New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-12

and Treves beside forming together with three smaller
works, sort of certified camp large body of troops
Az ,nS nS nndsr tne guns Oh % r n, the
various forts about Coblenz. They can communicate
easily betSeen the opposite banks Of both rivers, by
means Of the railroad and pontoon bridges the
Rhine and the permanent railroad and carriage Ddges
across the M0selle
This strong position could be turned by crossing the
Rhine at NEUwIED-the point where Cesar first crossed
and advancing directly northward by macadamized
road through the Weserwad This, however, would be
perous undertaking. and though the passage should be
made without interruption, line Of communications
could not possibly be kept open near to Coblenz.
The Moselle therefore, being securely held at ts
mouth by the Germans and in Its upper course by the
French afford but difficult line of operations for
either but the great facility OF further operations either
northward or southwark when this line should be once
fairly conquered would make 1t seem worth the under
taking
The River LAIN, unpromsing as it appears, has d.
rected and assisted the march Of army between
the Rhine and Casse The rugged banks are guarded
by many high bluff and the rail and carriage roads
have made their way through with great difficulty, the
former being obliged to pass through score Of tunnels
between Ems and Gessen Narrow passes at Lahnstein,
Nassau, and Diez, might easily be held by few men
against army for short time but all OF these posi-
lions could be turned the river could even be avoided
altogether, II only the bridges at Nassau and Limburg
could be held The Lain navigable far as Wetz
lar and, II unobstruced, might be very useful for the
transportation OF supplies There are eight permsnen
the railroad bridges and four large roads pass from the
Lain through the Taunas Mountains toward Mayence or
Frankfort
The MAIZE is not a navgabe river and its chief mill
tary Importance is a slight additional barrier In
region which is almost impossible without It, The rugged
character OF the river banks near Bngen as indeed al
become very generally known, ACCOUNT Of its rare
beauty.
MAYEscR with Castel Just across the Rhine, forms
very important station for the defense Of the river May
l.I In
Is new while the larger portion is very old The moats
dry except the north front On the south side the
citadel with its two basons and the Eigelsein row
Of ports and lunettes surrounds the first wall little In
advance and still further out but not far are several
detached forts Of which occupy higher ground than
the low plain of the city The largest of these Fort
weisenau, which has good position on high ground
opposite the mouth of the MAN, Below the town. on the
Bingen SIDE fourth line Of works has been commenced.
considerably in advance Of the third since good ordnance
can reach the city all three lines they now stand
Caste forms large bridgehe to the pontoonbrdge.
II composed OF five bas;ons, with ditch filled with
water and with four lunetes covering the curtains
short distance below Casel and connected with by
wall lies Fort Montebello. WORK Of some strength,
which could be very useful in Of attack from the
direction OF Bebrch, In crossing should he at
tempted by way Of the two eighty fortified islands,
Peters Aue and Ingelhemer Aue. small fort stands
In either angle of the two formed by the Junction OF the
Main with the Rhine ana good intrenchments connect
the lower fort with Castel Gustayus Adophus fortned
this point In the Thirty Years War.
railroad bridge spans the Rhine above the Junction
with the MAN, and is protected by new bridgehead on
the right bank, and by Fort Weisenau ON the left
The Importance Of holding firm possession Of the mouth
~ the MAN, cannot be estimated too highly. Cuisine
took advantage of the weakness Of the place. In the cam
paien of 1872, and with a comparatively small army,
ouerated successfully In the Of the Prusans as
IN hasten their retreat and throw the contest back upon
aerman soil The Main Ii navigabe as far up as BAN
herg and ia connected with the Danube by canal run
ming paralel with tho RegnitA Political changes nave