The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-06


giore, Como, Is0nzo and Garda. The AIDA, tile
Oglio, the Mincio and the Adige are its principal
continents, ON the left border The AIDA runs out
from the Lake of Como; its left bank ID, in the whole
run OF that river, lower than the right bank and
does not there FORE offer good defence against
army advancing from Piedmont; thar is, probably,
the reason that we have just learned that, as Ia
lS4S the Austrian army has abandoned that line
almost without fighting.
1t will be the same with that of the Oglio,
which. issuing from the Lake lsonzo, runs
almost in a. parallel line with the Ada
but, as it does not water any important
place, and does not offer great obstacles to the
passage of an army, it will probably not be de-
Tended by our enemies, unless near its mouth in
the Pc, where it is crossed by the main road going
from Pavia TO Mantua.
We are now arrived at the western side of the
quadrangle. formed by the MnciO, aud of which
the Adge forms the eastern flank, while the rail-
way from Milan to Verona bounds it at the north
and the Pc at the south. The four angles are
occupied by the cities of Peschiera, Mantua, Leg
nano and Verona. A railroad leading from that
asst named city to Mantua, forms the diagonal
Of the quadrangle. One perceves at glance
the Importance of that position, situated
at q point where, the Tyrolean Alps and
the Pc coming nearer to each other, the
plain of Lumbardy is so much contracted that 1T Is
but forty kilometres (ten leagues) wide.
An army wanting to advance towards the Adri-
ATTIC could not move by the right bank OF the Pc
without being exposed to be cut in its line OF ope-
ration. The enemy occupying the four cities, dis
tant one from the other by at the most one or two
DAYS march, nay, at given moment, concen-
rate all his strength at the threatened points, and
in his turn crush scattered enemy. Let us add,
ALSO that the possession ofverona at the debouche
of the valley of the Adge, commands the commun
cations with Tyrol, the road follows that valley
and the army may, although with some difficulty,
obtain supplies through it. That is the favorable
side of the medal; let us examine the reverse,
and for that it is necessary to enter into some de-
tails about each OF the four cities.
Peschera is small fortress situated on an island
po;r SIC To1ya
Garda. At the time of the Venetian republic it was
a simple pentagon, to which the French, while they
occupied the country added three lunettes, forming
kind of crown work without curtains round the CO.
ncal hill called Mandella, which commands the left
bank of the river. These have since been strength
ened by covered way running along natural
ditch, by which they are protected. On the left
bank of the Mincio there is moreover an extensive
work. called the Sslvi, covering the immediate ap-
proaches to the river. Since 1913 tie Austrians
have extended the Notifications far beyond the
island, and have crowned an adjoining emnence
with eight lunnettes on the plan of those of the
Mandelia. All these works together constitute an
entrenched camp capable Of receiving considera-
bic number Of troops, and their chief Importance
lies in their threatening the flank of an army at
tempting to cross tie Mincio near Goto or Valeg-
gio. There is besides the fota Of the Lake Of
Garda, which finds protection and coal magazines
under the walls Of Peschera, and can throw troops
across the lake in very short time. Moreover
there is system OF sluices by which the level Of
the lake may be considerably raised, to pro-
duce, at given moment, vast impetus along the
Mincio, sufficient to sweep away any pontoon or
trestle bridges thrown over it by the enemy.
The town of Peschera itselfis small, and contains
not more than 900 inhabitants, who in case of
attack will seek refuge in the extensive barracks,
which have been rendered bomb proof, and capable
OF affording protection to the garrison during the
bombardment The fortress of Peschera is fifteen
miles from that of Verona, and both are connected
by railway. Peschiera sustained a severe and
Heightened bombardment by Charles Albert in
nd mi mr. ua1 xva IF
food. After the surrender it was found that the
detached forts of MandeIla and Savi had been
partially destroyed by the Pedmontese artillery,
but the fortress itself remained quite uninured and
contained large quantity of ammunition sufficient
to have warranted a prolonged defence, if the pro-
visions of the garrison had not become wholly ex-
hausted: Should the fortress be captured by the
Allies the garrison will doubtless if not completely
invested, fall back upon Verona, or take the road
leading to the southern Tyrol.
Mantua lies, like Peschiera, on an island formed
mer, since it covers about ia acres. Close to it
there is another, called the TIE, which is used as q
Champ de Mars. Both lie in the midst of lake
formed by the widening of the river, and are about
$50 yards from either bank. Hence, Mantua is un-
approachable, except by five narrow causeways--
viz: two on the left bank and three on the right.
The Notifications of Mantua would be insignificant
Mere it not for the protection afforded by the lake.
This may, indeed, be tapped, as was done in the
last century, but the only result was the formation
OF morass, emitting most offensive stencil, and
more impossible by an army than the lake itself.
The cause ways are defended by three forts, the
Citadel st. George to the east, and Pradella and
Petola to the left. The latter was built by Ma
polcOn Austria has added little to these fortifca-
lions except few mines.
Mantua, though always considered the key of
Italy, is too unhealthy and too far from the defies
of the Alps, whence reinforcements and provisions
must arrive, to stand alone hence Verona has been
selected as the great central depot Of the army.
The guns of the Notifications command the passage
of the Mincio towards the southern extremity, and
covered by them the Austrians may cross and re-
cross without fear Of any serious injury. Mantua
is connected by railway with Verona and Peschiera
and there are also good main roads to Verona and
the fortress Of Legnano. In 1866 Mantua sustain
ed siege Of eight months by Napoleon l.. and,
like that Of Peschiers in 1913, yielded only from
absolute want of provisions. TO prolong the de-
fence all the horses in the place were slaughtered
and the flesh doled out sparingy to the exhausted
garrison.
Verona is situated at the issue of the Adige from
the Alpine passes, and has received most extensive
Notifications, the cost of which amounted in lS4S
to eighteen millions of forms, now sweled to at
least twenty-five millions Of FORMS Such large
sums, spent within that small compass, have con
tlibuted considerably to attach the Veronese to
the Austrian rule; so that here the Allies are not
likely to meet with the sympathy of the popula-
tlon Verona possesses SIS 900 Inhabitants, and can
boast many valuable Roman antiquities showing
that it has at all times been considered an import
ant strategical point The old Italian Notifications
the right bank of the Adgs the old wall has been
strengthened with eight bastions on the system of
Garnet.
The approach to the town on the river side is
covered by Fort st. Proculo; a little further from
the town is Fort Hess but these works being insult
fcent to harbor large army an entrenched camp
has been added on an alluyial plain abandoned by
the waters Of the Adige. This plain is surrounded
with series of strong redoubts, at distances of
about 600 yards from each other. Nearly all these
redoubs are trapezoid the larger base being turn
ed towards the camp, and each redoubt is provided
with bomb proof barracks. The length of this for
tilted camp is three kilometres; 1t is two in breadth
On the LETT bank the old walls, originally erected
10y the Emperor Gallienus, and at a much later
period repaired by the celebrated engineer San
Michele, have been strengthened with bastions.
Fort San Fehce, consisting of contlaued redan
line browning an inaccessible rock, an oTshoot of
the Tyrolese Alps. completely commands the town.
The approaches to this fort are defended by vari-
Gus trenches.
If tle Austriane arc forced IN rofroot fror,