New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-29
FROM WARRINGTON.
The Alarm OF Saturday.
WasHISGToy, MAY 26.

AsHiNGlON, may 20 Icoi.
Having accomplished its object IN taking possession
of Alexandra and occupying Arlington Highs, the
War Department, in due precauion against an attack
upon tho advanced portions Of line had established
signal BY which it should be known TO the forces in
the Capital that fresh battle had began the other
side Of the Potomac and that IeGnforcements in that
direction Were at required. The signal was TO DO
three discharges of "A cannon from the War Depart
ment and this was 10 be taken by all the troops in
town % IN order to across the bridge and hold
themselves in readiness TO take part in the action.
Most eagerly, therefore, were thousands Of in
cned during the whole Of this morning for the hoped
for signal and there was scarcely an officer who pos
sessed feld-glass who did not frequently mount TO
some lofty perch where he might sweep the expected
scene of battle. Tie day wore OH, however, without
any Of the expected symptoms; and public attention
became and more engrofsed with the obseques Of
Col. Ellsworth and speouations to the probable
engagements then raging at Sewars Point and ITar-
pers Ferry, the anxiety for fresh operations 10
immediate neighborhood began gradually 10 die ont.
But Of sudden there unusual stir among the
crowds along the streets and could be seen upon
the housetops gesticulaipg violently, aud taking
turns at lorenettes while women as frantic as hem.
selves flung about their arms and waved their hand
kerchief., to energetic exclomaons. hepcope in the
streets seemed 10 catch by instinct the meaning of these
ssns but not knowing what TO do, went swiftly to and
fro in p1rposeless confusion. 1 oould fancy nothing
more Ike It than the hoarse bcgnnngsof tremendous
soru. and Jus; as was feeling its influence with the
rest the boom of groa, gun sounded from the neigh.
borhood of the White House. The report seemed TO
tausax every listener once and all wero bent
70 hear another 1t soon oams, but on all sides the
4 I.tt 10 - =.
secondr Another pause of feyeGish interest ensued,
and them In third report, peaed forth the complete
announcement that war, grim, bloody, earnest war
had begun between the people Of the North and South.
This too was the call to arms and as the last shot fell
upon the ear there burst Of cheering voices such
as perhaps never before welcomed and inaugurated
civil s'life. Aud then the most strange
things were dore. Many, in running to and fro,
would tGra two three times and come back 10 the
sane SPOT to shake hands with their friends upon the
joyful pfospect Others went after their pistols and
commenced bucking them about their waists, while
others, STILL enthusiastically offered any sort of odds
that Uncle Sam would win the fglt. Before three
II inues bad elapsed from the sound Of the last glu
there came olattering along past Willards from tho
ueghborhood Of the Treasury building party Of drag
oons taking their way around the Of Fourteenth
street toward Long Bridge. Cheers rose from the
crowds es they went by, but before those cheers
done, vast rambling was heard In the same direction
which tie dragons bad from, and In the next
instant Shermans famous battery, with six horses to
each gun were seen tearing around into the Avenue at
fearful speed the troopers and cannonieTs screaming
wildly, like 10 many madrDon, as they went. Their
rate Of progress was so swift that in turning the -Four.
eenta street corner, the whir Of the gun-carriage
spun of left-hand wheel, and dashed the
vehicle against an iron post finging the
men OF The caissons and knocking down two
whipped on, dragging the fallen animals On their sides
along the road and the naked axle doing duty for the
missing wheel. They passcdshoyting out Of sight, aud
The sccelcratipg huzzas of the equally crazy multitude
went after them as long ne their wheels and voices
coSd he heard. But The excitement eliminated with
The appearance Of the Massachusetts, Fh which, Ike
he flying battery, appeared in the next moment from
lie direction Of thc Treasury. They, too came along
IN full run, and every man was screaming and |
Thooping IL jus escaped from Bedam. II was not
he ut,ersnce of any particular cry with which they
ought 10 direct or stimulate each other but was the
age for battle burning in their veins seeking this
necessary vent. The crowd focked after them, and |
fer the crowd followed column from Connecticut.
nd after them swamed hurredy collected local |
roope. The whole mass poured on together,
very man on dead run, and thousands
voices rising continually out of the
elbow coil Of dust that marked the direction of the
he, In mingled screams and cheers. II was a sight
ch o. bas been seen OH this continent before,
I'd mus have convinced every lookeron that we are
Al. III.