Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-05-11

RICHMOND, Nav /;

AAA88Gy u1OF6M46ntU IN VlEgImI0s
RIcHNoSD, May Z.
The most extraordinary military move
ments are in preparation, and we are now in
constant expectation OF stirring times. The
South Carolina troops have received orders
to be ready to march at moments notice.
The other Regiments In the city are waiting
and expecting similar commands. The au-
thorities here have received definite informa-
ton to the effect that the Government at
Washington intend to make an attack upon
several points, simultaneously, within two or
three days. These points are believed TO be
Harper's Ferry, Norfolk and Richmond.
Great excitement in consequence exists in
military circles. The community, however,
are quiet, and exhibit very little excitement.
The wires are kept in constant motion be-
tween here and Montgomery, and it is now
believed Chat General Beauregard will come
here at once to take command in person.
The batteries around Norfolk are considered
to be fully ample for the protection of that
place. The batteries at all other points are
in rapid progress of completion.
A universal desire is expressed to see Cen
eral Beauregard or President Davis here, as
it would tend to add much to the enthusiasm
of the troops. and inspire general confidence
in the military preparations now in progress
The South Carolina troops are extremely
anxious to move, under the command of
Confederate General.
Some of the papers in Pennsylvania, it is
said, have adopted as mottos Beauty and
Booty, }" calling attention to the fact that Bal
timore and Richmond are celebrated for their
beautiful women, and that they will be
part of the reward of victory Deaths heads
and cross bones are marked on some of the
Northern flags bearing stars and stripes.
There is little doubt but that Alexandria
will be occupied by the Republicans at once.
The North will then stand, it is said, ON the
defensive. Maryland will not secede.
Special 10 the Mercury.
RICHMOND. May Ga steamer in the ser
vice of the Lincoln Government came up the
York River yesterday to West Point, distant
forty miles from Richmond, and which in
military par!ance, is the key TO the CITY,
There is no doubt that she had on board a
accommodating party. She came directly up
to the wharf. The people here are much ex-
cited about it.
Hitherto no precautions have been taken
for the defence of West Point, and there is
no. telegraphic communication with that
place. Many say that the enemy might, by
vigorous move, have landed there and
marched within fifteen miles of Richmond
without our knowing it.
Whether this was SO or not, General Lee is
now actively guarding against such sur
prise. Yesterday, by his orders, six 9-inch
Dahlgreen guns were sent down, and one
thousand men. Other will Immediately fol-
low. 1t is now confidently believed that
Richmond will be attacked by water APP
proaches.
AN EXTENSIVE CONFLAGRATIoN-A BLOCK
OF STORES IN RUINs.-About eight O'Clock
last evening fire was discovered in the block
of buildings on Front Row, between Court
and Jefferson streets, and Notwithstanding
the firemen were promptly on the ground,
and worked actively to the last, the flames
were not eXtinguished till the whole block
was in ruins. The fire is supposed to have
originated in the upper portion of the build
ing, or the roof, of the house occupied by Mr..
roof was in blaze. The wind was rather
high. and the flames spread rapidly, and in
short time developed the whole block. Many
of the occupants had time to remove their
goods and furniture, large lot of which was
piled up in the street and on the promenade.
The occupants on Court street were: VIM.
Tell boarding house; A. Weisgerber, gun
smith; and Stewart d King, cotton factors;
App d Bro, shoe dealers, who saved nearly
all their effects.
The stores on Front Row were occupied as
follows: Chattanooga Savings Institution,
No. so, saved verything; Isaac Sellar, No.
81 cigar store, saved most of stock; Nelson
i Boyce, No. SO, grocers, saved portion of
stock; J. J. Murphy, No. 81, grocer, saved
portion of stock; ID. III. Townsend, No. So,
grocer, saved portion of stock; Hillman i
Brothers, No. Sc, hardware dealers, on cor
ner of the alley next to commercial hotel
building. saved portion of stock.
The block was owned as follows: The
store occupied by the Messrs. Hillman, No.
Sc, was owned by Mr.. Q. G. Atkinson. and
was insured in the fernando Office for So, 900;
Mr.. Townsend owned the tenement he occu-
pied, No. 55, and was insured in the Home
Office for about $4,000; Mr.. r. C. Brinkley
owned Mr.. Murphey's store-insured. Mr..
Murphey was insured for about $50 900 in
Home Office, and the remainder of the build
ing was owned by Mr.. j. NJ. Lea, of Nash
vile, and was fully insured.
Besides the above named stores there were
various cotton brokers and other offices, the
names of which it is impossible to record at
present. The loss sustained by the fire is es-
timated at aboht SIPS, 600, as follows:
Six buildings, leach valued at, say,
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