The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-05-24
Fortress Monroe.

AT the present time the following descrip-
ton Of Fortress Monroe, which We find in
the New York Day Book, viii interest many
persons:
Fortress Monroe is strong fortified gar
rlson, situated on that point of land formed
by the extreme western bank Of the Chesa-
peake and the extreme eastern bank of Hamp-
ton Roads. and at the junction of the two
waters: 1t ives discovered during the war Of
i'I,-i4 that Chesapeake Bay was tn kew
to all the waters Of Virginia and Maryiara.
anu al VINO are at all familiar with the hisro-
ry OF the country, will remember that British
vessels came into Hampton Roads, and moi
only took the town Of Hampton, but threat
ened 10 apply the torch to Norfolk. that.
Phenix-like, had sprung from the ashes Of a
former war with that power. Peace was de-
ciared In 1915, and when the next Congress
met they took into consideration the subject
OF coast and harbor defenses; accordingly
board OF engineers was appointed, and al ap-
/ preparation made for the prosecution of such
plans As might be decided upon.
About tins time the grand army ot Napo-
: leon WAS quiet. and several of his principal
Officers made our republican country their
home; among they was General Bernard, an
experienced soldier, and one of the most
>hli!iu. engineers then existing. He was ac-
cordlrgly invited to assist in the work of ar
ranging our system of coast and harbor de-
Tense, and in 1916, in company with several
American officers, projected Fortress Monroe
and tort Calhoun, more generally known as
the Zip Raps." The work was laid off and
~
time TO this there has been more or sss work
going on at Fort Monroe, and while that
work Is sufficiently advanced to be placed in
STATE OF defense Il IS far from being finish
ro- inc extent OF the work may be Judged
from the tact that II Is over a mile around
The ramparts; tie wall covers space Of
twenty or twenty-five acres, and there are a.
bout hfteen acres inside the garrison. Be
SIDES barracks, officers quarters, and chapel.
mere are store houses, work shops tnot row
IN uSe,i laboratory, an offce,and several un-
important buildings within the walls.
he caSemftes commence in the vicinity
OF the postern, behind the water battery. and
extend, with little intermission, to the arcb.d
doorway: on either side of tha, entrane. a~a
classmates which are used as quarters for the
officer ot the day. guard house and barracks
tor me guard. Those nearest the portculIis
have embrasures which are intended 10 pro
'ect thai point from attack. Indeed all The.
c,tSenatt> are supplied with embrasures, be-
hind winch are 10 Founders. On the ram
parts at those points where there are no CASE
mates. are mounted guns upon wooden 1ar.
HaSts, whose saucy looking mLzzles are
p.iiniN to he seen above the green turf that
caps The fortlilcatlOn. At the extreme south
rrt baSiion tioals the Stars and stripes, while
list be.o~ II on the inside of the garrison. 5
heat little Episcopal church, where the
chaplain. Nr theever, still continues to offer
up hl> prayers for the Union and It's Pres
dent \ deep moat surrounds the whole
woIAi ta'- moat : supplied with water from
Nj Gre, \. and whie the yates are oner.
o5h> and flows with the tide.
HE Water Battery. Ike all the masonry
on tins fort. IS beautiful piece Of work: i
: hhllt OF stone, and is sufficiently thick TO
Withstand any shot that can be projected a.
SAlH>i II ron. the bay beyond l. is finished
WIN clStnatrS, the arches of which are turn
-. "-'h brick and resi- upon granite columns
IN tn rear. Ihis battery has tortv-two en-
brl>Ure>. and Is supplied with i like number
II A. Founders. which, like all the rest O. the
-ans III the garrison. are fully mounted and
ready .Ur action - ~----- u-'~.-- r,sr. -sr-
.t+ "ik, al. i only intended as d means OF
','r!er 4h4 defense when attacked by a tarC,.
nn tie water. This portion of the wor, H..
Inc rampari>. Is covered with d green mr..
AMI presents bta!..tli and pleasant jrau..
"tdr IN summer a';efi.cas. A. the ulpe~
or Aor'hern extremity OF Ia. batter, c'f,
mence> rtdouht OF breastworA Thai ,A,,....
around L ti~ :. int o. that ba>t:ol i, su.,.,
* nag Z, : situated: IN he mi,!!ie .,
'lr froo1 L 5 >allN-qort or yo>rern that
.'A'.> |" Al outer work tuot yet tin.s,.rt!l; TIA,
: intended / protect lie fort from the lind
SIDE,
>, '"mmandl"s the entrance o.. II .p,,,,
N'''',: rs guns eitrciua.i. blockade the jam,
'''' f"z ,'eth ri'er, stopping all ,.>..l,
''Hi'" 'i,4rr t. "r from Richmond. Peters
n.rs or Norfolk.