Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-04
Csndi,,.n Of rm.e. a. F.r,r.., M.,,..

Inc Portsmouth correspondent Of the N Y
withstanding the comparative weakness Of The
land side, 10 has been materially strenpthened
within the last few weeks and labars are con-
s'antiy going on, to render 1t unassailable Over
1000 troops are In garrison, and they are In the
best OF health and of spirits. They are well pro-
vlsioned, and, excepting milk, which they have
Deen unable to obtain, since communication was
needed The volunteers from Massac husetts be-
have admirably, and adapt themselves readily IN
the service. There 10 dailv practice with the
Iarge paixhans: constant drill, and the strictest
maintenance Of discipline
Inquiries are continually made whether any
batteries have been raised by the State troops. on
the western side Of the fort This is the side near
est the land, on which there are no casemates
Co,, plmlck declared, even before the csssion
oil Virginia. that he should regard any attem of 10
raise batteries there an act Of war and without
waiting for instructions from Washington, should
aemorsa ona ~ them forthwith Not single appear
nor do l believe that anything Of the kind 10 in
prospect. There is no movement of gums NOR.
tars or ammunition possible from the interior; and
The little steamer which makes daily passages
from Norfolk to Hampton 10 SO closely watched
that she could scarcely land percussion can
without Its being detected. The surveillance, In
every aiecnon, Is incessant. Sentinels are posted
at the bridge over the creek, and all communica-
ton from without is carefully excluded; although
this has been done more for the purpose of pTe-
venting annoyance from fugitive slaves, than az a
Hampton.
All Of the barracks and woodwork in the int.
rlor OF Fort Monroe, have been burned Carroll
HAL! brick building, Is the only ed fee which
has been allowed 10 remain. Officers and SOL
diers, are alike quartered in the casemates The
trees, whose beauty and shade are among the
chief attractions of the interior of the fortress
have, Of course, not been cut down The seven.
ty-fve acres, included within the vrst stronghold
would he bleak indeed, without their presence
upon the parade.
NOT little annoyance was experienced and
some Misunderstanding were created, previous
W tbe entire stoppage Of intercourse between
Hampton and the fort by runaway negroes Not
many DAYS ago, dozen or more esca ped over the
Mill Creek bridge; but were conducted back TO
the Hampton shore by order Of Colonel DImick
Some OF them were not recovered by their owners
but got of into the woods The Hamptonians
complained bitterly that they had not been brought
by the troops to the guardhouse. The Colonel
replied that he had neither right nor authority to
do more than to expcl them from the precincts
under his command, and that herewith they must
De content One wench managed, however TO
remain three weeks In the fortress going about
from kitchen to kitchen, before the fact of her
being slave was discovered.
Do not believe anv story to the effect that Port
Monroe IL In danger Of being taken. Such reports
are gotten up for effect by enemies of the Govern
ment All is SAFE and the utmost confidence 10
felt In the commander himself, his garrison, and
General Scott, who forgcts nothing