Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-01-06
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From the Washington Chronicle.
WILMINGTON and its Defene es.

Wilmin gto,n Stands 81 the left bank Of
the Cape Fear river, thirty Eve aiiles from
the ocean,. The entrance to the river is
cb,tructed by three ba q. known as the.
Western, Main and New Iules bars. Of
the defences we have the annexed account:
On Federal Point is located tie celebra-
ted Fort Fisher, one Of the largest earth
works of it's style in the Confederacys Its
armament is unequaled in range or efGcien-
cy 1t mounts about fifty guns, many Of
the heaviest Blakely rifles. Neas it are
number of small works, called watsr bat
teries. all mounting guns Of heavy calibre.
Similar works exist opposite Fort Fisher.
the guns Of which mingled their fire. with
that Of the fort. Together these, works
command distance Of six miles. three In
each direction. There is formidable
earth work little further up the coast.
near the light house, the guns of which
cover the leaward approach to the New In
let bar entrance. Near Fort Fisher, bait
terry placed upon an artificial sand hill
threatens much annoyance to our feet. Its
guns are able to throw plugging shot, as
well as projectilcs, far Iut seward.
The entrance by way Of New Inlet is SO
situated and guarded b, heavy artillery
that vessels attempting to 60 in or run by
the forts would be subjected to . tremen-
dous cross fire. Heavy frigates, whose
draft Of water precluded their crossing the
bar, would of necessity. anchor outside or
sail UP and down the beach, or perhaps
they will sail 10 circle, as did Dupont's
feet at the capture of Port Royal. BY
this method they would be enabled to keep
their guns perfectly cool. the men fresh.
and at the same time seriously. interfere
with the accuracy of the rebel fire. The
ground over which the heavy vessels would
fight is trife over two miles from Fort
Fisher. yet it is within effective range at
moderate elevation ofthe guns. On Zeek's
Island, and opposite TO Fort Fisher, there
is said to oxst small water battery,
mounting nine guns.
The entrance by the western bar is also
we'll guarded, and its approaches are defen-
ded in the most approved manner known
to engineering sciences. The first works
to be encountered, going in this way, are
situated on Oak Island, near the light
house. It is not generally. known how
many guns are in position there, but un-
doustedly there is sufficient number to do
feet much damage before they can be si>
fenced or passed On Bald Head, the
Southern extremity Of Smiths Island, is
situated small work, whose guns throw
their missiles across the channel. Next
comes Fort Casawell, built BY the United
States before the war. It is work with
FIVE sides, three OF them mounting guns,
about sixty all told. This work has been
strengthened recently. and is undoubtedly
a very formidable affair, Possibly the
iron clads may operate against this work.
Just above Fort Cassawell is small work,
located on Battery Island. On the right
hand side Of the river coming down is Fort
johnson, situated at Smithville, and about
one and half miles from Fort Casswell.
Above this, at various points on the river,
are said to be batteries of various sizes, but
mostly small and oflittle Importance.