The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-05-22
The City Of Washington-Its
Geographical Dsfexses, &c,

Geographical. Dstsxsss. &c. .s
A correspondent writing from WASH.
ington to the New York World, gives the
following sketch of what he conceives to
be the geographical defenses Of lhe Fed
eral Capital: --es
l have sllnded in previous let.ersto
the mooted question, whether The city Of
Washington is more exposed or protected
by the system of its typographical plot
Its streets point directly to the four quar-
ters of the compass, running parallel TO
meridian line, and crossing the former
from east to west. They are diagonaily
Einterseeted By the spacious avsnuas.named
after the respective States of the Onion
The plan was that of Washington himself.
who arranged it with special view to the
value of its military features. The great
avenues constitute, at their angels of in.,
tersection on the boundaries of the town,
1 points of defense from which the termini
of all the streets bearing north and south
can be easily protected and eff1fd direct
routes for the swift movement Of men and
artillery from one end of the city TO az.
other. But the city ia laid ~oEt or SC
grand a scale-its northern or land loun
dary being nearly five miles in extent-
that the very magniGceEce Of iss d,a;un-es
would diffase the strength CT an army o.
occupation.
The natural geographical Ieftnses c.
Washington, are unsurpassed. Faced eT,
the Southwest by the Potomac, snd o.
the Southeast by the Ahacostia, or Ess,
tern branch, at whose intersection lies its
extreme Southern point, its etninences,
like the seven hills of Rome. rise .nobIy
here and there as commanding for militia
ry purposes as for the sites Of the public
ediices which crown them Three of
these elevations lie along the Son,h-vesi
boundary, between which and the Virgins
shore flows the Potomsc, and seross she
/ river ths length of the Virginia hills rises
/ by a slope of half mile Any forces
locating on this sope will be exposed 10
the inspection and fire of artillery from
the eminences above named. OF which
fshall say more anon. 1t is from Virginia,
Of course, that danger would be first look
ed for, but the Virginia boundary is thus
happily provided with the strengest naiu,
raj defenses.
The shore of Maryland lies opposite 80
the southeastern limits Of the city. The
1 Anacostia River is Narrow, though deep
enough for the passage of large vessels. at
high water, to the Navy-yard. Here,
too, is q bridge, crossing just above the
yard, to Uniontowp. But the high
| grounds of the Capitol Hill overlook this
: region, and the river marks the line of
defensive operations. 49,.
i 1t is, of course, on the northern boun
! dary, toward the State of Maryland, !, that
Washington is most open to the approach
t of hostile forge. II Maryland remains
f true to the old flag, it must be large and
daring army that would venture on hel
/ territory But commencing at the ex-
t treme west end of the city, let Us see
!. vhat are the natural defenses in the n orth
8 First, we have Rock Greek, narrow
e river, flowing through deep ravine. und
e dividing Washington from Georgetown
O Then, commencing or this creek mil,
d above the city, a range of bills, fairly
skirting the entire land boundary of th,
Capitol, stretching along foc miles till i
crosses the Anacostia River on the east
1t is thought probable, for many rea
sons, tha. heavy batteries will be lecatet
on the several hills described above, a
of commanding the Virginia shore. Thes
l. are all to the west and south of the Whit
ir house, and are as follows: ,
y 1. The high ground near "The Cir
ID lcle, "7by which designation the round plot
D containing the Washington statue, an
r, located at the west end of Pennsylvania
e. avenue, is known to all frequeuters Of th
of city. On this spot Washington was en-
N camped with Braddock's array. and it we
r. from this elevation that the advantages c
u the angle, formed by the two. rivers fo
re the size of stately city, attracted hi
ne youthful attention. . al, +., -a.
ns 2. The open space by the Observate
# ry-a commanding elevation, close by th
ID side of the river. :. .:.+a i ss.
g.. The hill, on which the ,W.ashingto
=, monument is undergoing slow constru'
ey tion. This is, lower down the river, an
e. overlooks the "Long bridge" of the Wasl
i'll ington and Alexandria Railroad, col
a., Meeting with the Virginia line.. a..ss i