The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-08

flank, will be compelled retire corps following them
N, with the progress Of the feet and the army
the eastern Shore would The aiuis the
era bank; way would be opened ior the passage Of q
powerful armament, and the national armada thus sup
ported by Ranking armcs wop.d ride III triumph the
nelta Th cnsdcra,ons render paducslh point oC
perhaps vital importance than ITSELF for OF the
two places the loss Of the would less disastrous
and the easily retrieved III. military position
here Is not naturally stroas defence However, there
points of considerable strength three miles
back, of which full advantage will certainly bc taken.
Heavy guns being brought up from Cairo, breast
works thrown up, munitions or daily arriving and
the place hourly growing stronger bridge the
Ohio is being built at this point. When completed, u
will b. an immense affair, capable Of sustaining whole
army az single burden. II evident, from the build
ing q this BRIDGE chat generals appreciate the vital
Importance Of paducan and that it viii figure largely in
the history Of tho expedition Of the Mississippi
LOUISVILLE.
louisville the present headqarta Of the Union de-
par,ment Kentucky, is situated on the northern
boundary Of the State, is connected by river and rail
with tho whole Of the Northern States and also by rail
with the scene Of active operations The PLAIN on
which louisville is situated extends uninerruptedly for
thirty Eve miles south, to Rolling Fork river where rail
communication with the country beyond has been inter
stream, which Is abont two hundred feet in width and
three feet in dcph ford bridge good road
lends through level country for milcs 70 the foot
Of series OF hills known Mudraugh's Hills Their as.
cont s Of the most rugged ct cter The railroad fol-
lows stream called Clear crossing it abox hal
way up the ascent by tressel work ninety feet high,
and two miles further south enters It's base Tunnel
Ii, emerging again smop,h and level pain which
extends for many miles south, river thus forn
ing the table land Of tho State
OTHER PLACES IN POSSESSION or UNION TROOPS.
Elizabethtown four miles from Tunnel H and is the
present position Of the advanced encanpmcnt. is
old md rather diapidatcd Tho rebels look for
ward fnr winter quarters should their attempt on
Louis zinc fail.
Noin is the rst strean Of any importance south
Of slzbethtown. II is at all times fordabe the ra md
turnDike roads crossing It near its head waters.
Green rircr strcam OF more formidable proportions
not forfabic very swift and deep The railroad
BY bridge Of large proportions now possession II
TIC cbels. PIE turnpike road approach is down steey
and dccivity, and could be easily cefended BY
artillery.
POSITIONS HrLD BY TaE REBELS.
Bowling Green the present basis OF rebel operations IN
Kntucky is poSt Of great strategic importance. To-
csted at the rnctiou of the two Kentuck railroads
which cnter Tennessee, it affords transportation 70
almost unlimited extent and army ia fc-co thero
could draw reinorcemcrts and supplies tho full capa
city a tho rebel States supply them. The has
about 500 inhabitants, surrounded by high hiilo
which command and its approaches. The northern apa
proach TO the town, either BY railroad turnpike ca
be commanded by small force, the track and pIka
each cross bridge over Barren river.
There many wonderful natural curcsites and anis
qnatcd relics to be found in kentucky and ope q IN
remarkable Of them to be found in Allen counsy,
n tho tennessee border. aad miles from BOws