Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-07-02
FoRTIFIc cATTONs.

Editors kntethgencer
1 have read with approval the FemaFkr
of "MariOn". IN YOUR paper of June eth
about Notifications. however dc moi
think he is entirely just towards Wheeling
If you think your city would be better pro-
tected with Qualifications, then have them
by all means. LIDO not wish the rebels to
be successful at any place whatever. But
do not let Wheeling be the only place for-
tilted in West Virginia. 1s
We IN the interior especially north of
the n. w. v. R. R. are more likely to suf-
fer from rebel raids than anything else.-
Now we have learned from experience how
these raids are managed. 1t is not the
policy of either the rebels or our own
troops to do any considerable fighting when
on a raid through an enemys country
The object is to destroy bridges, railroads,
stores of all kinds that will give aid to the
enemy. In fact to inflict all the damage
that can possibly be done without fighting.
This being the case would it not be policy
to put in state of defense sHch points as
it is desirable to hold. Such as bridges,
important towns &c. III. aG-F ,..tl .s.- a
/ make these remarks from the fact that
this town has been visited by one of those
raids. believe the rebels would not have
come near us five had been properly pre-.
pared for them. There is q high hill near
this place which is known by the name of
"Palatine Knob" 1t is naturally one Of
the best places for defense in this part of
the country. 1t commands the Monongahe.
la railroad bridge-the suspension bridge
the towns of Fairmout and Palatine-
every pinacle for three miles around, and
every road leading ;nto either Fairmont or
Palatine. ult-.Ir ..r.# tr.. -rtEE.-gst
Al. a. a.
Mononghala railroad bridge, almost ever
since the war broke out, a company of sol
diers for its protection. Up to within a
few weeks they have not been allowed to
protect themselves or the bridge in any
form but by their musketS, They have
now about completed two block hous-
ss I have heard soldiers belonging,
TO Jue ooIh Regiment, New York engineers
"a detachment of which is'noW stationed
at the bridge) say that these block houses
would be no protection if the raiders
should have but one piece of cannon with
them. But they say if they were allowed
to fortify "PRlatine knob aud were provid-
ed with two or three pieces of artillery
they would bid defiance to any raid the
rebels might make on their bridge. Aud
in addition could protect the suspension
bridge and both towns. They also say it
would not require more than three or four
days time to throwup the necessary works,
and that they would rather be doing that
than nothing. Neither would it be an ex
pense tothe government.
Under these circumstances leave it with
the authorities to decide whether it would
not be pslicy to give orders for this to be
done. 1t seems to me that where protec-
ton from these raids can be so easily gain
ed, and at so small an expense, it would be
folly not to do il. In addition, these for.
tifcations would have a good effect 10
keeping the rebels away. They would
avoid places known to them to be fortified.
These views apply altogether to rebel
fantry and artillery.
| Respectfully yours.
| u4f- l-g. , HMoRoHGALIA."