Cleveland tri-weekly leader. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1854-1885, 1861-08-03
FROM PORT MONROE.
Old Point Coutort-Fori Mowos--Rip Rdpi
-SetoaHs Point-NegPOrt NeOs--FgOyd
and Union Guns.
lnr sncclnl Oorresnondent.l


-Se,caHs Point-NeVPOrt NeOs-FlOyG
and Union Guns
[From Our Special OOrrespOndentl
FoRTREss monroe, July 20, 1861,
Old Point Comfort Is familiar as house
hold word, but we think the name misuO-
mer, for we never felt the rays of the sun
more severely than here, without breeze to
modify them.
OF the shape and position Of Fort Monroe
the Autographs give a good idea Its walls
of stone are % feet high, with, in addition,
a turf embankment of ten feet, on top ol
which the guns are mounted, en- bdrbette, to
the number of 100. The distance around
the rnmparts is one mile and aquarter, which
may give you tolerable idea of the area Of
the Fortress. A moat or ditch, 80 feet wide
and 10 feet in depth, surrounds the Fort
which is commanded by its guns. Outside OF
the ditch, near the beach, is the water bat
tely of 40 guns of large oalibre. The cele-
brated Union Gun is to be mounted on the
beach within stones throw Of this battery.
The Rip Raps are about three n IS frem
the Fort aad four from SewalPs Point. The
work on the Rip Raps was commenced in
1916, and the foundation for the Notifications
was formed by transporting an enormous
quantity of stone, and creating an artificial
island, which is now 900 feet long and 300
feet in width. The original work progressed
for twenty-five years, and was then stopped
by order of the Government. Upon exami-
nation, some four or five years since, it was
found the work had settled five feet, when it
was decided % demolish it and commence
anew, building the new fortifcatiOn Of gran
ite, and on more scientific and approved
plan. The present work is under the super
intendence Of Col. De Ruse, of the U. S. To-
biographical Engineers, and when completed
will be one of the strongest Notifications in
the world. The walls are eight feet thick,
and will be sixty feet in height and mount
300 guns. A breakwater will be construct
ed connecting with the shore opposite, q
miles in length, closing navigation on that
side The walls are nov ten feet high, and
four columbiads are mounted, commanding
the channel on the northeast side, and or
the pier on the same side is the Sawyer gun.
To the courtesy of Capt Leech, of Mass, who
has charge here, we are indebted for infor-
nation in reference to the works. -sl
There are fifteen Secession prisoners con-
fined here, and they invariably bear testimo-
ny to the kind treatment received since their
arrival. None Of these are from the rebel
army.
The rebel batteries on SewelIs Point are
not visible, being concealed in the bushes or
masked. -
Newport News, ten miles from Fort Mon
roe, is situated at the mouth of James River,
which leads to Richmond. Between three
and four hundred Feieral troops are en-
| trenched there, under command of Colonel
Phelps. The 7th New York, Col Bendix.
Col Aliens Regiment from Troy and Alba
ny, and Zouave Regiment, comprise the
forces within the eatrenchmenis. Two men
of-war blockade the river at Newport News,
ard FIVE or six at Fort Monroe.
! The Floyd gun was dismounted last week
to make way for the Union gun, which will
be mounted in its place the last of this OF
first of next week To give you an idea Of
the immense proportions of the monzsss
! Union gum, give you its dimensions; Il is
6fteen fest In 1enetbi diEa1letc tbe lbreech,
litweiVe feet, or thirty six leei n cirs4nfeE-
ence; and two feet in diameter at the muz-
zle, or six feet in circumference. The borG
of the gun is one foot in diameter, and has
twenty-one grooves. Its weight is $4,000
lbs, and it is calculated to carry balllol
shell seven miles. The Floyd is Is feet il
length, and weighs $4,000 lbs. Both o
them are constructed after the Dahlgreer
pattern. The Floyd is the larger bore o
the two, and is not rifed. .,..' -.
The blockading forces are on the loot, ou
for a couple of steel clad steamers from Rich
mond, who are hourly expected with tn
intention of running the blockade. A warn
reception awaits them if they attempt it.
The Federal troops are in good spirits an
ready for the rebels, and anxious TO tres
them to a little ca1aOnicII law. JUNIUs.