The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-01
New York, Wednesday, May 4, 1851.
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

New YORK. w e0 hcSNoy, my - A0OAs
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
crisis Is approaching in the military move
ments progressing at the seat of war. Troops
have not been con ,entrating there for so many
days without definite object, and it is manifest
now what the purpose of government Is
Baltimore is to be completely filed with
troops, and Maryland is to be compelled to
act like a State still in the Union All the infor-
nation which reached US up to late hour last
night plainly indicated that this is the policy Of
the points of the latest news in brief.
The greatest activity prevails in Southern
PENNSYLVANIA. seventeen thousand troops
being in the field there at the present time. At
Camp Scott, York, Pa, there are 5000 men; at
Camp Sitter, near Chambersburg, $500; at Camp
Curtin, near Harrisburg, 1000; two regiments
from Ohio are quartered near Lancaster, and
1900 United States regulars at Carlisle. Scat
tered at different points between Philadelphia,
EIkton and Perrysville there are 5000 more
Three thousand New Jersey troops are to march
from Trenton to- day, which will constitute in all
force Of over 900 men In that region, their des
tinaton being undoubtedly for Baltimore, to open
the route to the federal capital. On the south
side OF Baltimore are stationed at Annapolis a
~-----s.--a----- "a Ava thousand men in
GLIDING the Providence Marine n,vn,v,y, wmvn
left Perysville yesterday.
The Sixth and Thirteenth New York regiments
occupy position directly opposite Annapolis, and
the Sixty. ninth are ct the Junction.
Il win thus be seen that Baltimore is COM
pletsly hemmed in on both sides with an eff.
feotive force, which il to be Immediately en-
ployed in opening q passage through that
city for the federal troops, and restoring
free communication between the North and the
capital Of the republic. With this purpose Major
General Klein, Of Pennsylvania, was ordered to
leave Philadelphia yesterday, for the camp at
York. with instructions to advance at once
with an army Of fifteen thousand men on Balti
more. If any resistance is offered, he viii issue
proclamation announcing his intention to march
his force through that city, and warning the loyal
citizens, the women and children, to leave, and
will then cut his way through at all hazards. 1t
ia probable, however, that the threat of visiting
Baltimore with so severe chastisemsnt will bring
the resistants to their senses, aud thus save the
effusion Of blood.
Troops from the South continue TO move north.
wards In small bodies. North Carolina il is said,
though still in the Union, is prepared to furnish
her quota to the army Of the rebels Bodies of
men are advancing from Alabama and Georgia,
whose destination is reported to be Lynch
burg, Virginia. There are at present
eleven thousand men at Richmond but II Is stated
by the papers Of that city that the ultimate desti.
nation Of all the troops moving from the sonth
is great camp which is to be established at Dunn
fries, on the banks Of the Potomac-a town about
thirty-fve miles south Of Alexandria.
A very important movement has been made in
Virginia which threatens the division Of that
State on the secession question. The Western
portion Of the State goes strongly for the Union
and q convention has been called to meet at
Wheeling, TO decide upon the subject OF
the secession of the Western portion from
the Eastern in which il is said every county west
OF the Blue Ridge will be represented. 1t is sgnif-
cant Of the feeling Of this part of the State that
Hon. Mr.. Clemens who was arrested al the Rich.
mond Convention for his Union sentiments, was re.
ceived IN Wheeling with the utmost enthusiasm, on
his return there. II is quite evident that virginia
Is very far from being unit on the question OF
secession from The Union Even In Eastern yirui.
mia there Is strong feeling in favor Of remaining
faithful to the government and constitution as we
learn from the sentiments expressed by the
owners and crews Of the numerous schoon.
ers arriving here from the ports OF Virginia.
The oystermen, who represent large interest
IN the Virginia ports are oil naturally in favor Of
remaining in the Union their principal trade being
with the North.
covernr Curtin, Of Pennsylvania, in his mes.
sage oeivered yesterday 70 the Legislature in
extra session, foreshadows the vigorous policy
which the administration have decided mon
with regard to Baltimore. He savs tba,
The present condition Of Maryland is no,
& " tolerated; iaat 40 hostile -. "a.