The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-05-18
Topography of the Field of
Operations in MARYLAND.


Now that the Government troops are NOV
ing towards Baltimore, it will be interesting
to know the location Of the different bodies
regiments and companies, and the follow ing
will be found convenient for reference:
Washington Junction is small town on
the Baltimore and OHIO Railroad, rlne miles
southwest FROM Baltimore, and the same dis.
tance directly north Of Annapolis Junction.
The Washington Branch Railroad here leaves
the main, running south through Annapolis
junction and Bladensbnrg 10 Washington .
distance twenty-nne miles. The occupa: lion
of this point by the Federal troops is import.
ant, as 1t not only commands the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, but the Patapsco river
The town is not much more than mere "a il.
road station, and has population of only
about one thousand or twelve hundred inhab.
tants. This place was formerly known as
the Relay House, and by many is now con.
founded with Relay Station on the Northern
Central Baltimore and Susquehanna) Rail.
road, seven miles north of Baltimore, now
occupied by a detachment Of Pennsylvania
troops.
Annapolis Junction is q railroad station
seventeen miles southwest from Baltimore
and twenty-five miles northeast of Wash.
inston, on the Washington Branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The Annapolis
Branch Railroad, short line Of only twenty.
Two miles length, here comes in from Anna o..
oils. The point derives It's chief Importance
from commanding the railroad route from
Annapolis 10 w ashinston, a total distance of
thirty.nine miles. The only town of any
note on the line of the Annapolis branch road
is MillerSvllle, eleven miles from Annapolis,
The Relay House is small railroad station,
seven miles north of Baltimore on the North.
erh Central Railroad ; it Is an inconsiderablr
village, SO far as ITS population or business is
concerned, but Of immense Importance as a
near rendezvous for Northern troops, if a
demonstration is to lie made upon Baltimore.
Dispatches received on Monday state that
large bodies Of Pennsylvania troops, under
Gen. Patterson. were being concentrated at
this point ostensbly to prevent the Baltimore
Secessonists from destroying the few bridges
and cuvcrts between that point and the State
line at FleclandS, but really to act in con-
junction with the Massachusetts troops, under
Gen. Butler from the southwest, and FvIt
Mcllenry OH the southeast.
Cockeysvllle, eight miles north Of the Relay
House, and fifteen miles north ot Baltimore,
On the Northern Central road. is not much
more than railroad station. just south Of
the station ale the runs Of the bridge burned
by the Sccessionists on the night Of the 18th
Of April, and which are now rebuilt by the
army Of General Patterson. This place is
important, lnasmuch as its occupancy by
Nurlhcrn troops will have the effect Of keeping
the Railroad open to York, Pa, (foity. two
miles north where 54O0 troops are now sta
lloned,) Harrisburg (scventy miles. where
there are 1900 troops.) aud Elmira, N. ",
Gal miles north. whore now are being con-
centrated the volunteers from Central and
Western New YoIk-a little over 5O00.)
Putapsco river, upon which the city of
Baltimore stands, is only useful for naviga-
ton purposes below the city, where it has a
width and depth sufficient for the largest
Gus falls and rapids afford excellent water
power. Just below Baltimore the Gunpow-
der river emptes into the Patapsco. Jones
Falls are OH the Gunpowd.r river, and about
three miles eastwardly from the Relay House
station. The new water works for the city
are located at Jones Falls. and it is intended
ultimately to supply the city with water
from the Gunpowder river. Norlhward fom
Baltimore, and 20 the east of the Northern
Central Railroad, are succession of high
hills, batteres upon any of which would com
mand the road between the Relay House and
the city.
Canton Bridge, burned on the GOTH is on
the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
road. and crosses Gunpowcer creek just in
the outskirts Of the city.
Gunpowdcr Bridge is eleven miles further
on towards Uavre dc Grace. This bridge
was also destroyed on the Goth bat it is now
being rebuilt by the Pennsylvania troops.
Bush River Bridge lat Perrynan's) is
twenty -four and half miles from Baltimore,
also destroyed. 1t was here that the Sixth
Pennsylvania regiment remained for several
days after the railroad communication was
cut off by the burning Of the bridges.
Havre de Grace is the next town of note
situated on the west bank of the Susquehamna
river, where it enters into the Chesapeake
Bay. 1t is thirty-six miles from Baltimore
by rail and about fifty miles by water north
Of Annapolis. The Tidewater canal empties
into the Chesapeake at this point Immedi-
ately opposite, on the east back ofthe Susque-
hanna, Is Pcrryvlle, where small body Of
Federal troops are now stationed.
Frederick City is sixty miles west of Balti.
more, and is reached by the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad and the Frederick branch from
Monocacy (thrce miles.) The city Is only
for,y-four miles north west from Washington,
and twenty.thrce east of Harpers Ferry 1t
is a town Of only about $500 inhabitants-a
population that has not varied d hundred
within the last twenty years. This place
and Monocacy will probably be occupied by
Federal troops Immediately. The State
Leg islature has been in session here for the
past week.
Point Of Rocks. where. it is said. the Vir-
ginians have a heavy battery Of artilly posted
to command the approach to Harpers Ferry
is eleven miles west of Frederick aud twelve
miles east of Ilarper's Ferry, being about
midway between the two places. This place
Point Of Rocks) is so situated that a
very small force with artillery would give an
enemy advancing from the east considerable
trouble. -Baltimorc Clipper