New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-14

the fort would certainly have been planned differently
in several important particulars History furnishes
too many instances Of the fall Of fortreses alleged "a
be impregnabe, to allow us for q moment to claim
that destruction for Fortress Monroe. The history Of
the siege, the gallant defense and final fall of Fort
Sumter is too recent to allow US to forget how yerv
much depends the policy of the Government and
the action Of the commanding officer not only after thu
enemy shall have appeared before the walls with tho
avcwed attacking parpcss, but more especially on the
FIRST fawning of the possibility that such may ever
however remotely-be the case.
A fort in the common aceeptation impregnablA may
| be lost thrown away; and one having but little
claim TO the appelation may make heroic and sue.
cessful defense. Whether Fortress Monroe is I'm.
pregnable well the defense she will make II be-
sieged will depend very much on the action Of the
Government in providing garrison, but perhaps.mor
on the capacity Of the commanding officer. That tho
fortress will ever yield, except to regular sege, scen
tioaly planned, and vigorously prosecuted by large
and we-appointed army is scarcely possible; and II is
quite improbable that che will ever be thus be.
sieged if abe is properly commanded. It is scarcely
probable that the enemy will attempt at to Get
himself down beneath the walls Of the fort. Skfully
directed, he will plant himself st comparatively remote
distance around and then gradually contract the circle.
A skillful commander sufficiently alive to the Ina.
portsnce of bis position, properly appreciang tho
enemy and equal TO the bold and energetic exercise Of
responsibility, VIII not allow batteries thus 10 be
poued. 1t gives gea, pleasure to state that thus
far the rebels have not attempted TO plant gun within
the range Of bose Of Fort Monroe, for Col. Dmmick
| gave them early notice thar lie would net permit
them to make such demonstration If his guns could
prevent them. The country breahed freer when as
sured Of this fact and it would be no lees rejoiced to
learn tat, acting in the spirit, and showing the
same forecast, COL Dimmick had determined that not
within ten or fifteen miles Of the fort will he permit
batteries 10 be planted, bodies of armed men to in.
trench themselves, it, by cooperating with the Flag.
Officer of ths station, by expeditions organized from
his own garrison, he prevent their initial steps to
the investment Of tho fort 1t is mpregnable accord
ing 70 the vigilance used.
The country wishes to again not single feature
Of the siege of Fort Sumter the gallaDtry snd
fidelity Displayed by the commanding officer and the
devoted garraon. II wishes not to tie commander
OF post, especially one of so much importance as
Fortress MoE0e hampercd by Instructions such as tied
Major Andersons hands and compelled him for months
view ia silence the preparations for his destruction.
Had his instructions trlmmeled him. he, doubt,
would have commanded Charleston Harbor with his
gunq and Fort Sumter would not have fallen. Had be
been leffee 10 act ard hal he faedthus hisguns
he would lave been reniss TO the performance of bis
duty, -hcwn a want of vigor and proved himself def.
cen in foresight. II is to be presumed that after
what las occurred the Government at Washington Las
trammecd any other COMMANDER with instructions ike
those which tied the hands of Major Anderson, and in
view OF 81 of the last six months, the country,
and Doubtless the Government sso, expects that no
commanding officer vi fail to be awake to the evident
tactics Of the enemy, omit TO zee to it well het
Gordon of batteries are placed around him within
any dissuco he can keep free. What is required 10
| bold, vigorous, instant action.
The day for ecting on the defensive purely past.
The fruits too bitter for repetition. Strong as Fort
Monroe unquessionsbly is it IL not strong enough to
enluio such policy. There is section of country
back Of Fort Monroe, between Jsmes and York Rivers
OF great strategic importance. The rebels alive 10
the fact for they have commenced erecting batteries at
different points within tie circle of fifteen miles, To
the military eye this is the first step necessary tho
investment Of Fort Monroe, and the Commander Of
Fort Monroe never should permit these batteries to
stand FIR single day. If they not defended bys
strong force, an expedition from the Fort which the
garrison would gladly undertake. would destroy them
in Gay. Ii they should prove 10 be strongly defended
ard the nlcleus of important operations looking toward
Fort Monroe then there would be all the
for knowing ,he TACT.
hope that Col. Dinm;cks instructions such a
will justify Linn in securing the country for miles in lis
rear and hope also, that, his instructions permitting,
he will feel it his duty do To do it successfully,
and not weaken his garrison, he should have
more men, Not less than 500 men should be employed
ia securing the country. Ii would perhaps, weaken
lis garrison too much to withdraw that number any
Length of time. Therefore cay, and 1t s what all
military Lien awake TO the subject will say that the
country between York and James Rivers sloud 10
thoroughly secured, the Rebels dispersed and their
batteries Destroyed, and the Government ought to
furnish Col. Dimmick the requisite men, and il
necessary, orders aleo.
Hay:n, witnessed through almost all its stages the
siege of For; Sumter and knowing how fatal wss the
,ss.iye policy of defense, cannot resist ut,ering
warning in regard to Fortress Monroe. 1t is the apple
Of ViIpinias eye Without this fort in her possession,
M has no apnroaeh 10 the seaboard. Ii blochades the
cnti.e State; humbes her pride, and cnPpes her in
every way II is scarcely be presumed that she Will
no; attempt its captnre. Why docs she plant tho bat
ts,;es hayc referred to but the commencement OF
such a work Whether she has 500 or l1,OOO men
on the peninsula between York and James Rivers mo-
bsdy knows: whaiever the fact is it is OF the hgheH
Importance " Fortress Monroe.
The work of mounting heavy guns goes on eons.@ne
", and officers are employed in making observations
That there is much ability embraced in tie lis. OF re8u
lar officers am entirely persuaded. The desire Tor ac-
tive operations s universal.
The rumor that there is a Rebel camp back OF Hamp-
ton ia paly confirmed. 1t is not impossible that IN
Z, 10 out in