The New York herald., 1862-05-07
The Approaches to Richmond-Fears OF
the Rebels.

the Rebels.
from the Richmond Examiner, April 80.
No one can rely the fortunes Of and the brave
as well rs the wise neglect no preparations which
timely prudence provide against the vcissudes OF
n campaign. The greatest battles fought have
turned upon accident and the braves armies have often
been defeated by the chances of fortune. To risk great
cause upon the bravery OF troops is to throw all upon
single aud often to court destruction by neglect
ing and despising the means OF averting it,
The fate OF Richmond depends in tho present posture
OF affairs upon the army Yorktown and the efficiency
Of tho Merrimac II Mcdowell is concentrating force
of nfy thousand for . march from the Rsppahannock
upon Richmond there is danger also in that direction
but 1t is danger against which the government being
forewarned have right TO believe will be forearmed.
Taking IL for granted that demonstration from the d.
rection Rsppahannock being foreseen provided
for we return to the proposition or rather the fact that
the safety Of Richmond depends upon our army at York
town. aud the obstruction which lies in the channel Of
the James river in the form OF the Merrimac.
This vessel may be set upon by not only Monitor,
but by feet OF them, in very short time. IL may be
overcome in regular combat, or 1t may, by spark fall
ing into its magazine by tho accident Of hre be put
out OF the way Of any moment. II So Richmond Is
tonce dpprodchnbs BY g,,n1oat, under an attack from
wieh IS perfectly unteidble, and sndeensble BY land
forces.
such city upon tenure frail and uncertain
az the hull of u single vessek Not only Is the city OF
Richmond hazarded upon such contingency but with u
also is hasarded the safety Of armies the peninsula
and norhslde for II Richmond were taken by naval
saut and the enemys fleets should bring land
occupy and hold the city, armies north Of the James
river would be psnned in and endangered
OF the gravest character IL certainly bchooves the autho
rites to provide promptly and ellsctually. Our nume-
batteries on tho banks Of the river experience has
shown are utterly incapable Of beo g the enemys boats
N vessels could run the gauntlet OF two formidable
forts the lower Mississippi, and entire miles OF
batteries on It's banks, surely could be madness
10 place any reliance upon similar and, haze
no doud, inferior defences on the James. Happily
there is one expedient practicable for the defence
OF the channel Uf the James river, which could not
well be provided in the Of the Mississippi Tho dow
of the stream river is slow, and tho depth a the
channel comparatively slight. II admits OF easy OBJ
srcton whereas ths Mississippi did not admit OF such
thing except at the cost Of immense labor time and cx
pense.
Various modes been suggested FOR obstructng tie
channel the james Some recommend the plan Of
constructed Of entire trees dug up by the roots and
thrown roots and branches into the stream. The roots
sink to tho bottom the branches point down stream and
an abats thus formed Of thicky studded trees for
distance up and down tks channel Of the stream The
most any sort Of distractions in the channeis
of rivers but the removal Of raft OF trees
the bottom by accumulated sand and earth washed
sgaipst them Is found to be work requiring the most
powerful and expensive machinery.
Another plan OF obstruction Is that OF filling the chan
mel with stones large and small the smaller the better
the work Of removal Is thus rendered
The obstruction Of the channel for few hundred yards
by this would csctuay stop tho OF gun
boats; and. II protected each side by bombprooi
batteries, they could be put beyond the possibility OF
being rcmoved by eenemy.
Many other modes Of obsiructng the channel Of the
river might be suggested any Of which would be effective
to check the passage o gunboats and even if they
should bo such would admit Of removal still other
higher up the channel could be interpesed by
people uly rapidly those below could be removed
BY the enemy
An obstruction In the channel OF the river interposed
part " the line of deionces this stream would
the double purpose Of protecting the channel Of
the stean and Of supporting the land dafsnccs Of the
Ghickahoinny.
II IL true that speaking in this matter Of cortn
gences TO all present appearances remote aud improba
bic but Lbe interests this city and its viu
nifty both local and general too great to be hszarded
upon any chances Of that may, BY timely prudence
DO provided FOR.
IL seems to us that no proposition could be palmer than
that OF the duty Of obstrucng the James river channel
would any probable csst of the undertaking be
wsssfn o. usssS expenditure. Az aneyents, the pub.