Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-09
TIE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF THINGS-FEDE.

RAL ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, TO-
TIE special correspondence Of the New York 2'1s',
writing from Alexandra. Va, October 70 sends TO that
paper the following description Of the condition 10 which
Lincolns minons has reduced that city
Alexandra Anguishes Most Of her citizens Who have
not cast their fortunes -h the rebel army are secretly
wishing success 10 the bel cause Her railroads no
transport busy merchants 10 the NORTH ga jsome
parties 70 the sprngs Troops and Government stores
the only passengers freight. Her hotels are emp
ty, except the Marshall House and that "a occupied by
Union troops. Her schoohouse-the property OF .
bel, Maj. Kemper, does duty Is Union hospital Her
noble seminary the heights likewise TO
the OF invalid soldiers Of that army when Is viewed
v tn 20 many lowering laoks Her whsrves deeer
cd unless stray oyster boat that has The bate
res on the Potomac, schooner with for The
iroops breaks the solitude The farmers Wagons are
few in the Streets and In their place the numbering amy
wagon, or the ambulance seen. No more country
squres esride the pigtkin" canter up and down. risk
Ing their necks along ilpaved streets. The rattle Of
cavalry hoois alone spproxmaes that eound. Her con
ssbulary replaced BY the Provost hsrshsls guard
Her Courts displaced BY the summary justice OF the
Provost Judge Her readiness the best OF them. are
either locked idle such others not Occupied
by the few remaining citizens, retound with the hlaIty
u sol.itrs. Her coored population 10 proportotSbly
free for many OF the slaves either gone with
their owners 70 "seceeh"or have been emsDcpaied by
g. cir MASTER flight Some silent power controls the
place. Il reminds Of the anchor forging a. the Ma.
wizard. There you see huge mass Of red.hot ircn
under the uipbsmuer,. and wonder BY what
mysterious rule the gangs Of men work in
concert 10 draw II this way that or turn IL oyer,
or Suspend in the air the gigantic mass tnst pounding
it into shape. Al length the secret strikes youthsre
arc but one pair OF eyes on the work-those Of the
master workman. All other eyes are bent on him, and
the Of his hand the various OF
the massive metal The Poryffth Pennsylvania Rsgi.
msnt is the triphammer of Alexandria, which Is being
beaten into shape and Provost Marshal d. A. Griffith Of
Reading Pennsylvania, Ia the master workman. His
Justice Is summary administered The punishment fol.
lows the ef:nce with prompt rapdity. something ike
this: The prisoners having been committed BY Provo
Marsha Griffith, brought up in tho morning before
Provost Judge Frez,, the Adjatant General who Ia
General Montgomerys st;f They have, to psraphrase
little tayonets to right OF them bayoney to left Of
them bayones in front Of them, and bsyonets to rear
of them, that attemp: to escape would be much
like kicking against the pricks. Here Is something like
the course OF justice:
Judge-Wel, John, where did you get your liquor 10
get drunkt
Jobn-At Dick Robinson's.
Ssrgeant-It was Tom Robnson's, sir.
Judge-Weil, bring up Ton. Dick or Hsrry-any-
body connected with the establishment Sergeant take
e Of men and bring up somebody that belongs to the
place.
Pretty soon the Sergeant returns with bis prisoner.
Judge-Did you sell this man hquorf
Pris0neI-Yes, sir.
Judge-I fine you FIVE dollars
Or, tako another cise-.hat Of some New York mer.
chants who have sold goods to Alexandria merchants
aud can't get paid.
Jadge-Did you sell goods to this mani
Aerobant-Yes SIR
Judgs-Wll he pay you, or give you the goods back
Merchant-No, sir.
Jadge-Lieu;. Skaters, take fls Of men, take pcs
session Of the store, and bring ths keys to me.
The result OF H. the merchant ges bis goods back
the value Of them There Is legal clubbing, habsds
corpus, wits Of repess and long lawsuits with the sher
H. no appeal 10 Virginia stay laws running up the
costa of Court to eat up the whole claim no TEDIOUS de-
lay Of months years but prompt vigorous, decisive
and fual action from which there is appeal 90, for
the Provost Marshals summary justice in New York =!
What world Of trouble it would save US.
But after all, Alexandra anguishes. No telegraph
wires convey intelligence eIcep, those to Gen. Heinz
lemsn's or Gen. Prankins headquarters. The Newton
House. that has had many fifteen huodred guests
at once must be content with fifteen. Even toe churches
are closed )st Of h m for II the ministers have not
houldercd the rebel musket mos Of their male conge
cations have dons So The music Of regimentsl band,
replaces the music ST the choiis People not In unfo
seem to move about the streets II afraid Of thor shad
ows-ssif
"A sense Of mystery the spirit daunted,
Aud something whispered in the ear,
The place Ia haunted"
Winding up the muddy roads you pass FORTS Ellsworth
and Lyon, perched on Alexandria Heights, and CON.
ding the approaches for miles around Toey not
hasy works but solid structures, that give moet
uncomfortable idea Of the probable permanenoy Of the
war; A. least go they strike Civilian, although they
may be Intended to the defence Of Washington
with small number Of troops, while our forces are
poured on some vulnerable point of the rebel Inca