Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-10

Letters nru.H m OH 8ulflcr-No, 2.
M. Editor The eoih Of Apfil lat you
gave place 70 b letter from An old soldier. n
now some few suggestions from the same 4
source should meet your approval 20 rna'fo
. 10 the efficiency Of soldiep Il requires
health, strength, activity, endurance and dis-
cipline. The first four OF these arc prom0lgd
BY suitable nourishmeni, clothing, eNefoiaess
and labor. Discipline i acquired By train
ing each TO act in harmony with 3 whole.
The Accomplishments Of a soldier should be
perfect command and knowledge Of hi9
fcedpos, 90 as to handle II in the most APP
proved manner. Cannons rifles revolvars,
swords, bayonets aud all weapons In use
require practice, in order 70 employ them
with advantage.
Military tactics to q soldier Is 10 know all
the evolutious employed for his particular
weapon. This knowledge once acquired
will place the soldier In position 70 fulfil
his part as one Of fhe many--to defend his
land and its interests.
Now, suppose we have an army Of efficient
soldiers, how must they be employed in the
present emergency. The extendeo oorder-
line between the free and slave States is
already in part occupied by separate hostile
forcee. To enter into details how these re-
spective forces must be employed and con-
Quoted, and suggest plans for an active CAM
paign would be beyond the intentions OF
these remarks.
We citizens of Cincinnati haye enough TO
make us anxious about the defense OF our
homes, and TO constrain us 70 organize In
such manner as to make rs efficient. Take
the southern boundary Of Hamilton County
along the Ohio River, from the great Miami
in the west to Clermont County in the east,
you will find Cincinnati located near the
River bend at Tuition, east, extending some
miles south west-surrounde by hills To-
wards the north and closely opposite ON
the Kentucky shore the two towns Of New
port and CoVington, and in like manner sur
rounded on the south by hills. These hills,
| il properly used win defend the approaches
to these cities. In my former communica-
ton it was indicated how this can be done
| am preparing rough draft showing the
| localities of these works, necessary for our
| defense. The labor required for the security
| of our city is considerable, and can SO be
/ arranged as to beneftus in the future. Among
our laboring population are many out OF
work, who should be providedfor. An empty
stomach is an urgent master. No delay IS all
| lowed ltmight be satisfied, peaceably If pos
sible, forcibly if driven to extremes. Some
hints were given in respect to this subject in
/ your paper the other day. Time is precious
and requires action. Let them and our vo-
lununteers be employed to fortify the city.
Suppose the great misfortune should
happen that these United States, SO glorious
and great in the past, should be divided aud
the division line should run between the
free and slave States. Cincinnati would
then be a frontier town and the necessity
would be urgent to have il fortified. To
fortify a city can be done by surrounding
it with walls or bitches or detached works
such as the location require. In respect to
Cincinnati, detached works on the surround-
ing hills, supporting each other, are required.
Our vine clad bills would not be injured by
such Qualifications They could be made
rather ornamental In time of peace, and
would be indispensable ia time Of danger
and war. Millcreek should be Strengthened
and deepened up to Cumminsville, and en-
bankments or levees erected on its sides.
Docks for ship building and repairs should
be constructed at proper distances. We
would by these furnish to the city fine
inner harbor for commerce, boat building,
&c. Should our wealthy citizens be willing
to act on these suggestions the laborins
classes would certainly be glad and ready "a
do their best to accomplish plans for the
embellisement, security and usefulness of our
city.
AS to the camps located North and East
of our city for training our volunteers, much
can be said for and against. Certain it is
however, that If q man will defend his house
and family against hostile attack, he mus
not go three or fifteen miles in the woods
10 practice rife shooting or other exercises,
before he is sure that no attack can be sud.
denly made. His first duty is 10 use ell hil
4 means to put his property and dependents in
security, and be ready and within call to d.
his duty. OTTO N. ID.