美国学生历史 第193期:从布尔·朗到莫福利保罗(7)

 397. Forts Henry and Donelson, February, 1862. 397．亨利要塞与丹尼尔森要塞（1862年2月）

In February, 1862, General Grant and Commodore Foote attacked two forts which the Confederates had built to keep the Federal gunboats from penetrating¹ the western part of the Confederacy. 1862年2月，格兰特将军和海军准将符提攻打了南方联盟的两个要塞，这两个要塞是为阻止联邦炮艇插入南方联盟西部地区而修建。

Fort Henry yielded almost at once, but the Union forces besieged² Fort Donelson for a longer time. 亨利要塞几乎立刻就投降，但是，联邦军队包围丹尼尔森要塞的时间相对长一些。

Soon the Confederate defense³ became hopeless, and General Buckner asked for the terms of surrender. 很快南方联盟没有希望再坚守下去，巴克纳将军请求投降的要件，

"Unconditional⁴ surrender," replied Grant, and Buckner surrendered. 格兰特将军的回答是"无条件投降"，于是，巴克纳投降。

The lower Tennessee and the lower Cumberland were now open to the Union forces. 此时，田纳西和坎伯兰两河下游都在联邦军队的控制之下。

398. Importance of New Orleans. 398．新奥尔良的重要性

New Orleans and the lower Mississippi were of great importance to both sides, for the possession of this region gave the Southerners access to Texas, and through Texas to Mexico. 新奥尔良与密西西比河下游地区对双方都很重要，如果南方联盟军占据这两个地方他们就可以进入得克萨斯并进而到达墨西哥。

Union fleets were blockading every important Southern port. 联邦军队已封锁了南方所有的要塞，

But as long as commerce overland with Mexico could be maintained, the South could struggle on. 但是，只要存在与墨西哥的陆路贸易，南方人就可以坚持抵抗；

The Mississippi, too, has so many mouths that it was difficult to keep vessels⁵ from running in and out. 密西西比河也有许多入海口，很难阻止军舰进出。

For these reasons the Federal government determined⁶ to seize New Orleans and the lower Mississippi. 由于这些原因，联邦政府决定夺取新奥尔良和密西西比河下游。

The command of the expedition was given to Farragut, who had passed his boyhood in Louisiana. 这次出征由法罗哥特指挥，他在路易斯安那度过童年。

He was given as good a fleet as could be provided, and a force of soldiers was sent to help him. 联邦给法罗哥特配备了联邦最好的一支舰队，并派一支部队去协助他。

1 penetrating   

adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的

参考例句：

• He had an extraordinarily penetrating gaze. 他的目光有股异乎寻常的洞察力。
• He examined the man with a penetrating gaze. 他以锐利的目光仔细观察了那个人。

2 besieged   

包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Paris was besieged for four months and forced to surrender. 巴黎被围困了四个月后被迫投降。
• The community besieged the newspaper with letters about its recent editorial. 公众纷纷来信对报社新近发表的社论提出诘问，弄得报社应接不暇。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 unconditional   

adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的

参考例句：

• The victorious army demanded unconditional surrender.胜方要求敌人无条件投降。
• My love for all my children is unconditional.我对自己所有孩子的爱都是无条件的。

5 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。