The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-05-03


HARrER's FERRY.-The great interest
attaching just now 10 this important
town. may serve to render a description Of
IL acceptable to our readers. In its to-
biography. Il Is one Of the most romarka-
bic localities on the face Of the globe
a Thermopylr, that scientific engineer
with a sufiiciency Of heavy ordinance, and
four or Eve regiments. could bold against
the world. The town lies just above the
mouth Of an opening in the Blue Ridge.
aud at the confluence Of the Shenandoah
and Potomac rivers, whose united waters,
In the opinion Of Mr.. jefferson, forced
the passage and store down the mountain
from its base" just between those two
rivers that how on either side along the
mountain, rises gradually, a high promon-
tory upon which the town. for the most
part, Is built. Extending up some half
mile or more 10 Camp Hill, so called from
the fact that troops Of the United States
we're encamped there during the admins
tration Of John Adams, the apex Of the
,oclivity l. reached. and thence CORES
ponding declivity is seen on the other
aide.
The slope from Fast 10 West, Is, as we
have said gradual but the sides OF the hill
acing North and South are rugged and
irecipiious. The summit Of tue hill.
therefore,. can only be- reached from East
nd West; from the iorm.r by passing
49,
N the Mary land side. which could BE-
swept by cannon from the hill above. or
rom the puint below-or, nom the latter
hy passing through Virginia territory in
he Shenandoah valley and the ar
breaches In that direction also could be
swept hv cannon planted on the hill.
The Potomac Which is about a fourth
e mile wide a. the Ferry. Is crossed by
substantial railroad bridge which could
be- destroyed. aud ths.rehy cut of all &C
ess from the MARI land side. When u j.
'ousidered that the troops that would BE-
'onveyed from Washington or from the
Northern States. could n0t approach the
Town from any other quarter than this,
Except those that might be- sent from the
West. and that would have 20 com,
through nearly THREE hundred miles Of
! Virginia territory where they would have
10 pass = narrow defile Of not more than
thirty feet at the base Of the mountaiR
and could be TAXED by batteries from the
bill before mentioned and from the plain
b below, some conception may be formed
| II the impreHnable character Of the 20
! sition. We know Of but Que means b,
which the town could be taken ia ia,
/ face Of a strong military force. Tn,
mountain on the Maryland side NIGH
. have batteries planted upon il to dislodg,
the forces from the hills Of the town, j
they we're not properly protected with
earth works but the besieg would no
be- able TO damage the musket factory
, which is erected along the Potomac. an,
upon which their guns could not b
brought to bear nor the rifle factory, q
tho Shenandoah. which would be com
; plctely covered and protected from thl
point indicated BY the hills alluded %
Taking altogether. We know not position
! anywhere that could 20 easily and efiectu
ally be held by small force against
l large one.
We have little doubt that the scvcra
r regiments Of volunteers, to the number @
3 two or three thousand men. that could b
. had in the lhickly populated counties q
4 jefferson, Frederick, Berkeley and Lea
1 Muifls ~ n Jew u0Nta nnllCt nave Alftal
been concentrated at Harper's Ferry, an
less Lincoln had anticipated such move
D ment and thrown in large bodies Of hi
mercenaries previously. He has ha
some ninety dragons there, bequeathel
|. him BY the late Administration. but the
J could have been easily overcome Il nc
. reinforced. We know the men Of tina
country, their courage and expertness j
. the use Of firearms, and feel assured TIA
q they will render good account Of then
. selves when engaged with the Norther
= hordes. But Il. unfortunately, the hir'
, lincs OF the Administration first occupie
the ground. we may expect to hear (
a bloody work. A report was circulate
y here yesterday. though wo had no tell
J. graphic communication with Washington
;. that q conflict was raging ct Harper
Ferry. The intelligence purported I
n have come from a member Of the Coz
vention. and may be reliable, though "
e are not warranted in saying so.-Lynchbu
1 Frginiaa.