Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-07-11
B, CqEles & Co.. Publishers.
VOL. XIV.
I.eller rrom Fort Iaaepenaenee.

| FoRT lSDEPENDRNcE, Bosr0N, MASS,
July sth, 1861.
EDITOR LRADER: The ancient and time.
hOnored city Of Boston lies sweltering in
the intolerable heat Of . July sun. Even
our island fortress, which is generally Wis
tied by splendid morning breezes, is as
close and dry as il well can be. The grass
on the ramparts is literally parched, and
the heat reflected from the walls is suff-
client 10 burn up a regiment of Secession
lists. Generally, however, this is the pleas
ATTEST little fort in the United States. 1t
is situated or Castle Island, which contains
about thirty acres, and on the old charts is
marked Castle William. A castle was err
ectsd here by the English about the year
1860, and was occupied y them until they
were compelled to evacuate the harbOr by
Gen. Washington. Since that event the
island has been occupied by United States
troops The present forti6cation was
commenced in 1887, believe. Its foil ar
mament, including the water batteries, is
one hundred and ten guns.
Only forty-four Barbette thirty-twO
pound guns are mounted as yet, though the
huge Columbiads for the casemates are on
skids outside the Fort. The scenery around
the Fort is beautiful indeed. The city is
about three miles distant, and connected
with the island by couple Of steamboats,.
Just across the main channel, and mile
distant, is Castle Winthrop, an unfinished
work. When completed, it will be q very
strong fertilization indeed, and will mount
one hundred and twenty guns. At the en-
trance Of the harbor, and four miles dis
tant, is another unfinished work, Fort
Warren. When this is completed, and
mounted with Columbiads, it will be the
third largest forti6cation in the United
States, and the city Of Boston will be per-
fectly protected.
All around are the islands covered with
neat white dwelling houses and larger pub
lie buildings. With four or five barges
and sail boats at our command, and cheer
full boats crews, we army officers enjoy
the fine breezes, good fishing, SC, &C., "0d
PIenun."
Our only trouble, at present is, that the
forts are full Of Massachusetts volunteers,
who seem to consider that all property be-
longing to the United States can be desolat-
ed and destroyed by citizen soldiery with
perfect impunity. With this exception,
they are as fine Q lot of soldiers as one
could wish to see Their officers are per-
feet gentlemen and accomplished military
men. They will all, doubtless, do honor to
their native State when they come on the
field of battle. The people Of Boston and
vicinity are as intelligent and courteousa as
it is possible to find in any country. Toe
city people are always ready to go square
or two if need be to show you the way out
of their interminably crooked streets.
Boston celebrated the glorious Fourth
iu magnificent style. The city was deco
rated with flags and banners of all kinds.
Some of them bore inscriptions very appro
pirate for the occasion. Across State street.
where the citizens were fired upon by Gen
Cages troops in March, 1770, was stretched
q huge flag signifying the fact. The City
Hall and Common were adorned with all
the National flags; but highest and most
beautiful Of them all was the Stars and
Stripes. "Long may they wave" The
customary OratiOn, military parade and
fire works were gone through with in true
Yankee style. Maj. CObb's battery Of ar
tillery was on duty. He has fine corps
of men, who can and will strike terror TO
the hearts of the rebels.
The celebration was attended with the
usual chapter Of accidents, as some quar-
ters Of the city can abundantly testify. The
loss Of property from dres arising from fire
works imperfectly handled, amounts to
$4,000, including the loss Of eight YES
sells. Truly yours, FRANK.