Worcester daily spy., 1861-04-30
From the y. Y. Evening Post.
TOPOGRAPHY OF WASHINGTON
REACHES TO THE FEDERAL CAPITAL


WAsHINGToN, April 25, 1861.
The topography of Washington and the
country round is a subject of interest 10 the
people Of tie country at this time, and this is
my apology for few paragraphs to day.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.
Few persons in Washington fear an mme.
dlate attempt 10 march troops into the city, no
matter how strong the rebel army may be.
The fear is OF an attempt to shell the city from
the surrounding heights. There are several
points from which the capital might be de-
stroyed, if the rebels could succeed in planting
their batteries. 1t was generally supposed in
Washington by the military authorities, that
the Virginians encamped at Alexandria would
soon attempt TO occupy Arlington Heights, OPP
posite Georgetown. These heights command
Georgetown, the National Observatory, and
the presidents house. Gen Scott has made
every preparation to occupy Arlington Heights
in advance of the enemy, and many persons
advocated their immediate occupation, for it
was possible that the rebels might at night,
make forced march towards Washington and
plant their batteries before mo- ming.
The provision made against surprise of
this post / Y Gen. Scott was as follows: An
immense amount of powder and ball, shell, and
grape, was moved from the navy yard to
Georgetown, together with pieces of ordnance.
Arrangements were made for the instant trans
port OF men and munitions of war across the
Potomac, whenever the scouts, who cover the
country for several miles into Virginia, should
report an advance of the rebel troops. The
excuse given for delaying the occupation of
Arlington flights, until after it was certain the
Virginians were marching upon the capital,
was, that under the exciting circumstances, an
invasion of the soil Of Virginia by federal
troops would be iujudiciJus. This, perhaps,
is a valid excuse until Washington is strongly
enforced, but not a single moment beyond that
time.
THE HEIGHTS TOWARD THE SOUTH.
Southward Of Washington, on the Maryland
side of the Potomac, and u mile from the navy
yard is commanding hill, upon which the
insane asylum stands. This hill commands
the navy yard, and it is not improbable tha
the rebels would cross the Potomac below
Fort Washington and march up TO this point
On Monday the government had not taken
military possession of this height, though it is
within the district.
THE BRIDGES.
There are four bridges which need guard
ing, all within Two miles of the capital. The
first is mile and half directly east of the
city, and crosses over the eastern border of
the Potomac into Maryland the second
crosses the Lranch at the navy yard. The
trt ops coming overland from Annapolis would
cross this bridge The third bridge is called
the 10, G Bridge, and crosses the Potomac
into Virginia. 1t is one mile southwest of the
Capitol building. AT Georgetown there is
stone aqueduct across the river across which
troops might be marched, 1t would be diff
cult to destroy this work quickly, and it
should be guarded very strictly.
WHERE THE REBEL FORCES CAN BE CoNCEN.
TRATED.
There are no hills north of Washington
npar pnOuDl To command the f,aniial Inn II iS
singular that the government did not take pos
session OF the railroad running 10 Baltimore,
and west over the mountains to Harper's Fer
ry On Monday the Virginians might have
forwarded five thousand troops from Harper's
Ferry and Baltimore into the heart OF the city
by the railroad, which was in their hand S.
Arlington Heights are about two miles distant
from the presidents house the heights south
east OF the capital, on the Maryland side, are
a mile distant from the navy yard Fort
Washington is fifteen miles below the capital
and Alexandria, where the rebel troops are
concentrating, is nine miles down the river.
A rallroad is in the hands Of the rebels, run
ming from Alexandria to the Long Bridge,
Washington.
DANGER FROM FAMINE.
The principal danger Of Washington at the
present moment is from famine-n0t from an
attack by the Virginia troops Any one who
W ~ ioOh ~ Vi lue country
will perceive instantly that no provisions can
enter the city at present Maryland and Vir-
ginia refuse 10 allow any supplies to be for
warded to Washington, and unless the railroad
from Annapolis be put in running order by
the government troops 1t will be almost i'm
possible TO transport provisions thence.
ROAD FROM ANNAPOLIS TO WASHINGTON
The road from Annapolis to Washington is
very sandy, and the distance is thirty five
miles There is wooden bridge across the
Patuxent river, which the enemy will doubt
less burn, if they have not before now. To
transport provisions for a city Of sixty
thousand inhabitants, and for an army of
twenty thousand strong, would be a monstrous
undertaking. But if government troops take
possession and hold the railway between the
two points aud put it in running order, the
connection between New York and Washington
will be complete.
RAILROAD COMMUNICATION.
There were on Monday very few cars in
Washington, The Batimorans took good
care not TO allow more than a single engine
and two or three cars at the Washington end
OF the road, and whenever the road is open
between Annapolis and Washington, two or
three engines and fifty transport cars should
be sent from this place to Annapolis. 1t would
perhaps be prudent to send them on at once,
to be ready ior an emergency. B.
In New Haven Thursday, c. F. Marden,
~. 4 L. Il..,r, 4,fT