The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-20
Can Es stern Virginia be Fortified

In view of tie immense ocean, bay and river
line of Eastern Virginia, numbering several
hundred miles in the aggregate, and of the
total absence of a single State fertilization,
lea wing us seemingly at the mercy of fleet Of
marauding invaders, this question becomes
one of absorbing Importance. Yet, after
close exam ination of the matter, we do not
hesitate in saying that Eastern Virginia can be
speedily, cheaply, and efectually fortified
against an invasion from the ocean.
This must be by means Of earthwork bat
teries, at the various points which the coast
surveys show to most efrectually command
the various bays and channels Of the tide-wa-
ter section.
The successful defence Of Fort Moultrie-a
miserable work of earth and timber of Ora
ney Island, and of New Orleans, in the war
of ls12-14, and the has Silly erected batteries
In Charleston harbor, which efectualiy
pounded out the Federal troops at Sumter,
are among the hundreds of illustrations Of the
effective value of this class of Notifications.
But the graphic experiences of the Crimean
war, between allied France, England and
Turkey. and Russia demons trate this point
most conclusively. The first battle of that
war on the Danube, between the Turks and
Russians, was fought by the former more by
the spade than the musket at the second the
Turks had also, in comparatively a few days,
so strongly entrenched themselves, that when
the Russians attempted to carry them by as
sault, they were driven back with immense
slaughter. The defence of Silistria is, per-
haps the best illustration of the whole. This
place Is situated ON point of land running
ont into the broad river. 1t was defended
landward by semi-circular battery OF ma
sonry, extending from water to water. About
a thousand yards to the rear OF this, an ele-
vated ridge ran entirely across the little PENN
suia. In the war of 1929, the Russians tool
possession of this ridge, and, in hotly con
tested siege, compelled the garrison to enrren
der but, Taught by the experiences OF tina
struggle, the Turks ,aoto seized upon the ridge
upon which they threw mp a line of earth
works, against which the whole force OF TIT
Russians was directed. They first attempted
to carry them by assault, but terribly defeated
in this, they resorted to bombardment, ant
then to mining. The Turks here turned Over
new leaf In the art of defence fertilization
They eagerly listened to the Russians at worl
below them, and instead of countermning
simply threw up a new line Of works in tn
rear, 60 that when breach was made by ex
blossoms they had a new line erected, witt
guns bearing Immediately upon the opening
This plan was steadily followed, the Turk
regularly resisting with new works as fast a
the Russians destroyed the old ones-perpetu
ally exhibiting perfect line of enforcement
which their enemy could not carry, until, at tn
end Of for ~ -four days, the Russians raised tn
siege In despair, leaving the Turks not onl
with a complete entertainment, but with un
exhausted supplies, and enough room still t
fall back upon, SO rs to have made the siege al
most interminable. The history OF this sieg
taught the world not only that earthwork
were immensely valuable means of a,
lacking fortresses, but that as means of de
fence they were superior to masonry, mas
much as by following out the plan of Sill.
tria, the defence could be protracted to aimos
any extent, while the duration of defence
q casemate fortress was limited to the tim
necessary TO breach IL. or, in other words,
simple calculation of time and force of Pre-
jectiles. Tho remarkably protracted defent
OF Eebastopoi was due simply to the goe
sense Of Gen. ToDLIBEH In adopting the pla
:. 70 Yudeiy taught his countrymen ut Silistri
Va rebuilding his entrenchments with earl
~ SAst a. his casemates were battered TO piece
W0Qe have only, then, to erect earth fortific
IT, ON the points we have suggested, to gi'
shiri - homes. the women and children OF Eas
.x~ mia an effectual defence against the m
u ysuasr. The State has Already good amour
u ordnance, which could be multiplied 70 a
most any extent, by means Of the efticiel
foaadEiss of Richmond. These works vii
howeyef, require m immense force OF lsborer
which should BE- Immediately called into n
qaisitton, the points selected, and tho wor
psshsd vigorously forward. We have immeni
gssourcss Cor this kind Of labor In the follow
ing glasses:
First, IN . large number Of our white popu
Istton. rsady and willing TO handle The spad
q 4 fsscdng dsfsnces for their homes and firs
siAss.
Second, IN the surplus slave population
!. wiAe her,, - - Charleston, could render eass
|sf 1lsa ~.
q &, sard. - ~ ia5ss number Of free negro.