The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-09-24
For the Dispatch
Military Points I'm Kentuckr

As good deal .: attention seems TO be
drawn to the opening of the war in Kentucky,
and much Misunderstanding exists regarding
tue situation Of the impor tant points of the
State propose to enllghten the readers Of
the DispoteA as to the loca tion of those upon
the line Of the Louisville and Nashville Rail.
road. .-ge- - .
The first peint of any military impo tance
going north from Nashville, is Bowling
Green, thirty miles north of the Tennessee
State line and at the crossing Of Barren river
a narrow, but very deep strt am wi tn very
high banks, and navigable for steam boats, by
means of improvements. Bowling Green is
town OF 5000 inhabitants, and is the depot
for the pork trade of Southern Kentucky, be-
sides being the location Of the large machine
shops of the l.. x n X. r.. which crosses
Barren river here over large iron bridge
Thirty miles north of this is Cave city,
where the turnpike to the Mammoth Cave,
seven miles West, leaves the railroad; twelve
miles North, and "a miles from Louisville is
Green river, a stream OF the same character
as Barren river, but with q wider valley it
Is crossed by the raiiroad upon the largest
iron bridge In America, excepting the Ficto-
ria bridge, over the ST. Lawrence. The town
nf Munfordsviile Is at this crossing, and Is
small place. Seven miles North Is the summit
of the railroad in Kentucky, being on - range
of hills running East and West, some fifty
miles, and affOrding very good line of de-
fence, II our forces should be driven back TO
the Green river country. Twenty three
miles North of this ridge Is Elisabet tn town,
the seat Of Haruin county, and of which II Is
reported that our forces under Gen. Buckner
have taken possession, with view to further
operations at Muldraugh's hill. the tunnel
through which is only four miles distant
Muldraughs Hill is the great backbone OF
the State; 1t forms the water shed for all the
Green river drainage, the STRAINS north OF 1t
running direct iufo the Ohio. 1t starts In q
high bl uE upon the latter river, twenty miles
west of Louisville, and increasing in height
as it goes, can be traced $40 miles East to
its junction wi tn the Cumberland noun tains.
Two thirds Of the State Is South OF this
range. The country North Is an alienation
of large tracts of hIily iands, with still lar
ger tracts of the most fertile plains. The cele-
brated - Blue Gr.,ss" region around Lex
ington. Is just North OF the ridge. The hill
itself, at the railroad crossing, is sOine ten
miles wide, and has but one eide, the table.
land South running OF upon II level with it's
summit; while the country towards Louis
narrow valleys running up into the hiil. 1t
forms magnificent line OF defsnce, as, al
though not very high, 1t can. be crossed d
but few points The Lebanon Branch rail-
road starts from the main line, 81 yuiies from
Louisville, and two North of /" Rolling Fork,
and running through several Very ho, union
towps, reaches Lebanon, 81 miles on. 1his
place is as large as Bowling Green, but not
unionized From Lebanon Ju..ction, TN
miles towards Louisville, Is Sherpardsvili-,
nj the crossing OF Salt River. o Very wide,
but shallow kfreaIn, With low banks and Il
wide valley. SheppardsyiIie is principally
remarkable for It's sahmtssionisin aoo light
Hing Wt.iskey. @@
After passing through n coantry studded
wi til Isolated and conieai hills. we ce.ne 10 a
sir lniiee wide, and tMsis miles froAi Isoais
Vile. From here TO Louisville the country
In = eighty nndplsttng plain. with small
creeks runntng shrough Il, md stadded with
pSsd. 1ns puss s, Y osD BY ~: gss
,A,espnefon Of ia sWtstarn spasneS OF Mul.