St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-05-16
From Washington.

portant information from a reliable source,
having agents in every Southern State, and
are fully posted in regard to all the moves
mcnts.
The Government has just been put in pos
session of important information in regard to
the movements and operations of the rebel
forces. Their exact motive has not yet trans
PRED, but the Government is taking advan-
tage of it and will be ready in three or four
days to meet the Confederate forces at every
point.
1t appears that a large force is now march
ing from the South for Harpcrs Ferry, and
from thence will attempt to force their way
into Pennsylvania. Their plan is to draw off
q portion of the forces concentrating at Wash
ington and attack them Mt both points.
A letter has been received from an officer
at Harpcr's Ferry which says the troops there
are provided with inferior arms, and are badly
provisioncd and thinks their chance of sue
cess in a conflict with Federal troops is very
bad. and that an attack by anything like an
adequate force would prove successful. The
writer is an officer of skill of two years expert
cncc in the service.
Over fifty vessels have already been offered
from the New England States to he armed and
equipped at the owners expense. Parties rep
rcscnting the owners Of rropcllcrs navigating
the Northern Lakes, propose to take their
craft down the st. Lawrence to the Atlantic,
and assist in the blockade of Southern ports.
The War Department recciveda dispatch ON
the 10th from Gen. Butler stating that he had
seized the famous steam gunboat, built by
Winans of Baltimore, who attempted to send
it to Harpcrs Ferry for the NirginianS. Sec
rotary Cameron replied The compliments of
the Government to Gen. Butler, and com
mands him to seze everything contraband be-
ing sent 10 the rebels.
Orders have been sent to arrest Winans,
who, if he is caught. will be treated Summari-
". He is the same who gave so 900 to aid
the sccessonists in their work of treason.
Orders from the War Department for the
rigorous treatment of all traitors or abcttors
have been transmitted to every officer in
commission.
dinner at the White House is postponed till
the 10th of June.
A detachment of the Louisiana troops left
Richmond on the Sth on secret service.
Trouble is anticipated there every night.
Messengers have been despatched to Cairo
and other points ordering the concentration of
large body of Western troops at that point.
The President was receiving daily hearty re-
sponscs from Tennessee, Kentucky and Mary
land. A brigade from each of these States
will soon be in the field.
There was much anxiety about the result of
the great Union meeting at Wheeling. We
have assurances that they will memorial
ize the Government for protection from the
rebels, and put 5000 men fully equipped in
the field for the Union.
The Government is in constant receipt of
offers to arm and carry on independent oompa-
mics. None of them will be accepted The
Government does not propose to follow the pi-
ratical example of jeff. Davis. Secretary
Cameron has received already proffcrs of up
wards of 80, OO0 men, 20, 900 more than called
| for.
Government spies discovered about o'clock
on the morning of the 10th, body of 600
men leaving Alexandria in the direction OF
Culpepper. They had several loaded wagons
under guard, supposed to contain provisions
for the State troops at Culpepper.
Advices from Frederic state that some -four
or five companies numbering about 300 Of
sccessionists passed through that place on the
9th, and took supper there, en- route for Vir
ginia from Baltimore. They were s1uald
set. Prominent New Workers in Washington
raised Sl5, 900 dollars to purchase arms foi
Western Virginia Unionists, and more money
is yet to come.
Eeightcen thousand Ohio troops, recently
enCampcd at Lancaster, Pa, are on their way
and other regiments in Pennsylvania are alsc
moving towards the Federal Capital
Col Bakers California regiment has beel
accepted.
The Government has decided to sustain the
Union men in Virginia, Tennessee, and Mis-
souri, with a prompt and efficient force.
The legislature of Tennessee appropriated
$4,000 900 for arming the State, on the 10th
inst.
Southern troops are concentrating in thu
vicinity of Norfolk. An Alabama regiment o
! 200 men, and so cadets of the same State
had just arrived and encampcd in the Nicint,
of Fl Norfolk. The Virginians have now fly,
batteries in Norfolk harbor.
The President has issued an order that al
army officers except those who have entered
the service since April last take and sub
scribe anew the oath of allegiance.
At least 300 600 volunteers have rendered
their services to the Government.
A large train OF cars arrived in Washington
with troops, who passed uninterrupted through
Baltimore.
Commissioned navy officers have gone tc
Europe to buy steamers and other vessels FOL
the United States Government.
The Treasury Department has now ample
means for all necessities. They have between
two and three million dollars in specie in the
vault.