The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-21
THE TRANSPORT SERVICE.

The steam transport A. II. Bowman. lying pier No.
10 North river loading lumber and provisions for
Washington.
The transport Anthracite yesterday ing
in government stores for the Philadelphia Navy Yard,
and sailed last evening.
ARRIVAL OF THE TRANSPORT xATANzAs FROM
WASHINGTON.
The screw steamship Matanzas, Captain Liesegang,
rived at this port from Washington via Hampton Roads,
on sunday, making the voyage in thirty four hours.
The following particulars have been furnished by the
purser Mr. Huertas steamer brings 10000 thirty
two pound cannon balls for the New York Arsenal On
the 18th, at three O'Clock NJ abe passed at the
trance OF the Potomac river the steamer George Peabody
laden with stores for the war; and conveyed by the gun
Mount Vernon; and the day she passed the
schooner Arctic, from New York for Washington and
when of Cape Henry saw two large ships going in.
The hatanzasran aground at Hampton Roads owing to
the thaowness OF the water but succeeded in getting
clear again and got safely into the channel. AT live
O'Clock she passed ALEXANDRIA. Any person in witness
ing the deserted state OF that city cannot but be Impress
ed with feelings OF sadness. The wharves entirely
forsaken, and there were only few small ships lying
there Senries perambuate the Streets and the sound
or muskery could be distinctly heard which
stoned by the troops at target practice.
The war steamer Pawnee, called by the Aexandrians
the "Blaek Snake, is at anchor there with her broad
sides yin opposite TO the CT and armed with guns Of
heavy cabre sufficient to reduce the city in short time
at Alexandria to protect the national vessels when they
pass by that way, as they had been fired time
back by the secession rebels. THIS, enacted again,
would cause the Pawnee to direct her guns the me-
date reduction OF the city.
At seven O'Clock A. II, approached Fort Wash.
ipgton. The first thing witnessed here
the rasrg Of white flag which waved from the dock,
and the next thing heard the hiring Off OF gun
In Of The bows Of vessel Our engine was i'm.
medatey reversed: but having 80 much Roadway, IL
not noticed from the fort, and second gun was
discharged. We then Immediately despatched a boat
ashore inform the commander OF the fort of the
OF vessel and her destination and then al
loved to proceed On our passage without further molest
alton.
The two guns fred signals for us to stop and had
we not distinctly understood their import, third gun
would have forciby convinced by sending OR
ship ten inch she'll This caused ue to reflect that IL
national vessels received in this way, what kind
o; a reception would Southern crafts meet with.
on way down the river met q war steamer,
whose commander told us that there a battery OF
eight guns at Acqua creek and advised be the
look ont or IT. which were and passed without the
slightest annoy ance or trouble The tanks and shores ON
both sides OF the Potomac appear 70 be entirely deserted
The people appear to have left so that they NAV not be
called 10 join either Of the benigerent parties.
At half past seven r. NJ a vessel approaching
but she suddenly took an opposite direction, and turned
out 10 be the Pocahontas from the she
destination, II appears Rappahapnock. There Ia
battery at this place which few days ago fired into
Of the government vessels the guns OF which could
ere as Tar the battery, that she obliged
tire The Pocahontas 10 supposed 10 have gone there TO
teach them better conduct and how they should behave
themselves.
Al seven O'Clock we entered Hampton Roads The
night was perfectly clear and could easily discern the
blocsadipg eet lying front OF Fortress Monroe and
which IL would be perfectly impossible 10 pass Az we
approached theec vessels a gun instantly fred,
which Indicated TO that the vessel which fred IL was
the flagship. We sent despatch TO the Commodore and
received permission from him 70 continue our way.
While we remained In Washington had opportunities
OF seeing the Arsenal Navy Yard and the quarters OF the
different troops Thc.appearauce Of Washington presents
a very warlike aspect. Morning. noon and night
the great leading attraction is the soldiers drill
the sound OF the bugle with the dfe and drum Great
parties Of the troops daily leaving the city and
forming encampments The people considered themselves
perfectly safe and secure, there the slightest
Of attack being made the capital. There was
nothing Of the kind the erection OF batteries around
Washington We stopped two days at the Arsenal for the
purpose Of taking IN our cargo.
On the afternoon Of the 18th the Secretary Of War
Mr.. Cameron, visited the Arsenal for the pm-
pose OF inspecting the volunteers salute OF fifteen
guns fed Ia honor OF his arrival, and the troops
having been drawn up into ne salut6d the Secretary in
very importing way. The rennsyl vania band played
some lively and spirit stirring airs during the whole time
be was present and everything went off very pleasantly
The secretary appears to take deep interest In
through Baltimore. The Washington Arsenal is delight
full place, and visited every day by great numbers
OF people, II " vnly tsrosS u,ph haso business TO
transact, stationed nj the Arsenal who
get admission. Sntries placed all the points
81 public entrance and no s allowed admission only
those who give satisfactory evidence.
II IN with much pleasure ! state that the New
and the enoesniums or the Washington people
for their intrepid and gallant corduct some short time
peo Ere took place. whAch burned TO the ground one
buoirr but through the activity OF these brave felo
Willard Hotel saved frobl being burned and becom
Ing heap Of Rehee Their Gritty and daring the
ADMIRATION Of all who witness then and all the people
give glory and praise to the New YoiE Bremen.