Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-22
Affairs AT WASHINGTON,
News, Gossip and Runors.
sr..,,l plon...h : ths oincinp.u Euou,r.,


Special Diopstch to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
WASHINGTON, May ls.--As my dispatch of last
night animated, there are certainly some important
movements contemplated within few days. Gen.
Butler is still here and was closeted with General
Scott yesterday and to-day. Itis expected that he
will leave in a day or two on an important mission
to the South or to Harper's Ferry-which is not
now exactly known.
a gentleman who was permitted to pass from
Richmond to day, reports that at Culpepper Court
hon e. thirty miles from here, there force OF
from six to ten thousand men, and that all along
the route to Manassas junction every station ls
fully guarded and the town is filed with soldiers.
At Manassas there Was large encampment. All
the indications pointed to the concentration Of an
immense force in Northern Virginia.
The Government is fully prepared for any at
tack though not single permanent battery has
erected in the city anysof Il lights, not
wIthstandirg that over q hundred Danlgren guns
are lying idle in the Navy Yard /,
Ii appears that the Government is steadily carry
ing out its programme of action as to the rebel
States. II has determined TO appoint collectors for
the different Southern ports. The duties will be
collected on the deck of men of-war, Whatever may
be the opinions of legal authorities here or else
where on the subject.
Great complaint is made by the soldiers as to the
Commissary Department Considerable trouble has
been Occasioned thereby.
The New York Seventh and Seventy-frst Regi-
will return at the expiration Of their thirty
days.
The Paymasters Department can do nothing for
the volunteers until after Congress has made an sp
preparation
sre.i1l Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.
WASHINGTON, May l9.-The Government contem
plates taking possession of Arlington Heights by Wed
nesday, with 10 600 troops.
Gen. Butler spent yesterday and last night in com
II L. n 49, 81, Iaks
net He has received full instructions. He leaves
for Fort Monroe Immediately, and will assume Jul
command of the Department of Virginia Most iIn'
portant movements will be made in that section this
week. 1t is understood about twenty thousand
troops will be under his command Immediately, with
constant reinforcements
Gen Scott declines TO accept the four regiments
from Maryland, unless they enter the general ser
vice They report only tor duty in State and this
District An independent regiment from that State
is accepted for the war.
There was no parade to-day, the troops being or
dered to be ready for action at moments notice
An additional force duty tonight, including
all the mounted men for police duty.
Special Dispatch to the CincianaH Commercial
WASHINGTON, May 19.-Very nearly two hundred
and twenty thousand men regulars and volunteers
| are now enlisted for the war.
No more volunteers will be accepted until thH
| immense force is properly organized.
| detachment of the Seventy first New ORR
Regiment returned from cruise down the Potomac
to-day. They report the erection of heavy bat
terry at Aqua creek masked by trees on down trip
| but fully exposed to view on return.
As the Government is determined to keep the
| navigation of the Potomac open, measures VII
doubtless be Immediately taken to capture it.
A measure of the highest Importance has beer
| determined upon by the Government A new Mill
tary Department, consisting of Eastern Virginia q
| the Blue Ridge and North Carolina, and TO be caleC
| Department Of Virginia, Head Quarters Fort Mon
roe has just been formed, Maj Gen. Butler com
| handing An army of 5000 men concentrating
about the Fort for aggressive operations aSains
| Norfolk and Richmond.
These troops will consist of New England, New
York and Pennsylvania regiments
The Michigan regiment now here will probably
| be added.
All the Massachusetts, regiments stationed herr
| have received marching orders Brgadier Genera
Mansfield. of the Army, will command corps q
| armee to be advanced from here into Virginia.
will consist of twenty five thousand volunteers ant
| five thousand regulars, three thousand Of whom
are already collected here Brigadier Genera
Reeder is expected to command the army that is t.
| be moved upon Harper's Ferry from Southern
| Pennsylvania.
The Government has determined to form largt
encampment of picked regiments on Staten Island
Ii is also understood that orders have been ISSUED
to collect feet of steam transports II New IOri
| harbor, probably with view to landing the forces
to be concentrated on Staten Island, at some pom
| on the Southern coast.
Dispatches to the Associated Press.
| WASHINGTON, May l9.-The announcement OF ;
new military district, including Virginia, Nortf
Carolina ard Tennessee has added intensity to th'
| war excitement and further announcement that i
was assigned to Gen. Butler, in no way diminished
| the feeling.
The President has been absent from home nearly
all day, accommodating the vicinity of Washington
The War Department contemplatcs shortly esiao
| fishing TWO large cantonments-one at Gettysourg
| and the other in the neighborhood of New YORK
The force collected in these camps will be probably
1 from Is 900 to 20 900 men
They will be worked up by the best officers to tn
| highest proficiency and kept in constant readiness
/ for active service. The force at Gettysburg VII
| no doubt be employed at the right moment for al
| inland movement that may not be proper at thu
| time to disclose.
That 1T Staten Island is meant to be directet
against various points on the seaboard
Orders are issued to get ready at the earliest mo
| ment the feet of steam transports that Will rem
| devious in the adjoining waters that in q few
| hours, when word is given the whole force on IN
| Atlantic coast can be embarked and proceed Wit
speed in the service designated.
Washington, May 2O.-On Sunday night Gov
| ernment coast guard steamer got ashore at IN
| mouth of the Potomac. She attacked by al
armed propeller from Richmond and. after brisi
| contest the rebels were beaten off Four Govern
| menr soldiers were killed and five wounded. Al
armed steamer has gone in pursuit.
| Late advices from Charleston say they are erect
ing batteries on the coast near Charleston, OF rine
| cannon TO beat off the blockading fleet.
A daily mail is established between washington
and Fort Monroe, Uid Baltimore.
collision at Harper's Ferry is regarded as Ger
| tam this week
| New YoRK. Nav ia letter received from tn
frlgate Minnesota Hampton Roads, says she has al
ready seized 100000 worth of ships and tobacco
It is now anticipated that the enemy will attemp
to fortify Sewel Point, and if they do, will attac
them.
dispatch to the Tribune says Richmond will b
early attacked.
The military authorities consider they had hes
msrch on Culpepper and thence to Charlotteviil
and Lynchburg. Forces will also be sent to Acqur
Creek. Also large force to Norfolk thus invest
ing Richmond on all Sides Probably the hrst en-
| nnnnter will be st Cupepper.