Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-02-15

nection u Grande Riviere. An army
with the necessary guns and equipage
successfully 10 attack this stronghold,
would have 20 come from that direc-
ton.
Guns On the PROV commanded the
nearer and sleeper approaches. both
from the direction Of Grande Riviere
and ~ Milot. Other guns along the
southern and western sides command
81 adequately all other points OF APP
proach. Numerous loopholes we're es-
pecially prepared FOR the use Of sharp
shooters.
The elevation at the basc OF the
citadel has been variousiy given as
from 1890 10 $500 feet. but a care
ful reading 81 a compensated aneroid
barometer records 2.600 feet To this
must be added the height OF the diff
ferent walls. In order 10 ascertain the
correct eleyation TO the top Of the
building.
Approach Is Difficult.
The difficulty In reaching the cit
adel Is due not 50 much 20 its ele-
walton as TO the fact that 20 reach IL
one l. compelled 10 cross at least eight
miles 81 mountainous country. and the
approaches are all very steep. The
highest place on the walls (measured
10 the ground) is 10 feet. The high
ct wall, measured perpendicularly, Is
the prov, which has a drop Of 80
feet. other walls range from 50 TO
lie feet,
Although large granite blocks are
10 be found in many places through
out the building, most Of IL is built
OF red fire bricks OF different sizes, the
average brick being 10 inches long.
inches wide. and inches thick. These
bricks apparently were manufactured
on the site OF the building. The noun
talns for long distances In all direc-
items from the citadel show traces OF
Titanic labor in getting out building
material. The average number OF
floors is four, the longest being on
the east face. where the main battery
Is located. II has a length OF 20
feet IN one stretch.
The main battery gallery has an
inside width OF 80 feet. Each gun
Commandment has wonderful vaulted
i ceilings 20 feet high, each compart-
ment being separated from those adj
Joining By thick masonry walls. con-
nected by low passageway. This Is
20 minimize the effect OF local explo-
slons and possible hits.
Behind each gun there are still 10
be found neat piles Of cannon balis
ready for use. while In convenient
chambers lust TO the rear OF some OF
the guns are heaps Of decomposed
black powder mingled with the re-
mains OF the original wooden powder
cases. A vast pile Of similar debris
Is also 10 be found in the large powder
magazine.
The largest guns are IL feet inches
long. caIIber 8 inches (firing a 6-inch
cannon baIl), 1 foot 10 inches thick
A. the breech and foot So inches at
the muzzle. dated 1Ts6. They are
made OF bronze and have enormous
hardwood mounts Of the primitive
Gravity return type. moving In train
over a large E,etal arc set In the nooF'
and on small wheels Of a strong make
These guns came mostly from the Eng
fish. some from the captured French
forts. and others. judging from the
very apparent results OF the corrosive
action OF salt water on them, from
war vessels wrecked along the treach-
erous coast.
There are only two entrances 10 ths
citadel. one was used 10 bring IN
the reserve cannon balls from the long
pIles stored by sizes on the slopins
terrace to the south; the other al
mlts 10 the prov. Both entrances
were closed by massive. boited ana
Ioopholed wooden doors.
The entire structure is In an exec
lent state q preservation. except tnat
the Ecors In the prov were all shaken
down In the earthquake OF ls42' when
laid the town OF Cape Haitien In ruins
Chrisfophe's downfall and oeatn
we're as sudden and melodramauc as
the rest OF his career. While attend
ing mass on April Is. $50. he sur.
gered a stroke Of apoplexy and zen
heavily 10 the floor alongside the altar
IN the chapel. paralyzed below tns
waist. Rebellion soon broke out ano
,he hing deserted By bis army, cum