fort
in your rear." Insomuch as the General admits !
there are no actual practical against land
attack and it is apparent he relies chiefly upon
the theoretical sedatve referred to- and the danger
from providential casualties to which the enemy
would be exposed; the chief restraints from his
attempting such Eruption, we have no decided OBJ
!ections to the detences suggested by Lieutenant
Morton being made, and particularly as Secretary
Floyd, on whose sound practical Judgment we
place great reliance, has approved and proposed
them. They are certainly better than nome and
might perhaps, aid in the preservation of the lives
of our citizen soldiers if they should be compelled
to encounter an invading enemy on the battle
field; besides, their construction will give employ
ment next spring to SEINE 800 laborers, with sure
pay. Let US, therefore, have them. The money
will not be thrown away
We confess that we do not consider as an entirely
Irresistible argument the position advanced by
General IoHssu IN his report-tlat i 4 loolhardy
.,env should land on Long 1s,crI ether on the