Letter from R. P. Guyard to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; July 7, 1862

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Letter from R. P. Guyard to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; July 7, 1862

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People

Guyard, R. P.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867

Events

Crime Crime--Smuggling Military Engagements Military Engagements--New Orleans, Capture of, La., 1862 Taxation Taxation--Confederate States of America

Military Units

United States. Army United States. Navy

Businesses

Railroads and Railroad Companies Railroads and Railroad Companies--New Orleans, Jackson, & Great Northern Railroad Company (New Orleans, La.)

Occupations

Contractors Manufacturers Watchman

Places

Bodies of Water--Arkansas. Little Red River Bodies of Water--Interstate. Arkansas River Bodies of Water--Interstate. Mississippi River Bodies of Water--Interstate. Ohio River Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish. Pass Manchac Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Lincoln County. Bogue Chitto Tennessee--Shelby County. Memphis

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Enslaved People

Page 1

Bogue Chitto Miss 7^th July 1862

Hon. John J Pettus, Governor of the State of Mississippi

D^r Sir [gap] In these trying times you will not consider it intruding, if one offers some suggestions that can permanently secure for all time, the safe and quiet use to the confederacy, of as much of the Mississippi River as is indespensable to have crossing for travellers, and Rail-roads wherever needed, and which shall be inaccessible to the enemy.

It is not a difficult matter to obstruct the River entirely across, and make it impassable at a point below the mouth of Red river, and also at a point above Memphis, embracing the railroads between, provided a strong protecting force, and strong batteries be stationed at the points designated, to keep off the enemy while the work of placing the obstructions is going on, and to protect the works afterwards. The batteries to be covered over with railroad iron and walled in, so that shells may burst on and about them, and yet do but little harm. With these protecting this very important measure could be shortly and successfully accomplished, and thus permanently secure without fear of interruptions from the gun boats of the enemy, a vast inland commerce between the States of the confederacy on both sides of the River.

The barrier below would prevent any more boats ascending, sent round from the North, and the barrier above would prevent any from descending from the Ohio or elsewhere. In the mean time if the gun boats and mortar boats of the enemy now present do not escape, measures must certainly taken to capture or destroy them, and they must be prevented from bulding any between the proposed barriers.

The obstructions above and below being completed would give us an inland Sea, swarming with our Steam Boats many hundred miles in length, and into ^which^ the Arkansas and Red rivers empty. The boats from those rivers could ascend and descend at pleasure, and the entire benefits accrue to the confederacy, which would then be per-fectly self sustaining; developing her giant strength as she grows instead of being strangled in her infancy; and the world out-side would see, that we can thrive without New Orleans, which would be rendered valueless to the enemy, but when restored, it would be more valuable than ever to the Confederacy.

Page 2

It ought not to be expected that a short war will accomplish our deliverance. Patch up a hasty peace and the prosperity of the Confederacy will be retarded a century if not crippled for ever; but if the means we [profess?] are judiciously and faithfully used, success is sure to follow. The occupation of New Orleans by the enemy teaches us what we must yet do, to [wit?]. Deprive him of the use of the Mississippi River, and his naval arm of attack is [halved?] and useless.

The finger of Providence points out the loss of New Orleans to be our gain instead of our disaster, if we but do our duty, and help ourselves with the resources of men and means that we profess, and ask me favours of the world outside. In the mean time, the Confederacy will establish her manufactories to supply all reasonable wants, and grow stronger and stronger instead of being exhausted du-ring the contest. Indeed the Mississippi must be secured at any cost however great; and now while the water is low is the time to begin to try, and that without delay.

The way the obstructing above proposed, can be easily made, is by driving piles obliquely, so as to place rows of snags entirely across the river.—When driven sufficiently to plant them firm, they should be pointed sharp.—The snags should point up stream above memphis, and down stream below the mouth of Red river. Pile-drivers can be arranged to work on various craft built for the purpose. vz

A square hull, the deck of which is a floating platform, on which a small steam engine can be placed to haul up the logs into the jaws of the pile driver. Such a one was used to drive the piles at pass manshac. It was a small affair, but answered the purpose very well.—A crank will do to work by hand, if not convenient to get an Engine.

Or a boat built with two sections after the manner of a ferry boat that has but one water wheel and that in the middle. Over the space between the sections, the pile-driver can be placed, and the logs drawn up by crank or engine.

Several rows of these Snags should be planted; the more the better.

Have no contractors. The work is simple—A few hundred hands can soon cut, prepare and launch the logs, and tow them to the pile drivers as fast as wanted.

Chains or cables across the river as a barrier is worse than useless.

After the satsifaction of peace, the piles can either be removed, or the work improved, and two openings made in each barrier, one for vessels to pass up, and the other for them to pass down, from and to New Orleans as usual; and tolls or duties estab-lished to pay for lights, watchmen &c to prevent smuggling, and also to keep the works in repair.

Very Respectfully submitted

R P Guyard

P. S. The rows of piles are part of my plan, but perhaps they will suffice without any thing more.

Behind the piles I would place several rows of wooden piers of triangular form, built with logs 20 feet long for two sides, and 6 feet long for the base; placed near enough to let the river run between them without hindrance, but impassable for boats.

The whole would stand in position, thus,

[Image: Horizontal drawing depicting the described obstruction of the Mississippi River. The left side of the drawing indicates "Below Red River," while the right side of the drawing indicates "Above Memphis."]

The floods and drift wood, will pass over the piles at the high stages of water, without injury. Although the work would be rough, it would be correct & substantial and endure for ages. After the war these barriers will not be in the way because openings can be made for boats to pass and repass as above stated. Should another war occur these works would stand ready, and during peace, be a permanent wall against enemies within and without.

For occular demonstration, I have made a rough model of these piers, and written down the details to understand and carry out the work. I will send it to you if acceptable.

Also will come and explain personally if agreeable.

R P Guyard

Page 3

Great Northern R. R.

R P Guyard7 July 1862

New Orleans, Jackson and ~~Great Northern Rail Road~~

Transportation from [gap] to [gap] ~~185~~[gap]

MARKS.

CONSIGNERS.

CONSIGNEES.

DESCRIPTI~~ON OF GOOD~~S

~~No. feet~~

~~Weight~~

~~AMOUNT.~~

~~REMAR~~KS.