New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-26
THE RAILROAD TRACK TORN VI
Late Visit 20 Alexandria.
Special Dispatch to The N, y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Saturday, May %, 1856.
VISIT TO ALEXANDRIA.

Special Dispatch to The n. Y Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Saturday, May %, 1856.
VISIT TO ALEXANDRIA.
have Just returned from visit to Alexan-
Gra, made in company with two gentlemen who
were in that city during the early part Of th's
week. before the Secession spirit had been laid.
Virginia begins TO assume nn active ritary ap-
pearance at the termination Of the bridge leading
from Washington, which is closely guarded.
no crossing being permitted without special
passes. The first guards stationed are taken
from the New-York Seventh and another
Regiment which als encaDped at Hunting Park
Race Course, q hon distance from the shore.
The hotels and refresbment booths along the
main road were all under wateh, the proprictOrs
taking frequent opportunities to affirm themselves
the strongest Union men in the world When 1t
was suggested that il might no, have been safe to
express such sentiments week ago, they said,
If IL would they hoped they might die.
F0RTIFICAIIONS GOING UP.
Just beyond tine Sesenth's camp a formidable
forthcation commanding the head Of the bridge
ia about completed. The trenches were dug and
the earthworks raised by detachments from the
Seventh aud the New-Jersey troops. The men
oil working vigorously with pick and shovel, in
spite of fierce sun. 4 thick grove which bad
surrounded the spot had been entirely lcyeled,
and tue trunks Of trees removed. The works
are progressing under the direction of MajoS
Barnard, Eagineer-in-C Chief The officers under
him are Captains Alexander and Bluut. and
Lioutenants Prime, Hunter aud Robert, all Of
tie regular army engineer corps. The last named
is South Carol.nan by birth, and has ten uii-
ces in the Confederate army; one of them
general in Georgia. Other requisite icrtihcs-
tions are forming at strong points about wash
ington, one of them covering the oqueduct bridge
at Georgetown.
REPORTED FIGHT.
As I WAS about leaving the works, repert
same in that the 25th or the l2tb New-lork
Regiments had been menaced with an attack,
and that the 7th had been summoned 10 their
assistance. The New-Jersey troops were seen as
short distance forming in hne of battle, ana tno
time there was considerable excitement Ia inc
neshborhood. The New.Jersey men were ioHna
TO DO ignorant of any real cause 'or tue move
mept beyoni Tie above report, when haa aso
reached them.
WHAT CAUSED THE EXCITEMENT.
mile or two further on We discovered thai
a picket-guard of the New-York 18th had been
fired mon by small body Of armed Nirginians, who
had Immediately turned ard fed without waiting
TO see the result. Nobody was harmed. II dd
not however appear that this incident was tno
only cause of the preparations. For about one
O'Clock signal Of three guns was heard 'ne
prearraueed warning at the Capitol.
ALL OVER, AND AL ouRsT.
After this, there was no Indication Of trouble
on the road TO Alexandria. The place was per-
.ectly quiet, and although many places oil Du'i-
ness were closed, the citizens were pinshng un-
reseryedly with the soldiers, and discussing re-
cent events with them. A few private residences
were closed. Adams's Express Office was
inaccessible, and the banking houses "e'e
sealed to the profane invaders "
the sacred soil. THE people naturally 'Ppesre'