Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-23
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA.


NeSEss GSsssps Ranorss ana Liss Trans
BLACK KepubIicsE Sources.
csusspondsncs If the Phiiaielphis Enquirer.
WASHINGTON June Ie--The movements OF Gen
Johnston since he left Harper's Ferry, have bsen
shrouded With mystery. He Is out Of the reach Of
all telegraphic communication. and viii besides for
obvious reasons, take some pains TO keep his move.
ments. and above all his designs. secret. For the
4 same reasons, he will no doubt make feint move
ments for the purpose of concealing his real de-
signs. One of these .eints, beyond all doubt is his
occupation ana fertilization Of Shirley's Hill, at
| Charlestown, only five miles South of Hsrper's
Ferry. The fact Of this occupation and fortitica-
ton is beyond all question. Twenty of the heavy
guns taken from the Maryland Heights are planted
| on this HILL defended by earthworks, and manned
by the Maryland Artillerists. The position is Ger
| tainly an important one. Ii is fifty miles from
Romney, with which it is connected BY an excellent
road; twenty miles from Winchester by Railroad;
fourteen miles from Martnsburg, and twelve miles
from Shepherdstown. 1t is position that can be
easily defended, and 1t may have been fortified by
General Johnston in order to secure himself from
annoyance by the Ohio troops, while engaged in his
offensive operations in conjunction with General
/ BeauPegard.
Another report states that some five thousand of
| the Confederate troops have been sent by General
Johnston to Romney, with orders TO hold that place,
and intercept there the march of Gen. McCIellans
| dunn. @
4 The movements of the troops under Gen. Cadwal-
lader are looked for with great interest here II is
known that he crossed the Potomac at Williamsport
the troops fordiDg the stream in water up their
waists under the protection of the Providence Light
| Artillery, which constitutes part of his force
Here. however, his further progr IS was intercept
| ed by Government messenger, with dispatches or
dering his instant return to Washington by way Of
Frederick and Baltimore. 1t Is certain that orders
have been sent to Gen Patterson since the evacua-
ton of Harpers Ferry recalling that portion of his
| force which had crossed the Potomac, and that he
is now in the vicinity of Hagerstown, awaiting fur
| Their orders.
While walking through one of the great tobacco
warehouses Charles street to day, met gentle
man from Lynchburg. Virginia, who is here on bust
ness connected with his tobacco plantation that
city. learned from him some interesting facts in
regard to the condition of affairs in the miude and
western part of Southern Virginia, where he Is
well acquainted. He says that ever since the COM
mencement of the war. troops have been pouring
! into Lynchburg from the South, most of whom bave
| gone North to GOrdonsyille, Manassas Fredericks-
| burg, Culpepper, and Harper's Ferry, or East TO
Richmond and Norfolk. He says he is confident that
more than 10000 troops have so passed through
and that besides these there fully 900 there
now, frem the Gtates of Tennessee. Kentucky Ala>
bama Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas
These troops stationed in seven camps, on both
sides of the James river, each State by itself, and
are drilling necessarily.
He is acquainted with many of the officers, and
learned from them that, without exception, the Off
GERS ABOVE the rank OF Were Ill VI
military experience, being either graduates OF West
Point or else having served with distinction in the
Mexican war. Many of the lieutenants were grad
yates of some of the Southern military academies
| The troops were all hardy and healthy, and were
dressed in plain and seryiceable uniforms. Their
arms were invariably good, those of many regi-
| ments being Of European manufacture. He spoke
] particularly of the Third Regiment of Alabama
Volunteers. Col. J. NJ Withers 1000 men, who are
| well drilled also OF the First R,se Regiment of
il-a stofY Tho INN ant cir
| in Virginia, Lynchburg has been fortified 1t is
surrounded by high hills, and on these numerous
| batteries have been erected, mounted with heavy
artillery. There more than 100 OF these large
guns, besides many other pieces of smaller calibre.
At Charlottesville there are 600 troops encamped;
| at Gordonsville 8 000 and he was informed by the
commaning officer at Gordonsyille that there were
| 5000 MOI at CElpepper.
Correspondents Of the New York Herald.
WASHINGTON, June E.-The revelations in regard
to the plans of Gen Scott, made within the he last
few days by the Old Hero himself to several prom
lnent public men, indicate his intention to make
a campaign in Eastern Virginia that will be short
and effective, and at the same time involve the least
possible bloodshed.
The movements of the various corps d'dYnee that
have already begun, and are about beginning. the
work Of crushing out rebellion in the Old Dominion
appear sluggish TO the uninitiated; but as soon
the Gordon of armies that have been forming during
the last three weeks around the insurrectionsry
troops will rapidly press upon Richmond from the
West North, East, and South The Union column
will quickly move towards the hOtbed of secession,
and by their overwhelming numbers and superior
appointments force the rebels into aseady retreat.
Such at least, are the expectations of the Comman
der inchief, whose plans are based upon more in
innate knowledge of the strength and condition of
the enemy than is generally supposed. He knows
positively that Jefferson Davis cannot possibly bring
more than fifty thousand men into the field; that it
will be impracticabe for the rebel chief to concen
trate twenty-five thousand men at any one point
without exposing others; that the Commissariat,
Transportation and Medical Departments of the in
surgents are in deplorabe condition-in short
that the odds great as to render the result of
the campaign anything but doubtful.
Six more Ohio regiments have been ordered into
Western Virginia from Camp Dennison, near Gin
cinnati They will Immediately proceed TO clean
the valley of the Ksnawha river of seeeSsionists.
According TO the programme agreed upon by the
Government and the leaders of the Union move
ment in Western Virginia seight regiments of Union
Volunteers will be Immediately organized in that
portion of the Old Dominion, and armed and equip
ped by the Federal authorities. As soon as they
will have attained effective condition. the troops
from the other States composing the army of pro-
lection, will commence operations south of the IA
nawha river with view eff cutting eff the railroad
communication between Eastern Virginia and Ten
nessee.
have received intelligence this evening from
Richmond direct. It is of the utmost importance.
The news of the concentration of immense bodies
of troops for the defense of Washington the reduc
ton of Harpers Ferry and for an attack on Ma
nassas Junction had been received at Richmond,
and excited some alarm. and even some apprehen- |
sion as 10 the ultimate safety OF Richmond. Il was
known at Richmond. however, that General Beau
regard was in constant communication with Gen |
Johnston (having even been at Harper's Ferry in |
person on Tuesday, and that he had discretionary
powers to order evacuation Of that post if be |
deemed it advisable. 1t was understood at Rich |
mond that the forces of Gen. Johnston Tin the event
of evacuati0n) would JOIN those OF Gen. Beau |
regard at Manassas, and act either defensiyely or
Extensively against Washington according to the
of the intelligence brought to Gen. Beauregard
by his spies at Washington.
The views of JEFF. Davis have undergone some /
modification during the last ten days, and since he
has seen the immense preparations for offensive |
operations, and the vast number of disciplined
troops that exist in Virginia. Il s understood now,
that if Gen. Beauregard telegraphs to him that he
is going to make attack on Washington with the |
So 900 troops his disposal that JEFF. himself will
rally al ound him with as many more from Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Culpepper, and march
himself to his assistance.
JEFF, has been giving his attention for three or
four days past to the condition Of affairs IN the
western part of the State, where he has dispatch |
ed the redoubtable Henry A. Wise, who has been
created Major General in the rebel army Gen
Wise IS ordered to make his headquarters at Cow
ington. in Allegheny county the terminus of the
Virginia Central Railroad for the present, and to
rally around him all the Southern forces in that
part of the State, including if necessary, the 25,
900 troops at Lynchburg.
He is instructed to throw out scouts to give
notice of the approach Of Geo. McClellans Ohio
troops from the West, and to meet and defeat
him before he can cross the mountains 1t is
that there are some 10000 guerrillas
besides the regular organized troops of the State
who will join with him in annoying Gen. Nc
Tlellan's forces in their march through the moun>
.ain defes. Gen. Wise took with him large
number of brass howitzsrs for service among the
mountains
Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Commercial.
WASHINGTON June 2O.-Troops have been moving
over the river to-day. An attack from the rebels
believed to be intended within twenty four hours
md there is much excitement over il. No one is
lllowed TO cross the river except the soldiers or
Tered. Applications for passes are refused.