The national Republican., 1861-05-28
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
Arrirai Of Troops-A Fugitive Slave Case
Retained as ContraJumd Of Var, dc.

ATricdt OT ITOOpS-A fUyHice Stdce case
Retained as Comtrabund Of Var, dc.
FORTRESS MONROE, Nay 25, 1861,
Saturday Erening, 8 O'Clock.
TO lie Editors Of the baltimore american:
Colonel Duryea's Zouaves, which arrived
this morning by the steamer Alabama, have en-.
camped on this side of the Hampton bridge,
along with the Vermont and Troy regiments.
The steamer Pembroke has also arrived with
two companies Of Massachusetts troops, so that
the whole number of troops now within or un.
der the walls Of Fortress Monroe is about G,O0O
men.
The Quaker City came up with rich prize
this morning, the barque Winiired, Of Rich.
mond, from Rio, laden with coffee.
The Minnesota sails southwark today. Com
modore S,rngham, it is said, will visit the Gulf
squadron.
General Butler, accompanied only by Acting
Adjutant General Talmadge and his aids. made
a dashing reconnaissance Of several miles be.
tween James and York rivers. The picket
guards Of the Virginiaus fled on their approach.
Three fugitive slaves, the property of Colonel
Mallory, commander Of the rebel forces near
Hampton, were brought in by the picket guard
yesterday. They represent that they were about
to be sent South, and hence sought protection.
Shortly after, Majo Cary came in with a flag o!
truce, and claimed their rendition under the
fugitive slave law, but was informed by General
Butler that, under the peculiar circumstances,
he considered the fugitives contraband Of war,
and had set them to work inside the fortress.
Colonel Mallory was also politely informed that
so soon as he shoul visit the fortress and tale
solemn oath to obey the laws of the United
States, his property would be promptly restored
under the fugitive slave law.
Another party came in this morning, under
flag Of truce, for the fugitives, but met with
no better success. On their return, it is sup.
posed they set fire to Hampton bridge, as it is
now in sheet of flame. N. o. J.
Passengers who have travelled on the Balti
more and Ohio road, have noticed stipend
Gus rock, boldly projecting from the hill side
near Harper's Ferry. 1t is computed to weigh
| about sixty tons, and is at an altitude Of fifty
feet from the track. 1t appears that the Con
federate troops, conceiving an idea Of pitching
| it down upon the track, for the purpose Of sus
pending all travel upon the main stem, set tc
work to carry the plot into execution. Accord
iugly number Off men were sele ctcd from com
pnny, and, armed with mining tools, soon mad'
an excavation, and lilling it with sevenly.fv'
pounds Of powder, applied slow match. Th
explosion took place, and was heard for scvcra
miles around, but the rock wouldn't bulge II,
inch. The villanOus ipelre excrted its powG
in vain, and the manner in which the wor
was done attestS the incxpericncc and ignoranc
of the operators. Baltimore AmericdM Of 27H
Accounts received from Santa Fe to tn
9th instant represent I'll quiet in New Mexico
Several army officers had resigned, and it wa
thought an attempt would be made to sen
delegates to Montgomery. Col. Loring exer
ed himself successfully to keep down excit,
! meut.