The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-11-01
From the Philadelphia Press.
Federal View Of the Approaches to New
Orleans.

The river at the Balize divides into four
branches, disoharging themselves respect
lively through Pass rOutre, Northeast
Pass, South Pass and Southwest Pass
Above, where these four outlets begin
there ere two forts, almost opposite TO
each other named jackson and st. Phil
lip. When this rebellion broke out, they
were not efficiently mounted and could
easily have been taken. What additions
the traitor Twiggs has. made to their de
fense is not known. Ii they are well
mounted it would be very difficult for o
feet to pass up the main body Of the
river.
There are, however, three other modes
OF approach by water to the city. The
one is through lakes Borgne and Pout-
chartrain, another up the Atchaialaya TO
Berwick bay, and thence by bayous Torel
and Plaquemne to Iberville, one hundred
miles above New Orleans, and third by
way of Grand Pass and bayou Latourche
to Donaldsouviue, eighty miles above the
city. By the first named route, vessels Of
from fifteen to eighteen. feet draught can
be brought to the lake house, located five
miles from the city. The troops landed
there can be taken up the canal by water,
or can march atsopca up, the shell road
the prettest road in America. Along II
any amount OF if0ops can be marched.
On either side OF it or the canal, which
runs parallel, the ground falls away into
a swamp covered with dense underground,
afording magnificent covers for skirmish-
ers or rihemen. These, however, could
be easily brushed. There is not a spot
along the whole Ave miles Of road upon
which there is any kind Of fertilization
save barricades.
| It is along this route that q heavy trade
is carried on between Mobile and the
Crescent City the length Of these two
/ lakes, including the Rigolotte, is about
| ll0 miles. At the entrance of BoTgne
the easternmost OF the two, lie three is
lands known as Cat, Ship and Horse
Upon the main, right opposite TO them, is
| Mississippi City, the post said to have
been lately seized and fortified by ou
troops. Recent adyices indicate that
earthworks are being thrown up on Cat
and Ship Islands These, with batteries
constructed upon the northeastern tongue
Of the parish Of st. Bernard, would etiec-
tually cut off all commerce between these
two cities, and prevent the entrance and
departure OF any vessel coming from OF
going to sea. AT least single armed yes
sci, in addition, would effectually close
the wide strait where Borgne debouches
into the gulf
The Atchaialaya affords, at the barrel
stakes, only twelve feet water, but above
that any depth needed, thirty or forty
miles. Through it, and the Plaquemine,
vessels Of that draught can pass to lber'
ville into the Mississippi, at any time
from the first Of December to the first ol
june when the river is full
Vessels Of ten feet draught can 90 uT
the Bayou Lalourche during the same sea
son Of the year.
Moreover the western extremity Of
Borgne comes within twelve miles Of the
city itself, and from thence means could
be found to march troops and munitions
Of war, Notwithstanding the swampy char
acter Of the country for the greater part
of the route.
New Orleans can easily be taken, toi
the Confederates have not the means o.
defending all these flank approaches, a.
well as the approach by the main river.
Doubtless other modes Of access, as easy
and practicable as those pointed out car
be found, should it be fonnd necessary.