New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-25
Probable Attack on Harper's Ferry.
THE POSITION OF the VIRGINIA Troops.
5000 REBELS ON THE POTOMAC.
An Advance Of Rebels Expected
RUMORED ATTACK on HARPEBS FERRY.
,pecid Dbrstch 10 The N. Y, Triburs.

Special Dbrstch 10 The N. Y Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Friday, May "a, 1881.
Ten thousand United States troops breakfast u
Virginia this morning. As telegnphed last nighA
Alexandria was occupied by Federal troops at -
early hour this morning. A movement as successful
ly executed as it was skiully planned, has resulted
in the capture Of troop of horse, the complete pss
session Of Alexandra, aud the Potomac line Of his
thence TO points opposite Georgetown
About 10 o'clock last night four companies Of
picked men moved the Long Bridge as aA
advanced guard. They were sent to reconnoitcf,
and if assated were ordered to signal, when they
would have been reinforced by corps Of reeu-
lar infantry and battery.
At l2 O'Clock Col. Ellsworth's regiment sf
Zouaves embarked in steamers from the Navy-
Yard for Alexandria.
At I2 O'Clock also the infantry regiment, artl
lery and cavalry c,rps began to muster, and take
marching order. As fast as the several regiments
were ready they proceeded to the Long Bridge,
those 10 Washington being directed to take that
route. The troops quartered at Georgetown, the
Goth, 5th, 9Th and 2sth New-Yosk Regiment,
proceeded across the chain bridge under TIE
com aand Of Geo. McDowelL
This achievement is clouded by tho suas-
sinaton of . gallant officer. About II O'Clock
six companies Of District Volunteers, IN
Guiding the National Rifles aud TurnevS
stepped from the Long Bridge upon Virgish
SOIL 1t bad been intended to capture the first
patrols by boats but the bright moonlight pro
vented It, TIE patrols crossing the first hil,
took to their horses heels. Nothing else hostAs
was seen until they arrived at Alexandria
This vanguard was commanded BY Iospector-
General Stope under whom Capt. Smead led TIE
center, Adjutaut Abbott the lett, and Capt. Stew
art. son of Sir Charles Stewart, tho right wing.
They stopped within half mile Of the town wait
ing for the man body, having made sure that tAs
coast was clear.
The rest of the army crossed the bridge in De
following order:
10Th Regiment, New-York.
25th Regiment, New.York.
lst Regiment Michigan.
lst, I'd, Sd, aud 4th, New-Jersey, in the order
named.
Two regular cavalry corps, Of 30 men each.
and Shermau's two batteries; next and last came
the Nrw-York 7tb. Following these was q log
train Of wagons filled with wheebarrows, chow
els. &c. All together there were at least 1900
men 10 the advancing arUy
Mai Gen. Mansfield commanded the movement
of the troops until the last corps left the Dis
trct. The first regiment of the main body that
crossed the long bridge started at twerty miu-
utes past 9, and the last corps left the District
at about q quarter to 4 o'clock. AT O'Clock.
Mai Gen. Sandford and staff left Wizards, and
proceeded to Virginia 10 take command OF the
advancing forces.
At O'Clock in tho morning, the Captain
Of the Pawpee demanded the surrender Of the
town. Major, in command Of the Virginia
troops, refused. The Captain then said tho COD
seau.uces would be terrible to the village acA
Ill its inhabitants, and prolonged the time th
o'clock.
Early in the morning, not far from O'Clock,
the feet of boats with the Zouaves on board
came up to the wharf at Alexandria. Some ~
or 80 shots were fired upon toe boah oy ths
Secession forces as they came mp to tho wnart
but none we're killed or wounded. The Zouavss
dsembarked and literally took the city.
The first Of tbe troops who crossed the Long
Bridge tosenter the town were the Michigan
Regwent accompanied by Senator Chandler %
who.e courtesy sm indebted for Interesting Ps''
ticulars.
They were accompanied BY two guns n'.
Sherman's Battery aud . company Of on'e.
States cavalry. As they marched into the suo"'
. whistle saluted them, and train Of CO"
steamed away. probably bearing most Of '"
Secession forces. One company OF horse nv
ever numbering thirty five men, were captures
with their horses, accouterments, ana N.Y.
mounted, mounting, and preparing to mount
Sherman's Battery came up tho street 0".'.
them like whirlwnd, and they had 10 0a0'''
but to surrender, alive or dead.
After this bloodless capture, the SECESSION ns~
TO which Col. Ellsworth had attended, aPpsenns
nowhere, the Michigan men proceeded % -.
up the rails leading out Of the city. w0he 49,
detachments did the ssue ofice for tAs rees
distant points. Gen. Scott and sssrsssV ~"