Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-11


In view of the fact that the campaign Just
opening is directed almost solely against the reb-
e capital. few observations with reference TO
the deienses OF Richmond NAV not only be Op-
FORTUNE, but prove OF decided interest The CITY
is defended by series of Notifications of the
most elaborate construction. and erected under
the engineering skill of such able men a. Beaure-
gard. Lee. Johnston. and other prominent off
GERS in the rebel service. who. by the wav. learn
ed their profession through the Iiberality of the
government they now seek to destroy.
THREE LINES OF WORKS
They have caused To be erected three distinct
lines Of defensive works. each as formidable in
it's character il is possible to be made. and so
constructed that the fall of one would not in
voye The loss of the other The works are OF
earth-which has been proven the best material
for fortihcations-of great extent, upon positions
naturally strong. mounted with ordnance of the
heaviest caliber. and. on the whole. truly
Formidable. as will be proven should an assault
upon them be made
The reports of rebel deserters. spies from our
own lines. and escaped prisoners from the Libby.
all agree in the statement that the defenses of
Richmond are OF the most extensive character
General Grant has doubtless full information re-
speeding them. is therefore acting advi~ediy. and
| cannot conceive what harm can arise in relating
JAMES RIVER
is defended with every appliance which hum IN
ingenuity or the most profound engineering skill
can devise Fort Darling NAV be considered its
principal battery and this is really formidable.
situated as ii is, upon Drnrv's bluff, out of the
reach of the runs from our monitors or other
craft and absolutely impregnable 70 a naval =
tack Besides this fort. there are minor points
upnn the hanks of the river which will nrOve
almost as difficult to take as Fort Darling. There
are tOrpeiOes almost inuumerable within the i'm
mediate vicinity of Richmond which are planted
with the intention to csuse the imme'ii,te de-
sruction of any gunboats which might possibly
force their way above Fort d ,rling There are
also Instructions in the river consisting of sunken
bargeS. canal boats. and other vessels which
must cause immediate DELAY to the attempt of
hostile vessel 10 pass mp. and during which
guns could he brought TO bear upon the approach.
ing craft. which. nv their plunging fire. would
almost instantly cripple. ii not sink her. The
channel of the James is exceedingly tortuOus.
Indeed. in this respect its equal cnn scarcely he
found on this continent The portion of the
river within the enemy's country. so to sneak
or that part which is naturally capable Of de-
tense nv reason of the intricscies Of the channel
Is so formed that anv hostile feet would stand
but poor chance f il we're possible TO keep the
banks of the river we'll defended and even then
it is not improbable that the torpedoes and other
internal appliances would perform their work at
the bidding of even n solitary individual. There
fore il is conieciured that the naval approach to
Richmond by the James river is not practicable.
THE PENINSULA ROUTE
in this exigencv becomes an important matter for
discussion Int not all important for the move
ment thereupon is considered entirely secondary
Since General Mcclellan operated on that line Of
approach all the weak points in the defenses have
been guarded. and defects which we're then ap-
parent have been remedied that the line Of
the peninsula Is quite as impregnable as the
highest engineering skill make il II will
not be contraband tn state in this connection that
Gen W F (Baldv) Smith is moving upon this
line. II is certain that he will meet with the
most formidable distractions. exceeding. in fact
those encountered nv General Mcclellan and il
is not supposed that he will do more than menace
the rebel capital from this point But his
movements, subsequent 10 his arrival N the field
Of active oneration. will depend unou state Of
aft ,irs which cannot now he roniectured il is
useless to speculate upon the probable movemen :
of Gen. Grants favorire engineer.
THE OTHER APPROACHES TO RICHMOND.
A in other cases whqtever week points were
revealed nv Gen Fitzpatrick in his late raid have
been guarded at the northwestern approach IN the
rebel capital as also the avenues lea jing thereto
in more southerlv direction The exterior line
of Qualifications. unon which Fitzpatrick when
colonel PLANTED one Of his cudons. will scarcely
ne recognized now formidable have they be
come A. the southeastern approaches are not
under consideration In the approaching campaign
we will not discuss them.
SIEGE or THR CITY
l. not Immediately probable for the reason that
before the investment can take place Lees army
must he driven INSIDE the lines Of Notifications
and his re'rogrsde movement will he attended
with such results NJ will perhaps materially alter
Gen Grants plans. and open entirely new theo-
ries of the pregnable points-should such exist
10 discussion
Richmond is capable OF being defended nv
small force The Notifications wee con-
s'rurted with this view and IL the garrison is
increased in number IN the extent Of Lees army
the siege Of the city will he matter of far great
or moment than even that Of Vickshurg. and
Gen Grant will require all the talent ard force
at his command in order TO crown his Efforts with
success DAVENPORT.