The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-09-18

best points for attack have indicated coast as
beyond all question the best field for operations.
There engaged in the navy yards ut the morn
according the best authorities the following number
/ Of workmeR, viz:
! Brooklyn, New York .:......... $500
Charlestown, near Boston ................ l800
/ Phladelpma :. .-.,......... .I00o
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. ....-,...-... 1900
Total. .............,.,.......g8 $500
In addition every private ship yard has been putinto
requiston So that may safely calculate that not
less that % 900 at work this time construct
ing and fitting out gunboats for annoyance The
most of these at work upon new guuboats OF
light draug designed ard fitted expressly for our
shallow waters in the gulf
The Lincoln government at one time added ferty of
these boats to another sixty; allowing that small pro
portion of the contractors for these boats have failed to
comply with their contracts yet have nearly 100
gunboats specially adapted for the gulf.
tradition to this feet list of seventy vessels IS
given which have been purchased by the Lincoln gov
ernmen to be fitted cut gunboas and all of these
are light draught steamers; twenty others OF larger
class among which the De Seo Bienvile louisiana
and Cahawba formerly in the New Orleans trade, are
being fitted out at Annapolis, Md, with heavy arna-
ments. We see too by the dispatches which have been
reiterated and confirmed that Lincoln secretary of the
navy has just purchased 100 feet clipper ships and
sehooners to be fitted up at once gunboats And to
arm all these vessels contract has just been entered
into with northern firm to manufacture sixty riHed
cannon of heavy calbre, week. In addition to these
the regular navy of the United States now numbers
about seventy vessels and all of these vessels foreign
stations have been ordered home.
We thus see that the Lincoln government will, by
November at the arthest have its disposal about 800
armed vessels Now, although the total coast line Of
the Confederate States, following all the indentations
of the shores is about % 900 miles yet drawing the
line from headland to headand the coast is only about
5000 miles Lincoln will therefore soon be able to put
Gordon of vessels around whole coasts having the
vessels within sight of each other and less than ten
miles apart. These vessels will constantly be attemp
ting descents on coasts that is their chief bus
And is it not the height of madness and folly in
in the face of such gigantic preparations made directly
against U.s. to fold and trust to Providence aud
an o7erworked government to protect and defend u.s.
when we have ample means for own defencein
hands?
No doubt it will be asked. 'sWhat good could one or
two gunboas do against such overwhelming force as
Lincoln could send against us2n The answer is easy.
We have perhaps the most detensble coast along the
gulf nature has done much for that have but
little to do to protect ourselves against unlimited
beTs OF the enemy Nearly the whole of the coast OF
st. Mary lies along Cote Blanche aad Vermillion bays
along the margin Of these bays the long reach OF
Marsh island extends from the opening of one bay the
terminus OF the other, making nearly a complete mare
causurei there being but three passes the main gulf
two at the east end and at the west cud
Vi tueoe Days 40 DDhl hIuNIig over seven fGet can
enter these passes and to be efficient in the bays she
should draw less. Now not one vessel out OF a hun
dred OF Lncoins feet will be able enter these bays
from the single fact that gunboa fitted for the naviga
ton OF these bays could not be brought around the
Atlantic and into the gulf where we can construct most
excellent gunboats here Of heavy armament and per
tecty adapted to the bays,
The Lincoln boats viii anchor outside and send in
their lauaches and such boats % the Dart aud others
recently taken off Galveston. The launches carry from
eight to twelve oars aud from twenty to seventy men,
with Dahlgreen boat howltzer in their bows: these
howitzers usually TO 6pounders and throw grape
canister, and shell with terrible effect at short range
Now, one good steam gunboat, of fair speed armed
with SO paixhan, rfed 32pounder could keep out
OF harms way and destroy any number of such launches
and small crafts could get into the bays If she did
not prevent their getting in at all She could further
more throw off boats at several points along the coast
and give timely warning that could secure our
families and gather proper points resist the nya
ders, should they effect landing.
Surely there should be no hesancv in setting to work
with all our build antrm one or two gunboas
at once.
understand the government has taken possession of
the steamer Mobile at Berwicks bay and is fitting her
out gunboat but have no security that she NAV
not be ordered to Barratara Gallon or esewherc let
Us build boats for ourselves and then the government
will keep them here for protection We have not
moment to lose; it is barely possible for to build
boats in time il we begin immediately Should we neg
ect or hesitate to provide gunboats and every other
defence, firmly believe that not ninety days will pass
until our coast will be invaded and our sugar houses
will be in flames and our people should recolect that
no insurance office will pay for property burned up by
our enemy. Our only security is in timely prevention
An engineer has just surveyed the passes at south
west pass, and the two at the end and from what
have learned of tile survey, believe it will appear
hat although two forts may be built vet they
y afford full protection These forts if built
WILL however, protect gunboas against oyerwhelm-
ng odds
propose to offer hereafter suggestions in rela
ion to mainland deences, and proper organisation
If volunteer forces; also the question Of proper
Signals aud the best means of providing, in cases OF
'arm, system Of neighborhood rallies for the proec
ion Of families. j. b. r. /