Year: 1870

on the right bank of the Seine near its junction
with the Marne, and consequently near the apex
OF the angle formed by the two rivers, stands
Fort de Charenton or dAlfort. Three miles and
half northeast Of this, and near the Marne, is
Fort de Nogent another fortress great strength.
standing on high hill which commands the
country for miles around Northnorthwest,
at a distance of two miles from de Nogent is
Fort de Rosny, situated on the extreme right Of
tier of hills which extend in q west-northwest
direction to Pantin, which is not given on the
map, but which We shall locate for the reader
further on. In the centre of this tier, mile and
three-quarters from Fort de Rosny, is Fort de
Romainville; while on the extreme left ofthe tier,
one mile and quarter distant, is Fort de Noisy,
to the east Of which, near by stands Pantin, the
place referred to in the foregoing sentence. From
this fort to Fort Aubervers, two miles and a
half to the northwest, the country is an open
plain, through which runs the Canal de Ourcq.
These six forts are all on the right bank of the
Seine and cover front of some thirteen miles.
In front of Fort de Rosny there ia high ground
near by, but it is commanded by Fort de Nogent,
as well as by the fort it confronts.


Besides these forts, which are all that are
given upon the map, there are three important
fortresses. One mile and quarter northwest of
Aubervers is the strong redoubt La Fasanderie
and one mile and a half northwest of that is tho
double Couronne du Nord, situated in front of st.
Denis and being one of the most important
fortresses around the city. One mile west
of this fortress is Fort de Ia Briche
situated directly on the bank of the Seine.
From this point to Mont valeren, on the
huo 10 n ,,fc and N botc vail,
unprotected by any forts. But it will be perceived
that along here is the great bend Of the river. In
the event of an enemy crossing between forts
de la Birche and Mont valerien, he would run
very great risk OF being cut off from retreat by
movement of the garrison from the
north, and hemmed up in narrow tract
of ground. From our statement of distances
it will be ascertained that the circle of fortresses
covers front of thirty-fve miles, or rather that
that number of miles is their circumference.
Such front would compel the enemy, if they
sit down to a regular siege, to cover circumfer.
ence of at least ffty-fve miles with lines of cir
cumvallation and contravallaton should the object
be to cut off the besieged from all chance of relief
It will thus be seen that the Prussian army has a
rather formidable job to accomplish before it can
shut up the French in Paris.


Having minutely located and named the differ.
ent fortresses, with the distances between them,
general sketch of their capacity will be found
interesting. The fifteen forts combined present
ninety three fronts Each fort is separate and
distinct work, intended to rely upon itself in case
Of necessity, though receiving support from the
works that flank it. All are casemates, and,
combined, mount twenty three hundred guns
of all kinds and calibres. Their armaments
have been in them for long while. so
that but little work has been required
for them since there was prospect of Paris being
besieged. Each has its own magazine, barracks,
storeRouse and supply of water, SO that should
one be captured the two on each aide would not
be nconvenienced in the slightest degree, while
the captors certainly would be from the flank tire
of the two forts referred to.


THE GARRISON.


As announced from Paris, the garrison, in the
event OF q siege. will consist Of 10000 men. OF