The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-06-19
Chesapeake Bay-lls Rivers and Important
Cities.

a broad estuary, with deep channel
mile and half in width in its narowest
point. Eight miles from the buoy which
marks the entrance 10 the Roads, on the
north side of the channel, is Old Point Com
fort, on which is Fortress Monroe, whose
guns command the channel.
FORTRESS MONROE.
This fortress is the largest and one of the
best coEstruced IN the United States. 1t
was built like all the coast iorts, for defense
against foe approaching from The sea, and
is casemated only on the side facing the
channel, having simple wall masonry only
10 the andward. Against any attacking
force from that quaner il will need protect
ing out-works. Its walls enclose parade
ground OF about seventy acres, making II an
admirable school for recently recruited regi-
ments. Opposite the fort, in ;he channel,
distant about a mile and third, are the
walls OF small fortication commenced by
the government, not finished, called the
Rip Raps, Farther up the Roads, and four
miles in a right line across westerly from
Fortress Monroe, is Caswell's Point, where
The Virginians have attempted 10 erect bat
ieries, at this point TO the south, opens
Elizabeth channel, the entrance to Norfolk
harbor. Fortihcations al CaswelPs Point,
although too far distant 10 threaten Fortress
Monroe, would effectually guard this en-
trance. Elizabeth channel, from its open
ing into Hampton Roads to the city of Nor
folk, is eight miles long, direct in its course
very deep, and scarcely quarter OF a mile
in width. Craney Island lies close 10 the
chaHne, on the wes side, about three miles
from Norfolk, on which are the remains of
an old fort, which the secessionists are re-
building. Nearer TO the city on the other
bank of the channel is Fort Norfolk, also
being improved and mounted with ordi.
nance by the yirginiaus.
NORFOLK AND ITs SUB URBs.
The city of Norfolk, located upou an al
most level site, presents but few natural
defences against an attacking force. The
city and Portsmouth lying opposite, can be
approached from several points Troops
could be landed from Hampton or Lynn
Haven roads within seven miles OF the city !;
the approaches being easy and indefensible.
An approach could be made from London
bridge on the south, with an easy march Of
Ten miles.
Norfolk is important for its railroad con-
nectons as the location OF a navy yard,
whose dry dock and machine shops are
proving useful 10 the Virginians, and as the
Chesapeake terminus of the Dismal Swamp
canal through which passes the commerce
of Aibemare ard Pamlico sounds. Into
Hampton Roads emp:ies The James river,
large stream affected by the tide one hun
the falls and rapids, with descent of one
hundred feet in two miles, effectually block
further navigation, giving al the same lime
an unlimited water power. AT THE point
is situated the city OF Richmond, beautifully
built on several elevations, the most noted
of which are Shockhoe creek TIE city is
handsomely built, the streets inersecting
at right angles. On Shockhoe hill are the
capitol and other prominent public build
ings, and abont them are clustered the aris-
drawing ten feet of water fasten to the
! wharf at Richmond, and those drawing fif
/ teen approach within three miles OF the
/ city. Lines of steamers. before the seces-
sion difficulties connected Richmond COM
m ercIally New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk
and Baltimore. Richmond has been the
great depot of Virginia wheat, which lie
mills have converted into flour.
RAILROADS PROM RIcHMoRB
Five lines Of railroad dverse from Rich
! mond. One line running due north passes
Fredericksburg on the RappaEannock, and
terminates at Aqua creek, rear the Poto-
| mac line running east terminates at
( Whitehouse on the York river. A third
line runs due south 10 Wilmington, North
Carolina, having intermediate stations at
Petersburg, Va, and Weldon, y. c. The
Richmond and Danvile railroad extends
in southwark direction to the latter town,
near the Norih Carolina boundary line, be-
yond which it is unfinished The Virginia
Central runs nearly west, being finished as
! far as Covington, beyond he Blue Ridge =
| A; Gordonsvile it forms junction with The
Orange and Alexandra road running north
east, and The Lynchburg road running
southwest This city is thus the military
as well as the commercial centre OF The
State, and point OF great strategic impor-
lance.
YORK RIVER.
From the buoy at the entrance of Hamp-
ton Roads TO The lightship at the mouth OF
York river, the distance is about fifteen
| miles From It's source at the junction of
the Pamunky and Maaapony, It's debouch.
ment into the Chesapeake, the York river
flows forty miles, being an estuary with a