The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-05-01
FIving ARTILLERY for the Mississippi River.

No person of the least reflection fail appreciate
the Importance OF commanding the delta ana the NOUN
of the Mississippi river whether considered III military
or diplomatic point of view. 1t is therefore, OF the
utmost moment to promptly organise etfectua means
of repeng any attempt by the enemy to descend Its
channel with invading force or to gain from the sea
position of the Baze that would denominate over Its
mouth We are glad to know that this OBJECT mas mad
the earnest attention of Gov Moore and the military
officers OF the State and the naval officers OF the Con-
federae States 1T Fry of the Confederate navy, now
in this city who has recently been appointed 70 the
command OF the ship Sumter, Formerly McClelland,l
has, with admirable public spirit and industry Interested
himself IN the matter and from him we have obtained
some striking and valuable suggestions touching sys
of protection for our city and the Mississippi river,
which We embody below We would preface these
suggestions by remarking that the Dahgren beat how
tiers mentioned could be manufactured in our neigh
borhoOd where are assured toundrles and artisans
competent to the work can be found All that is need
ed is official authority to have the work done, and the
money appropriated or guaranteed to pay for it. In the
absence OF other provisions few OF our wealthy citizens
could easily remove all financial difficulties IN the way
They would only have to ndOrse for the State and the
city, and the Southern Confederacy in whose behalf the
work would be undertaken.
The most efficient means of protection, we are told
by Lieut. Fry, for this city and the river above and
below IT. will be found in the employment OF the Dahl
gren boat howzers, with the ordinary fixed ammunl-
milton. In the absence of boats floating batteries Or
Sle5 Can DG IcdtlllY CLl WHICH thGoC DOpb
guns be mounted and any number of them be taken
in tow of the steam tugs aud carried from point to point
as the emergency indicate. Their can mount
and dismount them They in minute be used
aoat and the banks of the river and thus as
flying artillery.
Should the enemy attempt, as they threaten, to in
wade us from the northern States, and employ steam
boats atboats, any ordinary conveyance down the
river the effect of these guns would be the same as
that OF the flying artillery during operations in Mex
leo. Every one is familiar with it.
It's pretended that they would serve against the
men-ol-war that might up the river.
The governor has provided against that contingency
by closing the Southwest pass entirely and protecting
pass-aPOutre in aGanner which will be known here
after But these guns are indispensable for the pur
poses indicated and above ALL prevent the occupation
OF the delta Of he Mississippi One effect to be appre
hended from this would be delay the recognition of
our Conederaty by foreign powers, a @lstomhouse
could be erected the Baze and the duties collected
there, without Obsructmg commerce, and sufficient
military force be maintained and protected by the guns
of the formidable squadron which could be sent to
blockade for that would be unnecessary but to rein
force the soldiers doubtless their way for this
very purpose.
The boats or batteries spoken of could cfectually
prevent the landing Of troops and would present no
marks comparatively for the great guns of the enemy
and in tow of the small screwtugs in our river could
anticipate every movement of theirs.
4 number of these batteries could be easily manned
by that class OF our population that would be en-
ployed as soldiers. Delta 18th ult.