THE NATIONAL LINES BEFORE WASHINGTON: A MAP EXHIBITING THE DEFENCES OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL, AND POSITIONS OF THE SEVERAL DIVISIONS OF THE GRAND UNION ARMY (12/4/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 12/4/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The interest which attaches to the military operations of the National army on the line of the Potomac, has induced us to present the readers of the TIMES with the above very complete and accurate map of the impregnable lines on the Virginia side of the National Capital. These masterly defences sweep from the neighborhood of Great Falls, ten miles above Washington, southward to the mouth of the Accotink Creek, 15 miles below the City; and occupy the arc of a circle the outermost point of which, in the direction of the main body of the enemy at Manassas, may be fixed at Flint Hill. This territory is actually in possession of our troops; the National pickets and reconnoitering parties frequently pushing miles nearer the rebel host, but fully maintaining the ground embraced between the dotted line traced on the map, and the banks of the Potomac.

The principal permanent fortifications, which the rebels, if they attempt them, will find to be an impassable barrier to their ambitious designs upon the Capital, have been enumerated by title and position in the General Orders of Gen. MCCLELLAN, but are, for the first time, located and named upon the present map. How perfect the circle they describe about the city and that of Alexandria, will be perceived at a glance. To state how heavy is the armament of these posts; how numerous the bodies of men detailed for their defence, and what skill in gunnery these new artillerists have already attained, would be a revelation more valuable to the enemy than instructive to the loyal reader. It is enough to say that officers of European armies, skilled in the latest results of military engineering, pronounce the works in front of Washington as absolutely impregnable against the largest assailing force,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4017900/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Army Before Washington – 2-3
President’s Message – 3-7
Report of the Secretary of War – 7-9
Report of the Secretary of the Navy – 9-13
Synopsis of the Report of the Postmaster-General – 13
Report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office – 13-14
The Charter Election: George Opdyke, Mayor – 14
The Telegraph and the Message – 14
News from Washington: Reception and Reading of the President’s Message – 16-17
The Wheeling Convention – 17
The Sanitary Commission-What it has and what it has not Done – 17-18
Editorial: The President’s Message – 18
Editorial: The Slavery Question-Some Practical Work For the Government – 18-19
Editorial: Report of the Secretary of the Navy-The Stars and Stripes on Sea – 19
Military Preparations in Canada – 19-20
Editorial: More Light from the South – 20
Editorial: Camp Inspection and the Sanitary Commission – 20

[M Kehoe]

Ah, the fog of war and its first casualty.

5.56mm

[JimRed]

Even then the NYT was treasonous! Publishing defenses to the benefit of the enemy.