Year: 1861

zete" who appears to be an intelligent witness gives
the following description OF the position occupied by
the two armies at W Washington


Our pickets extend in irregular line from short
distance below Alexandria to the vicinity of LewinS-
vilie about four miles back of the Chain Bridge, The
dis between the extreme ends following The lines
is, should say from fifteen to sixteen miles. In d.
rect would be three four miles shorter. AT
point do they reach five miles from the river
rhtse who have observed the shape OF the Patomac
will notice that from Mount Vernon (eght miles below
ALEXANDRIA, TO Great Falls, (ahout the distance
above Chain Bridget 1t forms almost half circle,
Washington being on the outside, and the Virg mia
shore The inside OF the same We occupy only the
portion of this half circle above described the Confed
crate lines divergng into the river above and below,
thus incosing in this crescent within space Of say
twelve miles in length and from three to five in width.
The only recent changes OF Importance in the picket
lines, have been in advance Chain Bridge,
and the extension Of pckets little up the river
on that side, and four miles west to Lewinsve-
Previous that their pickets in TO the brow OF
the hill overlooking the bridge


From this point up occupy only the Maryland
side of the river the right flank of main ody,
ssting of General Banks column, now resting
Pools7ile, some twenty-five miles up and facing the
left flank of the enemy at Leesburg, on the opposite side
OF the river. hus the two armies may be said to be
standing face to not yet ready to move and
theirs apparently prepared to dispute our advance with
the first step forward we make.


The reader should also bear in mind that the whole
Virgins side of the Potomac in this region is OF very
rough and almost mountainous character and is mostly
covered with dense growth of small timber, thickets
and underbrush The roads into the interior, at least
far have any knowledge, iorn gradually ascend
ing grade steep and heavy hs covered with this
species of timber comparatively small portion OF the
land ouly being cleared and 10 cultivation. From
exandFa GeOrg etOwn, inclusive, nearly all the
roads leading out terminate at before reaching the
Leesburg turnpike, which, will be seen pai ael
with the river within few miles of it, and all that is
valuable of it now held by the enemy. From thence
they diminish Id number, gradually Cenering toward
Fairfax and Manassas and enabling the enemy to
centrate he fails back, should he be compelled to do
So His lines now cross all these roads, at point
over five miles from the river, with above stated all
that is important of tie Leesburg turnpike-the only
road OF any size or length running parallel with the
riverust in the rear and afordpg him the greatest
facilities in shifting his forces from point to another


To attempt to cut other roads through such country
would be work of the greatest difficulty, if not mpos
sibity and could be easily met and thwarted by the
enemy From this description, the reader may form an
idea OF the obstacle that have to overcome the
enemy choose to hold their present position which
to be their purpose


! And now as to position and defences.


| Proceeding to the Chain Bridge-three miles above
Georgetown-we find an earthwork planted Immediately
facing the end of the bridge this side, and within
twenty feet OF it. Its guns, not yet mounted will
sweep the bridge. At the entrance Of each tootpath
also stands small howitzer for throwing grape, can
iser anything else you have mind to put in them
an1 one discharge from them would make quick work
with all the foot passengers that might attempt that
mode of crossing the Potomac" On the bluff Just
back is another entrenchment, and halt mile further
up and back the summit of the hill is another each
with several guns mounted No force could possibly
approach the bridge from the other side without being
instantly cut to pieces.


The Virginia side here, and, in fact, all the way from
Georgetown, and as far up you see consists Of
high and rocky Bluff and rising almost perpendicular
rtM the waters edge covered with trees aud thickes
and terminating III hills of the same character and al
most steep, The river very rapidly above
Washington and here was surprised to find it only
from thirty to forty feet wide but very deep and rapid.


Crossing the road winds up TO the right through
a long, steep hill. On the top of this hil and
other halt mile TO the left Notifications have
been erected and in space OF time marvelousy short,
having been commenced only week ago, aud now
beng in state OF defence ana nearly finished. The
former commands the read (which continues parallel
with the rlver) and open country adjoining it for say
mile and half, tar visible his is the only
road that into the bridge Back Of it and IN the
down river direction from the forts there is but small
open space which enclosed by the depse forest
to tie whole cOuntry.-Our pickets 90 out this road
about four miles towards LewBsvile. South and west
of this village few miles, Falls Church and Vienna
enc and the other the Leesburg turnpike which
IS before alluded to- is all 10 possession of the enemy
excepting only tie southern end from Baily's Gross
Roads to Alexandria, which is Of no consequence.


could learn OF no road by which the Qualifications
below could be reached from Chain Bridge within our
picket lines, 10 DO this it is necessary re-crOss
come back TO Georgetown and go over on the Ferry
AT er leaving the Ferry you pass by Fort CorcOTar
and Others dosged aid in process of erection and
miles straight ont on this road brings you to Balls
Cross Roads, which is within half Or three quarters of
me OF outside line Of plckes, and far you
allowed to GO A few rods below this very good view
of Munson's Hill tbree miles dstant) can be bad will
glasses.


Taking the cross road south from here, mile and
half brings you n'o the road leading Fairfax by way
OF BaileyS Gross ads this end of which terminates
Long Bridge. From the root of house here yOu hav
much better view of Munson's Hill about the sam
distance before This hill is the highest point OF lapC
vlsib and the new rebel fortifcatoD it command


the country for miles to the east south and west. 1t


about equl distant from Georgetown Ferry and Lon:
Bridge-fve mles. With, perhaps, one exception, GU
nearest tOrthcatiOn is about three miles from it tn
exceptional one, which we are now throwing up wit


the utmost expedition, being on bigh eminence-a


most high the b II itselt-amost due south of il
and probably two and three quarter miles off 1t is be


ing built long and narrow, so that the shell from th


bill would have to be thrown with great precision to ia
into it. 1t is a flank work on the Munsons Hill fort


fcaons, and seems to be designed for the special benz


fit OF the latter.


As persons are not allowed to go out the Fairfa


roads beyond Arlington Mills, except foot, foun


necessary in order reach Baieys Gross Roads an


the convenient method of visiting the tortlcf


tions in that direction of Alexandria, take boat
that point and start from there. After leavin


Alexandria, you ascend long hill in the rear, whc


brings you to Fort Ellsworth of the first erected
. Close by this is another, one commanding


longer sweep above and On the opposite side of the


ley. up which the Manassas Railroad, is anoht


going up prominent elevation, thus rendering tt
;, city impregnabe and commanding the valley With


range OF the guns. Our picket lines extend only two
> three miles up the railroad to Clouds Miis, ruunin
J thence southwardly to the Potomac few miles beo
. Alexandrs, and northwardy to Baileys Cross Roads
p p Ascending to the cupola of the Fairfax Seminar


here, splendid prospect is afforded OF the couDtl


in all directions. Here learned Tor the irst time, az
= verified by actual observation, that upon another hi