The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-06-03
THE SEAT OF WAR.

the Austrians in l835, when they gave it
up 10 Piedmont, but which has recently
been fortified, were made the basis Of oper-
ations of an invading army against Milan,
the army would have two routes TO follow
the first, in which there are a number of
torrents, up TO the Iicino, which separates
Lolnbardy from Piedmont; and the second,
the easier one, presenting an obstacle in the
Po, which is the southern limit Of Lom-
bar'o-Venetia. Now Austria, which occa
pies Piacenza, on the right bank Of that
| river, has established an entrencled camp at
| that place. Lower down are Cremona. and
on the left bank Mantau, to defend the Pas
sage against AN army which should leave
| liacenza in its rear. On the first road 10
Milan, behind the Ticino, is Pavia, which
seems TO have been lately fortified in
order to be made base Of operations
against Allessantlria, if beseiged; on the
north are Bergamo and Brcscia, strong
places, but not impregnable, and able to
d'Squlet an army passing them to attack
Verona and Mantau, which are the key
of the country.
The territory was the theatre Of the cam
paiyn Of l7aG, and Austria has accumulated
defences there in the belief that in 4 future
war the same plan Of attack would be fol-
lowed but that is perhaps, doubtful. On
the Mncio, which is only ten leagues long
from the lake Of Gardo, in which it rises, to
to the marshes which surround Mantua,
where it falls into the Po, and whicl, can
be forded in several place, means OF defence
have been accumulaieh and Pescliers ard
Mantua protects its two extremities. The
Adige is in the rear, and flows parallel to
the Po for certain distance. 1t is perpen-
dicular to it behind the Lake of Gardo
from Verona Legrano, a length Of fifteen
leagues. 1t can nowhere be forded, and It's
banks, on the side Of Verona, are covered
with gardens and vineyards, and these on
the side of Mantua with rice fields aud
marshes.
The road from Verona to Legrano runs
between the Adige and a canal, and an
army placed within the square formed by
Pcschiera, Mantua, Verona and Legrano
protected by the water which is found on
the Enst and West, by mountains to the
North, and by marshes TO the South, is free
in It's movements, and can march on any
point that may be menaccd. Peschicra, O
which the defcnces are somewhat scattered
is the refuge Of the llotlla. which, acting on
the Lake Of Gardo, would menace a CORP.
d'arnaee desiring to cross the Minico, and
protect the locks which enable the banks
Of the lower part Of tho river to be nunda
ted. BY an inundation the flying bridge
constructed by the enemy would be carrie,
away. Mantua is like Pescbera, on 81,
island in the Minico, surrounded by lake
, which should be drained in order tt
allow the town to be taken, and drain
ing would leave peslilential marsh which
would render the place uninhaLitable. The
fortress is reached by raised causeways pro
tected by forts. 1t is very difficult to take
: but can be easily blockaded. AS this place
appears to Autsria too unhealthy and too
far from the Tyrol, she has established he
head quarters at Verona. and has dishurset
large sum in fortifying the place. Verona
like all the positions fortified by Austrian
engineers. comprises, in addition to numer
GUS foriifications, an entrenched camp. ca
pabe of containing an army. 1t is believed
that the fate of the place will be decide.
, rather by battle than by seige, which
last would require vast force.
Legrano is a tete-de.pont fortified BY
Napoleon, which would enable the army o
Verona to proceed to Mantua. as Peschierf
on the north would give i an issue or
Brescia and the northern part of th.
Milanais. Moreover. an Austrian army
, defeated and obliged to remain at Verona
could be relieved by troops arriving from
, the Tyrol on the front and rear Of the be
siegers. The numerous roads in the Tyro
are protected by forts which handful o
men would be capable of defending
|, against a victorious army. II, however
f Verona were to be taken, the conquest o.
Venetia would not be difficult. As to the
+ Ad.iatic, Austria has taken the precaution
protecting herself against an attack on its
coasts. From the bank of the Po to the
frontiers Of lstria, the shores Of the Adriatic
are very insaIabrious. In some places it is
impossible to pass a night without being
attacked by fever, and the .ssa is shallow to
considerable distance from the coast
), Venice, in fact, Is he only place which can
receive vessels esen Of a secondary size, and
they must enter BY passes which are. pro?
teeted by strong forts.. II the city were
tsksS, Fort ..Maiehera you'd remain ap4 !.
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