The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1861-05-18
WARRINGTON CITY.

FROM present appearances the chances
are that the big fight between the Abo.
litonists and the Southern patriots will
take place at, or near, Washington city
AS there may be some Of our readers who
have never visited the Federal Capital
we propose to give some account OF its
position and surroundings.
Washington is situated on the north
side Of the Potomac, about $50 miles
from It's mouth A small creek separates
Washington from Georgetown, but as
both cities are closely built up TO the
line, they are virtually one. Directly OPP.
posite Georgetown, across the Potomac,
are the Arlington Heights. Arlington
was the residence of the late George
Washington Park GUSTS who died few
years ago, leaving the property to his
son.in.law, Col Robert 4. Lace, of the
Second Cavalry The heights Of Airing.
ton are we suppose, about one hundred
feet above the usual watermark of the
Potomac. 1t is celebrated for a big
spring of cool and delicious water and
is much rcsorted 10 in the summer time
by picnic parties from Washington and
Georgetown.
The distance from Arlington across to
Georgetown is, we should say, about one
mile. From Arlington to the White
House it is two miles or more, and to the
Capitol, about three miles Batteries on
Arlington Heights might easily command
the Presidents House. and shell Old Abe
out, scarcely allowing him time to put
on that famous Scotch cap, and long mil
italy cloak, whercwith he first sncaked
into his Capital.
But our forces can, il necessary, APP
proach nearer to Washington than Ar
lington. There is an island on the Poto.
mac, called Masons Island, opposite
Geofgetown, and lying nearest TO the
| Virginia side, connecting with the man
land by u bridge. We can easily get ON
that island and throw up batteries.
Georgetown is directly opposite not
much more than quarter mile distant.
/ An aqneduct, bringing the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal across from Georgetown
TO the Virginia side, serves also as a
bridge, on which our troops could cross
/ II they wished to make an assault,
| Guns of the heaviest calilrc can be
easily gotten to Arlington Heights, and,
/ without much trouble. to Mason's Island
also. Two or illroc railroads, connect.
I ing with Richmond and other points run
into Ale Xaudria, which is six miles below
+ Washington, ON the Virginia side. From
[ Alexandria, guns and munitions can be
carried 10y the Chesapeake and Ohio ca
nal up to Masons Island.
The Capitol is not So easily command.
ed. That is mile lower down the river
than the Presidents House, and opposite
the Capitol tho river is q mile wide.
Then the Capitol is more than mile
from the river II We had blttcries on
the Virginia shore, opposite the Capitol,
we might reach that building, but we
I will very likely have considerable trouble
ia planting our batteries there. Rat we
can plant batteries on Arlington Heights
without being in range of the encmys
| runs. unless the Abuljtiouisis cross the
/ river and give us hand'to.hand fight.
/ Washington is defended against any
hostile approach, 10y way of the river by
a fertilization about twenty miles below,
| called Fort Washington This fort Is on
/ the Maryland side, at "a bend IN the river,
and commands the approaches both above
\ and below. Its regular garrison IL four
/ hundred men, and 1t mounts cighly'cight
guns The Marylandcrs ought TO storm
/ ald take this fort without any delay.
| Than old Abe couldn't get any more
/ troops to Washington at alt
! Besides this, there is an Arsenal at
! Greonlcars Point, the lower end of Wash
iugton City, where the Eastern Branch
omp,ics into the Potomac This Is an
extensive arsenal, not only supplied with
small arms, hut big guns Several guns
that we have captured at Yorktown, >sr'
atoga, Vera Cruz, etc, are there. 1t VIII
| be curious if these guns, that we seized
| from foreign enemy, should now be
turned upon us by the Abolitionists. We
| almost believe that they would refuse to
fire
The report yesterday WAS that the
| Virginians are concentrating in large
numbers. and establishing a military
camp at Acquia Greek. This shows how
great liar the telegraph is. 1t i'siN'y
miles from Washington, instead OF TWEEN.
ty -four II il the terminus OF a railroad
from Richmond, seventy miles of. The
Virginians are able TO establish batteries
there. and co nmand the channel OF the
river. Having done that, they viii then,
after leaving enough soldiers to man the
batteries, march across thirty miles to
the Orange and Alexandria road. which
will put them down within a mile oil Ar
lington heights.
/ NJ p.l,;,,,,o anil Ohio railroad con.