Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-23
THELATEST WAR NEWS.

For the past few days. though thero have
been adoat hardly even rumors of war, yet
an oppressive anticipation of something i'm
portalt about to happen, q hush of expecta-
ton, and repreSsed excitement, have been
observed and felt BIZ all. The latest Southern
paper show that in the country of the Rebels
there is a Siraiar looking and waiting, except
that with them, in spite of their boasting
there seems TO be present o foreboadng OF
coming overthrow. This morning We have,
! however, intelligence OF a stirring character
1t appears that the rebels have for some
time been occupied in putting up offensive
works at Sewal's Point, opposite Fortress
Monroe. Accounts vary somewhat as to the
manner aud the details OF the attack upon the
works, but the most trustworthy statements
runs thus: On Saturday afternoon the steam
er Star discovered battery at SewallS Point,
mounting two guns. The Star opened fire and
soon slenced one gun. Shortly after, the
Thomas FreeborD, Capt. Cash, came on the
ground, and being Of light draught, at once
upset the remaining gun. The same vessel.
seeing o knot of Secessionists standing to-
gether near the dismonnted battery, threw
shot into the group, the members of which
scattered speedily. Tho engagement occupied
three hours and more, at the end of which
time the offensive work was Thoroughly de-
molished.
On Sunday night the Thomas Freeborn,
cruising in the Potomac, captured two suspi.
cious schooners, one of which contained thirty
rebels. The prizes and prisoners were taken
to the Navy-Yard.
Important news comes from another point.
On Sunday body of 1000 Virginans and
South Carolnans from Harper'S Ferry took q
position on the Virginia side, opposite Will
Transport, town about seven miles from Ha-
gerstown, Nd. They there were in situation
to command the ferry at that spot, and were
expecting en- Monday to be joined by another
body of nine thousand men with cannon
Gen Butler it is understood, has orders to
proceed at once to active movements forward
into Virginia, aud will directly remove the OBJ
structions in Norfolk Harbor
Gov. Letcher has met with loss. He had
caused to be made for his particular study oc-
curate military maps of Virginia. These hav-
ing been finished at Washington, were on their
way to the Governor when they were seized
By order of the War Department.
We have two reports of Mississippi troops,
which may refer to only one movement. 1t is
said that on Sunday /, 100 of them left Rich
mond, under Captain Barksdale, for Harpcr's
Ferry. Also, that 1000 Mssissippans reach.
ed Harper's Ferry on Sunday. 1t is reported
that the smallpox has broken out at the lat
ter place
From Texas we learn that fears are enter
tanned OF an attack upon the banks of the Rio
Grande by Cortina. 1t is said that he is NOV
ing with large force upon the river and that
he receives large accessoGS.
Yesterday, by bold stroke, the Govern
ment obtained possession of most Invaluable
documentary evidence against the sympathz
ers with treason in the North. At given
hour the officers Of the Law swooped down up
on every considerable telegraph Office in the
Free States, and seized the accumulated manu-
script dispatches of twelvemonth. The re-
suit is that the Government can now trace the
secret operations ofthe Rebels and their aiders
and abettors, and henceforth hold the North.
ern enemies of the Republic at its mercy.
There is report of an attack by the SeceS-
Sonists On Government steamer at the mouth
Of the Potomac, and that in the conflict four
United States troops were killed. The re-
port is denied and it is not now known what
foundation there is for it,
The Governor Of Kentucky has issued
proclamation forbiddng the movement of
Federal or Rebel troops on the soil of his
State.