New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-10-25
Federal View of the Approaches to New
Orleans.
From the Philadelphia Press-l

from the Fhiadephia PreSS-l +. 2
The river at the Baize divides into four branches,
discharging themselves respectively through Pass
a-l0utre Northeast Pass, South Pass, and South
west Pass. Above, where these four outlets be-
gin, there are two forts, almost opposite to each
other, named Jackson and St. Philip. When this
rebellion broke out, they were not efficiently
mounted, and could easily have been taken. What
additions the traitor Twfggs has made to their de-
fence, is not known. If they are we'll mounted, it
would be very difficult for fleet to pass up the
main body Of the river.
There are, however, three other modes of ap-
proach by water to the city. The one is through
Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain, another up the
Atchatalaya to Berwick Bay, and thence by bayous
Torel and Plaquemine to Iberville, one hundred
miles above New Orleans, and third by way of
Grand Pass and Bayon Lafourche to Donaldson
vile, eighty miles above the city. By the frat
named route, vessels of from fifteen. to eighteen
feet draught can be brought to the lake house, 10
Gated five miles from the city. The troops landed
there can be taken up the canal by water, or can
march at once up the shell road the prettest road
in America. Along it any amount of troops can
be marched. On either side of it or the canal,
which run parallel, the ground falls away into a
swamp covered with dense underground, atfording
magnificent covers for skirmishers rif1emen.
These, however, could be easily brushed. There
ia not spot along the whole five miles of road
upon which there is any kind of fertilization save
barrieades 80
| ried on between Mobile and the Crescent City
| the length of these two lakes including the Rgo-
| lette is about l 10 miles. AT the entrance of
Borgne the eastermost of the two, lie three islands
known az Cat, Ship and Horse. Upon the main
right opposite to them is Mississippi City, the post
said to have been lately seized and fortified by
troops Recent advces indicate that earthworks
are being thrown up on Cat and Ship Islands
These, with batteries constructed upon the north
eastern tongue Of the parish of St. Bernard, would
ehecually cut off all commerce between these two
cities, and prevent the entrance and departure Of
any vessels coming from or going to sea. At least
single armed vessel, in addition, would efeetually
close the wide strait where Borgne debouohes into
| the Gulf. -
| The Atchala1aya affords at the barrel stakes
| only twelve feet water, but above that any deptl
| needed, thirty or forty miles. Through it aud the
| Plaquemine vessels Of that draught can pass tt
Iberve, into the Mississippi, at any time from th
lst of December to the LIST of June, when the rive
| is full.
/ Vessels of ten fest draught can go up the Bayou
Lafeurche during the same season of the year.
Moreover. the western extremity Of Borgn
comes within twelve miles of the city ITSELF an
from thence means could be found to march troop
and munitions of war, Notwithstanding the swamp
character of the country for the greater part Q
I, the route. ~ =.
New Orleans can easily be taken, for the Cor
| federates have not the means of defending a
, these flank approaches, as well as the approac
| by the main river.
Doubtless other modes of access, as easy an
| practicable as those pointed out, can be foun'
should it become necessary. -