The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-05-04
From the New York Evening Post.
THE TOPOG H Apply OF WASHINGTON
Approaches to the Federal Capital.

Approaches to the Federal Capital.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTs-Few persons in Wash
ington fear an immediate attempt to march
troops into the city, no matter how strong the
rebel army may be. The fear is of an attempt
to shell the city from the surrounding heights -
There are several points from which the capital
might be destroyed, if the rebels could succeed
in planting their batteries. 1t was generally sup
posed in Washington, by the military authorities,
that the Virgnians encalnped at Alexandria
would soonattempt to occupy Arlington Heights,
opposite Georgetown. These heights command
Georgetown, the National Observatory and the
Presidents house General Scott has made every
preparation to occupy Arlington Heights in ad-
vance of the enemy, and many persons advoca-
ted their immediate occupation, for it was posi-
bic that the rebels might, at night, make for
ced march towards Washington, and plant their
batteries before morning.
The provision made against surprise of this
post by General Scott was AS follows: An i'm.
niense amount Of powder and ball, shell and
grape moved from the Navy Yard to George
town together with pieces of ordinance. Ar
rangements were made for the instant transport
OF men and munitions of war across the Potomac
whenever the scouts, who cover the country for
several miles into Virginia, should report an ad-
vance ofthe rebel troops The excuse given for
delaying the occupation Of Arlington Heights
until after it was certain that the Virginians
were marching upon the.capital was, that under
the exciting circumstances an invasion of the
soil of Virginia by federal troops would be injn-
dicious. This, perhaps, is valid excuse until
Washington is strongly enforced, but not a sin
Gle moment beyond that slime.
THE HEIGHTS TOWARD THE SoUTH.-Southward
Of Washington, on the Maryland side of the Po-
tonac and mile from the navy yard, is a COM
handing hill upon which the Insane Asylum
stands. This hill commands the navy yard and
it is not improbable that the rebels would cross
the Potomac below Fort Washington and march
up to this point. On Monday the government
had not taken military possession of this height,
| though it is within the District
The BRIDGES There are four bridges which
need guarding, all within two miles of the CAPT
tai The first is mile and half directly east
OF the city, aid crosses over the eastern border
| Of the Potomac into Maryland; the second cross
| es the branch at the navy yard. The troops
coming overland from Annapolis would cross
| this bridge. The third bridge is called the Long
| Bridge, and crosses the Potomac into Virginia
| Ii is one mile southwest of the Capitol Building
| 1t Georgetown there is stone aquedlct across
| the river, across which troops might be marched.
II would be difficult to destroy this work quickly,
and it should be guarded very strictly.
WHERE TIL REBEL FORCES CAN DE CoyCEN-
|
ten near enough 10 command the capital; but it
is singular that the government did not take
possession Of the railroad running to Baltimore,
aud west over the mountains to Harper's Ferry.
| On Monday the Virginans might have forwarded
FIVE thousand troops from Harper's Ferry and
Baltimore into the heart of the city by the Rail-
road, which was in their hands, Arlington
Heights are about two miles distant from the
Presidents house; the heights south east of the
capital, on tie Mary land side, are mile distant
from the navy yard; rcrt Washington is fifteen
miles below the capital; and Alexandria, where
the rebel troops are concentrating, is nine miles
down the river A Railroad is in the hands OF
| the rebels, running from Alexandria to the Long
Bridge, Washington.
THE RoAD FROM ANNAPOLIS TO WASHINGTON.
The road from Annapolis to Washington is
very sandy, and the distance is ,hrty-fye miles.
There is wooden bridge across the Patuxenl
river, which the enemy will doubtless burn, il
they have net before now. To transport pro
visions for city of sixty thousand inhabitants
and for an army twenty thousand strong, would
be a monstrous undertaking. But if govern
nlent troops take possession and hold the rail
way between the two points and put it in running
order. the connection between New York ant
Washington will be complete.