Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-20
Our FronlIer noIonces.

dressed circular 10 the Governors OF the
States bordering the Lakes, on the import
anco Of taking immediate steps to improve
tho Notifications Of the important ports.-
President Lincoln in his late Message, and
Secretary Cameron in his report, also call
the attention of Congress to our frontier de-
fences, and urge that they be increased and
strengthened. The matter is one of intense
interest to the loyal people, for the British
are busiy at work putting all the Canadian
stroDgholds in preparation for war.
In view Of the present aspect of our do
mestic and foreign relations, the N. Y.
Commercial Advertiser has compiled from
various sources the condition Of the military
posts on the frontier, and the Notifications
along the coast. We copy that portion re-
lating to the Lakes and st. Lawrence:
The first of the line of important works
which would form the basis of operations on
the North arc the barracks at the Sault
Ste. Marie, where eight or ten guns can be
mounted. No troops have been stationed
there for some time; the garrison at pres
ent consisting Of the widow Of an officer
who receives thirty-five dollars a month for
the care of the work.
At Mackinaw, the next position on this
line, are works which mount ten guns, com
mandiug the straits Of Mackiuaw, connect
ing Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Tho
importance of this position, in the event Of
extensive naval operations on the upper
lakes, and from the natural facilities afford
ed by the locality for the establishment Of
almost impregnable works, cannot be over
estimated
Fort St. Clair, near the mouth of the st.
Clair river, which connects Lake Huron with
Lako st Clair, forms link in this chain ol
defences. It is situated about tbrty-fve
miles above Detroit, and commands the
communication between Lake Huron and
Lake Erie. No troops have occupied it fol-
some time past, but it can easily be placed
in defensable position.
The works at Detroit, in addition TO thei,
importance in the chain Of frontier defences,
have an additional consequence in defend.
ing populous and wealthy city, situated al
point the most exposed, 10 direct attack,
on the entire line.
Fort Wayne, at this point is in condi
!, ton TO mount its entire armament. The
officers quarters and barracks are still un
finished. The fort has been the object o.
several appropriations by Congress, but il
is still in need of a considerable amount to
fit it for receiving r garrison. 1t has beer
in charge of fort keeper during the past
two years.
Fort Porter, Black Rock, near Buffalo, i,
in good condition, and ready to receive its
armament and garrison. 1t is the mex
in tho line of Northern works and com
mands the Niagara River at this point
No troops have been quartered here fo
some time past.
Fort Niagara, at the mouth of the Mag
ara River, forms the next point in the line
and occupies a strategic position similar t.
that Of Fort Porter. 1t is in condition t.
: mount guns, but the accommodations for {
garrison are incomplete and the means o
storing supplies are entirely inadequate
Much has yet to be done to place it in AT
entirely efficient condition. No troops have
+. been quartered here in long time.
Fort Ontario, at Oswego, New York, oc
cupies the next point in the chain of from
, tier works. Ii is not in condition to receiv
guns, but the accommodations for garrison
, and supplies are good The reventment
and gun platforms are of wood, in con
dition Of decay, but they can be replaced
in short time. The position of Oswegc
as a depot of supplies for vessels on LAX
!, Ontario is of considerable Importance.
Madison Barracks, at Sacketts Harbol
New York, forming another point of opera
tions on this line, is an important position
. and can be placed in defensive condition
q in short time. As a naval station, Sack
n etts Harbor was recognized in the war G
4 1912 as the most important on the North
;, ern frontier.
The Notifications below Ogdensburg al
y situated at the narrowest point in the S
+ Lawrence, and although Insignificant j
4 themselves, are Of the greatest importanc,
: on account of their position. Even tn
slight batteries of 1912 were causes of SCI
ious annoyance to the British forces on tn
opposite shores.
: The Notifications at Rouses Point an
at Plattsburg are the most important @
4 the entire line; forming as they do line
:. sustaining works communicating with tn
a great military depots of this state and th
center OF operations by which Upper Canad
- could be cut off from reinforcements frol
England. The perfect communication b
- water and by several lines of railroad O
= + each side indicate the Importance of th
+, line of advance, without the experience
i fifteen campaigns of which it was the seen
of the principal operations. Its proximit
n to the most populous and wealthy of th
q Canadian cities and to the head of ocea
; navigation on the st. Lawrence is col
4 sideratiou which the merest neophyte
y military science cannot overlook.
N The most important of the works
a 4. Fort Montgomery, at Rouse's Point, whiC
A. although in a half finished condition, wi
at present mount thirty four howitzers an
Ia twenty-six guns. Plattsburg Barracks a
n in good condition, and mount ten guns
a 1t was occupied last year by three con
. panies ofthe Second artillery. Ticonderoe
"a and Crown Point, looming up through Il
darkness of Indian and Colonial swarfal
+ and bearing the blood-stains of every stru
a gle in which the country has been engage
Il Il r