The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-12
IMPORTANT FROM RICHMOND AND HAIR
PER'S FERRY.


PER'S FERRY.
OUR BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENTS.
BAInMoKE June 10, 1854.
Fun Desc ipion efhe Ds3encss Of Richmond
Batteries ON York Rivera Nouement a. Hapy's Ferry
The Rtbels there SHu Receiving supplies d., DC.
learned today, from o source entitled to implicit
credit the following facts relating to the de'ences Of
Richmond. The subject OF defending the city has been
before the people for . period extending back many
months before the commencement Of the war II was
one TO which Henry A. Wise gave much Of hs attention
while Governor Of the State, and IL aropriaton Of
half million Of dollars from the state treasury for the
fertilization Of the York river though not passed during
his administration, brought forward by him, and
zeaously urged by his friends It il believed that II
Richmond 10 attacked by General Butler II viii be by
hoops brought the York river Persons not acquainted
with the topography OF the country, and looking on q
map would suppose that troops could sail much easier
and neayer by coming up James river the city is stu
a,ed on that stream. But such Ia not the case. The
james river is nayigable Richmond, but s
below that city tortuOus and the channel is not
deep Batteries been erected upon it, however, in
anticipation OF possible attempt to pass it. The York
river, the other hand, is broad and deep stream
until about twenty miles from the city where there is
excellent place for the Decentralization of troops From
this place Richmond there ia excellent wagon road
and other roads mnch inferior and little used yet
capable Of being OF service in 1t desired TO ad
vance upon Richmond in three columns.
To render the York river then, mpaseeabe to feet
Of hostile vessels the first Of the virginans
To this end careful survey Of the river made
both eidee. The right bank Of the river being billy
afforded the best places for batteries and accordingly
there are come fifteen or sixteen, all on commanding
positions that side Of the river The left bank of the
river 10 lower and in many cases the nature Of the soil IL
such that is mpracticable to plant single gun for in
tervas Of five miles, but in many other places, where
these disadvantages do not exist there batteries
having guns Of long range, to obvate their small
number. Most Of these latter batteries com
pletely masked. In both cases the batteries are
mounted with guns Of the heaviest calibre, and
there are shot and shell provided in abundance. In
or two instances there s said to be furnace for
heating red hot shot, A. present these batteries
manned, and the gunners have been diligently trained
may judge Of their proficiency by that Of the gun
at the battery at Aqua creek, forces may
pect some hot work on their passage up York river
The place Of landing short distance below the little
village Of West Point, Is broad and level piece OF
ground but at the distance Of three quarters Of mile
there is range Of low hills, on which planted the
first land batteries These are mounted with ried
aad coumbiads, and ii is supposed will render the
anoDg OF eDy IorCe Work ol some oAuSeF
The country between this point and Richmond Is mode
raely rolling and there two well defined ranges Of
hills The three roads above referred to pass dee
through these hills They not Of any great elevation
but sufficiently to enable artillery planted them to
sweep the roads for considerable distance On these
two ranges Of hills other batteries have been planted and
these regarded among the main defences Of the
city.
On the eastern outskirts Of the city earthwork iu
trenohmen has been thrown up strengthened Of COURSE
by ditch and this completes the defences that side
These defences (an except the las completed be-
fore the arrival Of Je Davis but he has carefully in
spected them ALL and considers them amply sufficient for
the security Of the place.
Against attack from the north there have not been
many preparations made the city It is the opinion
Of JEFF Cavis freely expressed that the line OF the Ma
nassss Gep Ra,oad will be successfully held and AZ long
as that is ted Richmond Of course, is safe. But in the
Contingency OF possible defeat there another stand will
be made at fredericksburg which has been fortified with
earthworks and strong batteries. This will be Je's SO
cond defensive ne extending from Aqua creek to Gull
pepper and on this line now he has concentrated
eco men, in addition to the so 900 extended from Ma
rassas Gsp Junction to Strasburg.
But to return to Richmond. Surveys have been made
all along the line Of the Railroad from Fredericksburg for
the best places for defensive operations and in aome
places stakes have been driven to mark them; but no
nrencbments have been thrown up batteries planted
except Immediately north Of Richmond where there Is
intrenchment similar to that the east sde There
O0 troops in Richmond, at the various !ortaca.
tiors cast OF it, and down the York river
THE SIXTY NINTH REGIMENT.