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| Fortress Monroe in 1861.1 |
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at bay. He had quietly but significantly turned the muzzles of some of his great guns landward; and, unheeding the mad cry of the politicians, that it was an act of war, and the threats of rebellious men in arms, of punishment for his insolence, he defied the enemies of his country.
Those guns taught Letcher prudence, and Wise caution, and Lee circumspection, and Jefferson Davis respectful consideration.
The immense importance of the post was
apprehended by them all, and its possession was coveted by them all; but there was Dimick, late in May, with the great fortress and its almost four hundred cannon — the massive key to the waters of Maryland, Virginia, and Upper North Carolina--firmly in his possession--“a fine old Leonidas at the ”
1 this was the most extensive military work in the country. It was commenced in 1819, and was completed at a cost of two millions five hundred thousand dollars. It was named in honor of President Monroe. Its walls, faced with heavy blocks of granite, are thirty-five feet in thickness, and casemated below. It is entirely surrounded by a deep moat filled with water; and the peninsula, known as old Point Comfort, on which it is constructed, is connected with the main by a narrow isthmus of sand, and by a Bridge in the direction of the village of Hampton. The picture is a bird's-eye view of the fort and its surroundings in 1861. beginning at the top of the picture, we see, on the extreme left, the Chesapeake Female Seminary, and toward the right, Camp Hamilton. Over and beyond us is the village of Hampton. Beginning at the isthmus, on the right, we see the grand water-battery. Next to it is the light-house, and the old wharf. Next are seen buildings, with trees in front, for the accommodation of the Government officers. There is seen the Quartermaster's, or Baltimore wharf, near which are several buildings for Government use. Near there a railway commences which extends across the Bridge to the main, to near Hampton Bridge. Farther to the left is seen the United States Hospital building, with wharves in front; and near by, the main entrance to the fort, across a drawbridge. Farther to the left are a church and the Ordnance Department. Within the fort, at the right of the flag, is seen the commanding General's quarters, and not far from it, crossed by the perpendicular flag-staff, is the chapel across the parade from the church, are the barracks — a long building. The aspect of the place, outside of the fort, was much changed during the war.
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