Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-05-15
SUMMARY OF NEWS.

and digging trenches. Three hundred troops
are stationed at the point where the trains stop.
A rigid search for contraband articles is made
at this point. They have captured quantity
of grain on the way to the mills up the Pa
tapsco, and compelled its delivery at the Hox-
ley Mills, where they can turn it to account
when 1t is ground, without Inconvenience.
gentleman who is well known arrived
from Pensacola. He states that there are a.
bout eight thousand rebel troops outside of
the fort and that they in very bad condi-
ton. Their provisions giving out, and
the warm weather is making many i'll, while
the general impression, so far as he could learn,
was, that an attack on the fort would soon be
abandoned, on the pretence that the troops
would be wanted further North.
The Washington Star says ave have in
formation by telegraph that the Harriet Lane
reached Annapolis, bringing up private
schooner, captured just outside the Virginia
CapeS. When chased, the crew of the schoon-
er with but two exceptions abandoned her in
their boats. She had been disguised by the
CELEBRATION of her name from her stern, and
by being painted yellow"
The Government has not only rendered the
blockade OF the coastwse Virginia ports ef-
ficient, but has blockaded the mouth of Eliza
beth river by vessel stationed about Hampton
Roads, thus preventing steamers from passing
from Richmond to Norfolk on the inland water
tcipated being prevented carrying on their
inland commerce.
The offers of troops from the West is aston
ishing- The government has already received
proffers of service from ftro hundred and ffty
thousand men, all west of the Alleghenies.
This immense multitude is ready for instant
and active service, and each regiment is made
up of hardy troops. The men OF the North
west moving in earnest for the support OF
the government.
Major Anderson thoroughly rindicates and
lustifies Capt. Gowan's conduct at the time
of his unsuccessful effort TO take the Star of
the West into Charleston harbor, and says
that it would have been impossible for him
ever to have reached Fort Sumter with his
ship under the fire of the batteries lining the
entrance. He is likely to be restored to The
revenue service.
The United States Sloop ofwar Cumberland
was lying off Fort Monroe. The steamer Qua
ker City was bockadng Cape Henry. 1t was
reported that the Virginians were fitting out
the steamers Yorktown and jamestown for
the purpose of running the blockade at the
mouth of the James river, where the steamer
Monticello is stationed.
Bradley johnson a prominent secessionist
has left Frederick with some eight others, and
it is supposed their destination is Harper's
Ferry. A considerable number have also left
Baltimore in companies going the
country in the direction of Harper's Ferry. 1t
is said that not less than three hundred have
gone from that city.
Mr.. Winans, the manufacturer of the cele-
brated steam gun, attempted to send 1t to
Harper's Ferry, for the use of the Se-
cessonists. Fortunately, however, his infam
Gus scheme was thwarted. and the gun was
captured by the Massachusetts, volunteers, un-
der the command OF Colonel Jones, and is now
at the Relay House.
AS to batteries upon the Potomac, none have
been erected up to this time, nor can they be,
for the only points where works could be erec-
ted are constantly and thoroughly watched,
and there are seven armed ste amers plying
on the river steadily, with orders to cut to
pieces any body of men attempting to erect
batteries.
Virginia was admitted as member of the
Confederate States Government on the 9Th
May, in secret session. Two of her members
of Congress were sworn in, and participated
in the discussion, and voted Oh questions
which came before the body. No other
business has been made public.
The Montgomery Confederation of the 9Th
says that over 100000 applications have been
made to the State Department for letters of
marque and reprisal. Three hundred thou
sand A rather formidable number. Who
would have supposed that one-forth Of the
Southern voters were pirates
Secretary Chase has issued instructions to
Surveyors of Customs at all the ports on the
Ohio and upper Mississippi rivers, directing
them to keep most vigilant eye all water
craft and railroad lines, to prevent them from
carrying provisions or munitions of war into
the seeded States.
A large Union meeting was held at King
wood, in Preston county, on the 4th inst, at
which resolutions were adopted expressing
unalterable opposition to the Ordinance of Sc
cesson, and tavoring division of the State
TO vote for members of Congress.
At a meeting of leading ship owners and
commercial men of the State of Maine, reso-
luton was adopted rendering their services to
the Government. and pledging their ability to
furnish thirty steam vessels in sixty or ninety
days.
man named John Frost was arrested in
Richmond, for declaring himself Lincoln
man, and saying that no army the South might
muster could move Lincoln from Washington
HeSwas placed in Jail by the Mayor.
A great fright occurred at Richmond. The
people were in momentary expectation OF an
invasion by the Federal troops, and in conse-
quence every man and boy capable of bear
ing arms were under orders.
Recruiting tor the United States Army is
actively progressing in Baltimore, and the
National Hotel, which has been unoccupied
for soma time past, has been rented for quar-
tering the recruits.
A special dispatch to the Alexandria GaSette,
dated Montgomery, May 7th, confirms the re-
ported secession of Arkansas and Tennessee
Salutes were fired there in honor of these
events.
special dispatch from Fredrick received
states that the forest on the Mary land side of
the Potomac near Harper's Ferry was fred last
night and much valuable timber destroyed.