Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-06-20
FORTRESS MONROE.

EOkTEESS MDNNOE.
This fortress is the largest and one of
the best constructed i'll the United States
1t was built like all the coast forts, for
defence against foe approaching from
the sea, and is FASCINATED only y en- the
side facing the channel, having simple
wall masonaIy only to the landward -
Against an attacking force from that
quarter it will need protecting out
work.. Its walls enclose parade
ground Of about seventy acres, making
it an admirable school for recently re-
cruited regiments. Opposite the fort.
in the channel, distant about a mile and
a third, are the walls Of a small fortfi-
cation commenced by government, not
finished, called the Rip Raps. Farther
up the Roads, and four miles in Il ri ght
line across westerly from Fortress Mon
roe, is Caswel's Point, where the Vir-
ginans have attempted to erect batteries
At this point to the south opeus Eliza
beth channel, the entrance to Norfolk
harbor Fortifcations at CaswclPs Ioint
although too far distant to threaten Fort
ress Monroe, would etIectualy guard this
entrance. Elizabeth channel. from its
opening into Hampton Roads to the city
Of Norfolk, is eight mics long. direct
in its course, very deep, and scarce y q
quarter of mile in width. Crancy
Island lies close to the channel on the
west side, nbout three miles from Nor
felix, ON which are the remains Of an old
fort, which the sceessionists are rebuild
ing. Nearer to the city, on the other
bank of the channel, is Fort Norfolk
also being improved and mounted with
ordnance by the Virginians.
NORFOLK AND ITS SUBURBS.
The city of Norfolk. located upon ar
almost level site, presents but few natu-
raj defences against an attacking force.
The city and Portsmouth lying opposite,
can be approached from several points.
Troops could be landed from the Hamp-
ton or Lynn Haven roads within seven
miles the city; the approaches being
easy and in!efensible. An approach
could be made from London bridge on
the south, with an easy march of ten
miles.
Norfolk is important for its railroad
connections; as the location of a navy
yard, whose dry dock and machine shops
are proving useful to the Vlrginians, and
as the Chesapeake terminus OF the Dis
nal Swamp Canal through which passe:
the commerce of Albermarl and Pamlico
sounds. Into Hampton Roads empties
the James river, q large stream affected
by the tide one hundred miles from its
mouth, at which point the falls and rapids
with descent of one hundred feet III
! two miles, effcctually back further navi-
CATION, giving at the same time an un-
limited water power. At this point is
situated the city of Richmond, beauti-
fully built on several elevations, the most
noted of which are Shockhoc and Rich
mond hills, between which flows Shock.
hoe creek. The city is handsomely built,
the streets intersecting at right angles
On Shockhoe hill are the capitol and
other prominent public buildings, and
about them are clustered the aristocratic
mansions of the city. Vessels drawing
ten feet of water fasten to the wharf al
Richmond, and those drawing fifteen,
approach within three miles of tho city
Lines of steamers. before the secession
difficulties, connected Richmond com.
mercially with New York, Philadelphia,
Norfolk and Baltimore. Richmond has
been the great -four depot of Virginia.
RAILROADS FROM RICHMOND.
Five lines of railroad diverge from
Richmond One line running due north
passes Fredericksburg on the Rappahan-
mock, and terminates at Aqua creek
near the Potamac A line running east
terminates at Whitehouse, on the York
river. A third line runs due south tc
Wilmington, North Carolina, having in
termediate stations at Petersburg, Va.
and Weldon, N G. The Richmond ant
Danville railroad extends in southwark
direction to the latter town, near th
North Carolina boundary lice, bsyon;