The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-06-08
From the Philadelphia Press.
LETTER FROM OCCASIONAL"
WAsHINGroN, May q, 1861

The Union men in Virginia made q bold
fight on Thursday last. 10 some counties
the vote against the Secessionists was al
most unanimous, and in more than twenty
the majorities were very large. Even in
Alexandria, which has been under reign
of terror, led by such traitors as Extra Bill
ly Smith, respectable vote was thrown
against the ordinance of the conspirators at
Richmond. The power of the Federal Gov
eminent has been so significantly demon
strated that will not be surprised if the
troops of the Confederates should retire be-
fore the column of Gen. Butler, and that
the State should fall into the hands of its
true friends without much bloodshed. In
fact, the flank of the traitors may be said
to be turned in the sold Dominion" They
see that they will presently be attacked by
thousands Of their own people and by the
army Of the Union. Should they resort to
the wager of battle their destruction will be
complete. General Butler is brave, de-
termined, conscientious patriot, a man GER
tainly ambitious to carry out the orders of
Gen. Scott, but one who believes in the JUS
tice of the cause in which he is fighting
while those to whom he is opposed are con-
science smitten, self-convicted, and over.
whelmed with the belief that they have COM
mitted crimes enough to entitle them to ex-
termination. Twill not be surprised if full
delegation from Virginia is present at the
special session of Congress, on the 4th Of
July. Boesler, Of the Harper's Ferry dis
trict, who was so blatant in behalf of the
Union, few months ago, like most of the
slave aristocracy, of which he is fair rep
resentative, and probably under the impress
Al n 40 al a.
secession would reign paramount, turned
a candidate for delegate to the Legislature
and was elected. But the Union men were
determined not to be cheated, and they ran
Mr.. Pendleton, Internationally in favor of
the Government, and threw quite number
of votes for him. He will, of course, be pu,
upon the roll by the Clerk, and be the Rep.
resenta,ive from the Harper's Ferry district
in the next Congress.
Late information from Richmond assures
me that, owing to the vigor with which the
blockade is maintained, the utmost distress
and dissatisfaction prevail anon 2 the troops
at that point. There is no money and M
confidence; nothing but general alarm, Tho
stock of food is large, out ever, dav tho c;t.
liens are startled with everr ;mac;nable IN
NOR as 70 'ne approach of the Federal troops.
The leaders suspect each other. The Wise
Fiction, who hate Governor Letcher 80 bit.
terly. accuse the latter of discrimination,
while in many quarters the Letcher men do
not hesitate to say that ell the calamities
which have befallen, and are about to befaIl
poor old Virginia, may be directly traced to
the insane counsels of that pestiferous ma
lignant who dates his letters from Ulnev.
near Ononcock.
JEFF. Davis has not yet shown bis face
among his Virginia dupes, which makes them
exceedingly wroth, and, notwithstanding all
tina! has been said about Gen. Beauregard,
he, too, has kept at a safe distance. Now.
when it is remembered that Virginia is the
base OF the operations of the traitors army.
and that the largest body of troops are con.
gregated along the tidewater, and near
ilarper's Ferry, it is little strange tina.
the President and commander in-chief Of
these traitors hnyf::not shown their faces on
the ground. Why is this? Mr.. Davis is
certainly not afraid of his precious life
The idea of making Richmond the capital
OF his concern undoubtedly originated with
him. his boon companions, Mason, Hun.
ter, Pryor, and all that set, certainly deserve
the light OF his countennnce and the benefit
OF his advice. Has he anticipated the com.
ing storm, aud therefore held aIoof from the
cloud that is about to burst over his a..
sociates? ..
1t - impossible to describe the feeling
created in Alexandria and all the Fa;rfa1
district, near this city, since the occupation
OF that part Of Virginia by the Federal
troops. The friends of the Union show
the'r hanas, 10 great numbers every day.
Inc soiaieFs are most Hospitality treated by
the INHABITANTS. Business begins to revive.
and the utmost freedom Of skesch, 40 long
suppressed under the threats of traitors. Il
induieed 10. Major General Sanford. Of
New iork, now IN the the service of the
Uniteu States, and in command of the Fair.
iax oistric', which includes Alexandra. ba.
lssuea . most admirable proclamation, 10
wn'ca ne conveys the warmest assurance
that ne mas no desire to interfere with the
people IN Their homes or occupations, but
s'mpy 20 assist " the enforcement OF the
laws. lie oIseriminates with good deal
OF sagaeisy IN favor OF the supporters of
ne uosesnmens, and against its opponents.
nose VINO nave taken open part against the
Union, oy Prosecuting oil who were known
70 FAVOR IL, are treated with little mercy.-
l he iarm OF Roach, on the other side OF the
Long bridse-Roach having been, as have
stated, one OF the most 10 dustrious and
inso'efsni OF oil the Secessionists--is sur.
rounded with detachment of the New
Jersey troops. He is a close prisoner in
ms osn mouse; his fences have been DESTROY.
go, DIS me Lawn cus up in the erection Of /
iefancaaions to defend the city from sudden !
attack, and BIS boas,ed influence entirelv
aesHo5ea. lhas. while the Government |
s1ssnas ~ protection to all who are ready |