Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-06-10
From WnshinFtou.

WAShlNuIoN NiI1i june v, AouAs
To THE EDIroR OF THE LEADER; The
condition of affairs in Washington at this
time is one which induces feeling of very
general and painful anxiety, That we are
upon the eve Of important and decisive
military operations is no doubt truei and
while the public confidence in the skill and
courage of Gen. Scott continues unabated,
there is vague feeling of apprehension
in the public mind which is difficult to be
overcome. A sense as of some great event
impending, which shall in a great measure
be conclusive of our immediate danger, or
more than ever subject us to the assaults
of the enemy.
For the past two days rumOrs of attacks
and repulses, of battles great and small, Of
armies forcing marches upon the city, of
skirmishes upon the outpOsts of the federal
entrenohments on the Virginia side, of
murders Of our sentinels by Virginia
Guerillas and hundred other things, have
served to keep the public in state Of fe-
verish excitement. The War Department,
however, manages to keep its own secrets
concerning the movements of our troops,
and there is no doubt It's thoroughly posted
upon movements, present and prospective,
of the enemy.
it is generally believed that there will
be severe fighting within the coming week
or ten days; indeed, it may occur to day
or TO- O-mOrroW-at or near Manassas june
ton. While we hare no positive infOrma-
tiOn upon which to base such belief, those
culiar indications of increased activity
and preparation which preceded the Alex
audria movement are upon US again, and
are manifested in the congregation of army
wagons, removal of provisions, munitions
of war, &C., in abundance. There is more
activity among the soldiers, too, and ex.
pressions of an anticipated general forward
movement
To Richmond is the inspiring cry which
invigorates our troops. Richmond is the
point upon which all eyes turn with anxi-
ely aud Watchfulness; the inpatient SOL
diery are eager to occupy that ancient and
oontumacious capital. The old crusaders,
whose souls yearned to rescue the "HOly
Sepulcher' from the saracen infdels, con-
fessed to no greater or hOlier zeal than that
which to-day animates the soldiers of the
Republic. They feel and believe that the
reduction Of Richmond is the first grand
object TO be obtained it is the greatest of
the "strategic points" and its capture
leaves at the mercy of the Federal troops
all the entire country south of it. Charles
ton is another point to which they desire
t5 be led, and, as the seat of treason, ter
rible retributiOn will surely fall upon the
heads Of her chief conspiratOrs.
The death of Senator Douglas occasioned
profound sorrow in Washington, and as the
mark of respect due to the memory of a
great popular leader, the Administration has
directed all the public offices to be closed all
day tomorrow, and that they be draped in
mourning for thirty days. Orders have been
promulgated in the army, expressive of the
loss of the country, and the feeling of the
officers of the War Department. Douglas
was very generally beloved by all classes OF
citizens here, from a genuine kindness and
geniality of disposition.
The Ohio troops continue to occupy their
camping grounds at the north end of this
city. An effort is making which will no
doubt be successful, to organize a Regiment
for the war; ont of the two three months
Regiments Indeed, several whole oompan-
les havevolunteered. What your HCleveland
Grays" will do, have no means of knowing
but it is not believed that many of them
will engage for so long a time; in conse-
quence of which they viii probably spend
the whole period of their enlistment in gar
rison here, without seeing much active
service.
notice that Messrs. N. G. Younglove anj
William Bingham, of Cleveland, are in III,
city. A. F.