It is a mile distant, and with Fortress Monroe defends Hampton Roads, the Gosport navy yard, and Norfolk." "They both have soldiers in them ?" she said inquiringly.
"Yes, daughter; both contain barracks for soldiers, and Fortress Monroe has also an arsenal, a United States school of artillery, chapel, and, besides the barracks for the soldiers, storehouses and other buildings, and covers eighty acres of ground." "And when was it finished, papa?
How long did it take to build it ?" "It is not finished yet," he answered, "and has already cost nearly three million dollars.

It is an irregular hexagon--that is has six sides and six angles--surrounded by a tide-water ditch eight feet deep at high water." "I see trees and flower gardens, papa," she remarked.
"Yes," he said, "there are a good many trees, standing singly and in groves.

The flower gardens belong to the officers' quarters.

Now, if you will make yourselves ready for the trip, ladies, Mr.Dinsmore, and any of you younger ones who care to go," he added, smoothing Grace's golden curls with caressing hand and smiling down into her face, "we will take a nearer view." No one felt disposed to decline the invitation and they were soon on their way to the fortress.
It did not take very long to look at all they cared to see; then they returned to their vessel, weighed anchor, and passed through the narrow channel of the Rip Raps into the spacious harbor of Hampton Roads.
It was a lovely day and all were on deck, enjoying the breeze and the prospect on both land and water.
"Papa," said Lulu, "you haven't told us yet what happened here in the last war with England." "No," he said.

"They attacked Hampton by both land and water, a force of two thousand five hundred men under General Beckwith landing at Old Point Comfort, and marching from there against the town, while at the same time Admiral Cockburn assailed it from the water.
"The fortification at Hampton was but slight and guarded by only four hundred and fifty militiamen.