The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-12
IMPORTANT FROM RICHMOND AND HAIR
PER'S FERRY.

OUR BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENTS.
BAInMoKs, June 10, 1861.
Fun Desc ipion Of the Detences Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Batteries on York Rivera Noyemest a. Rapy's Ferry
The Rtbeis there SHu Receiving Supplies d., dc.
learned to-day, from o source entitled TO implicit
credit the following facts relating to the desences Of
Richmond. The subject Of defending the city has been
before the people for . period extending back many
months before the commencement Of the war; II was
one to which Henry A. Wise gave much Of his attention
while Governor Of the State, and - erop-iation Of
half million Of dollars from the state treasury for the
fertilization Of the York river though not passed during
his administration, brought forward by him, and
zeaously urged by his friends. 1t is believed that Il
Richmond 10 attacked by General Butler II viii be By
troops brought up the York river Persons acquainted
with the topography Of the country, and looking on
map, would suppose that troops could sail much easier
by coming up James river the city Is stu
aied on that stream But snch Ii not the case. The
James river is navgablc ,ove Richmond, but its
below that city tortuous aud the channel s not
Deep Batteries have been erected upon It, however, in
anticipation OF possible attempt to pass 1t. The York
river on the other hand, is broad and deep stream
until about twenty miles from the city where there il
excellent place for the Decentralization of troops From
this pnce 10 Richmond there ia excellent wagon road
and other roads mnch inferior and little used yet
capable Of being OF service in case it desired TO ad
vance upon Richmond in three columns.
To render the York river, then, impossible TO feet
Of hostile vessels the first Of the Virginans
TO this end careful survey Of the river made on
both eides. The right bank Of the river being billy,
afforded the best places for batteries and accordingly
there are come fifteen or sixteen, all commanding
positions that side Of the river The left bank of the
river lower and in many the nature Of the soil IS
such that Il is mpractcable to plant single gun for
tervas Of Eve miles but in many other places, where
hese disadvantages do not exist, there batteries
having guns Of long range, to obviate their small
number. Most Of these latter batteries COM
pletely masked. In both cases the batteries are
mounted with guns Of the heaviest calibre, and
there are shot and shell provided in abundance. In
or two instances there s said to be furnace for
heating red hot shot, A. present these batteries are well
manned, and the gunners have been diligently trained
may judge Of their proficiency by that o! the gun
at the battery at Aqua creek forces may
pect hot work on their passage up York river.
The place Of landing short distance below the little
village of West Point, Is broad and level piece Of
ground but at the distance Of three quarters Of mile
there 10 range of low hills, which planted the
first land batteries. These mounted with riled
and coumbiads, and it is supposed will render the
landing OF any considerable force work of danger
The country between this point and Richmond Is mode
raely rolling, and there two well defined ranges Of
hills The three roads above referred pass defe
through these hills They not Of any great elevation
but sufficiently enable artillery planted them to
sweep the roads for considerable distance On these
two ranges OF hs other batteries have been planted and
these are regarded among the main deences Of the
city.
On the eastern outskirts Of the city an earthwork iu
has been thrown up Of
by ditch and this completes the defences that side
These defences lan except the as completed be-
fore the arrival Of Je Davis but he has carefully in
spected them ALL and considers them amply sufficient for
the security Of the place.
Against attack from the north there have not been
many preparations made the city. the opinion
Of JEFF Eavis freely expressed that the line OF the Ma
Gep Railroad will be successfully held and a. long
that is Reid Richmond, Of course, safe. But In the
contingency Of possible defeat there another stand will
be made at Fredericksburg, which has been fortified with
earthworks and strong batteries. This will be Je s go
cond defensive line extending from Aqua creek to Cu
pepper and on this line now, he has concentrated
$1,000 men, in addition to the 80 900 extended from Ma
nassas Gap Junction to StrasbuYg.
But to return to Richmond Surveys have been made
all along the line Of the railroad from Fredericksburg for
the best places for defensive operations and in some
places stakes have been driven to mark them; but no
nyencbmens have been thrown up batteries planted
except Immediately north Of Richmond, where there
intrenchment similar to that the east SIDE There
000 troops in Richmond, at the various !oraca
tons east OF it, and down the York river
THE SIXTY NINTH REGIMENT.