Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-16
rHREF L1NFs on woRKs.

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
its character as it is possible to be made. and so
constructed that the fall of one would not in
vOlve the loss Of the other. The works are of
earth-whichh has been proven the best material
for orti6cations-of great extent, upon positions
naturally strong. mounted with ordnance of the
heaviest caliber, and. on the whole. are 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 advisedly, and
| cannot conceive what harm can arise in relating
all that / can gather in relation to them.
TIT JAMES RIVER
is defended with every appliance which human
ingenuity or the most profound engineering skill
can devise. Fort Darling may be considered it's
principal battery and this is really formidable,
situated as it is, upon Drnry's bluff, out of the
reach Of the guns from our monitors or other
craft, and absolutely impregnable to a naval at
tack. Besides this fort. there are minor points
upon the banks of the river which will prove
almost as difficult to take rs Fort Darling. There
are t~orpedOes almost nnumerable within the i'm
mediate vicinity of Richmond, which are planted
with the intention TO cause the immediate de-
~struction of anv gunboats which might possibly
force their way above Fort D,rling. There are
also distractions in the river consisting of sunken
barges, ctnal bnats, and other vessels which
must cause immediate delay to the attempt of
any hostile vessel to pass up, and during which
guns could be brought TO bear upon the approach
ing craft. which, by their p~lunging fire. would
almosT instantly cripple. il not sink her. The
channel Of the James is exceedingly tnrtuouS.
Indeed. in this respect its equal cnn scarcely be
found on this continent. The portion Of the
river within the enemy's country. so to speak,
or that part which is naturally capable of de-
Tense BY reason of the intricacies of the channel.
IS so formed that any hostile feet wonld stand
but a poor chance IL i: we're possible 10 keen the
banks Of the river well defended. and even then
it is not improbable that the t~orpedoes and other
internal appliances would perform their work ut
the bidding of even a solitary individual. There
fore il is conjectured that the naval approach to
Richmond by the James river is not practicable.
THE PENINSULA ROUTE
in this ~exigency becomes an important matter for
discussion. but not all important, for the move
ment thereupon Is considered entirely secondary.
Since General Mcclellan operated on that line of
approach al the weak points in the defenses have
been guarded. aud defects which were then ap-
parent have been remedied; so that the line Of
the peninsula is quite as impregnable as the
highest engineering skill can make it. II will
not be cOntraband to state in this connection that
Gen W. F. (Baldy) Smith ia moving upon this
line. IL is certain that he will meet with the
most formidable distractions. exceeding. in fact.
those encountered by General Mcclellan. and it
is not supposed that he will do more than menace
the rebel capital from this point. But as his
movements. subsequent to his arrival at the field
Of active operation. will depend unon a state of
affairs which cannot nov be coniectured. il is
useless to speculate upon the probable movement s
Of Gen. Grants favorite engineer.
THE OTHER APPROACHES TO
As in other cases, whatever weak points were
revealed bv Gen Fitzpatrick in his late raid have
been guarded at the northw estern approach to the
rebel capital, "a also the avenues leading thereto
in a more southerIv direction The exterior line
Of Qualifications, upon which Fitzpatrick when a
colonel planted one of his guidons, will scarcely
be recognized now, so formidable have they be-
come AS the southeastern approaches are not
under consideration in the approaching campaign
we will not discuss them.
A SIEGE or THE CITY
Il not Immediately probable. for the reason that
before the investment can take place Lees army
must be driven inside the lines Of fortifcations,
and his reirograde movement will be attended
with snch results as will perhaps materially alter
Gen. Grants plans. and open entirely new theo-
ries Of the pregnable~ points-should such exist
to discussion.
Richmond is capable OF being defended by a
very small force The fortifcations were con-
siructed with this view. and IL the garrison is
increased in number IN the extent Of Lees army
the siege Of the city will he a matter Of far great
or moment than even that OF Vicksburg, and
Gen Grant will require all the talent and force
at his command in order to crown bis efforts with
success DAVENPORT.
@WHkT is the reason that men never kiss each
other, while the ladies waste a world of kisses on
feminine faccsl" said the Captain TO Gussie the
other day, up at Normal. Gussie cogitated q
minute, and then answered.: "Because the men