The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-12
MAP OF THE DEFEssEs OF WASHINGTON.

Of the existing defenses than he could be
when a few months earlier he had relin-
pushed the charge of a work which had
been regarded by Congress as already car
ried further than necessary.
RECONsTRUCTING AND STRENGTHEN
ING THE DEFENsEs.
the most energetic means were taken to
increase the strength of the line, whether
by the construction of new works or by
the enlargement and Improvement of old
ones. Many of the latter, occupying sites
Of which the Commanding character had
prompted an early and hastily-executed
occupation, were entirely too small.
Such were Fort Stevens, Fort SlOcum,
Fort Ward. At other localities the proper
occupation Of the site required more or
less extensive auxiliary constructions
Such were the sites of Forts Lyon, Sum-
ner, Reno, Lincoln, Meigs and others.
Numerous gaps existed, requiring the in
terpolation of new works. Rayines or
depfessIOIs OF surface, unseen from the
works, intersected the line Mt various
points or lay along its front, to control
which numerous auxiliary batteries were
necessary. Finally it was evident that,
even with all such improvements, the de-
lenses would yet remain only system
Of points d'appui' to line of battle
unless they were connected by works
which would cover the troops occupying
the intermediate foreground and offer
some obstacle to the passage of the enemy.
Besides the foregoing demands for new
construction or further development, there
was necessity for repairing and even
rebuilding much of the interior structure
OF the original works, and for providing
nearly all OF them with so much bOmb-proof
q h.s,.
against concentrated fire of artillery.
Finally, great change in the character
and arrangement Of the armament was
urgently needed. The demand for field
guns for our armies had stripped our
arsenals of them and compelled the sub
sfitution in these forts of large numbers of
"a and 32-pOunders on barbette carriages.
Such guns made very improper arma-
ment. Not only We're they too heavy and
unmanageable, but so exposed that at
close quarters they would be nearly un
serviceable. To replace most OF these as
rapidly as possible by light guns on field
or carriages placed in eInbrasure, was
deemed imperative, in doing which an
other expedient to enhance the efficiency
Of the artillery fire suggested itself. Along
the extended belt OF country on which the
line was located were numerous points.
either IN che works themselves or within
approaches, and from which a fianking
hre from heavy rifled guns to an extent of
Inree or four miles could be obtained.
Battery Cameron, near Georgetown. had
ALREADY been built to answer such q DUR
pose III relation to the Arlington lines 1t
was now proposed to mount rifled 100
Founders at intervals of two or three miles
for the same object. An enemy attacking
or approaching any part of the lines would
ha V-n To 4
before him (Which he might, indeed, hone
TO sIlence), but would be taken in flank
by distant fire Of heavy projectiles, with
which his own artillery could not contend.
AGAINST NAVAL ATTACK.
Another object, quite independent NJ
the original purposes Of the defenses. sup-
gested itself at this period as important.
namely, the better defense OF the river
against naval approach, by the construc
ton Of water batteries.
Inc above projected DEVELOPMENTS
would, it carried out, involve an amount
or labor and expenditure far exceeding
what had originally been bestowed mon
the works and they would necessarily re-
ton OF the Secretary of War, the Iate n
NJ. stanton. who gave the most cordial
ana unqualified support to the efforts of
the engineers, everything that il was nroc-
ticable to undertake was begun at once
the Secretary assuming the responsibility
OF applying thereto moneys available for
general purposes Of the kind. IL was oh.
vious, however, that the expenditure
would continue indefinitely and ultimate.
~ amount to very large sum. In face
OF the recent formal prohibition of Con
gress to begin new works, it seemed de-
slrable, in order to justify the Secretarv
in applying means at his command. or in
calling upon Congress for further annro-
priations, that some other sanction than
the irresponsible will Of the Chief En-
glneer OF the defenses should be obtained |
not only for the course taken, but also |
for the righteousness of the plans pro.
posed for its execution. A Commission
consisting Of Brevet Brig. Gen. ]. G. TOT.
Zen, Cnlef Engineer, United States Army;
Brig Gen: N. G: Meigs, Qusrtermaster.
General, United States Army, formerly Of
the United States Engineers; Brig. Gen.
w. +. Barry, Chief Of ARTILLERY; Brig.