Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-12


ment on MunsOn's Hill.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Evsning Post writing under date
Of September 8, has the following, which at
this juncture will be read with peculiar in
terest, as showing the locality Of the Confed-
crate forces on the Potomac, and the charac-
ter of the ground they occupy:
The rebels have been very quiet for the
last two or three days, and it is now com.
monty reported that they have relinquished
their purpose Gt they ever had one) OF at.
tacking Washington Immediately. How.
ever this may be-and the thousand reports
which daily fly over the town are not worthy
Of much attention-one thing is certain, the
rebel troops are wonderfully quiet.
MUEsoN's HILL.
Hunson's Hill is naturally strong posi-
ton, and is especially SO for the rebels, who
are at that point only four miles distant from
the railway leading straight to Manassas
Junction and Richmond. Munson's Hill is
about three and half miles, as the crow
flies, from Fort Corcoran and Arlington
House. 1t is four and half miles from the
Long Bridge, due west, and not more than
three from Fort Albany. So far as an attack
upon our Notifications is concerned the 'oc-
cnpation of Munson's Hill is of no import
ance. 1t is utterly impossible for them to
lombard Forts Corcoran or Albany from
Munson's Hill with any effect.
So far but two guns are mounted on the
hill, and the Notifications are simple breast
works thrown up on the top of the hill. The
guns are not heavy, and the works upon the
hill do not indicate anything more serious
than the entertainments which were dug at
Fairfax Courthouse and Centervile, pfevi-
GUS to the advance of the Federal army at
Stone Bridge. Future movements may
quickly change the aspect of affairs, but at
present there is certainly no good evidence
that Beauregard intends to attack our line of
Notifications. Two rebelregiments occupied
Hunters Chapel night before last, and are
still along the creek Of that name, but this of
itself is not threatening movement.
THE CHAIN BRIDGE AND THE UPPER POTOMAC.
The country along the Potomac from
Alexandra to the Chain Bridge is not near
so favorable for the rebels as that around
Centerville, Bull Run and Manassas. The
Chain Bridge is about five miles northwest
of Washington, and the Virginia shore of
the river there is hilly, forming q kind of
rocky bluff all the way down to Washing
ton 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 to and below Arlington.
The ground is high, and the chain of hills
forms a natural line of defense. AS the for
ests have been cut down, our artillery can
have full sweep at any attacking columns.
The country is full of ravines Just back of
the river; but there are no places of the kind
not commanded by our guns. On the other
hand, there is a deep ravine back Of Mum
sons Hill by which our troops, if they ever
see fit, might attack it in the rear.
THE COUNTRY BEYOND ARLINGTON.
Such is the topography of the country
back of Arlington, that if the entire rebel
army should entrench itself in front of our
| lines it would be much easier to take them
by storm-to conquer them-here than al
Bull Run or Manassas. We have nothing tc
fear, then, at this moment, from the rebels
if it be true, which is very doubtful, that they
are entrenching themselves permanently
and with their whole force within few miles
| of Washington. They are by no means il
so strong position here as they would bC
farther away, and if they can capture th'
capital by taking our entrenchments, it will
end the war by proving that Northern troop
are good for nothing either on the field o
battle or behind entrenchments. In othe
words, the rebels can not force our lines
our troops behave at all well, and it is a
easy to attack the enemy ct Munson's Hill a
at Stone Bridge, and in fact great des
easier.
THE POSITION OF ALEXANDRIA.
The position of Alexandria is such that tn
rebels can have little hope of taking il
Hunting Greek protects the lower part of tn
town, so that no flank movements can b
made upon it. The hills back of Alexandra
are high, and can easily be held in protec
ton of the town, and even if they were 40
held, our vessels of war in the river could a
once make Alexandria untenable.
OTHER PLACES IN VIRGINIA.
Arlington Hights are directly opposit
Georgetown, nearly two miles back from tn
Potomac. Roach'sSpring is about two mile
distant, south west of the Long Bridge,
little off from the road to Fairfax Court. houst
Arlington House is about five miles north O
northeast of Alexandria. Falls Church is
little village six miles straight west of George
town. Bailey's CROSSROADS is a point fiv
miles due west of the Long Bridge, and tn
road from the bridge which leads directl
past Bailey's is the road to Fairfax Courl
house. The last-named place is eightee
miles from Washington and fourteen froI
Alexandria.
THE WEST SIDE OF THE POTOMAC.
This side of the river we have the hight
of Georgetown, which command Arlingto
itself, and which, in the event of disaste
might be occupied to worry the enem
across the river. North and mott, cast
the city there are also hills which comman
all the roads leading into Washington
These hills are distant two or three mile
some of them four and five miles, and mai
, it comparatively easy to surround the capt.
9 with a network of Notifications.
The eastern branch of the Potomac hov
down on the east side from Bladensbur
} end forms sort of protection on that sid
though, in case an enemy were once aero
the Potomac, it would be necessary for Il
Government to take possession of the hil
3 Mary land hills across the eastern branch.
, The Capital is an amphitheater-it is su
rounded by chain of hills which are fro
three to five miles distant from the Capt.
8 buildings. With proper earthworks al
8 fifty thousand good troops, it might stand
, siege of six months against any army t
rebel Confederscy could bring againt it.
course it would be improper to say anythil
: respecting existing Notifications which pr
tect the Capital but the country may re
. easy so far as this matter is concerned. Ge
eral Mcclellan is taking advantage OF I
natural position of the city, and will I
: omit any precaution, however triaing.
THE ENEMY's FORCES.
Very little is known here of the rebel {
n campments. The main force at Munso
Il Hill is supposed to be behind it, as not mC
n than a regiment, or at the utmost two re
o ments, have been seen ON parade. Gene
i Bonham is at Vienna with brigade ofSou
y Carolina regiments, and sends out fol
: daily to watch the operations Of the Fedel