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A BOMB-PROOF
BATTERY.
AT the present session of
Congress there is but little doubt that orders will be given to finish the
celebrated BOMB-PROOF BATTERY, designed by R. L. Stevens, and which for so many
years has lain at the yard at Hoboken, securely guarded by watchmen and dogs.
Until very recently no one connected with the press has ever visited it. Our
artist, however, embraced an opportunity of visiting the monster ship, and has
furnished us with the sketch, which we reproduce on this page. He also learned
that this vessel, when about to engage in an action, is sunk so that its decks
are just above water. It will mount a powerful battery of six-teen rifled guns
in the bomb-proof casemates, while two heavy Columbiads for throwing shell will
be mounted on the deck — one forward and the other aft. The funnels, or
smoke-pipes, will be constructed on the telescopic principle, and can be lowered
at
pleasure, or in action, when they
would serve for a mark for the enemy's shot. Mr. Stevens says that if the vessel
is fitted out according to his plans, he would be willing to guarantee the
capture of Sumter in a less number of hours than it took the South Carolinians
with their seventeen batteries.
REFRESHMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERS.
WE illustrate on
page 438 an
admirable Philadelphia "institution," which we commend to the notice of the
public. The artist who obligingly sent us the sketch describes it as follows :
PHILADELPHIA, June 17, 1861.
I send you herewith a few
sketches, illustrating an admirable idea for furnishing the volunteers for the
United States, passing through Philadelphia to the seat of war, with a real
solace, in the shape of hot coffee and plenty of bread, butter, and cold meat,
free of expense. When the troops began to hasten to the defense of the
Government most of them passed through here, travel-worn and hungry, without any
intimation to our citizens of their visit, and nearly all at such hours after
midnight as precluded any public reception. Then it was that a few patriotic
individuals would bring baskets of bread and a few gallons of coffee to comfort
and refresh a few of the strangers. These limited yet thankfully received
supplies were handed in the car windows until the want became known, when, from
the bare suspicion that a regiment was coming, many would stay up nearly all
night, making what coffee their little domestic articles would allow, and taking
it to the general
table near the depot, But this
was too limited, many soldiers getting none, which soon attracted the attention
of some energetic persons, who determined to carry the affair to a complete and
creditable form. Donations of money and means were solicited, and were given
with a liberality suitable to the cause. The two large heaters and boilers (in
the sketch) were given by Mr. Savory. The use of the two buildings at the
southwest corner of Water and Washington streets was obtained (each about sixty
feet deep), which have been furnished with tables, neatly covered with white
cloths, set with ironstone plates and tin cups, and can accommodate three full
companies at one time, having now complete facilities for furnishing a regiment
with as much food as they can eat, and nearly a quart of coffee for each man. As
few men can drink over a pint, it is a rich treat to see them emptying the
whisky from their canteens to receive the coffee. "Och mon !" said a big
Scotchman with the Highland Regiment the other day, after clearing his tin cup
at one draught and smacking his lips —"och mon, but thot's gude !" Arrangements
have also been made to receive telegraphic communications from regiments or
companies several hours in advance of their arrival, when our citizens are
notified by the firing of cannon—one gun announcing the fact, and the requisite
number telling the hour at which they will arrive. The first call of the
volunteers is frequently for water to wash with, and to-morrow the plumber will
finish the introduction of water pipe and forty spiggots. A suitable number of
wash-basins and towels, with plenty soap, have been furnished. Gas will also be
introduced by Thursday, when a grand public festival and flag-raising will
celebrate the completion of this patriotic and really substantial display of
sympathy for a great cause.
I have sent you the sketch, as
you have the largest circulation of any paper in the country. Should you find it
worthy of publication it may be the means of conveying the idea to the patriotic
in other sections. As one of the
Massachusetts boys told me
to-day, "Coffee is better than whisky."
The attentive correspondent to
whom we have been indebted for so many interesting sketches of the rebel army in
Virginia has supplied us with the drawings which we reproduce this week on
pages
436 and 445. They represent VIRGINIA TROOPS CROSSING THE BLUE RIDGE AT DAYBREAK,
EN ROUTE FOR MANASSAS JUNCTION, and a CAMP OF CONFEDERATE TROOPS AT
WHITE
SPRINGS, ON THE MANASSAS GAP RAILROAD. These pictures are intrinsically
interesting, and those who can form an idea of the difficulty with which the
sketches are obtained will not prize them the less on that account. Our
correspondent writes:
HILLSBORO, VIRGINIA, June 23,
1861.
The sketch of troops crossing the
Blue Ridge I made a few days ago. It strikingly illustrates a Virginia regiment
on the march. I think I shall paint the same subject when the war is over. The
other sketch, made on Thursday, is the camp of a portion of the large army now
under the command of
General Beauregard, whose head-quarters are somewhere about
Manassas Junction. It is said there is now upward of fifty thousand men in that
neighborhood; but of that it is impossible to tell, as the whole country is a
camp. I never saw so many tents, soldiers, and horses before in my life. I would
freely give you all the information in any power in regard to matters here;
but it is one of the conditions
upon which my friend has consented to take charge of my letters, that I send no
intelligence abroad, as it might place us both in an ugly fix if any thing of
the sort were found upon him. The people here are very suspicious, and no man
who values his life should come here for the sake of curiosity. As for me, I
shall get away as soon as I can. Living here is both uncomfortable and
expensive. Food is plenty; but in traveling you are obliged to go horseback or
on foot, as railroads are mostly taken up for the transportation of troops, etc.
Bayonets bristle at every town. You are stopped at every step; and a stranger,
even with a pass from a commanding officer, finds the greatest difficulty in
getting about. I never was in such a warlike place before, and shall be glad to
get back to Maryland, where at least there is some show of peace. When I leave
here I think I
shall try the Federal Army,
where, no doubt, I will find more facility in sketching.
The
Washington correspondent of
the Times says : A lady arrived here last night from Richmond. She prepared to
leave Virginia several days since, but, from her well-known intimate relations
to leading Union men in Virginia, was flatly refused the courtesy of a pass from
Jeff Davis. A subsequent application to Beauregard met with a similar refusal.
She escaped, however, and upon reaching the bank of the Potomac, several miles
above Washington, procured the services of a boatman, who brought her down the
river during the night, and she reached town in safety. She informs me that
scattered along the route from Richmond to Manassas, and thence to Fairfax Court
House, the Confederates have a large body of troops. General Beauregard openly
declares his intention to move toward Washington, and hopes yet to be able to
take it. His plan is—so this authority avers—to get as near our Arlington
outposts as possible with his main force, and to shell the city. Thence,
meantime, he designs to push his column on, to engage our forces, and to carry
such points as he is able to conquer, and with a reserve march finally upon the
Capital. She adds that General Beauregard, through his emissaries, who are
constantly coming to and going from this city, is thoroughly informed of all the
movements of our forces.
ON
page 439 the reader will find
a truthful picture of the crew of the United States steam-frigate Colorado,
which has lately sailed from Boston to join the blockading fleet. The men were
all recruited and shipped at Boston, and we understand that an unusual
proportion of them are Americans. Their physique goes to show that the race has
not degenerated in that part of the country, and that when occasion offers they
will do full justice to the reputation which our gallant tars have won in many a
fight and on many a sea.
THE STEVENS BOMB-PROOF BATTERY
AS IT WILL APPEAR WHEN COMPLETED.
GUN-BOATS FITTING OUT AT
CINCINNATI, OHIO, FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
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