The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-22
NEWS FROM BALTIMORE.
OUR BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENCE.

Rdrper's Ferry 10 Cumberiand--Why tie G0oyssuaera
Has Not 1dkss the Natter III Hand Before--An insids
Pfegef Public Feeling in Bdtinore S:8
RanIdnt-Tte Forts In and Arou,d Baaiasore--Pros-
perfty Of The city under Union Protection, DO, dc.
The readers OF the HERALD doubt wonder why Il
il that the government has so long permitted few
miles OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, west OF Har
pers Ferry remain in virtual possession Of the rebels
That break in the road although only few miles In
tent has completely broken mp the business of the
pany through route from the West, and the
plants Of Western merchants for its repair have been
long and loud The facts Of the case ascertancd from
the highest authority, these.The portions Of the
track that have been njuredonly about thirty miles In
exent-lie between Harpcr's Ferry and the Cacapoon
river, which is fifty miles (by the railroad) east Of
Cumberland. This portion of the road con-
siderable streams the bridges WHITEHALL OF them
costly and expensive strucur,s--have been destroyed.
1t also crosses number of smaller streams, and
era "dry runs" (that Is, deep hoows whore streams
OF water are formed In rainy seasons, but which
usually dry) by of cuverts built Of All q
these culvors have been blown up and destroyed The
superstructure of the road itself the rails crosstes and
seepers have been carefully taken up and carried away
on the railroad leading from Hapers Ferry Winches-
ter thence wagoned to Sasburg and transported
thence to Manassas Junction and Gordonsvile There
railroad surveyed and laid from Fredericksburg to
Orange Gordonsviie, distance Of thirty Ave miles
This was done two three years ago. Ia 1860 the road
was graded, but when this done, the company who
had charge OF the work compelled to abandon the
enterprise for tho wand of funds understand that the
RATS and ties thus taken from the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad track being used TO finish this road from
Gordonsvie to Fredericksburg glance at the map o.
Virginia viii show the great importance OF such road 70
the rebel cause In connection with the line Of defence
which they have established. 1t will be remembered
line Mt Lees urp he
headquarters Of General Gustavus smith, commander OF
the left wing) passes through Fairfax and Manassas
Junction, along Bull and the 0ccoquon river, and
takes in the line Of batteries erected along the Potomac
| from the mouth Of the occoquon to Matthias Point.
When it necessary for them fight defence that
line flor the necessity win surely arse) this rail-
road will greatly increase tho facilities which already
exist for bringing supplies and renforccments from
Richmond from Norfolk and from Southwestern Virginia
But to return to tho railroad thus denuded OF its rails
crossties sleepers bridges and culvers 1t has been
virtually possession OF tho rebels for many weeks past
but there been than fow hundred rebel
troops between Hapers Ferry and Cumberland at any
time since tho battle of Bull Three regiments Of
Union troops, stationed Martinsbmg, Har.
per- Ferry and Cumberland would be sufficient to
drive from the neighborhood all the rebel troops that
part Of the State The company will begin the work OF
rebuilding the road tomorrow il the government will
assure them of the necessary protection. The reason
why the government have not taken hold Of the matter
before of complication with the military
! movement now in progress in front Of Washington
Johnston's left wing, under General Smith, Is at Lees
burg, only fifteen miles from Harpers Ferry. True,s
river and range Of hills separate him from the latter
place. But tho military authorities determined that
| when they move this time there shall be mistake
and no repuise When movement is made, therefore,
for taking possession Of that part Of the road 1t will
be made from tho direction Of General Banks division,
and with such force as to overcome all possible OPPOSE
ton Once IN possession Of the road the government win
hold IT, and protect the company in rebuilding it, The
company have provided everything necessary on their
part and will put force Of several hundred Ut
once Both the government and the company understand
the necessity for immediate action In the matter The
present weather Is splendid for the purpose but cannot
last than six weeks The road must be opened by
that time, and have no doubt 1t will be.
Baltimore is slumberine volcano. 1t may be thought
that the secession here has been rooted out by
the strong measures that have been taken for it's sup
preston; but such is the Its head cut OF
when Marshal Kane arrested but 1t survived that
adverse blow. Its heart and brain extracted when
the members OF tho Legislature placed in duraEce
vie but still concocts treason sratagem and spois.
Its tongue seuced when the Exchange and the South
were suppressed and the Sun compelled TO shine by
borrowed light, but nds thousand modes Of altering
its reasonable sentiments. Its arms paralyzed
when its muskets, cannon and ammunition were dis
and seized yet there reason TO believe there
still Of those articles yet undiscovered than
have yet been found 10 drop the metaphor Baitmcss
ment Of tho people here, that can discover, is that
those love secesh who did before, while these
! who always did now love it more. The proof Of
this fact is to be found every morning, in walk
through Baltimore street Let the papers contain
counts of Union victory any part of the country and
nine Of every ten you meet look mad and
but lot the be that Billy Wilson'S Zouaves have been
| licked or that dozen Zouaves at Newport News lost
their and wrctched pair of horses that the
| iron clad steamer Turtle had sunk United States
steamer at New Orleans, and the nine men will
faces radiant with joy, and little parties will and
hobnob brandy smashes in honor Of the news and
the ladies win clcnch their little hands and say they
gad No wonder the Union here take you out
to Federal Hill and show you the great fort there
ing four squares OF ground with its walls two sides
rising forty fifty perhaps sixty feet above the street,
with its black bulldogs poking their long out Of the
| embrasures and opening their yawning Jaws eleven
southeast, with its cannon pointed little to right;
TO the three other forts recently thrown TO the north
OF the city, and to tho fort tho Relay House,
southwest Of ushe largest and strongest Of al-and
toll you that the peace and quiet and peaceful industry
that yon see all through tho city depend on these.
On whatever does depend il is certain that Baltimore
is enjoying this autumn great degree Of material pros
perty Many large government contracts obtained
by loyal Batmoreans and will do them the Justice 70
say they have been faithfully performed The Prince do
onvie at one Of the earlier cavalry reviews at Wash
action Of squadron OF cavalry. The horses had all
come from Baltimore. The wagons that were built in this
city have proved among the most sovceabe usc and
from what saw in certain provision houses yesterday,
am that the government will get tho worth OF its
money in the provisions it gets from Baltimore Then
again. there many branches Of manufacturing that
doing well here The manufacturers Of shoes and
my clothing OF saddles and harness. OF naval machinery
and naval equipments OF military accoutFcmonts and Of
firearms, all doing we'll One firm in this city has the
contract for making carbnes for Gen Sckes brigade Of
pattern that has been severely tested by the proper Of
fcias and pronounced uncqualeda decision endorsed
IN still higher terms BY Gen. Dix, after personal and
careful examination his part believe, ALSO that this
carbne E to DO used by the regiment serving the
Eastern shore. The Of the city is extremely
lively, and the South American trade especially very
brisk Vessels arrive and depart every week for Vapa-
raiso BIO Janeiro and Havana, all loaded with valuable
cargoes.
BALTIMORE, Oct II, 1861
Preparations Of the Rebels to Prevent the Reconstruction
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rairoaa-A Sharp Skirmish
There Probdble-Ihe First Great Battle mill be at No.
nussasMore Cavalry for Wcshtngto,s7he Formation Of
Corps dArmee--7he Steps Taken by General Mcclellan
Before This Could be Done, dc.
The Developments of tho last day two show that
there will be sharp work west of Harpers Ferry
before the rebels viii give up the advantage they
hold there. The rebel leaders fully Of
the Importance Of retaining control that portion Of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad their possession.