New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-03
FROM PATTERSON'S COLUMN.
AN ALARM SOUNDED.
READY RESPONSE OF THE soLDIHgG
ANXIETY FOR AN ENGAGEMENT.
Bad Effect Of the Existing Apathy.

Corfeeronden-
II WILIANspoRr, Nd, Sunday, June 30, 1881,
| On Friday afternoon came here to make some -
sonal observations to the Of the sruy.
intending to return to Hagerssown that evening ss6
report 10 THE TRBUsE. But found could bot esl
through the pickes with safssy after night the oeds
all being guarded very strictly after dark, s.A
concluded to remain until morning. Only night before
last, young man was shot dead near Sharpsburg, By
stupid picket. Before morning, there was siars
that the enemy was crossing the river above and below
this point and the camps In this vicinity, der
mapd Of Gen. Cad aader were all suddenly rorsed by
the beat of " the long ROLL" The order came to stks
the tents, load the wagons and get ready for acticn
This dooe by daybreak, aud expcditiousy shs1
the were all under arms without chance 10
eat their breakfast. A few company detachmsass
sent out reconnoter or post themselves neas
the river to be prepared to meet the enemy
II he should show himself, but the informss
| ton which caused the alarm was 90 ins
definite and uncertain, that the main
body could not take up the limo Of march any dce.
ton confidently, and therefore remained the ground
OF the encampments to wait for further demoustraion
Hour after hour wore away without any signs a
the enemy, and the general conclusion that il wss
false alarm. The were allowed 10 take tbes
ease in the best way they could and under the Kind
convoy Of few officers, rode TO the beadqu ren o
Gen. Cadwaader, about mile from this town. as&
among the dsnanted camps, and thus had excelest
opportunity of seeing for the rst tme this phase Of
soldiers experience. BE the alarm false or real The
propagation was the same, AID here division u
the Federal army under ready for action, and nt
only ready but eager for the fray.
There was nothing formidable certainly, in ihe mere
appearance Of the oope scattered about the grounds
Of the encappment just broken up where, Apparently,
at first sight there only confusion and want OF
preparation Here were groups Of soldiers Standing OF
moving about careessly in the fields exposed TO the
rays of a hot midday sun on coudless June Day;
here were others standing, sitting and lying ppeHe on
the ground, wherever friendly bush OF tree lent H
grateful shade; Others Indifferent alike 10 heat, IA
tigue or hunger, were romping and skylarking Wild
each other the soldiers all thus idly and rks mely
waiting for orders were accoutered and ready for the
march, but few only except the pckets stationed about
the camps had arms in their banda though they were
near by generally stacked in bTstlng array. Without
special order in position, the baggage wagons stood
about the grounds all heavily loaded with the camp
equipage 80 hastily slowed away early the morning,
and though now high noon, the horses were still hcbed,
uneasiy stamping off the flies, and ready TO lumber on
in any direction coming danger might require for their
safety The horses Of the officers, and Of the Phia'
depha City Troop, stationed here at headquarters ~
guard and for dispatch service were marked feature
in the scene; here held by servants or tied up 10 tho
trees and palngs ready sadded and brded aud impa-
tienty champing the bit. or paving the ground, and
otherwise ma sting the restve hre OF their blood
The officers of Gen. Cadwaaders staff and Of the
regiments of his division which bad been eneamped
around, were generally quietly grouped about the tns
old grassy and welshaded yard in front of the antique,
but pleasant homestead used for hedquartersi among
them was the same careless which characterized
the soldiers about the old camps in upright OF recum-
bent postures as suited their astes, or as duty al
lowed and though wearing none OF the bright trap
pings Of rank they all " in harness prepared to
do their deyoir galantly in battle, and awaiting only
the order march, that they mi h dAsa with the ardor
and mpe,uosity of chafed sads into the thick Of the
fight.
There, too, sat Gen. Cadwalsder. in Loose fatigue
dress, under tue shade of noble, old branching elm
the stately rival of any Of the magnificent monarchs Of
Connecticut Valley. The General is not 1elii be has
been sleeping TO be better able to take the field and
now has come out of the house enjoy the co shade
on the grass Sitting on camp stool, be chats with
his aids and particularly with Major Lee, Chief OF the
Staff that portly, round-imbed gentleman with the
very black whiskers, the bright eye aud the jovia
mouth who ss near by, dressed in od, blue iannei
sack coat with the careless aud freedom OF boy
on the ground. He is an a" old war horse " who has
seen service and especially eroeious on traitors. Gen.
CadwalAder s not young man; white hairs feck his
thick muiton-leg whskers but although his wel-kept
person indicates good liver there is sodiesy cut
about his face with its full, aquiliue nose, and bis
figure with his compact rmness which rather inspire
confidence In bis ability as the commanding Ocer OF q
Division.
Thus wore away all the day, yesterday, at the camps
in this viciny enemy in sight, and no further IN
telligenee of any, and not until toward night did the
expecant but cnaUid aud hungry soldiers, who were
started out before day. without breakfast, by sudden
alarm which allowed no provision more than cracker,
perhaps, to be put even in their hayeIsacks and had
been AL day without food have their suspense relieved
70 that they could get into camp agao. Then the fact
being established that there had been false ALARM,
and that the rebel enemy sill remained al bis old posts
south of the Potomac though, perhaps not many miles
distant then the wagons unoaded the tents once
more pitched on the same ground and the camp-hrcs
lighted TO cook the soldiers NEAL which should do
duty for breakfast, dinner, and supper in one.
Besld. this "false alarm" nothing has occurred Of
any moment near here forseyeral days Two weeks ago
toa,ay-a rainy and gloomy Sabbatn-dsy-s large part
Of our army crossed the Potomac into Virginia, and then
your correspondent in common with many who had the
pleasure of seeing that grand passage Of the ford as
this place reoiced in the belief that the Army of Free
dom had indeed entered into the land OF bondage, to
purge il Of reaehery protect the loyal and reestaosa
the Constitution and the laws Of the Union II not in
deed mayhap, proclaim Liberty to the Oppressed ana
A.. ~ Cant,va ba1d in chaini