Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-05
GENERAL NEWS.

/
Every thing appears to be comparatively quiet at
| Alexandria, Va. We make the subjoined extracts
from the Washington Star of Tuesday evening:
Brigadier- General Mcdowell has been duly charg-
ed with the command of the division of the forces
OF the United States recently thrown across the Po
tomac from this point We infer, from his selection
for this command that it is the purpose of the Com
mander-in- Chief to push field operations with that
column with great ygor to the present end of CUT
ting off the retreat of the forces now at Harpers
Ferry, and preventing their reinforcement either of
which can be effected only by passing down the Man
assas railroad to the junction, point within fifteen
or sixteen miles from the most advanced positions
at present visited by the scouting parties connected
with General McDowers command, and upon which
it seems to be proposed to advance a considerable
portion of the army with as little delay as possible
This officer is retained in command of the mill
tary department of Washington, which is regarded
| by the officers of the service now in Washington
city clear indication of the departments deter
mnation that his services required in command
| ing in person the column that will not long hence
close down on Harpers Ferry from this side of the
| Potomac.
The boundaries of the military department to the
| command of which General Irwin Mcdowell has
been assigned comprises all that part of Virginia
east Of the Allegheny mountains and north of James
river, except Fort Monroe, and sixty miles around
| that point
The N Y. Tribune says that military movement
is now under way in Western Virginia, which is to
have an important effect upon the position of affairs
Though the particulars of the movement cannot be
given, 1t is stated that it is not to be Harpers
Ferry though that point is expected to come again
| into Federal hands by flank movement
The United States forces encamped at Cairo, Ill,
are busily employed in fortifyng that place. A
letter to the Chicago Times, dated the oath, says
The effect of the blockade at Carlo is seriously
felt at all towns along the river.
A company is organizing at Hamboldt, which,
when filled up will come forward to Union City
The talk there is to the effect that in less than ten
days Gen. Pillow will have ten thousand men at
Jackson and Union City for the purpose of attack
ing Cairo.
SENATOR DOUGLAS SOUTHERN PLANTATION The
Montgomery Adrertiser suggests that whereas there
is movement for the confscation or appropriation
of the income of the property in Philadelphia belong
ing to Senator Mason of Virginia. retaliation should
be practced on the Southern property of a North
ern Senator; that the Confederacy Government take
charge of the Mississippi plantation of Senator
Douglas
Times, of the 7th says
Mr. Gregory, Saturday, introduced the three
Commissioners from the Southern Confederacy to
Lord John Russell. The interview was at Lord
RusselS private residence, and was considered in
formal. What occurred with regard to the recogn-
ton of the Southern States has not transpired.
Commodore Pendergrast is said to have recently
given it his opinion, that soon as reinforce
ments arrive at Fortress Monroe Norfolk will pro-
baby be attacked.
MARYLAND.-It is said that large numbers of
Marylanders fockng to Virginia to fight for the
South.
RIFLING OLD MUsKETs.-The Cincinnati papers
state that Miles Greenwood, of that city, has taken
q government contract for rifliag old muskets and
| will epht hundred of thaSe
The New York Tribune says there are at least
three hundred officers in the Lincoln army and navy
who will betray the cause the first opportunity.
OUR SCoUTs AT WoRK.-It was rumored in this
city yesterday, that party of our scouts in the
neighborhood of Manassas junction, Wednesday
morning, had killed and taken prisoners some eight
or ten of Lincoln's scouts.-Lynchburg Republican.
| GosPoRT NAVY YARD.-The carpenters and 9th.
ers engaged the Navy Yard near Norfolk, are going
ahead.
The splendid first class steam frigate Merrimac
has been raised, and the beautiful sloopS of war DOL
phiR and Germdnton will soon be aaoat We
learn that six or seven tons of powder sunk in the
Nerrimac have been saved in good condition.
Two attempts have been made at bombarGing the
Virginia battery at Aqua Creek, by Lincolns steam
ers, within a few days No was hurt at the
battery.
A PRIzE.-The Schooner Willet s. Robbins, Capt
hOOl mOnTOe lTOln tIle w est lnQleS, DOunQ TO New
York, loaded with Molasses and Sugar. was taken al
Portsmouth last week by part of Capt Sparrow's
Company, and has been ordered to Newbern We
understand that the cargo will be stored there for
the use Of the soldiers. The vessel we suppose
will be sold Washington Dispatch.
VIRGINIA ELECTIoN.-The Richmond Whig thinks
that the majority for ratifying the secession ord
nance will be 10000.
HANPToN-The Norfolk Herald says: On Mon.
day. the 9th ult, the Federal troops marched into
Hampton, from Fortress Monre and took exclusive
possession of the town of Hampton. The inhabi.
tants were notified to leave, and the buildings are
now occupied by Lincon's troops as barracks
Of course the people are flying in every direc.
tion-compeled reluctantly to leave their property
and their homes, at the mercy of set of unscrup.
lous rowdies, who doubtless committed depredatons
in every part of the beautiful and pleasant village
MIssoURI-A truce has been agreed upon between
Gen. Harvey, of the Lincoln forces and Gen. Price,
of the State troops for the preservation of the peace
of the State But Lincoln has 10000 or IL, 600
troops in St Louis, and Birds Point on the Missou
IT shore, opposite Cairo is to be occupied by FEEDER
al troops. She appears to be gradually succumbing
to Federal authority.
KENTUcKY.-We have nothing very hopeful from
this State The Southern rights men have been
greatly outraged by the attempt of Lincoln to dis
tribute arms in the State. Her Northern counties
evidently sympathize with Lincoln We hope she
will soon rise in her might and sustain her ance
renown for valor.
LATE DISPATCHES.