Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-11


The Rebels mt Kfhrper,s Ferfy-TheiF
BopSItes Condiiiou-Secret Movements
In wHsbinaton-Ap Advance nom Cham.
, berebare. ~ faA
75s wAsnINercE, THURSDAY, June G 1861.
A gentleman whose business took him to
within three miles of Harper's Ferry on
Tuesday and Wednesday, and who had oc-
casion 10 make careful Inquiries from trust
worthy residents at the Ferry, reports that
the artillery has been removed, from the
Maryland Hights, but thatfve hundred Ken
tucky troops are sill stationed there. An
impression prevails among the MaFylanders
that these Kentuckians will fre upon their
present allies in case of q conflict; but this
needs coDfirmatfon. There were Ave hun.
dred troops az Pointof- Rocks, and two
hundred and fifty at Berlin, half way be-
tween Point Of Rocks and Harper's Ferry,
and six miles from each. Three pieces Oh
artillery are stiii at Point-of. Rocks-four
others heretofore mounted there having been
removed. At Harper's Ferry and Bolivar a
mile westerly, where the main body Of the
army remains, are from twelve thousand to
fourteen Thousand troops, at the utmost.
! Only one regiment from Tennessee has ar
rived since about a week ago. Our inform
ant was at the Ferry himself OF the whole
force, only eight thousand are sufficiently
healthy and we'll armed to take the field.
Only four thousand are soldiers worth fight
ing. There are four regiments from Missis-
slppi, who are altogether the best men on
the ground. They are higher toned, better
drilled, and better armed. The other two or
three thousand of the rebels have only flint
lock muskets, and hundreds no arms at all
They are poorly uniformed, except the Miss
issippians. General johnson is losing con-
idenee in the officers and men. He declares
that he can make no secret movement;
knows not whom to trust, and finds every
thing that he ssys and does in the New York
journals. isn H o',
Smallpox is raging among the soldiers.
On Monday one hundred and eighty were
semitic Chsrlestown, sick. Men are deserting
very fast. The supply Of provisions is scanty,
there being no more than enough for two
days in camp. For a fortnight they have
had no fresh meat. Our informant thinks it
is General Johnson's intention to fall back
to Winebester The railroad TO that place
is strictly guarded by detachments the whole
distance. After march of ten or twelve
miles thence he reaches Front Royal, and by
Manassas Gap Railroad will join General
Beauregard at Manassas Junction.
That they are ready to move at moments
warning is certain. Every thing is packed.
One hundred four horse wagons, impressed
from Maryland and Virginia farms, are in
waiting. On the other hand, were they
better off in respect toarms, provisions and
confidence in themselves, there would be
some reason to believe that they would make
desperate attack on US in the rear, rely
ing upon Maryland for support
Our informant, who has visited this sec
tion. of country several times of late, and
has had excellent opportunities of investi-
CATION, believes that half the people in aud
about Frederick are disunionists, and that
their cause has gained ground since the
Legislature came together. The Union men
are in fear of Johnson's force, whose pick.
cts, thrown out from Point of Rocks, come
within three miles of Frederick, to which
the whole army can be transported in two
or three hours. Arrived there, it would be
within five hours of Baltimore. r.
The sympathies OF many in Maryland are
shown by the fact that they have armsd and
fed the rebel troops, Virginia furnishing
but few supplies. If these facts be true, as
must be presumed in the absence of evidence
to the contrary, it is high time that Govern
ment posted strong body of troops at
Frederick to overawe the nalcontezts, en-
courage Unionists and protect Maryland
nom Virginia inroads, and the terrible re-
tribution which must follow an uprising.
From another source, we learn that three
hundred of rebel regiment of seven. hun.
dred, encamped opposite Williamsport have
deserted, and that the unpopularity of Cen
eral johnson, in consequence of his forci.
has been increased by CONSUMPTION, under
which three. tenths Of the males, between
eighteen and fifty years old, in counties
| within forty or fifty miles Of Harpers Ferry,
are to be mustered into service. Numerous
Unionists flee.
The rebels have burned three more
bridges one two miles below Martinsburg,
one twelve miles above, and one at Sleepy
Creek, five miles further on, forty miles
| from the Ferry and sixfv frano Nnnrha,ioa5
which is to be General McClelan's head,
quarters for the present. This state of things
| will not last long.
| General Patterson is advancing to co.
| operate with General Mcclellan. A column
| of General McDoWelps command will ad-
vance within twenty. four hours, unless
something unforeseen prevents, to the other
side of the Potomac, toward Manassas June
ten. Our lines are contracting, and every
thing is in readiness for forward move
ment. II is doubtful whether the Harper's
Ferry rebels will have time to join their
| friends at Manassas Junction. If they do
not they will be surrounded. If they do,
there may be brief and decisive battle, as a
| preliminary to our occupation of the place.
JEFF. Davis will scarcely dare to draw
| troops from either Richmond or Norfolk,
| with General Butler upon his flank, and a
| fleet of steamers here, ready to land regi-
ments, hitherto stationed here, at Acquia
Greek, which no batteries now protect.
Doubtless, all contingencies have been
provided for. General Scott, the members
| of the Cabinet, and the President, have been
hard at work all day arranging the details
of the movement. The impatience of the
country will be gratified very soon by an
encounter which may be decisive in its re.
suits.