The New York herald., 1862-09-07
SKETCH OF THE OHIO RIVER.

OM6 VII VI uU6 OUuO ~ En-
-~-~--~-------~--~----
hs recent advance of the rebels from the Southwest
through Tsasssss and Kentucky upon Cincinnati and
other points along tho ohis river brsushi this srssa
once more into popular pstios w therefore sppen1
Ths Ohio 10 one II she most important rivers ths
United States, and u formed by the confluence
q ~ Alsshany and Nonongahsla rivers, IN ths
western part Of Pennsylvania. n then flows in .
soutAwsstsrly direction, dividing Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois on the right, from Virginia and Kentucky on
the left enters the Mississippi at Cal 70,
which one thousand two hundred and sixteen miles
from the Gulf Of Mexico. The French called this stream
La Bell svee, the beautiful river which siguinca
tion, 10 said corresponds 70 the Indian appelaton,
Ohio" The entire length Of the Ohio is upwardsof
nine hundred and fifty miles, and Of the valley, not fol-
lowing the wndings Of tho stream about six hundred
and fourteen miles, lts principal tributaries the
Auskngum, Great Kanawha, Big Sandy, Sciota, Miami,
Green, Kentucky, Wabash, Cumberland and Tennessee
K these, the most important the last three The
Tennessee Is however, the largest Of the WHOLE Al
the point, or a short distance below where tn
Monongahela and Allegheny form their junction, the
Ohio is y placid stream, very beautiful and
about six hundred yards in width. At Pittspurg
Its elevation above the level OF the is about
hundred feet at the entrance Of the Muskingum, five
hundred and fortyone feet at the mouth of the Scoto
four hundred and sixty -four feet; opposite Cincinnati,
four hundred fourteen feet and at its confluence with
the Mississippi three hundred and twsntyour feet max
ing the average descent less than five inches TO the mile
The current s very gentle being about three miles per
hour. AT high water its velocity Is somewhat greater
but during the dry season floating substance wOsd
not move than two miles hour. The only
falls OF much note are those at Louisville, Ky. The OBJ
sruston to navigation here has been partially
by canal admitting the passage OF small steamboats,.
The descent is twenty two and half feet in two miles
producing very rapid current, which, however,
10 sometimes assembled by steamboats, at high
water. The Ohio river contains many As
hundred considerable islands, besides great mum
bsr Of towheads or low sandy islands, covered with
willows, and incapable Of cultivation. Steamboats,
becoming grounded on these aud the numerous
sandbsrs, not unfrequsntly are Obliged to remain
until relieved by the periodical rise OF the
waters. The floating ice In the winter season is
also severe obstacle TO the navigation Of the river
Like all the Western riyers the Ohio subject
rises and depressions there being difference Of nearly
nfty feet between high and low water In 1882
sixty feet while at very low water it may he forded
between Pittsburg and Cincinnati in many places The
tributaries drain at least two hundred thousand
square miles or land The scenery Of the upper part Of
the river is very picturesque, the hills being covered
with verture and many Of them from two TO three
hundred feet In height When nearing the Mississippi
these beauties, however, entirely disappear.
Interesting from Western varginia.
pARING ArTEMPT TO ROB GOVERNMENT VAULT.
IFrom tho wheeling (va.) Inteilgenoer. sept. 81
moet daring attempt was made during Wednesday
night Apd yesterday morning 70 rob the government
one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars The
vault built OF bricks, cement and iron. Tho walls Of
the Ossom House form sides Of the vault, which
the Collector OF Customs. The vault is strongly con-
strnctea TAe walls are about fourteen inches
lso layer Of crossed and rivoted iron lrrnly i'm
bedded in the cement The vault contained all tho money
belonging TO the pay department. well ~ large sum
to bo dsbursed by Major Hill who Is acting mastering
officer hero The bargars, though amply provided with
they SCI to work with crowbar and ohisc 70 dig hos
through the ouly exposed side. They succeeded
in digging out tho bricks and making large
aperture 10 the wall but the iron still remain
ei, and gould not be removed The portion ol
the money not oontaines in small iron ssfes,
but In packages and bags. located at point sons
four 1--WE feet from the aperture. in the vault Not
being able 10 yet into the vau the burglars improvised
hook with which they attempted 70 drag the bags up
could aud feel tho money but could not get ct It.
The work accomplished by the rscals must have occu
have caught themn the stae OF progress we have
described and thus they were compelled to abandon
their work without taking away single red cent.
THE RECENT RAID ON BCCKHANNAH.
from the Wheeling Intelzenccr, Sept. ST.
Lieut. Col. Frost, for whose opinions have great
respect thinks that Jenkins brought with him into
Western Virginia about eight hundred mounted rebels
HIS object TO steal and destroy stores and
steal horses From tho he is taking COL Frost Is
of the opinion that Jenkins Is making for the KanawhA
Valley knowing that Coxs forces longer there and
that his design Is TO surprise and defeat the small federal
force In and about m the government wagons
with salt and guard them safely up the valley with his
force OF cavalry. Salt 10 thing badly needed in the
Southern confederacy. II of Ietchers stated
for recently converting the legislature to provide
ways and means for procuring salt jenkins got nothn
by the surrender OF Spencer Everything Of value be.
longing 70 the government had long since been removed
to Rayenswood.
The Rebels I'm the Kamawhs Valley.
GArLpoIls, oAio, Sept. ., 1881.
rslegraphis communication in Ksnawha valley Is
pended above Point Pleasant.
The guerilla jenkins 10 encampsd n Bunalo tonight
with fifteen hundred men, and two thousand
pccted TO join Immediately. His stripping the
country Of horses and supplies.
The object Of jenkins appears TO be 70 cut Cd communi
cation with troops.
Tie militia II Galns county assembled to-day, 20 the
number Of two thousand hundred and completed
their organization.
Very little fear in felt OF q raid in this place