Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-17


Tic Latest Intelligence from Earper's Ferry
Movements of Federal TROOPS In that Dir,e.
ton.
A military ge,lemsn from Washington, WHO "a SUD
posed, from bis position, to be in close connection wia
Government officials aud NOV meDe, passed through
the city last night route the East From him ss
learned that everything indicated immediate atask
on Harpers Ferry and the magnitude Of the movement
would almost preclude the possibility OF its failure NO
less than four columns combining Aggregate Of
80 900 men, in sctull motion with view OF rapid
congergence the Ferry, previous 10 conc-nirlpd
attack on that point Oae CO uInn that Of Col Siote
left Washington in the direction OF LAcsburg. il vas
thought in bo.t, on the Che ape.ke and ONO C nal.
lbls pany is supported by sTorg detachlDen,s tf
several regiments said TO h:ye gone into Montgomery
county, towards Rockville to intercept anticipated Con-
federste movements upon the rear OF Washington.
A second column, Gen. Pattersons DIVISION unitr The
command Of Brigader General Thomas, are moving
down from Chambersburg through Greencaste tOssfds
the Ferry They are expected 10 take the Maryland
heights opposite the Ferry which defended by ba
ion OF Kentuckiaus armed With two exposed brass pes
but it supposed that rife cannon stfewn pretty
thcky among the bushes. The column of Gen. Thomas
Is supported by 600 cavalry aud pork Of artillery.
The third column, under the command OF Gen. Pat.
hr.on, ia moving from HagerstowO aud will cross the
Potomac By fcr6iag few miles above be FeIry, or at
Shepherdstown Wliamsport.
This column numbers between 10 900 and Is 900 meH
including the Pennsy vana volunteers, Gov. Sprsgues
Rhode Island regiment, battery aud company Of
cavalry.
Sl another column approaching the rear Of Hrrers
rry by the railroad track but theT adyarcs Wss IN
derstood by the government, being much imp ded
by the destruction OF the bridges between Cumberland
and the Ferry. TITS column under the command OF
Big ~ Morris, OF Indiana IL contains the first lndua
reg ment and the foor regiments OF Ohio volunteers.
IL il thought Gen. Mcclellan Is no: with the army IN
person as his duties 10 the West would require
his presence there. 1t currently reported Wash
inyfc', ard believed among military men 'hs' o. b.
on Ia mmsnd at the Ferry would eyaculte the place
r.,..vr tuau risk II defense win rspId
cenraing with the evident purpose Of ectUAy cutting
Of all line Of retreat.
There also specrl,oDs regarding the advance Of
still another column from the objection Of the Rrlsy
House headed by Gen. Csdwslader, the body to con.
sis of four regiments OF troops occupying camps ia the
vicinity OF Baltimore and who's. places would be sup
Piled by other reg Oftbis last movement u th-
ing seemed BE- definitely known. But it will appear
evident from the foregoing thai decisive
be expected from Harper'7 Ferry within the next few
DAVIS
The government has been greatly ruzzed with the
co cng from that point, aud tor that resson,
to ensure success if possible, overwhelming force IS
being thrown for ward against that place. The lowest
calculation shows thousand troops there, and their
natural position it Is estimated, will give them the al
vantage Of ten times that number sent against them so
in the of fight the battle will be most bloody
one.