Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-15
INTERESTING FROM THE WAR.


Col, Stone, that left here by three routes to-
ward Harper's Ferry, were ordered to arrive
at Rockville at certain hoar, yesterday. The
official report to headquarters is that Tie three
columns arrived at the place named within ~
minutes OF each other and that they are all
well, in good condition, and are lehaylng
splendidly. One of the members of the Ma
tional Rifles commanded by Capt. Smead OF
the U. 5. army, under date of Rockville, June
18th, writes as follows about their march from
this city,
owe are to stay cncamped until evening,
and then make long forced march. Iesler.
! days march was a long, rapid, and hot one
| At this point we found the Pennsy lvania LIST,
New York 9th and Now Hampshire list. A
portion of Magruler's battery and the presi-
| dents mounted guard are in advance. The
| New York 9th have just gone forward, and
understand that one OF the Maine regiments is
near us. Scouts and travellers continually
bring us reports of an enemy in strong mum
bers between us and our destination. Ii this
is the case, our night march may be bloody
| one. Some scamp told the people here that
we were Billy Wilson's Zouaves, and they
were frightened, experimenting robberies and
outrages. They have received us kindly, and
some OF or boys find themselves among old
acqGaintances. Our officers are extremely
careful to prevent injury to the people Col.
| Stone has arrested Mr.. Painter, reporter OF the
Philadelphia Inquirer, and he has told Painter
! TO inform the reporters for other papers that
| il they come within his lines lie will hang
them"
GEN. PATTERsoN's ARMY.
| The army under command Of Gen. Patter-
| sou will consist of moving force of 23,0OO
| picked men, and a reserve of 10000. The
former will be headed by 1000 regulars, in
Guiding eight batteries and 1000 cavalry. Gen.
| Patterson has no strategic experience, but as
his staff is composed of some of the best Off
GERS of the regular army, and as three regular
| colonies will act as brigadiers under him, there
| is no danger Of any serious blunders.
| During the last three days orders have been
| issued from the war department for the con-
centration at Chambersburg OF the troops from
| New England, New York, and Pennsy lvania,
| who were previously destined for Washington
| and Fortress Monroe. This movement shows
| the determination of the government to carry
| Harper's Ferry at all hazards. From. all the
| estimates made it is calculated that something
| like $4,000 men will in day or two surround
| that place. Sen. Scott deems this force sutli-
| Gent to hold this position in check, and fore
| stall any aggressive movement on Washing
| ton; for it appears from evidence in possess
| sion Of the government that such design was
really entertained
IMPORTANT REBEL MOVEMENT.
Reliable information was received by Gen.
| Scott this morning OF an unusual stir in the
rebel camp at Manassas Junction last evening.
| Preparations evidently indicating an intention
| to break up the camp, were being made by
large portion of their forces. 1t is thought
| probable in military circles here that strong
body of insurgents will be moved from the
/ Junction, to meet in the vicinity of Winches-
ter the troops believed to be ordered to retreat
IN tlia mint Horpar'S Earru nd
that the united forces will offer battle to the
federal army about invading Virginia from
Southern Pennsylvania through Maryland.
The movements of the insurgents at Manassas
Junction WILDE closely watched, and should
they really divide their forces an advance
will be Immediately made upon their position
by the corps d'drmee under General Mcdowell.
l reiterate, in this connection, my former as
serlon, that General Scott is much better ap-
prised of the rebel movements than is gener-
ally supposed.
AFFAIRS AT HARPER's FERRY.
The presdentof the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal has been to the rebel camp at Harper's
Ferry to endeavor to stop the destruction of
the property OF his company. He reached
dam No. 4, near Williamsport, while the fight
was going on between the Mary flanders and
the Virginians-tle latter endeavoring to de-
stroy the dam, and the former to defend it.
He crossed the river under flag of truce and
demanded to be taken to Harper's Ferry. The
rebels furnished OF twelve men, I'VE
marching on each side, and one each in front
| and rear. In this order he entered IIarper's
| Ferry, and was presented to Gen. Johnston,
| the commander of the rebel forces. He re-
moBstrated against the destruction of the
| dams, boats, and other properly OF the comDa-
ny, claiming that they were the property of
| Mary landers, and should be exempt from
| seizure and destruction. Gen. Johnston
replied that his orders were positive to
destroy all property that could in any
way be made to benefit the United
| States forces and that it was all nonsense
| to talk of the property as belonging to Mary
| land, for it belonged to New York, Vermont,
| Connecticut, Massachusetts,, and every other
| abolition state now engaged i'll fighting for
the Union. He should therefore obey his in.
struclions, and destroy everything he could
| reach.
The railroad president thinks the number of
troops at Harper's Ferry is quite as large as
| has been reported, and they seemed to have
plenty Of provisions. The Kentuckians, to
the number of 800, are encamped on the Ma
ryland side, opposite the Ferry. They were
ordered TO retire across the river, but refused
to obey. They were then told they were tres
passing upon the soil of Maryland. To obvi.
ate this objection, they leased from the owners
the ground upon which they were encamped
and so remain. The reees at the Ferry say
they don't know upon which side the Kentuck-
ians will fight.
| LATER REPORT.
| FREDERICK, MD, June IA 1t was reported
| by messenger this morning, from within Il
mile of Harpers Ferry, that the bridge across
the Potomac at that point had been blown up
and entirely destroyed between four and five
this morning The explosion was distinctly
heard and the smoke OF the burning structure
seen by parties here. He also reports that the
troops had been withdrawn from the Maryland
shore, and the town OF Harper's Ferry cvacu-
ated by the main body of the troops, leaving
only small force there, probably the rear
! guard. He also reports that eight car loads of
provisions were destroyed, to prevent their
| falling into lie hands of the Union forces