Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-05-24
Letter from Harper's Ferry.

u
HARpER's Ferry, May 2o.-in the absence
Of your regular correspondent from TINS
place, perhaps short letter from another
source will not be unacceptable.
The work Of terrifying the neighborlng
heights being of the greatest Importance de-
serves the first attention. This work is pro-
crossing rapidly and substantially, large
body of men having been engaged tor some
time, both on the Virginia and Maryland
side. and although little can be seen from
Harper's Ferry proper, yet more favorable
noint Of observation will convince any one
that no time has been lost in the work OF de-
fence.
military road is now in progress, and
nearly completed to the Pinnacle. which Is
the highest point on the Maryland Mountain,
and tomorrow an additiona! number OF la
bnrers and mechanics will proceed TO that
mint. to hasten On the work Of fertilization.
The Pinnacle commands all the approach
es on both sides the Ridge, on the Maryland
side; as does the opposite height the Virgin
ia approaches.
Bnt the attention. of our Commander ~ by
no means confined to these two points Of do.
fence.
Large guns have been planted on the hills
back Of the Ferry, which sweep the valleys
of the Potomac and Shenandoah.
An enemy is not looked Tor from any par
ticular direction; we are guarded on oil sides,
and scouting parties are out Tor miles IN eV-
cry direction.
Besides the troops employed in building
and throwing up Notifications, large num-
Der of negroes have been sent III by the
neighboring farmers, and ifneeded, the mum
Der will be largely increased as soon as the
corn planting is over. ,,.
The frequent rains have delayed this oper-
alton very much, but 40 one can complain
when he looks at the magnificent wheat and
verdant clover fields, giving promise of an
unusually good harvest, and an unlimited
supply OF provender.
Provisions are plentful-we are fed Oh
the finest beef with bacon, bread, c"itee,
&c, in abundance.
Troops are arriving every day. Two Reg
;men,s Of Mississinpians we're among the
last. They are fine looking body u men,
very tall--are armed with rifles and well
supplied with camp equipments. Each
company has one or more negroes along 10
do the cooking &c. Ono old gray headed
negro boosted tina: he helped to dig the
| foundation of the first house erected at tn"
Virginia University, and declared that he
had come to defend his old home ircm invs-
siou. which be seemed quite intent upon
doing with his eun in hand, and cartridge
box by bis side.
Two fine cos panies came down the Baltl-
more and Ohio Railroad yesterday. Tiny
| were from Hardy county, and numbered W
men each: we'll armed, and uniformed with
we'll filled knupsack At the back OF every
man.
The daily arrival of cannon is fast supply
| ing our wants in that line. Several line
brass pieces came down the Winchester
Railroad to-day, and others Of d larger size
will reach there tomorrow.
The troops are in fne spiri}s and good
health.
On Saturday, the lst Regiment OF lnfan-
try, commanded by Col. Alien, marched
with sealed orders.
The first night they bivouacad at Morgan 5
| Spring, near Shepherdstown, the rendezvous
| Of the COM panv OF Virginia Volunteers that
struck "a bee line for Boston, when Nir-
cinia once before fnught for glorious liberty
and her rights. No doubt, the spirits Il
those departed heroes kept watch over their
sons, who we're thus assembled at the spot
where they determined to do or die: and
| brightly burns the same spirit IN the hearts
| of these sens of Revolutionary Heroes.
This Regiment is formed OF companies
from this and the adjoining counties. 50 the
| blood of those old heroes actually flows IN
the veins o? these very men. Yesterday they
! took up the line Of march, and are now
csmped near u iIliamsport. Their uiiImals
| destination is vet unknuwu.
| Ample arrangements are beng made 10
take the full vote Of tho troops III and near
this place. No alarr'S will interfere with
the proceeding. Each Company Will be
marched to the polls separately, and even a
bona fde attack would hardly prevent a full
vote. 4 sufficient number OF polls will be
opened to prevent all bury Or crowdlng.
The companies on the mountain, as well
as those detached for special duty, will all he
provided for-So that not qualified voter
will be debarred the privilege or exercising
the right Of franchise.
There are thousand rumors ailoat. hut
very little attention is paid to them. The
whole dny is spent in quhrtering the troops
lust arriving, and drilling those already
here-whch gives an air Of business never
| before witnessed in this quiet town. Il.