Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-09-19
FRONT VIEW OF ARLINGTON
REGHTS
MOVEMENTS AND OCCUPATION OF THE ENEMY.
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CAMP SLoComB, MUNsoN's HILL VA, 2


! MOVEMENTS AND OCCUPATION OF THE ENEMY.
sdecial CoTesp ndent Il the n. 0. Picsyunel
CAMP sLoComB, MUNsoN's HILL VA, Z
September g. 1851.
The principal occupation Of visitors here is
| to watch the movements of the enemy on Ar
| ington and the neighboring nights. These
| nights, as is well known, begin a little above
Georgetown, and, following the line of the
Potomac, extend as far down az Alexandria
The distance Is about twelve miles, eight of
which are fortified. Neither the nights nor
the fortiheati0Ds, however, are continuous, but
ssparsted from each other by depresslons Of
greater or less extent.
First, on the left, are Arlington Hights pros
per, on which is Arlington House, the head
quarters Of Gen. Mcclellan. Near by is Fort
Corcoran, well built earth work, with angles,
salisnts, bastions, parapets, &C., after the
most approved style Of Notifications. The
work is immense in 'xtent, and Federal flags
innumerhble wave over it, as also over Airing
ton House.
Directly below this, and some two or three
miles distant, is what is known as Swallow
Hill, on which are works of a similar charac-
ter but less extensive and less perfect in their
structure. They are, however, as yet incom-
plete, as is evident from the scCiVity of work.
men upon them. This activity, however,
doubtless appears much greater than it really
encsmpsd in considerable numbers around it,
and have frequent communications with it.
Still further down the river, and separated
from the nights above By one OF the principal
roads leading over the Long Bridge into Wash
Egton, is shutters Hill, on one side Of which
ia Fort Ellsworth, foftifcation similar to Fort
Corcorsn. This and the works connected With
it command Alexandria and the roads leading
to It aud the Long Bridge.
In fronf nf Ebpfer3S Hill ia annther roun.
handing emineucs, whereon fourth fOrtifica-
ton has recently been thrown up. Il Itconsists,
however, of but series Of loose earthwoTk
and is quite imperfect in its structure. The
greater part OF it has been thrown up since we
came in possession Of MaDson's Hill, which
rises directly in front Of it, about three miles
distant. From our works we can see every
thing that goes on there, even the squads Of
loungers that hourly collect and talk over th
news OF the day together
About a mile and a half this side Of these
new works sppear TO be the encanpments Of
the various regiments on picket duty. Their
place of rendezvous issome half a mile nearer,
att turn Of the road leading hither through an
oak thickst. From this place, at change Of
pickets, the men hIe to TIE right and left aud
take up their position for the day, where as
signed TO them, here covered by snake fence,
there by IN orchard, oak thiciet or corn field, |
as may be the fortune OF each.
To the left OF these is still another encamp-
nent, apparently of cavalry. They smuse
themselves with with scouting about In the
neigaboTlng country, but they are not very ven |
turesome. Il is very rare thac they are seen
beyond the safe line Of their pickets.
To She naked eye these successive elevations |
appear to be continuous range Of hills, near
ly crescent In form, from the Chain Bridge to !
the Theological Seminary near Alexandria |
1t Is only by aid Of glass that the outlines Of |
the successive elevations and depressions can |
be distinctly seen. And the same may be said |
of the fortihcGtions aud encampments.
By the sid Of a good glass, however, not |
only these nights but those sf tie opposite, or |
Maryland shores, can be distinctly seen, aud !
everything upon them. The view, however, is /
now frequently ohscured by clouds of smoke /
arising from neighboring woods on fire; set on /
fire, as we suppose, for the opening up the |
country ts prevent a surprise through the ex-
tsnsve Intervening forests With the same !
object, doubtless, the enemy are now EXCEED
Ingly busy with their axes, cutting roads and /
clearing up the country in every direction. /
For leagues and Leagues around the capital, on |
both sides OF the river, this work of Telling or
burning down the forests is daily going on,
thereby giving employment to such OF the |
Dackwoods men Of Maine as have not been
sent to the day TOrtugas.