Head-quarters, Seventh
Army Corps, Fort Monroe, September 15,1862.
Major-general H. W. Halleck, General-in-chief:
general, — Before
I left Baltimore I designed to represent to the Government the importance of
making Fort Federal Hill a permanent fortification, but was prevented by my
sudden departure. There is now an admirable earthwork, and all that is
necessary is to surround it with brick walls and construct casemates within. I
do not think an essential alteration of the plan necessary. The ground would
probably cost on appraisement $100,000; the work, $250,000; which, in view of
the important object to be secured, is a very moderate expenditure.
The considerations by which this measure is supported are as
follows:
1. The geographical position of Baltimore renders it
indispensable that it should be under the control of the Government by military
force, in order to insure the quietude and safety of the capital. The direct
connection of the two cities, and the preponderance of Baltimore in population,
require that the latter should not be left to the dangers arising from popular
or political excitement.
2. There is no city in the Union in which domestic
disturbances have been more frequent or carried to more fatal extremes, from
1812 to the present day. Although the great body of the people are eminently
distinguished for their moral virtues, Baltimore has always contained a mass of
inflammable material, which ignites on the slightest provocation. A city so
prone to burst out into flame, and thus become dangerous to its neighbors,
should be controlled by the strong arm of the Government whenever these
paroxysms of excitement occur.
3. Fort Federal Hill completely commands the city, and is
capable, from its proximity to the principal business quarters, of assailing
any one without injury to the others. The hill seems to have been placed there
by Nature as a site for a permanent citadel; and I beg to suggest whether a
neglect to appropriate it to its obvious design would not be an unpardonable
dereliction of duty.
As I was more than ten months in command at Baltimore, and
as Fort Federal Hill and Fort Marshall were undertaken and completed on my
recommendation and under my supervision, I trust I shall be excused for these
suggestions. General Cullum went over the ground with me before the plan of
defence, of which the two forts referred to were the principal parts, was
finally adopted, and is familiar with the whole subject.
I am, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
john A. Dix.
SOURCE: Morgan Dix, Memoirs of John Adams Dix,
Volume 2, p. 36
