Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-15
Our armu Correspondence.
Correspondence Of the Journal.
FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsuINGToN CITY,
Ocfnhcr 90 1851

October 90 1861.
A youthful correspondent makes certain
inquiries respecting the precise lay and form
Of this city, together with the country i'm
modiately around it. and while so many eyes
are turned towards the metropolis, under the
events now transpring. it may not be upac-
ceptable to those who have never had the OPP
portunity Of visiting it, to be furnished with
brief description.
The city is located in the fork OF two
rivers, the Annacosta on the east, north cast,
and the Potomac on the west, northwest,
which gives it form, as a whole, something
like lady's fan when opened IL ia about
three miles in length, east and west, and two
in width north and south. On the extreme
south point is the Arsenal, and about one
fourth of a mile up the Annac0sta is the
Navy Yard, and little further is Pensylva-
MIA avenue, a wide and central street, which
runs through the entire length of the city
north westerly and nearly parallel TO the Po-
tomac On this street is the Capitol, which
is about one mile west Of the Annacosta
also, the Presidents house, which is about a
mile west Of the Capitol, and it also contains
all the principal hotels. stores, market and
the Washington and Jackson statues, being
far the most important and popular street in
the city. The ground on which the city is
built is somewhat diversified with level spots,
swells, and ridges, but in the main it gradual
" rises back to the north line of the city,
which there forms a continuous ridge, extend
ing from the Annacosta west to Georgetown,
and thus causes the city to face to the south.
The streets all run due east and west, and
north and south, which converts the city into
squares but there are several avenues in adj
dition, which run diagonally and these cut
some Of the squares into trangles. The pub
lie grounds arc those on the east and west
fronts Of the Capitol, the north and south
fronts Of the Presidents house, ION Pennsyl
vania avenue and the Smithsonian, mouu-
mental, and others situated a little south of
the avenue. The Potomac river is here about
one mile wide, though much narrower above
Georgetown, and about center way Of the
city is bridge over it, called the Long
Bridge, which affords the principal crossing
into Virginia. On the Virginia side of the
river the land is diversified with farms and
forest, but it gradually rises for a mile or so
back, and thus forms a ridge, which extends
several miles up and down the river. This is
also true of the land on the east side of the
Annacosta, on the Maryland side, which makes
ridge corresponding to the west side of the
Potomac and also to the ridge on the west
side Of the city, all which are nearly Of the
same heghth and evenness At the junction
/ of the two rivers, the Potomac takes a south
erly course. Six miles below is Alexandria
on the Virginia side and seven miles fun Their
is Fort Washington on the Maryland side,
and one mile further is Mount Vernon on the
Virginia side, and some thirty more is Aqua
Creek on the Virginia side, where a railroad
unites which runs to Richmond. The railroad
/ from Baltimore. and the only one that comes
into the city,ent the city on the northeast
side, and the depot is near the Capitol 1t
is on this railroad that all the TT, ops arrive.
The city is bounded on the west by stream
called Crock Creek" which comes down from
the north, and which divides it from
Georgetown, but otherwise the two cities
unite.
This description will perhaps help to form
tolerably correct conception of the city, and
will be observed that it is not only surround
ed by rivers, except on its north side, but it
is also surrounded by ridges Of land on all
it's sides Just outside of the rivers, making
as it were, a double inclosure. And as
it is on these ridges that the Union army
is now stationed, spread along by lortihoa-
tons and encampments at suitable distances
- WhlJh hiduh az u phIlltI dHhlurh Auc enemy
on all sides, it is perhaps unnecessary +,
= describe them, but they are great strength
and those heavy cannon can not only destroy
the city, but sweep the country for som,
miles back.
Thus it lies, sleeping quietly in its pres
ent strength and all will remember that it
selection was made By General Washington
: himself, as peculiarly appropriate for the ma
- tons capitol Yet, with all this weight, i
=. it not astounding to contemplate that tn
=. city he took so much pride in estabishin
10 and pleasure in adurning where he built tw
elegant brick dwellings just north of tn
! capitol, to reside in, and doubtless where hi
whole soul conferred in declining life, shoul
~ he found dssdiled by the very States he doub
80 less relied on most TO preserve it for tn
"a whole country! The mind needs only {
be glance at his day, and contrast it with tn
.. present, to perceive the magnitude of til
folly and wickedness which animate the lead
-, ers of the southern States.
or Appropriate to this, it may also be prop'
to refer to President Adams message to Con
q gross on taking possession Of the Capitol
a. November, 1900. He was the first Pres
No dent to enter its halls, and under the sanct
90 ty of that moment he says, "it would be III
becoming the representatives of this natio
,;r TO assemble for the first time in this solem
90 temple, without looking up to the Supren
%, Ruler Of the Universe, and implore his BILE
bo sing And then, as if all had knelt,
ce adds, may this territory be the residence
Nv virtue and happiness! In this city may tn
W. piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnau
,re nifty, that constancy and selfgovernmen
,ts which adorned the great character who
name it bears, be forever held in veneratior
an Here, and throughout our country, M
me simple manners, pure morals, and true rel
~ gion flourish forever !" And again he add
you will consider it as the Capitol Of gre
MA nation, advancing with unexampled rapid
M in arts in commerce, in wealth, and in pop
av lation; and possessing within itself tho
les energies and resources which, if not throw
away, or lamentably misdirected, secure to
long course of prosperity" To all viii
,;u we can say "amen," and hope it will forey
u" prove true.
October So
ns' The principal subject of conversation
= far this week, has been the Naval expedite
MS just concentrated at Fortress Monroe. Wis
ors, who have witnessed it, say it is a supe