Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-04
New Orleans and it's De-
ferSeS,

| ferses.
New Orleans is distant one hundred
miles above the mouth of the Ponchar
train, with which it communicates by wa
ter and railway. The levee has an aver
age width of about one hundred feet where
it fronts the town, which stretches parallel
to it for about five miles, and extends
from one mile to two miles behind it.
chiefly in the direction of the lake. The
river Immediately opposite has width OF
one half mile, and depth of from one
hundred and fifty to one hundred and
sixty feet and sweeping around from
the west, first in north and then in 3
northeast direction, forms large crescent
shaped curve.
If an attack should be made by way
ing the lake would have to pass through
one of two channels formed by an island
at its mouth) called the Rigolets. which
were extensively fortified. The fort on
the island is called Fort Pike. Opposite
this fort on the right there was a heavy
battery, name unknown, and on the left
hand side Of the other channel stood Fort
Wood. Batteries have been erected and
intrenehments thrown up within the past
year extending from Chief Montein, in
Lake Borgnc, along the border Of Lake
Ponchartrain, guarding in all directions
the approaches to the city, the principal
defenses being called Lakeyille and Lake
port.
The rebels, however, seemed to have
expected the city would be attacked by
way of the Balize, and more extensive
preparations for defense III that direction.
Below we give an extract Of Il letter
dated from New Orleans, and published
in the Richmond Dispatch, describing the
defenses of that city, which enables the
reader to form a more accurate jud .ment
of the fortlications erected on the banks
Of the Mississippi river below that city,
than we could hope to furnish from the
sources of information at hand !:
Nee Orleans, 1862. The Mississippi
is fortified SO as to be impossible for any
hostile fleet or aoti,!a. Forts Jackson
anl st. Philip are armed with 10 heavy
guns l6S-pounlers, ridcd by Barkley
Britton, AMI received from England.1-
The navigation Of the river is stopped by
! dam Of about quarter of mile from
the above forts. No fotila on earth
would force that dam in less than two
hours, dIring which it, would be within
short cross range OF 10 guns of the
largest calibre, many of which would be
served with red-hot Shot, numerous furn-
aces for which have been erected in every
fort and every battery.
In day or two We shall have ready
two iron-eascl footing batteries. The
plates are four aud half inches thick,
Of the best hammered iron, received from
England and France. Each iron-cased
battery Will mount twenty 6S-po ,nders,
placed 50 al to skim the water, and strike
the enemy's hull between wind and wa
ter. We have an abundant supply of
incendiary SHELLS, cupola furnaces for
molten iron, congreve rockets and fire
ships.
Between New Orleans and the forts
/ tntrc Is constant succtS>!OH ~ cil IL
works. At the Plain Of Chalmette, near
Janin's property, y,there are redoubts,armed
with riaei cannon, which have been fonul
to be elective ut five miles range. \
ditch thirty feet wide and twenty deep
extends from the Mississippi to La Cy-
priere.
In forts St. Phillip and Jackson there
are 800 men, of whom Il goodly portion
are experienced artillery men and gun
ners vino have served in the navy.
At New Orleans itself we have $4,000
/ infantry, and as many more quarterei il
the immediate neighborhood. Ia disci-
pline and drill they are far superior to
the Yankees. We have two very able
and active Generals, who posScss our en-
tire conGdence-General Mansfield Sorrel
and Bri.alicr Gen. Rngges. For Com
moiore, W. have old llo.lins---a Nelson
in his way.
We are ready to give the Yankees a
hot reception when they come. Around
me all are mad with excitement and rage,
Our only fear is that the Northern in
yaders may not appear. We have male
such extensive preparations TO receive
them that il were vexltlous It their M
yineibIe armada escapes the fate We have
in store for ii.