The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-07
Missiseinni sound-shin Island.

4ASa4 tlS VI ~ 10 NEW GIiedBs " huOh
her WE'LL and also know the dangers Of her exposed
situation, and having witnessed the great mob of the
brokers Offices think can form pretty correct
idea of the danger lurking in portion Of their matere
The Bulletin says q gentleman WHO was born almost
within sight Of Mississippi sound and who knows every
foot of il like book thinks that the great Importance
of Ship island to our deences is not sufficiently
appreciated by our Confederate and State Authorities
and he requests to urge upon them the necessity Of
placing the island in such condition. with the least
possible delay will make its capture BY the enemy
impossible The harbor is of the best in America
with depth of some twenty-five feet Of water, and
large enough TO hold any number Of menof-war that
might seek il. Vessels of war reach itin about
four hours from Mobile bay and FIVE from the mouth
of tile Mississippi Our friend says that the fortifca-
tons at present On the island could be sheed out in
almost no time by few such evathans as the Brook
4 yn and Minnesota They could approach our works
in certain direction within mile and half and only
two or three Of the eleven guns at present mounted
could reach them
lie il apprehensre that unless the Notifications
greatly strengthened, and constructed upon basis
much more comprehensive and varied, We shall wake
up some fine morning, when the enemy gets everything
prepared and find Ship island and its fine harbor in
! possession Of Liucolns officials They woald hardly
attempt to take the island until they are ready for at
lacking our coasts with their bridges Of genboats-
which they are preparing-and il they should get
possession Of it with their formdab, ships-ofwar it
would cost IL good deal Of oable and loss retake
IT, 1t il certainly better to make it, defences i'm
pregnable to attack let it cost what it WILL in labor
Is Just from the sound and he il not who takes
advice Of his fapces or Of any idle fears. Work upon
the Notifications is still going on and is to be hoped
it will be conducted in such and upon such a
basis rs will secure the object in view
\ We fully concur in the views Of the gentleman we
allude to- ID the great Importance Of Ship island to
the enemy in the winter as base Of operations for
attacking the whole line Of the gulf coasts His ships
could there lie in safety under his guns; he could OBJ
tain wood and water and sally out upon his marauding
expeditions his leisure He would be likely to land
large army destined to operate against southern
coasts upon the island, and thus make it biz winter
quarters. It is evident therefore, that unless it is
made impregnable, and as quick possible, that he
may attempt to take it be is ready for his
fall operations in this quarter We trust that our
friends apprehensons the safety Of the island,
may prove without foundation in fact; and especially
since there is yet time to put it into such state as
will convince the enemy Of the folly Of any effort 10
take it.
The Conerate authorities have shown their sagacity
in commencing the work OF fortifyng it. and shall
be much mistaken in the vigilance sagacity and energy
Of that ndomitable and patriotic Old brave the vet
eran Gen. Twiggs, if the enemy catch him mapping
or unprepared to meet him. If any error is made, it
Il better it should BE- made Oh the right side The great
desire Of citizens generally TO have the Mississippi
sound and coasts placed in condition Of timely
and thorough defence is our apology, if apology be
needed, for abiding the subject 50 frequently and in
terms so pointed. We do not know that the enemy
will invade in the fall It is certainly within the
limits Of possibility that convinced Of the utter hope
lessne=s and sheer absurdty and downright madness
of the attempt to suhugnte great country inhabited
by brave, enlightened and powerful people, with
abundant OF resources and all the modern weapons Of
warfare tie may consult ordinary Common sense and
his interests well the lessons Of history and
experience, and conclude make peace, or At least
cease operations for while in order to reflect upon
the business gather up his legions to renew the
combat; but then we don't know this either, and tits
unsafe to any thing to probabilities to luck or
to place too low an estimate On the enemys resources
or on bis disposition prosecute the war or to take
too favorable view Of the power Of the anti-war party
of the north and west or Of the moral effect Of the
great victory in Virginia either at home abroad.
If all the circumstances combine in favor and peace
ensue WELL but we should 90 on, stragh on with our
preparations if absolutely certain that the
enemy would come down upon us within two months
like the legions OF Here's and attack both by sea
and the river, in any other way that he may think
possible If his emb4ttled hosts come not our pre-
parltions will not have been made in vain. They will
have done much to deter them from coming and they
will constitute the foundations Of the permanent de-
fences which great emporium like New Orleans should
! always have.
The Bulletin Of later date, says, observe on the
French side of the Bee that two letters from governor
I. 0. Moore to major Benjamin Buisson, which sug
gest some curious reflections The first Is dated New
Orleans July il, 1861, and authorises major Busson
to Notifications for the protection of the city
outside Of its limits and for this purpose to take pos
session Of such positions houses and other property
might be necessary to effect the object it being under
stood Of course that the owners should be paid fair
price for whatever might be taken On the 2st Of the
same month this authority vas revoked the governor
stating that be will not hereafter grant any authority for
works Of defence without the appreciation Of the Con
federate commander Of this department It is ardenty
to be desired that there may bs clash disagree
ment between our Conferate State municipal author
tiles in reference to our common defence Nor should
there be any confused counses and above all blum
ders Furthermore, there is no time to be spent in
any wrangng The interests at stake will not admit
oft Let our authorities take step without mature
delberation and consultation with regular military
gineers other officers thoroughly competent to de-
eide upon what is necessary to be DONE and then let
them take no steps backward. The enemy will know
every thing that ranspire, and if there is any weak
place in our dcences or confusion in counses he
will be certain to profit byit Forewarned forearmed
For the Southwestern,
MEssRs EDrroRs If Col. J. A. McRady will consent
to be candidate for member to the Legislature Of
this State be will be supported by the undersigned
voters Of ward No 8:
Z. H. Matthews, Wm. Mulball,
Micajah johnson, Willis Pollard
r. IT purh John " Mares