The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-02
Military Intelligence.


under the auspices Of the Independence Guard Twelfth
regiment, COL Daniel Butterdeld, delivered Tues
day evening, at Irving Hall, in Irving place. by Lieut.
Ebert l. vele late Of the United States Corps OF Eng
neers and Captain Of Engineers OF the Seventh reg
men Of this city The subject Of the lecture Tuesday
evening was Field Fortihcations Campaign Duty - &c.
The lecturer introduced TO the audience by Col
terrified, In few brief PREDATORY remarks the
sty of volunteer sodery acquiring other knowledge
Of the science Of besides Of the manual
Of arms, school Of the company and battalion move
ments.
The lecturer, after dwelling at some length on the
necessity Of military education to who are en-
trusted with the command Of troops proceeded TO describe
the responsibilities which devolved the commanding
officer. among which he enumerated the necessity of fol
lowing his instructions with judgment and nrmness
and knowledge Of the personal habits and character
his men. To this succeeded description Of his duties
march previous TO entering upon which he should fur
nsh himself with accurate information the state OF the
issara tho method Of transportation the quantity
OF clothing and ammunition and the mode Of conveyance
for the sick and wounded He then dwet upon the duty
Of the soldier 10 himself as to the preservation Of his
health, and more particularly TO the avoidance OF
wholesome food which he illustrated by examples from
the Mexican war and lie var in the Crniea.
Tho lecturer then dwelt at length the necessity
Of drill and remarked that It would require 900
TO efficiently coast and interior dcfences;
it might be imagined that these men could be supplied
rolled militia Of New York State amounts to $50 900, and
yet there only 2l3 efficiently armed appears by
is similarly crcumstanced out Of $50 900 enrolled
only 600 armed and disciplined; and the lecturer
drew from these premises the rather disheartenng oon
clusion tina. the country would be powerless against
He then entered upon the immediate subject Of tho
lecture, "Fied Works. which ne illustrated by two ja-
grams and gave detailed description OF revetments,
gabons fascines sand bags &C. This succeeded by
description OF the outlines of Geld works. in winch the
rVn he
command, &c, all most OF which should DC found in
connection with every field work. He then went into
detailed account Of the different descriptions Of field
forticatoDs including the Retan the double Redan the
triple Redan the Lunette and the different kinds OF
doubts circular, quadratera and poly gona the star
fort and the Fashioned fort and he this de-
scrpon with notice OF the advantage and disadvantage
The lecturer then described what may perhaps be
called auxiliary defences such as loophoes sockades,
tambours and blockhouses.
The construction Of the parapet next taken up,
and minute description given Of the manner Of tracing
Thus having described the nature OF the several kinds
Of forhcations the method of constructing them and
the auxiliary helps Of which they susceptible
subject Of obstacles TO rctard the approach Of
enemy naturally presented ITSELF aud they
lucdy treated OF and discussed under the several heads
Of PALISADES raises, cheveaux abatts and uous
dc loup
The construction Of tetesdepont was next taken up
and the importance Of the work and method Of
tion Of shines, and the manner Of forming dafOnd
Ing them.
lecturer
Of fortyng houses, and Of converting house into
blockhouse, If necessary.
The principles Of attack then elucdated and dc
scribed very mnutey in which the distinction between
siege and blockade and the nature and Of lines Of
decentralization and ccuntervalaton, the works Of shell
o BY ns
with much exaotneas and appeared 10 give great salts
faction.
This was naturally followed by discourse on the prn.
cpes Of defence In which the lecturer ucidy described
the various means Of annoying beseging party and
polling his attacks IN which he wss Is happy a. upon the
The lecturer concluded by elucidatss the principles
he had yelopeA with much learning and ability, by
outline sketch the siege OF sebastopo the opening
paragraph OF which s really brilliant that must
do ourselves the qualification Of presenting 20
propose to illustrate this subject Of field fortified.
tions attack and defence by outline sketch OF the
siege Of sebastopoi-ths most extraordinary contest
which history has, probably will records
war In which Catholic and Protestant united with
ndcl in an attack On the head OF the Greek Church,
question OF religion!-which dccded-a war
begun In haste, and ending in disaster 70 ell parties
cerncd. ana victory TO none-a war In which for twelve
bali m1on Of soldiers ratified In vain against the walls
Of absolaiism It was not thai EngLnds chivalry lad
terz MareDgo faded from the Gag Of France or
that Rnssia had suddeny developed pfowess unknown
10 her before. It was none Of these but was because
Russia had sought, and found In the moment OF peril
what every people look for In their hour Of ncedwbat
thirty millions Of Americans looking for IN
van-the for the crisis She found him; but not
among her princes and her noblcs not from the
LIS. Of her generals her statesmen but the person
Of young and hitherto unknown engineer who with that
quick comprehensive and clear judgment known only
him who combines An educated with q practical mind,
raw at glance the work be DONE and the
with Stripping the shipping in the harbor OF their
guns and everything elae that would be available on
land he surk their huls 10 the channel and with the
materials obtained he prepared 10 defend unforted
town against formidable force.
How well he did II the history OF the siege win toll.
The most important works thrown up In the face
and fire Of the enemy In vain the tide Of battle surgcd
against them they like coral reefs amid tho
OF the ocean, where the ashng Of the only
10 aid in their construction
The lecturer then proceeded 10 give description 81
Sebsstopol and its fortncatons the landing OF the Al
lies the march Sebastopol battle OF tho Alma bat
tie Of Baaclavs and the terrific charge cavalry and
stormng of Sebastopol the whole ntersperssd with crf
hqu>s upon the Russian and allied works, their tao
tics. &c.
The lecturer listened with the most marked at
tnton and moro particularly during his graphic descrp
tion Of the siege
Among the prominent military men present were
Brigade Major Samuel NJ Avord Of the Second brigade
MAJOR Hubbell, do; Col j. O. Pinckney, OF the sixth
regiment; Division Inspector Norre ex Commtssary ).
II. hobart Ward, Capt Mansfield Lowell late Of the New
York City Guard, ex Lieut.. Col. Weeks, and others
Sopremc Court-Ceneral Term.
Before Hon Judges Clarke y Sutherland Alien