Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-25

From an Occasional Correspcndeuf.
/ R1cHMoSD, Va, June 20, 1861.
4 Mr. EDTToR have been sojourning Ut our capital
for three days past, snd. requested, viii give
you the result of my observations.
The greatest secresg Is very properly ekssrved
by the authorities concerning military movements,
the strength Of the forces, and similar matters But
the unhounded confidence Of the people and the
troops In our glorious President makes them feel
sure that everything he does is for the best. The
evacuation Of Harpers Ferry, ct rst took the pub
lie by surprise, but military men united in pro-
nouncng it judicious STEP and il was soon evidens
that the occupation of that place and the reports
set aoat of its impregnability were mere rGses to
attract the enemys attention to it, while the real
design of General JOHNSTON was to give battle at a
point further up the Shenandoah valley, nearer to
General BEAUREcARDs positions. il is reported to-
day that battle has taken place near Harpers Fer
ny and that the enemy has been routed with loss
three thousand. Whether this be true or not, the
universal expectation here is that there will be very
soon some hard fighting at or near Harpers Ferry,
Alexandra and Hampton.
We received here to dsy photographic report that
Gen. LYON and his entire command had been can.
tured by the Missourians at BoonvilIe The enthu-
siasm was great, and even if the report should
prove unfounded or exaggerated, the public st has
great confidence that Missouri will soon be in ce.a
raj revolution, and successfully pursuing her de-
sign to drive out the Abolinonists from her midst
The uprising Of that powerful and martial State
greatly encourages the friends of the South and as
greatly disconcerts the L1ScoLS Government 1t has
either to give up Missouri, or by sending troops
there, weaken the reserves on which il relied TO
protect Washington.
The almost universal opinion of military men
here, founded on our experience in the recent en-
counters Is that the LINCOLN troops are not yet suf
feientiy disciplined to act efficiently, and that
they are very poorly differed. Their move
ments in battle are unsklfuly executed and
the men too unused to fire arms to act
with the holiness and self confidence tina
distinguish Southern soldiers. These failings were
conspicuous at Great Bethel. think LINCOLN is in
fair way to find out which are the martial races
on this continent and be may finally come to the
conclusion of the Indian Chief in the war of 1872
Zone Injun-one Kentuck one lnjun-t,oo 0hio.n
Gallant Tennessee stands at the top of the ladder
here. In high official quarters have heard the
warmes5 eulogies on your excellent Governor, and
Board of War. The sound judgment, energy and
busiaess-l1e qualities of Governor HARRIS, and the
efficiency of your Board are cordially recognized ;
and gentleman of distinction. not however speak
ing any official quarter told that in the event
of a reconstruction of the Cabinet, many would
like to see him made Secretary of Wan. Tenres-
see is expected to play "bIg hand flour aces and
"King" HARRIS in the contest and | have no doub
that when the war in Missouri gets bGger, the Vol
unteer State will have chance to win many lau-
rels on our Western border. and possibly also in II
lnois
had thought that possibly the immense prepare
tons of our government had made money scarce
with it, but / was sgreeably surprised to learn
from member Of the Cabinet that it has more
money than it find use for. But let no contract
monger find encouragement in this fact, for the
abundance of means arises not only from the skill
of MENmNGRR in raising them, but also from the
rigid economy and honesty Of all the Departments
in using them.
The arrangements for continued supply of arms
from abroad are believed to be very skilfully made
and the manufactures Of arms to be erected here
and at Fayetteville in North Carolina, from the
Harpers Ferry machinery will soon be in active
operation Still the task of creating an army to
contend against an old established government
places under US many disadvantages, and the spas
modc energy with which the LINCOLN administra-
ton is endeavoring to overwhelm Virginia, may
give it partial successes in the beginning and
compel US TO remain on the defensive, exhaustug
our foes by disputing every inch of ground
But we gain in strength every day, and
whatever the result Of the summer cam
paign, we expect to be vastly in the ascendant by
the approach of fall. BY that time cur arm facto
ries will be in full operation powder mills erected
at great many points, our war department thor
oughly organized, and whole governmental
machinery in first rate order.
This government is entirely satisfied with its for
eign relations. The sympathy of England and,
though in a mere cautious way, of France and
Spain, is considered fixed fact.
l shall remain here but day or two longer, but
should anything of interest occur, will keep you
posted.