The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-30

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THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
The most important movements of federal
troops which have taken place since our last is
sue have been in the direction of Harper's Ferry,
upon which point it seems pretty clear that an
early demonstration must inevitably be made.
The Sixth Pennsylvania regiment, heretofore sta
toned at Perrysville, passed through Bal
timore yesterday and took the cars northwards,
in the direction of Hagerstown, it was supposed
for Harpers Ferry. The regiment of Colonel
Dane from the same point, followed soon after,
in similar direction. The Scott Legion and
three other regiments, under General Patterson,
were to leave Philadelphia either last night or this
morning, also in the direction Of Harper's Ferry.
The sudden movement of the Ohio troops into
Virginia yesterday, taken in connection with the
advance of the forces from Pennsylvania, above
referred to, indicate probable collision with the
rebel troops around Harper's Ferry. General
HcClel!and pushed the regiments from Ohio
across The riyer-the Sixteenth regiment,
from the camp at Belleair, and the Four.
teen,h, under Colonel Stedman. The former
moved en- to Grafton, where the Virginia mill.
tia, commanded by Colonel Kelley, had preceded
them from Wheeling, and the Fourteenth took up
position at Parkersburg The rebels had evacu.
ated Grafton, and the Virginia troops Of Colonel
Kelley, together with the Ohio regiment, had pos.
session of that place. General acClelland issued
a pros lamation 10 the people, assuring them
shat the Ohio troops had come into Western
yirgi-ia as friends TO protect them from the at.
tack. of traitors and that no interference with
their properly their business or their slaves was
Intended
By tie latest news we learn that there are 10 900
rebel troops concentrated at Harpers Ferry but
that there il only small force on the Mary
lana Heights, who are unproyided with cannon
information which does not tally with previous
reports a. they were represented as fortifying
themselves strongly on the Maryland shore.
Rciaforcements are being thrown into Fortress
Monroe 70 strengthen General Buffers force,
which as Indicated by previous reports is designed
TO attack Sewslls Point aud Norfolk, the eastern
base OF the rebel lines. The Third Albany r. 1.
ment and the First Scott Life Guard leave this
city To- DAY for the Fortress, and on tomorrow or
Saturday, the New FORK Zouayes, commanded by
Co,onei Hawkins, and the Twentieth regiment,
German Rifles will start for the same
point. There are said to be 1000
rebel in the vicinity of Fort Monroe. 1t
j. probable that fully 5000 rebel troops are at
this moment scattered through the State of virgi
MIA but the impression of every one who has seen
them appears to ba that although Individually
hardy, desperate and brave, good sharpshooters
and excellent fighting men, they fall far behind
the Northern troops in discipline, and whom called
upon TO act together in masses, viii be found to
labor under considerable disadvantages when com.
pared with the Northern soldiers who have been ac
customed TO manruvre in regiments, brigades and
divisions.
The position Of the federal troops around Wash
ington has experienced no material change, with
the exception of the return of the Seventy first
10 their old quarters at the Navy Yard. The
Twelfth New York regiment may be said to take
the post Of honor, being the first to cross Long
Bridge and the first to receive IN attack after the
army Of invasion crossed into Virginia
There is some trouble among the Second New
York regiment under Colonel Tompkins, which
has just arrived in Washington. II appears that
considerable discomfort exists among the men,
and the regiment has been accordingly disbanded,
1t is said, in consequence OF information reserved
from this State.
No less than sixty regiments from New York
have been accepted by the government up to this
time, numbering in all some fifty thousand men,
The government has also accepted several add
tonsI regiments from Illinois, making total from
tiat state Of eighteen thousand men. Fully one
hundred regiments, in all, have been accepted
from tie states Of New York, Illinois and Indiana
while tho coatingents from other States will swell
the number to two hundred regiments, or nearly
two hundred thousand men.
The neutrality Of kentucky is becoming every
day more certain. Governor McGofin las just
issued a proclamation declaring the absolute neu.
traily Of ehe State, and solemnIy forbiading any
movement Of troops, either belonging to the
United states government or TO the Confederate
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