The national Republican., 1861-06-08
BY TELEGRAPH.
Important from Harper's Ferry.

respondent of the Baltimore American. who
has shown himself to be most careful and
faithful man, writes, this morning, that a mum.
ber Of Virginia companies at Harpcr's Ferry
have been disbanded, and most of the soldiers
who went from Berkeley have returned home.
A deserter, who this moment arrived, he
says, assures me that desertions have reduced
some companies to about half the original
number.
Two boys, of Williamsport, about seventeen
years Of age, were this morning induced to
cross the river, by two men, representing them.
selves Unionists desiring to escape. The mo-
ment they crossed, the boat was seized by hid.
den soldiers broken to pieces, and the boys
carried off to camp.
There is not much doubt about Gen. Beau
regard being at Manassas Gap.
private meeting Of Union men, about
thrty.fve Of them, was held last night at the
Marshall House, and addressed by W. c. Par
sons, Of Washington. To-day, forty-eight met
at the same place, and nominated Henry P.
Martin and James T. Close delegates to the
Wheeling Convention. The leaders in this
movement expect to receive seventy.fve sigma
lures to an address to the Convention.
The Michigan regimenta band has been ser.
enading Col. Heintzelman.
The flag brought from Texas by the third
infantry will tomorrow be hoisted over the
Quartermaster's depot. A great jolli6cation
expected.
The provost marshal, Captain Meder, has re-
called his prohibition of newspaper. The
first number will appear on Monday.
1t is reported that the Union and rebel pick
cts are gradually approaching one another on
the Fairfax road.
alexandria, June 7.-The U. 8. steamer Re-
lance, arrived of the harbor about noon to-
day, transferred to the Washingtod boat the
lieutenant commanding, who brings news from
Fort Washington, that four slaves sought ref.
uge there from Virginia. They state that the
rebels at Aqua creek have so far only used rifle
field pieces, which they have used at various
points, changing them according to the FIRE Of
the United States vessels. They have not yet
used their battery of four thirtytwo Founders,
which is masked behind the old 6sh.house, out.
sioe the range OF the Vesseis guns.
A Ayawl.boat, which had been carrying letters
between Maryland and Virginia, captured the
escaped negroes, who had been engaged in
throwing up the parapet.
Another and Conflicting Account from
Harper's Ferry.
Frederick, Md., June An intelligent gen
tleman, just from Harper's Ferry, reports thai
} JEFF. Davis is expected there tomorrow.
The secession troops force there is said to be
in a complete state Of preparation for an at
tack, which is eagerly expected.
The gentleman represents the indications as
, not at oil favoring the rumored evacuation
New troops are constantly arriving. Fifteen
hundred men reached the Ferry last night, from
the interior of Virginia Provisions are abun
| dant, the men cheerful, and the strictest dis
cipline maintained. This informant was no
allowed to speak to the soldiers, except in the
presence of officers.
Deserters represent that there are seventeen
thousand troops at the Ferry.
This information is.probably from asecessiol
+ source.