Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-11
TOPOGRAPHY OF VIRGINIA.
The Field Of War In Easiern virafnIa


That part Of Eastern Virginia which may be
properly called the field Of war embraces
nearly the whole Of the tide-water and Pied
mont regions-bounded on the east by the
Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay on the south
by North Carolina, on the north and northeast
by the Potomac, and on the west by the Blue
Ridge. Hrper's Ferry and Winchester are
beyond the Blue Ridge, in what is called the
Valley. This Is the department of Gen. Banks,
that Of the Shenandoh, and comprises belt
of country about fifty miles wide, and running
the depth Of the whole State in a southwestsrly
direction, between the Blue Ridge and the
Alleghsnies- Beyond Banks, on the west, is
Gen. Fremont's department
Eastern Virginia has been divided by the
President into two departments; that Of the
hsppshannock, under Gen. Mcdowell, COM
prisss, besides part Of Maryland, the District
Of Columbia and that part Of Virginia between
the Blue Ridge on the west and the Freder-
ieksburg and Richmond Railroad on the east.
Gen McClellan's department consists of all the
area east Of the Fredericksburg Railroad. 1t
Ii probable that Mcclellan extends as far as he
chooses to operate to the south, in Virginia,
and that Gen. Wool's department. at and about
Fortress Monroe, is within the command of the
superior general.
JAMES RIVER.
The rivers Of Eastern Virginia nearly all
empty their waters into the Chesapeake Bay,
the only exceptions being the New River and
Leaving out Of view the Potomac, the Jamesis
the principal river Of Virginia. It meets the
tide at Richmond 100 miles from it's mouth,
and is nsvigable to that place by vessels of
l40 tons. The only considerable tributary Of
the James, below the Blue Ridge, is the Ap-
pomsttox, which flows into it at City Point, and
carries seven feet water to Petersburg, capital
Of Dinviddis county, 10 miles from City Point,
and p miles south from Richmond. The James
is nayigable TO City Point, 10 miles southeast
OfRichmona, for large vessels, and to James
town Island it has water enough for frigste.
On Hsrrison's Bar, q few miles below City
Point, there are Is feet water at low tide 1t
fovs into Hampton Roads, near the mouth of
the Chesapeake Bay, and its entrance is closed
by Fortress Monroe, Newport News and our
cruisers in that neighborhood.
TIE YORK RIVER.
The York river, on which lies Yorktown. il
formed by the junction Of the Mattapony and
Pamunky, and falls into the Chesapeake Bay,
above the mouth Of the James. Its appearance
Is rather that of an estuary than a river At
its mouth 1t is about three miles wide and il Is
forty miles long. 1t is navigabls for large ves-
sells, and is one mile wide at Yorktown On
the peninsula formed by the near approach of
the James and York, in their course, are situ-
atsd Yorktown and Hampton; its southern ex-
trsmity is Newport News, and at the SOUTH
eastern point is Fortress Monroe. Yorktown
is seventy miles east-southeast of Richmond,
aH0 Ino AatSSI City - Ouo QuQQreQ anu nftY
miles from the sea by water
YORKTOWN
yorktown is situated on the right bank of
the York river, seventy miles from Richmond.
II Is an old town, settled in 1705, and now has
about fifty houses. 1t was the theatre of one
OF the most important events in American his
tory-the surrender Of Lord CORVALLIS TO Gen
Washington, which occurred on the 18th of
October, 1871. The rebels are reported TO
have erected strong Notifications along the
river banks; the works at Gloucester Point,
opposite yorktown, are represented partic-
ularly to be very formidable.
THE RAPPAHASNocK
The Rsppshannock enters the Chesapeake
Bay twenty-five miles south of the mouth of
the Potomac, and is navigable for vessels car
rying ten feet water up to Frederieksburx,
where, it is supposed, the enemy is strongly
posted. This place is forty miles from the
rivers mouth.
THE ELIZABETH RIVER.
The Elizabeth river, on which lies Norfolk,
rises in Norfolk county, and fsws into Hsmp-
ton Roads. 1t ia connected with Albemarie
Sound by the Dismal Swamp canal and Pas
quotank river. On its right or north bank is
Norfolk. This city is eight miles from Hamp-
ton Roads, and 106 miles by land from Rich
nond, with which place it is connected by
railroad. At Portsmouth, opposite Norfolk,
Is the naVy-ysrd. The approaches to Norfolk
are defended by fort on Craney Island, at
the mouth Of the river, which mounted some
months ago thirty -four guns; by Fort Norfolk,
q few miles below the city; BY battery Of
twenty guns on Sewall's Point, opposite Fort
ress Monroe; and in all probability by several
other works of which We know nothing
THE HASsEHoSD.
The Nansemond river rises in the Dismal
Swamp, and is:nayigable from Suffolk, on the
Norfolk and Richmond railroad, to its entrance
into Hampton Roads, for vessels Of one hun
dred tons. Suffolk is seventy two miles south
east by south from Richmond, and is a village
Of about ], SEQ inhabitants. From Suffolk it
would be practicable to make a demonstration
In the rear Of Norfolk and Portsmouth. II
was st one time thought that Burnside would
do this The Pig Point and Fishing Point
batteries were erected by the;rebels to defend
the entrance to the Nsnsemond. The first
named has recently been strengthened, it is
said, and rebel eneampment Is now visible
there.
On James river, at jamestown Island. thirty.
two miles above the mouth Of the river, is a
fort, and another called Fort Powhatan about
half way between jamestown Island and City
Point. It is said that the rebels fortified a
place three miles below Wyoming Creek and
other points on this river.
Richmond ID connected by railroad with
Norfolk, 100 miles distant; with Washinston.
from which il Is l30 miles, by rail; and there
IL also railroad connecting it with the head
Of the York river.
6oruonsy1lle u on the Central Railroad Of
Virginia, 20 miles northwest Of Richmond,
with which IL Is connected by rail.
fredericksburg is connected by railroad with
Richmond, from which IL is sixty-fye miles
north. II 10 connected with q point a few
miles north Of Gordonsville by a turnniks.
which runs through Wilderness and Wbits
Plains, nearly parallel with, but south of the
Rappshannock and its tributary the Rspidan.
Winchester Is $50 miles north-northwest of
Richmond, land IL miles west by north of
Washington. 1t Is the center Of number of
turnpikes.
TABLE OF DISTANCES
Taking Richmond as the centre the follow
Ing table shows at glance the distance of diff
fsrsnt points in Virginia from there:
Miles
From Norfolk TO Ricmohnd is lO8
Prom Suffolk 10 RichmoDd To- ... IS
From Cape Henry TO Richmond h. $50
From Hampton 70 Richmond is... 9S
From Fortress Monroe to Richmond N %
From Yorktown to Richmond is...... 20
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