The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-27
SOME OF The STRATEGIC POINTS IN yIRepsA

WIN tne ABOVE map OF tue present seat Of war, o
publish brief sketches OF the principal sra,eg points
occupied by the rebel forces In Virginia 1t 10 worthy
Of rems X, that these points have been iuac,ou.,y
selected each Of them there has recently been rapid
corcentration Of troops Though somewhat from
each other they lie important railr,ad r,utes,
verging towards Washington, and IL would take less than
twenty four hours for the secession forces TO be ready to
attack The capital IN force should such be in
contemplation. Again Richmond, which Ia now consid-
cred the point daFpa from which any grand movement
may be made, centrally located between Washington
and Norfolk. In the event Of land movement being
made by the United States troops from Fortress konro
towards Yorktown, renforcemens could be thrown for
ward both from Richmond and Fredericksburg
RICHMOND.
Richmond, the capital Of the State OF Virginia
is situated in Henrico county, and is located on
the James river, a. the heal OF tide water /.
Is beautifully located on the west side Of IN
river, between fifty and sixty miles above City Point
and hundred and fifty above the mouth the river
is directly opposite Manchester, 70 which T. s con-
nected by two bridges The situation ia healthy an
highly picturesque. shockae aud Richmond hills stand
opposite each other and Shookoe creek active stream
passes between them and the city spread these
hills and along the margin Of the creek. The elevations
present many picturesque views of James river and the
streets generally each other at right Angles and
well lighted with gas IL covers an area Of about
three and half square mses, and is we'll built, mostly
with brick houses, many OF which have gagdeas, with
shrubbery, attached.
10 the western division OF the city, elevated
plain, denomnated Shockoe HILL stands tho CipItol /.
has very commanding position, in the cenre Of pub
lie square, OF oblong form, containing sooas eight
acres ornamented with shrubbery, and laid with
gravelled walks II Is spacious and elegant building
surrounded three sides by lofty portco Of Ionic
order In the centre Of the spacious hail. 10 the middle
Of the building stands marble statue Of Washington
near it IL mar ole bust Cf Lafayette
The City Hall is situated in Boad street. fronting Capt.
On the eastern part Of the square Is Cover
nors house. The county Court House is situated
mile from the Capitol The State Penitentlary s
in the western suburbs 1t is three hundred
feet long and one hundred broai, in the form Of
hollow square. In the northern suburbs Is the aims
house, u spacious building surrounded by extensive
grounds. The medical department OF Hampden Sydney
College has fine building Of the Egyptian OF archi
tecure. ST. Vincents College, under tho control
Of tue Catholic clergy, is situated about mile
cast of the city. The city has college, an orphan
ssg ium, numerous banks, theatre, museum, markets.
armory churches nc. II is supplied with water which Is
elevated into three ervos by or hage forcing
pumps Numerous lines OF railroad meet a. This point
The population Of the city is about IS 900.
At present Richmond appears TO oe the poia. ddppa,
from which point the military movements in other puts
OF the state subordinate The city has been placed
In state OF defence, batteries erected prominent
places in aud contiguous to the city, and camp OF
1000 to coo stationed at Fairfield course
short distance from the city, and about 900 In the
city. 1t is connected with Washington BY railroad.