New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-03

"ouR sEA-CoAsT FoRTszx#AT THEY HAVE
SIZED i cARb FROM 6ME GEN Hf BA Shi1H I'm
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Under the above head appears in your
issue Of the 10Th nit. datrbe against the engneers
About IS years ago, while travelling in neighboring
state the driver OF the Jersey wagon which answered
In those parts for sagecOach, turned to me, as we
approaching small country town, and asked If
did not wish to a place that was finished. looked
around with slight curiosity. Although there was
not wanting in many OF the dwellings, an air OF comfort
10 which, perhaps much anything else, complete
an essential element vet the numerous tumble
down buildings and Isolated and fOrlOrn chimney
reSs 5 had lpr bep II the sma The those for
new constructions (" had evidently been nil
completing fort answers 10 this example OF finishing
town, but viii venture to say that had the engineers
announced that the harbor defense forts OF the United
States were finished, and that no new work was
10 be DONE and no more money needed 10 render New
York and Boston, Philadelphia and Baitinofe, ah ~
Washington, &c perfectly secure against British
Monarchs, and Hercules, and Devastations, and
TO of ten years back and armed with engines OF
destruction not dreamed OF when the forts he thlnks
should have been finished were bullt, he would nave
been Of the lOudest in denOuncing the engineers,
not merely as needy supplcants for more money and
something TO 40 but as the Oldest OF fOgles your CORE
spOndeut Is probably quite familiar with the whole
subject and can inform you whether the forts OF the
the models Of Vauban those OF Monalambert, even
whether the poygonal German system has found its
way into sea-coast batteries He may TOO inform us
who rs the most recent authority on these subjects
The which the Chef OF Engineers
though they sometimes designated 10y the name OF
the forts" where they 10 be applied are In some
for the modification OF existing earthen batteries
10 adapt them 20 the modern guns and 10 the changed
demands OF their service I'm Others to the construction
earthen batteries and, finally, to the mounting
OF such guns upon the works themselves wherever as IN
most cases they capable OF receiving them with
advantage In they designed 10 cover with
dirt existing masonry walls. Most Of the present eng-
ueer officers" have actually had some experience with
what a regiment Of infantry do with shOves in
their hands Most Of them know too what the Rebels
did-what they found themselves compelled 70 do--to
defend their harbOrs against rOncad ana wooden
fleets carrying OF caber and power vastly inferior
naval ornaments, and they are OF opinion
that would take great many Ie sinents OF infantry
great many hours" 10 throw up such works as We
found at Fort Fisher at Charleston, Savannah Mobile,
etc. etc. belive that with similar expenditure OF
money and labor adapt the larbOr defenses 10
modern requirements but certainly do not tell Con
grcss and the people that these defeue are finished
that they will be- finished II il grants the money now
asked. All the modern Developments in the art OF de-
fcnse such as irOu-cad "mOnitors,' rams, tOrpe-
does" or ObstructiOus WILL IN Of need, he applied.
but these VIII not and cannot superede shorebattTle
The introduction Of iron into such batteries j. not yet
attempted by account Of it, enormous eNpen-e and
the uncertainty yet existing to the way or construc
ton England is however deyotng Immense sums OF
money iron constructions for AarbOr defense forte and
W shall have ultimately 20 come to 1t or leave many
sites important tO the defense U1Occuped 10y guns.
NeW York, Nay 4, 1870 j. u. bAEhARD'