The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1865-01-26

In casemates, and one tier en- 6arbette. 1t
was also calculated for an armament of
twelve 32-pounders, twenty 24-pounders,
four Is Founders, three field pieces for
fanking defences, six .howitzers for raking
the gorges, six 8-inch heavy howitzers,
two l0-inch mortars-in all eighty-sevcn
guns. The work is surrounded by a
ditch and advanced works, and is in every
particular a frSt-class and formidable for
tifcation. Il cost the Federal government
$571 600
There are minor forts of great strength
constructed of sand on the sea-beach, out
side of Caswell, and also others inland
within supporting distance. Fort John
son, one of the deienses of the entrance TO
Cape Pear river, is situated two miles from
the rivers mouth. 1t protects the harbor
OF Smithyille. Close TO the present fort,
aud occupying the site of the present town
Of Smithville, there was formerly a revo-
lGtiOnary fort Of the same name. Fort
johnson mounts ten guns.
Fort Fisher, the most important Of the
works defending the entrance, aud over
the capture OF which the nation is now
rejoicing, Is situated on Federal Point,
and IS one Of the largest e3rthworks IN
the ConfedeTacy, being properly denomi-
mated fortress. 1t stretches completely
across a reef, a distance Of about four hun
dred yards Of the point at which it is To-
Gated, aud commands a straight sweep, all
the sandhills for two miles and half
having been levelleG Its front is stock
AIDED, presenting perpendicular approach,
nearly 6fty feet high, and some of the
traverse are three hundred feet in diam
eter.
There Is subterranean connection from
one end to the other, perfectly impervious
to shot or shell, and the entire garrison
could be shifted in security from one flank
to the other. This fort is also entirely of
sand. Its armament is unequalled for
range and efficiency in the South. This
work, with its outer batteries and forts,
| the principal one of which is ''Half Noon
battery, commands the beach for six miles
| along the coast.
Between Forts Caswell and Fisher,
there is large sand fort variously known
as Bald Head and Smiths Island. 1t is
about fifteen miles in length. Upon the
| island are a number of strong sand forts,
supporting each other. The purpose of
these is not so mucn to command the
ChduiSlS as 10 retain possession OF the
island, in order that it may not be used
by our forces in reducing Fort Caswell.
| Fort Quarantine is situated on the west
side of Cape Fear river, Immediately OPP
posite Fort Fisher, and commands the
channel of the stream which hugs the
western shore. Fort St. Philip, large
earthwork, mounting nine heavy guns, is
situated in the southern extremity of Ea-
giles Island, immediately below Whining
ton. Fort French, a similar, but smaller
work, is situated on the east side of the
river a few miles south Of Wilmington.
Several water batteries are connected with
this work, and line the river as low down
as Stag Park. These works, with Fort
St. Philip, command number Of obstruc-
tions which have been placed in the river
near their location. At Federal Point,
now known by the rebels as Confederate
! Point, new battery has been lately
built, and named Battery Buchanan" in
| honor of the rebel Admiral
The total number of guns in these va
rious fortifcations, all of which must i'm
mediately fall into our possession, is set
down at 208.