The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-11-12

We give above an accurate map Of the yicini
~ of New Orleans, showing its approaches by
way OF the Mississippi River and by Lake Pont-
chartrain. The Importance Of that city rs
great commercial emporium, and IA . strategic
point indicates the probability that il will ere
long bc visited by a naval and military expcdi.
tion like that which isnow making it, mlrk up.
ON the coast Of South Carolina Il Is, "a our
reader, are aware, the depot and shipping point
for the immense productions Of the West and
Southwest, including cotton, sugar, molasscs
rice, etc, as well as the ccrclia that constitute
tho wealth Of tho Great West, and the natu-
raj cntrcpot for supplies destined for the Missis-
sippi Valley. II is situated lOj miles from
the mouths of the Mississippi (c,llcd ." pass
es, y and loo miles below the mouth of the
Ohio. The city proper lies on tha east bank
Of the Mississippi, which, just here, makes a
curve of about six miles giving it u bow-llke
shape, on its river front, from which fact il
takes the appcllaton OF " the crescent city,
Along the bank OF the river, owing to the LA
hilitv 10 inundation AN cmhankment, or lcycc,
has been erected for the distance Of about 100
miles, Orom Fort Plqucminc to Baton Rousc.)
The width Of this levcc, fronting the city, Is
about 10 feet ; lis height 10 feet. This cm-
bankmcnt forms very fine promenade, AMI Is
much rcsorted to for that purpose, by strangers
aud residents. IL appearance during the husi-
ness season, is almost Undesirable. As Ear Us
the city extends, on miles it is then crowded
with steamboats,, unloading and loading car
goes, and the noise, busilc, confusion, ETC.,
| h, a.
business done, is probably nowhere equLloi.
The population (12j, 600 in 1851 is ola mix.
ed character, and in some portions of the city
the visitor will find it difficult TO believe that
he is in an American city at all, the languages,
manncrs customs, &C., being as varied as u
heterogeneous population Of Americans French,
Spanish, Germans, and Crcocs can mako them.
The buildings like the inhabitants, are varied
in character. In the centre AMI lower parts
they are old r, OF ancient and foreign construc-
tion, while in the other portions they present
modern AMI much more attractive appearance.
The principal buildings are the Custom House,
built of hewn granite at an enormous expense
to the United States (nOt yet completely tho
Charity Hospital, city Hall, II al of Courts
University Of LOuisiann and Old Fellows Hall.
The iOriiications defending the approaches TO
this city, are Fort 81. Philip and Fort Jackson,
iacing each other on either side OF the Mis5ssip-
pi River, about 30 miles from its mouths and
Fort st. Leon, fifteen miles below tho city, on
bend Of the river about five miles tn the west of
a canal connecting Washl Lake with the river
on the southwest, opposite the city, The rahrls
have also planted cOlumhiads at Cnrrolt0n, nine
miles above, and at Englishtown, just below tho
| city. AbOut 40 miles tron these, farther up the
| river, is Fort Dupre, on ths east side, an old
work, built in 1896. Ga the strait connecting
the two lakes, Pontchartrain AMI B0rgnc, is
| Fort Pike, commanding the entrance 10 the city
Al. .,,,I, hall hot
against the British in 1911 10. Fort Macomb,
on the other side Of he Rigoets, also commands
the strait, more to the west. Most Oi these
forts were erected Al the expense Of the United
States Government, and are now in the hands
of the rebels who have also erected indrp' id-
cnt batteries on the river and lakes.
The Federal forces have cut of all comnilni-
cation from the city, by erecting batteries which
command the Mississippi River, just above the
! point where the delta, or passes, put out for the
! Gulf, forming the mouths Of tue Mississippi
! These batteries make a most ellcctual block de
| aud absolutely prevent any approach TO the city