Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-06
DEFESsEs OF WILMINGTON.

The defenses of Wilmington have also been
greatly increased and strengthened since the
spring Of 1863 Fort Fisher. at the mouth of
Cape Fear river, is ten miles below Wilmington
There are i've large and strong forts along this
space. One of them is built on a hill about one
hundred feet high, nearly opposite the Quaran-
tine fort. and may prove a second Fort Darling
II our vessels attempt TO pass IL. as IL can throw
plunsng fire upon the vessels in the river be
low The armament OF this fort il sixteen guns /:
that of Fort Fisher fourteen guns and that of
Quarantine tort ten guns. j. the most formidable
OF any on the river. The forts around Whining.
ton on the north and east sides we're not COM
menced until last summer. and are scarcely COM
peted now. The guns for them all are ready
however. aud some oi them were being mounted
IN the early part OF March OF this year
COTTON AT Wilmington AND THE BLOCKADE
There are about six v thousand bale> of cotton
now AT Wilmington awaiting shipment Mr.
Cranshaw. of Richmond, and the house of Andre
Golfers x Co. are the parties most hrge, en-
gagged IN shipping cotton The statistics that
are given IN the annual message OF Gov Vance
recently submitted to the Legislature of North
Carolina, are actually Startu. in the facts they
disclose. They show that every article OF neces
sty is received at Wilmington by means of the
blockade running vessels. in large QUANTITIES. Ii
IS literally fact. a. was stated by an old naval
officer some time ago. that owing to the singular
features OF the harbor of Wilmington and its
numerous channels. he whole navy OF the I'M
tel States could not make the blockade there ef
fective
DEFENsEs OF ATLANTA AND RICHMOND
The defenses of Atlanta we're alluded to in a
recent letter. But il is IT Richmond the works
OF defense the most extensive and formida-
Bile All the engineering skill and defense inre-
nuity OF the South has been avi-hei and exhaus-
ted upon the rebel Capital. Its triple line OF
forts. one within the other defy assault; while
the James river, from the city down 10 Fort Darl
log. distance of eight miles i one mass of in
tricate and lmmovabe distractions Fort Darl
in is Gibralter in itself But il is ONLY one OF
the sixteen forts whose gaping batteries frown
along this part OF the river
MOVEMENTS OF THE REBELs ~ NORTH CAROLINA
have derived some interesting and important
intelligence il regard to the preseu, movements
OF the rebels in North Carolina from a gentleman
who Is an old resident OF that State, and who has
just arrived here from Plymouth He states
tuat lG>t before the recent demonstration ct the
rebels against Ply mouth. II VAS known that they
bad Ia the waters of the Roanoke, Tar and
Neuse rivers. a feet OF ronclad vessels consisting
OF eight guuboats and four rams Two of the
rams were AZ hinston. one at Halifax. and one
some forty miles above Washington. on the Tar
river IL was understood that before the end of
April concerted attack would be made by the
rebel forces on all the Union posts in North
Carolina. between Wilmington and Abermarle
Sound. including Plymouth. Newt bern and Wash
lngton. The gunboats and rams we're 10 come
down ana CO operate with the land forces in the
movement. which. il was hoped. would result in
the capture OF the places named and the defeat
and expulsion OF the Union forces from the
whole OF North Carolina This gentleman
whose sources OF information are OF the yery
best kind. estimates the rebel forces in North
Carolina capable OF taking a part in these opera
tions. al from thirty to thirty-eight thousand
men.
1t cannot De doubted that the recent attack on
Ply mouth Is par; OF this programme and there
is every indication that 1T will De carried out The
first accounts from Plymouth stated there were
some distractions IN the river above that place
which would prevent the rebe vessels from ap-
preaching the town But il Is evident from the
last accounts that the Instructions we're or no
use Tor the rebel rams and gunboats have nor
passed Plymouth aud are riding at anchor IN