Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-18
WILMINGTON AND ITS DEFENSEs.

WlLMINGION AND ITS DEfENSESs
The city of Wilmington is situated thirty
four miles from the mouth of the Cape Fear
river, " hich is navigahle for steamboats, one
hundred and twenty miles to Fayettes sville
FORTS CAswELL AND JOHNSTON
are situated at Smithville, which Is on the
west side of the Cape Fear, two miles from its
mouth. The former fortification was built by
the United States Government, of granite ma
sonry, with two tiers Of guns in classmates
and one tier en- bdrbete.
It was also calculated for an armament OF
twelve g2-pounders, twenty "a Founders, four
lS-pounders, four 10 Founders, three field
pieces for fisnking deienses, six howitzers for
raking the gorges. six inch heavy howitzers,
two 10 inch mortars-in all eighty seven guns,
The work Is surrounded by ditch and ad-
vanoed works, and is in every particular q
first class and formidable fertilization. 1t cost
the Federal Government S57l eco.
The rebels have doubtless improved this for
tif1catien, and mounted therein some of their
best guns. There are minor forts OF great
strength constructed of sand on the sea beach,
outside OF Caswell. and also others inland
within supporting distance.
Fort Johnson, one OF the defences of the en-
trance to Cape Fear river, is situated two miles
from the rivers mouth 1t protects the harbor
of Smith Vile. Close to the present fort, and
occupying the site OF the present town of
Smithville, there was formerly Revolutionary
fort OF the same name. Fort johnson cost
$4,000, and mounts ten guns.
FORT FISHER,
the most important of the works defending the
entrance, and over the capture of which we
are now rejoicing, is situated on Federal Point,
and is one of the largest earthworks in the Con-
federacy, being properly denomiRated fort
ress. 1t stretches completely across the reef,
d distance of about AGO yards at the point az
which it is located, and commands a straight
sweep, all the sandhills for two miles and O
halt having been leveled. Its front is stocka-
deG, presenting q perpendicular approach,
nearly fifty feet high, and some of the trayerses
are 300 feet in diameter
There is a subterraneaH connection from one
end to the other, perfectly impervious to shot
or shell, and the entire garrison could be shift
ed in security from one flank TO the other This
fort is also entirely Of sand: Its armament Of
over fifty guns, many OF which are the heaviest
BlakelY rified cannon, is unequaled FIR range
and efficiency in the South. This work, with
its outer batteries and forts, the principal one
of which is Half Moon" battery, commands
the beach for six miles along the coast.
LIGHTHOUSE BATTERY.
Between Forts Caswell and Fisher, there is
a large sand island var1ously known as Bald
Head and Smiths Island. 1t is about fifteen
miles in length. Upon this island are num-
Der of strong sand forts, supporting each other.
The principal Of these batteries is called
Lighthouse" battery. Their purpose Is not
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,
imme ediately opposite Fort Fisher, and COM
mands the channel Of the stream which hugs
Inc w estern 6nOre.
FORT sT. PHILIP,
a larger earthwork, mounting nine heavy guns,
is situated at the Southern extremity of Eagles
Island, Immediately below Wilmington.
FORT FRENCH,
a similar, but smaller work is situated on the
East side of the river, few miles South Of Will
mington. 1t is clad with railroad iron Sew
eral water batteries are connected with this
work, and line the river as low down as Stag.
Park. These works, with Fort st. Philip,
command a number Of distractions which have
been placed in the river near their location.
BATTERY BUCHANAN.
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.
REHABILITATION OF GUNS.
The following is recapitulation Of the num-
ber OF guns contained in these various fortifca-
tions all Of which must almost immediately
fall into our possession:
Fort CasweIl, 81 guns; Fort Fisher and works,
- guns; Fort johnson, 10 guns; Fort ST. Philip,
9 guns; other works (est), 80 guns. Total, 2I5
guns.
We may now consider the capture OF the re-
manning Gefences Of Wilmington a foregone
conclusion. Those to the south OF Fort Fisher
are cut Off and must surrender upon demand,
while those above cannot hope to resist upon
the approach Of our fleet and army.
The port OF Wilmington is effectuaily sealed,
even if our feet CT armies shouts not ad vance
a step, and the great entreport of the Confed-
eracy is gone past redemption.
Bragg may resist the capture OF Wilmington
itself, bat his efforts TO save IL will be futile,
and only subject the city to unnecessary bonn
bardment.