The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-16
Washington correspondence.

l. n. CRAvArH, ESQ.-Snce the slight advance
of the Union troops, one week ago to-day, moth
ing Of especial military importance has occurred
either in or near the Federal Capital of course,
reporters OF sensation newspapers, nervous, fdg-
ETY., shallow Drained gabblers and rascaIly trait
ors have been fully as active as heretofore carry
ing information.
As to the causes for the sudden Withdrawal of
the rebel army, there are many surmises and
back is regarded as feint to draw the Federal
troops again into the rough broken regions OF
Bull Run by others as feint to distract the
attention Of our commanders while large forces
of the rebels concentrate at Point of Rocks and
at Aqua Greek for the purpose of crossing the
Potomac and getting into the rear of Washing
ton but the most reasonable superstition is, that
the rebels, in their shocless, coatless, tentless
and hence demoralized condition, feared an
whelming advance Of McClellan's well fed, and
well clothed armies; they we're apprcheEsive
that large force OF Federal troops would be
thrown across the Potomac near Aqua Creek,
turning their right flank at the same time that
Gen. Banks crossed the Upper Potomac 10 turn
their left flank. They are extremely fearful that
our troops will get into their rear, cut OFF their
communication, close up their rat holes and COM
pei them to fight an open civilized battle.
In less than eight weeks there will be no rebel
batteries at Manassas Junction, aid there viii
be no large force Of rebels this sile OF Rich-
III. h.tt oil no
will have been removed or taken possession o.
by Uncle Sans body guard. My suggestions
may be premature, but there are many reasons
for believing that all these events will transpire.
To-day l have been over the river, visited diff
ferent forts, and stood on the celebrated Nun
sons Hill A brief recountal of what was seen
| by your correspondent, may not prove wholly
uninteresting to your readers
My "jottng by the way" shall commence at
Long Bridge, the connecting link between I'm
london and Secessiondom, and to furnish your
readers with some Information as TO the location
of different and important military points, few
antecedent remarks may not be unnecessary.
The Potomac river forms the boundary line
between Virginia and Mary land; it runs in a
south easterly direction, and empties into the
Chesapeake bay. Washington il situated on the
east bank of the Potomac, in a broad valley.
There are three bridges leading to the sacred
Soil of the Old Dominion" viz: Long, Aqueduct
and Chain bridges. The Chain bridge is three
miles above Georgetown; the Aqueduct bridge
at Georgetown, and Long bridge one mile down
the river from Georgetown, or directly south OF
| the Executive Mansion. This last named bridge
is one mile in length; it is constructed OF wood
and earth; near each extremity is large draw
through which heavy vessels pass up to the
Georgetown wharves. The bridge Is rather rick.
ETY. and rotten, yet Notwithstanding, since the
LIST of May, 10000 troops have crossed it, be
sides thousands of heavily laden baggage wag'
ons. On the 2eth of April last, a company of L
S. Artillery, with six rifed cannon, guarded the
Washington end of the bridge, while a company
of rebel Cavalry guarded the Virginia end. Al
the present time the Washington end of the
bridge is guarded by two companies of Regular:
whose duty it is to see that no one passes from
the city over without legitimate pass. The or
Il
the army-soldiers, officers, Transfers and civil
ians, in or out of authority, must have the prop
er documents. At the Virginia end of the bridge
is pont de tete, or fertilization, commanding al
the approaches; long, deep rifle pit extend'
of both to the right and left. All are required
to 60 through the pass formality at the Pont d
tete; might as we'll state here, to save time tina
q person who visits the Notifications is obliged
to show his pass probably fifty times.
One hundred rods from the pont de tete is For
ed on a slight elevation; stretching across tn
Washington and Alexandria turnpke-from il;
rampants in every direction extend the larg
dark muzzles of twenty S2 Founders. Passin!
off to the right Of Fort Runyon We approac!
Arlington Nights; the nights, or hills rather, ar
rough, abrupt, and recently wooded; they ex
tend along the Potomac as far as the eve Cal
reach, but four months since they were covere
with woods, but now those grand old hills ar
bare; the beautiful oak groves have all been Gu
of with the exception Of those around the Al
, lington House, and these have been spared o
account of the hallowed associations connccte
. Herewith. The Arlington House, recently tn
possession of the rebel General Lee, but now III
property of Uncle Sam, il situated almost direc
, ly west of the Executive Mansion on prom
nent elevation. This house is celebrated as III
place where the Father OF his country wOoed al
won bis second wife.
. One mile and half from Fort Runyon to tn
!, right is Fort Albany-this is splendid fort
, large, almost impregnabe, and complete in stru'
. ture. Its heavy Columbiads command the who
fiat between Alexandra and Long bridge. 20
Albany is one Of the first chain of fortiicatior
stretching from below Alexandra to above Chat
. bridge. At this fort is encamped the main 20
ton of the Third Michigan Regiment; to Il
right, and so rods distant, are the head quarter
Of Gen. Richardson. He occupies large oct
gon shaped house, from which one has an uni
!. terupted view of the whole country for a di
lance of eight miles in every direction. linn
diately beyond the Generals headquarters is Il
encampment of the Michigan Second. Thr,
fourths of mile to the south west of Fort Alb
ny is Fort Richardson. This fort is situated {
3 a very high hill that rises abruptly from Il
valley beween Arlington Nights and tho lofti
e range of hills beyond. The fort is not compl,
s ed, but when it il, and :ts guns all mounted, s.
y men can hold it against l0, 900. -Four compani