The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-05
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
The contemplated advance of the federal troops
over the Potomac towards Fairfax did not take
place yesterday, in consequence of information
received by General Scott that large body Of
rebels reported to number several thousand, were
and all the troops were therefore retained at their
posts in anticipation Of fan attack They bivouacked
on the field on Monday night, sleeping on their
arms, ready for action in case of a surprise,
Nothing important occurred, however, except a
few struggling shots on the outposts.
We learn from Fortress Monroe that intelli-
gence reached General Butler yesterday that
scouting party of Colonel Aliens Troy regiment
had been taken prisoners by body of 500
rebels at Fox hill, near Hampton, on the pre-
vious day, but General Butler doubted the report,
from the fact that the country in that direction
had been thoroughly reconnoitered by his troops,
and the presence of no such force of rebels
could be discovered However, the General i'm
mediately ordered Colonel Duryee's Zouaves to
pursue the rebels and recapture the party of
Colonel Aliens men, if such disaster had occurred.
Slaves continued to arrive in considerable num-
beers at General Buffers camp, and are put to
work in the trenches. They are said to COM
prehend the position of affairs very clearly, and
report that their masters are very much alarmed
and are flying from their homes every day.
Information reaches us from Hsrper's Ferry that
the rebels contemplate an evacuation Of that post,
and it is certain that the residents there are aban
doniDg it in large numbers and retiring to Win
chester. From the reliable intelligence we have
from Harrisburg yesterday of the advance Of
United States troops in the direction of Harper's
Ferry. and the immense force surrounding that
point and completely hemming in the garrison, as
well ss from the fact that smallpox and diarrh9a
are raging among the troops, it is not at
all Improbable that the rumors of eva
cuation may prove true. Upwards of 5000
federal troops arrived at Chambersburg yes.
terday, and in less than twenty-four hours
there will be fully 80 900 men at that point, me-
nacing Vie Ferry. II is said that the condition Of
the planters in Virginia is most deporable. They
are beginning to discover that they have been
6uped by their secession friends from the South
and they are sending their slaves off to prevent
general stampede.
Parties of Virgnians are flying to Williamsport
Nd. to avoid being impressed into the rebel army,
leaving their families and property behind them.
ia.
the virg mia secessionists exists in that quarter,
and the people are preparing for a border fight.
From Cairo We learn that intelligence was re-
ceiyed there of the presence Of a force of 5000
rebels at Union City, Tennessee, where General
Beauregard was expected to arrive on Sunday
last Ten thousand rebels were reported to be
located at different points between Memphis and
Cairo, no doubt with the intention of advancing
towards the latter point and attacking the federal
troops there
We have no official details of the conflict be-
tween the Virginia and Indiana regiments and
the rebels at Philippe, Virginia, the account Of
which we gave yesterday. 1t appears, however,
from reports received in Washington that Colonel
Kelly, Of the Virginia regiment, has not died Of
the wound received in that action, as stated by
the dispatches from Cincinnati
The steam frigate Susquehanna, the first Of the
recalled Mediterranean squadron, arrived off
Sandy Hook last evening from Cadiz. She was
met by pilot boat off the Hook with orders from
the government to proceed at once to Boston.
There is little doubt that her destination is the
Charlestown Navy Yord where she will be reft.
ted for the Southern blockade.
Our mail and Geographic reports from Europe are
to the oath Of Nay. The American question was
still csnyassed eagerly and regarded as one Of
paramount Importance. The despatch Of secre
tary Seward to Mr.. Faulkner, our late Minister
in Paris was published in the London journals and
commented on, generally, in not very friendly
spirit. Hon. Cassius M. Clay's letter to the Lon.
don Times attracted much attention also. Letters
from Liverpool to London leave little room to
doubt but that many vessels for privateering pur-
poses, in aid of the Southern confsderacy, were
being fitted out in that port. The Liverpool un.
derwriters had permitted the pith of the JEFF.
Davis rules for privateers to be posted
n their rooms An American ship--the
irst-had hoisted the rebel flag in the Prince g
lock, Liverpool. grand Union meeting Of
American residents in Paris had been held in that
,i.y. We have complete list of the war vessels
yhich are to constitute the British North Ameri
an squadron. When they are all mustered Queer
'ictcrA will hare over four hundred guns and be