Smith, Martin Luther, 1819-1866 to David Emanuel Twiggs

Smith, a Major in the Confederate Corps of Engineers, discusses the defenses of New Orleans with Twiggs, Commander of the District of Louisiana. States "Our personal examination and instrumental reconnaissance of the vicinity of N. O., with the view to its defence by a line of works immediately encircling it, was suspended early this month, first by matters considered to be of greater military urgency, second, by the determination of the city authorities of N. O., to trust the location and construction of these works to their own Engineers to the extent allowed by the appropriation they had made." Relates that he will inform Leroy Pope Walker, Confederate Secretary of War, of the positions and length of the defenses that surround New Orleans, as well as the number and caliber of guns required to arm them. Reports that the next area to receive fortification will be Gentilly Ridge, since this area could be easily breached if Fort Macomb (near the Ridge) were taken. After fortifying Gentilly Ridge, the engineers plan to strengthen the defenses affecting the four routes of communication between Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans. Discusses the details of other New Orleans fortifications, and lists the type and amount of guns required for arming the defenses. Contains a Rebel Archives stamp.