The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-10
Invasion of the Mississippi River.

GleFs koEosc New OfleanS) NeWSDoN Is Gaining dtteA
ton to the more than probable invasion of Louisiana
and the shameful neglect heretofore manifested t.
place dear beloved Crescent city in state of de
fence Gunboats descending the Mississippi river cal
with the greatest ease be transferred to lake Aaurapas
thence into lake PontchartIan, and then up the neT
canal and bayou St. JOHN to the very centre of tbs
city. Several small canals and bayous disembourge il
lake Borgne, and head the Mississippi river jus
below the barracks In 1914, the whole of the British
army that invested New Orleans assembled of thest
canals or bayous On the opposite side of the river
there are three or four canals or bayous, below
and some above the city, besides bayous Lafougehe
Plaquemine and the Atchafalaya river all comfnunica
ting with Barataria bay.
Every one who knows governor, know full vel
his of capacity for devising any military defences
lie is doubt good planter-quet and sOciable eit
and neghbor but possessing the remotes ideas
of military operations; it might, therefore, have been
reasonably expected that he would have taken the ad
vice Of competent military advisers and make some
show Of defence at home instead of sending the flower
of troops abroad-even the favorte and the best
drilled corps in the whole country, the Washington
artillery were sent away. Mere soldiers of single
DdlLe, WHO uCNSt even
been elevated to the highest stations.
The Newsboy says, early in the fall we may expect
serious attempt invade Louisiana and eapture New
Orleans 1t will be made by a heavy force intended
to be overwhelming 1t will be successful unlcss pro-
per guards are provided. We alsrmist for we
believe the enemys approach be efficiently resisted
We believe that he could have been easily prevented
from occupying the Mississippi sound strong float
ing battery the head of the passes would prevent
any aotlla from entering the river and would protect
the minor passes. At present, however, the enemy.
commands all the greater and minor approaches to the
city from below When cool weather approaches, sail
ing vessels carrying troops and munitions could bring
immense army these emptied of their contents,
could be placed each side of steam vessels of war;
which thus protected could pass the forts in the night
with but little fear of danger. Steam Transports in
the way could bring up soldiers and the forts be
invested from above and below Indeed one of the
officers Of the navy assured the other day that it
neither mpracticlble nor unlikely that the Brook
Ign should pass the forts without sustaining serious in
jury while, once passed. she could come up here and
Law the city under contribution. The Danger from above
he thought still moreimmneut Sfthe work in plating
steamboats, with ren wasreaIly going at Cincinnati
under the United States officer named it would be well
done and if these boats came down the river past any
Notifications or batteries at the rate of eighteen or
twenty miles hour current and steam power united
they would escape the effects of any batteries which
could fire upon them. On the other hand if the des
ccnding boats could be stopped half an hour even
less time long enough for the batteries to play upon
them, they could be sunk.
This brings to speak Of floating boem orbattcTy
projected by Gen. Beauregard and recommended by
him to the military board before his leaving to take
command at Charleston The military board after
dissolved, and being succeeded by civilians, and Gen.
D. being absent, his plan remained unnoticed.
1t is hardly advisable here to give the details Of
structon but the drawings made under his Inspections
are to be seen ut the cusomouse in the hands of the
architect, with whom they have been deposited. 1t
may be mentioned that it is divided into two parts So
that each will be angle Of thirty degrees withtte
bank one side to be securely anchored land at one
end and in the river at the other the river end Of the
other being locked to the first that may be
lrawn open by wire rope IL the adjoining fort in
order to let friendly vessels pass. On it at suitable in
ervas are to be pontoons floats, upon which small
lowitzers could be placed with guards and sentrcs,
which floats will also prevent the boom from being rid
len down. The manner in which it would be placed
forts Jackson and St. Philip would expose any ship
attempting through it ride over to a raking
ire from fort and a full broadsde from the other.
Captains John D. Duncan and Brand are said to have
acquired such skill in gurnery that they hit beef
,arrel at two and half miles with an eight inch Co
umbiad, twice out Of five shots and would certainly
10 great execution ascending ships in daylight; but
n dark and stormy night, they might not be
essul. Iften ships should attempt to go up at once
i've might be sunk and five get by, and these FIVE be
nough to destroy our city A like boom would be of
quail value above Memphis, or fort Wright or some
imar fertilization. Otherwise may expect to see
he enemy successfully descend the river. Admitting
hat he will be vanquished soil, this will
lot pay for she damage he will de our towns and
for the lives of our brave men lost in
irving him back.
Gen Reaaregard stands row before the people of
he Confederate States as e general Of first rank. As
n engineer he is thought be without his superior
Vt Charleston and in Virginia his advice is once I'M
esitatingly Cbeyed. Shall Louisiana, by dsregarding
lis advice prove that prophet is not without
ouor save in his own country? If she does so she
layHepcnt in sackcloh aud in the ashes of her own
hief city =