The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-17

Several pickets thrown across the Potomac last
night opposite Willamsport.
The first division, under General Cadwallader crossed
to-day the troops wadrg the stream CALAMITY up to their
waist, and their crossing covered by two pieces Of
cannon.
The Rhode leland regiment encamped their artillery
upon Tie blue ct winiamsport
OUR HAGEasTowN CORRESPONDENCE.
HAaERs1owN, June II, 1861.
Recoroitcring Journey Along the Potomac-Aass;mbap
ard SomeAing about 1.-the Union Feeling Mere-7he
Attack on the Dams, de-
lave just returned from long journey along the
Potomac. have been both sides Of the river from
sheppardotown to Hancock, at various points have
all that could be known within tho limits
have named have tried TO reach Harper's Ferry but
unable to got within less than six miles Of 1t. J.
however have seen many persons who have been within
the lines and who has been in the headquarters Of
General Johnston within two days past forced to
leave the other side along with party Of Martinsburg
boye. We crossed at Sleepy creek, twenty one miles
above here, on the Potomac
Aartinsburg, place Of about $500 people, s eighteen
miles by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Hnrpers
Ferry The whole population not only Of that town but
Of the surrounding country, terrorstricken 10 the
Lac. degree. l know speak within tho limits Of
most moderate estimate when soy that more than
three hundred persons have escaped. Some Of
these hsd already been In the Confederate ranks
and deserted They constitute nearly if not quito
one.thrd Of the whole number. The rest are
Union men who had made themselves so obnoxious
to the gecsioniss that the latter having the power in
thsE hands, exled them at once. PARTON Of them
came away to avoid being pressed into the militia They
will oil return the federal troops render their
return to their homes saio The terrible way In which
"
the when they procure arms, would do credit to
Mississippi boatsu who had prectsed every note In
the gauaut Of oaths for twenty years.
Iknowfron personal observation that large majority
Of the people Of Berkeley county are not only Union
but favor coercion in every FORM They " that
whereas have either been coereed into service
which Is hateful 10 us or been coeroed TO leave home
therefore we favor the application Of like practice to
our oppreesors" All business, save attention to tho
maturing crops IL entirely at stand stu. Indeed,
some Of Mese are sadly neglected because Of the fact
tbst the aborars who would have cultivated them are
driyeR from home and will not be permitted to return
until after harvest.
meeting wss naid In Martinsburg on Monday night,
at which accession captain, commander Of the Win.
chester Guer!las r.ade blood and thunder speech,
ridculrg Northern bravery and capacity. When
| 1 eate,ed tho hall he was entertaining large
ocnsSs vt s xa al
lar prejudice he o.ied 70 a:5u ap,'se or enthusiasm
rna lsct conynced me clearly OF the fact II
co u b2tofe, that the judgment OF the eude1cs Vas
agaist ha line CT argument clearly doubtful of either
his statements deductions Among other things he
announced most uivccay, that Genera, Patterson
had rot more than thousand men to advance upon
Harpors Ferry with, and would not any cYent have
more than TEN whilst there i fifteen Thousand in
position Of Harpers ForJ and Thirty thousand within
radius Of forty miles.
There two newspapers at Mnrnsburg. Tss seces-
sion organ Is reduced to half sbeet II Ia very Sitter.
tries s hand occasionally the HERALD and denous
ces its corresponding as "tnerant traitors" By the
way whilst there sawa copy Of the HERALD, $50 days
old sell for fifty cents presume the entire edition
the interior Of the tMother Of Presidcnts.''
On Sunday night Witnessed the seizure Of the boats
in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, below sharpsburg.
could not see the exact number taken but understood It
to be elk they were taken down TO aarpors Ferry and
burned, making a magnificent ecnsagr.ticn An eye
g,niA h,.ghts were n,cguifcentIy Illuminated
The Home Guard OF shsrpsburg were not strong
coping of the locks at dam No. a. and from tear
ing down the gates Of the cutie, lock- For weeks they
the approaches 10 their town and nsghbcrhood and they
we're literally out. The mischief done can easily
be repaired and boats s pass down. The attempts to
deS roy dams Nos. and have been wicked as they
hive hitherto been futils. Maryland has fifteen millions
OF dollars invested In the chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Its stock has mover paid we'll It ruishea the only COM
merc,al outlet to the immediate valley Of the Potomac
aud very large portion Of the mineral regions OF Viz
in 81 M
for ever Certainly there would neither be capital nor
disposition 70 repair such immense damages
l heard Of the firing at dam No. 8, which has been
gopg on since last Saturday night and which has beer
kept up ct intervals since As that seemed to be
the onIy present chance to fight went there.
found the parties remarkably careful about the ex
poture Of their persons rho virginans covered
by por. OF high ground and by trees surrounding
white house. and from loop helcs ia this bouse hey fred
| at every Marylanter vino made his appearance.
Upon both sdee hats were displayed from the open
ngs the points Of the ruus as marks and they GEL
dom failed TO receive shot. Some Of the firing
yery close The virglnans armed with government
cnrbires. There were only six MIME rifles ia
i,a hand of WI
available weapons they bad st the range az which The
firing was douc-about four hundred aud fifty yards.
nj tho base Of the hill Through tho brick house they
49, ,on hrlss frop, Which thew Gro rhsv have nv