The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-14
New York, Tuesday, May IA, 1861.
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
The President, accompanied by Secretary
Seward and Thurlow Weed, took tour of inspec
troops at Alexandria appear to be iuctuating from
point TO point. 1t is said that there are not now
more than one hundred and fifty men there The
steamer Pawnee however, was moored in front OF
the city yesterday, with her guns (riAe cannon)
and mortars so commanding it that they can bonn.
bard it with hot shot, grape and shell, as well as
any camp that may be located in the vicinity.
The reports Of the number of Southern troops
at Richmond are somewhat conflicting A few days
ago it was confidently put down at seven thousand,
but gentleman who arrived at Washington from
there yesterday says that there are not more than
1hree thousand men there. 1t is quite likely
however, that the troops are being moved about
from one point to another. AT the Relay House
everything is quiet and safe. No attack on Gene
ral Buffers command is now anticipated, and it is
said that if his army is molested General Butler
will make terrible onslaught on the city of Bat-
more.
The railroad through Baltimore is open, the
route clear, and the bridges all secure and well
guarded. The first train from Perryvile, consist.
ing Of three passenger cars well filled, arrived
there last evening The streets through which
the train passed were thronged with people, men,
women aud children, and no attempt was made to
interfere with it, nor was there any disturbance
on the road. When the steamer Maryland left the
dock at Perryvie, with the train Of cars on deck,
the American flag was hoisted and saluted by the
troops Crowds lined the river at both sides and
Cheered vehemently. The same scene occurred
at Havre dc Grace and all along the route.
The government contemplates the erection Of
earthworks at intervals all along the railroads
from the North through Maryland, preliminary
surveys for which are now being made. The CAPT
tai is now completely encircled with encamp
ments, controlling all the railroads.
The Navy Department expects that the ports of
Charleston Savannah and the mouths of the Mis-
sissippi will be effectually blockaded in week.
Commodore Stringham who commands the block
aiding squadron, is to depart at once for the Mis-
sissippi with the Minnesota as flagship, and it is
said tat his instructions are Of the most rigorous
character.
We have some important intelligence of the con.
dition Of things at Harpers Ferry from party
who visited it last week on special service, and
reached Chambersburg yesterday. He says that
tLnra lutty NV
imperfectly armed two hundred Kentucky men
and one company from South Carolina were among
7hem. Provisions were running very short sup
plies having been cut of by the Western Virginia
Unionists. There were not two weeks provisions
any where in the surrounding country, and that
fhey must either receive supplies at once or re-
treat seemed inevitable. They had no batteries,
nor were they erecting any. The total number OF
arms saved from the wreck Of the arsenal is pc.
fitiyely stated TO be only one thousand, and the
number Of rifles they can turn out of the work
thops does not exceed twelve per day.
The government designs to move an immense
force, embracing the strength Of the Northwest
ern amy, down the Mississippi without delay
thus carrying the war in that direction into the
seeded river States.
The Convention Of Western Virginia met a
Wheeling yesterday The attendance was large
and the feeling on the entire line, from Wheeling
70 Baltimore, was enthusiastically in favor Of sepa
ration from the Eastern portion and the mainte
nance Of the Union. 1t was feared that the seees
nionsts would pour troops into the Wheeling
district to break up the Convention, and a special
agent was accordingly despatched to Washington
asking for material aid he had an interview with
fhe authorities yesterday, and was assured that
fhe government would lose no time in sending as
distance.
The confederate government at Montgomery has
appointed Gen. Lee COMMANDMENT. Chief OF the
forces in Virginia, in which State there are said
10 be about $1,000 men. Positive information.
however, has reached General Scott tina, the
whole number Of men from Harpers Ferry dowr
10 Lynchburg does not exceed $4,000. Strong ei
forts are being made even by members Of tn
Cabinet, to induced him to advance his forces int
Virginia; but he Is resoute in maintaining his pre-
sent position until he is quite ready to move. Cor
siderable bodies ofmen, said to be pretty well arm
ed with Mimic rifles and muskets, are moving u
from the South, among them regiment of Zouave
from New Orleans who went from Richmond I
Norfolk on Saturday. Its commonly reported tina
fhe rebel troops arc determined to burn every cit
and village which they are compelled to abandon
in case Of being driven back by the Northerl
troops.
Intense excitement prevailed at st. Louis yestcr