The New York herald., 1862-03-26
Negroes Engaged on the Extensive Rebel
FOrtificatiOns Now Being Built in the
NeighbOrhoOd Of the Town.
Statement of the Escaped
C0ntrabands.
Sketch Of Fredericksburg and the Sur:
rounding Locality.
MAP OF THE POSITIONS.
&c., &C., sc.


On Saturday fourteen conrabands into the camp
Of Hooker's division from the Virginia side They are
from Fauquer and Stafford counties, and state that.
they away escape being sent 10 Fredericksburg
to work. Their told that II the negroes
sent here the Confederate government would pay
their value the in the event Of their beng
killed and the negroes told that the Yankees got
them by any they would be forced to work hard
all day and be locked up at night, and when they had
nothing for them to do they would be sent to Cuba ana
sold to pay tho expenses of the They are fine,
healthy lot Of darkes varying in age from eighteen 70
forty years. Nine Of them the property Of widow
Sae Cowes Of Stafford and her four sons two Of whom
are in the rebel army.
The camp Of the First Massachusetts, regiment has
been selected TO be used general hospital for all the
sick OF this division who may not be able TO accompany
their regiments when they march. This camp has been
selected Of its healthy location convenience
to water communication, and the permanent and COM
Portable manner in which the huts have been con.
structed.
Sketch Of Frederfcksburg and Vicinity
Fredericksburg tho chief town Of
ty Virginia. and situated ths right bank Of the
Rsppahannock river at the head Of tide water. II be.
tween fifty and sixty miles from Richmond by railroad,
and sxty.fve miles by the turnpike, in northerly
direction. Turnpike roads connect it with Falmouth and
nock-and another turnpike leads through wilderness
Orange Court House, where railroad connects il with
Gordonsvle The town itself 10 pleasantly situated In
fertile valley, and has advantages for commerce and
manufactures will be by reference to map o.
the FIRST page The railroad from Washington, via Aqua-
creek, passed through it. and thereby largo traffic and
trade done previous to the rebellion As the through
trains generally stopped at Fredericksburg station for
about hour each trip not inconsderable chance
NPs
tho depot is distant from Aqua creek by railreaS
about fifteen miles, from which point part OF the
Potomac traffic used be carried to Fredoricks-
burg A good canal had also been constructed from
tho town to . point the Rappahannosk river
about forty miles above. by which large Quantities
Of wheat -four and tobacco received for sxporaon
The river Afforded extensive water power. which, how
ever, much used The hills In the neghberhood
varying height from forty hundred feet abound
in Hne granite and freesone About thirty years since
the prospect Of fredericksburg being rapidly rising
town was very great but H suddenly stop. cd IN ~
prosperity, and after were standing s for about
twenty years. gradually rerosraded IN Its importance
In ls4O its population numbered nearly four thousand
souls in 1850 years after Il had only increased
eighty eight than nine each yca- and being
about ger cent in cccade-a remarkably small in
Before the rebellion it contained i've churches
ore orphan asylum, two scmnaries, four newspaper
Offices and two banks.
The county in which Fredericksburg is situated has
Of four hundred square miles, The Rappahannock
forms the boundary the northeast the North Anna river
the southwest and the Matapony within its limits
Tho surface is diversified by hill and dale The soil 10
generally fertile in the vicinity Of the streams Two gold
mines were worked within the county in 1860; and, a.
before stated freesons and granite abundant. Tho
running northwest carries the traffic far above
the falls and the country inter rseced by the Richmond
and Potomac Railroad Spottsylvania was organized In
1920 and named in honor of Alexander spotswood, ~
that time Governor Of Virginia. The CAPITAL Of tho
county spottsyvana Court House. post village on the
Po river, and situated sixty miles nearly due
north from RichmUnd. with which It is connected by .
turnpike road. The last return Of the population
gave nearly fifteen thousand persons, onehalf Of
whom we're slaves. The adjoining counties Of Stafford
and King George run along the opposite side Ct tho
Rappahsnnock and together have II four hun
dred and twenty.sx miles The surface OF the soil ID
hy partially fertile and partially arid Their united
population last amounted to 10 975 one
half Of whom slaves. Granite, freestcne and gold
have been found here the first in great quant
ties. The former is a very old county, having been
formed in 1875 and named after the English county Of
the same denomination The water power and drainage
Of Stafford very good, and properly used would have
been sources Of wealth to the inhabitants OF the neigh
borhood The before mentioned railroad also ntersscts
stafford county. fauqaier county acjcirs Stafford
county on its western border.
The Van Wyck InvestiRa ting Committee
The iabors Of the Van wyck Committee in this city
temporarily suspended. Colonel Van wyck has been
summoned TO take command Of his regiment, which 10
now under marching ORDERS. The Coonc: loft tho st.