The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-21
RUMORs OF PROJECTED ATTACK ON
FORTRESS MONROE

I1e Richmond correspondent OF Charleston
writing under date Of August O. says
Having taken something Of the contagon for specula-
ton on.she future amidst this dearh OF news, F you
permit to follow in the current, speculate also,
under the premise that have some data TO 20 ulon?
Seriously, thcn what would you say capturing For
tress Monroe, to begin wh 1t is not considered i'm
Is contemplated. Before this week ends It Is probable
the effort wilt be made. 1t il known that the federal
force Is small there at present large portion Of what
the apprehension that the federal capital was in imi
ncnt danger Of being taken after the battle OF Manassas
Therc are but two small vessels near at
present, There not more than four or i've
thousand federal troops At Newport News as many
General Magrudcr has some eighteen to twenty
thousand men, than whom there is better in the
world for such dangerous enterprise Tho fortress
the land side which Is approached by the Of Newport
News, is the weakest part Of though that !. strong,
war began But II is not impregnable IMagruder with
his powerful FORCE drives the enemy FROM Newport News
but few miles distant II the forces in the fortress come
out to support their friends Maguder has men enough
and Of the right Sort to sgnaly defeat them they
fire first upon their own troops which will DO fleeing In
advance Of ours Tho first question is, then, Magru-
der drive them frsm their enrenchments at Newport
whelming numbers, the high character he bears for
daring bra. achievements and the dauntless bravery
ly probable. That being accomplished, the
next question is, can he enter the
fo.trsss' II the enemy should come out to their
their guns, without coming ont they would destroy the
federal troops seeking their protection In any case ID
likely they would be seized with panic and make but
feeble defence The contrary may happen, and brave
troops may meet with more desperate resistance than
believed. Whatever may be the result have reason
to believe that the atsmpt will DO made have the in
formation from highly credible source-a party stationed
near Newport News, under Magrpdey, who for
the purpose Of participating in the attack General Ma
gruder has been making preparations for time past
and understand, well prepared with scaling ladders
and every appliance for the undertaking. Such an i'm
portant movement If successful, will have the most ex
traordnary results at home and abroad II would be tho
natural coroary Of the battle Of Manassas than which
great event would be scarcely less important Bank
head Magruder has done glorious deeds at Great Bethel
in Mexico and elsewhere, but this would be tho browning
act Of all.
THE BALL OPENED IN EAST TENNESSEE,
From the Knoxville Register, August 12.l
For some time IL has been known that Capt. Thorn
burg, of Union county strong Lnconite, has been
ganizing military company for the avowed purpose Of
aiding the subjugation Of the South The ARRANGEMENTS
being complete, Friday last they took up the line OF
march for Kentucky, TO unite with the Lincoln forces
there being organized and TO return 10 their own native
section upon the soil Of East Tennessee the
damnabe eeds that has marked their course In Missouri
Virginia and Maryland. Fortunately, however report
Of their movements reached tho Of Lieut. Col F. NJ
Walker, in command at Cumberland Gap Forthwith he
despatched the gallant Capt H. NJ Ashby with portion
Of cavalry under his command intercept the passage
and II possible to arrest the ring leader They came In
eighty men near Rogor's Gap in Scott county. They
were armed with John Brown pixies and
PISTOLS bowie knives and some few rifles
surrender was demanded II refused, and charge
msdo upon thcn which put the whole party 10 fight
Several shoss were nrsd, one Of which took eec. in