Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-17
ToPOGRAPHr OF THE SEAT OF WAR,

/ Descriptions OF the Position OF the Confea.
4 ate FeRces ON Ghe Potomac.
The Washington correspondents Of the New York
E1szing Post furnishes the following description Of
the Confederate forces on the Potomac :tall sll :
/ elbs KJEsosis HILL. sFe
HunsOn's Hill is naturally strong position, and
h especially so for the rebels who are at that point
only four miles distant from the railway leading to
Manassas Junction and Richmond Munson's Hin
| is about three and half miles, as the crow flies
| from Fort CorcorSn and Arlington House Il il
four and half miles from the Long Bridge-due west
-and not more than three from Fort Albany. So
far as an attack upon fortiacations is concerns
ed, the occupation of Munsonis Hill is Of no impor
lance. II is utterly impossible for them to lombard
Forts Corcoran or Albany from Aunsonis Hill with
any eifeeS Ss far but two guns are mounted on tie
hill, and the fortIfeationslare simple breastworez
thrown up on the top of the hill The guns are not
heavy, and the works upon the hill do not vet in
dicate anything more serious than Observation-Disclosures
which were dug at Fairfax Court House and Cen
treYille previous TO the advance of the Federal ar
my &C Stone Bridge. Future movements NAV ouick-
~ change the aspect Of affairs but at present there
IS certainly good evidence that Beauregard intends
TO attack our line OF forthcatiOns Two rebel reg
iments occupied Hunters chapel night before lasti
and are still along the creek Of that nRme but this
of itEef is not q threatening movement
THE CHAIN ERIDGE AND THE UPPER POTOMAC.
The country along the Potomac from Alexandria
to Chain Bridge Is not favorable for the rebels a.
that around CentreViIle, Bull Run and Manassas
The Chain Bridge is about five miles northeast of
Washington, and the Virginia shore of the river is
billy, forming r kind of rocky bluff all ths way
down to Washington and for distance above the
bridge. The hills can be easily held by good troops
against an approaching enemy. The same is true
all the way down 10, and below Arlington. The
ground is high, and the chain of hills form natural
line Of defence. As the forests have been cut down.
our artillery can have full sweep st any attacking
columns The country Is full Of raVines just back |
Of the river; but there places Of the kind not
commanded by our guns On the other hand, there |
IS deep ravine back ofMunson's Hill by which our
troops, if they at, might attack it in the rear
THE COUNTRY BEYOND ARIMGroN
Such is the topography of the country back of
Arlington, that if the entire rebel army should en-
trench itself in front Of our lines it would be much
easier 10 take them by storm-to conquer them
here than at Bull Run or Manassas. We have moth |
ing to fear, then at this moment from the rebels if
it be true which is very doubtful. that they are en-
trenching themselves permanently and with their |
whole force within few miles Of Washington. |
They are By no means in so strong position here |
as they would be further away.
THE POSITION OF ALEXANDRIA.
The position of Alexandria is such that the rebels
can have little hope of taking it. Hunting Greek |
protects the lower part Of the town 80 that no flank
movement can be made upon it. The hills back of /
Alexandria are high, and easily be held in pro-
lection Of the town, and even if they not held
OuF Vessels VI war an tu1 EAfer Soulo Al once MAKE
Alexandria untenable. -.. . '...... -
OTHER PLACES IN VIRGINIA.
Arlington Heights are directly opposite George
town, nearly two miles back from the Potomac.
Roachs Spring il about two miles distant sozth-
west Of the Long Bridge, little OFF from the road
TO Fairfax Court House. Arlington House is about
Eve miles north northeast Of AIaxandria. Falls
Church is little village six miles straight west Of
Georgetown. Baileyis Gross Roads is point five
miles dus west of the long Bridge, and the road
from the bridge which leads directly past Baileys
is the road to Fairfax Court House. The last named
place is eighteen miles from Washington and four
teen from AlexAndria. rriit >. ..s. -la
THE WEST SIDE OF THE POTOMAC.
This side of the river we have the heights of
Georgetown, which command Arlington ITSELF and
which in the event Of diaster might be occupied to
worry TIE enemy across the river. North and-east
Of the city there also hills which command all
the roads sadiag into Washington. These hills are
distant two or three miles, some of them four and
FIVE miles, and make it comparatively easy to sur
round the capital with net work Of fortihcatiens
The eastern branch of the Potomac flows down on
the east side from Bladenburg and forms sort Of
protection on thRt side. 4.w
The capital is an ampitheatre-it is surrounded
By chain Of hills which are from three to five miles
Instant from the capitol buildings.