The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-07


men; and large bodies were moving into the
interior. II was thought, with the intention
Of making for Norfolk by u circuitous route.
Up to Thursday evening no less than four
hundred and fifty slaves, including women
and children, had fled into Buffers camp
and they reported that general uprising Of
the slave population was expected. The
troops are very busily employed, transport
ing cannon, DC.
We have reports from Washington that
Gen. Butler is to return to Baltimore, and
that Gen. Banks will take his place at Fort
rcss Munroe, and conduct tho operations in
that quarter. Tho reason assigned for this
change, is that the turbulent Baltimore mob
requires firm hand to restrain il.
We have full particulars of tho landing
effected by twenty-five hundred of Gen. But.
ler's troops at Newport News. The force
landed embraced the Vermont regiment, the
Fourth Massachusetts, regiment and the Steu-
ben Guard, which left New York on the
Empire City on Saturday LIST, together with
a few regulars and four pieces of artillery.
The object in taking possession of this point,
which is in sight OF Fortress Monroe, was to
prevent the rebels occupying Sand Island,
situated in the middle Of the channel OF
James River, which is there three miles wide;
and another was to gain position which
could command the base Of the peninsula be-
tween the James and York rivers. The
force landed at the point will probably be
augmented to at least treble this number. as
so important movement is quite likely to
meet with opposition. Refugees from Nor
folk represent the greatest activity existing
among the military there and at Portsmouth,
the number of which they estimate at from
seven to nine thousand. The battery on
Crancy Island, midway between and COM
handing the approach to Norfolk and Ports
mouth has einbrasures for forty guns.
A stand will evidently be made Mt York
town, whittier the shareholders in Warwick,
York and Elizabeth City counties have been
obliged to send half Of their negroes to work
on the Entertainments. A gentleman resid-
ing half way between Hampton and York
town came into Newport News at midnight
for protection, leaving behind $50, 900 worth
of property. Many families have fled, cru
ely abandoning the slaves unfit for labor.
Free negroes have been forced across the
James river to work on rebel entertainments.
From Manassas Junction we learn thatthe
earth works erected there by the rebels CON-
mand both roads to Richmond and Harper
Ferry, for about four miles, but it was
rumored that the secessionists had ceased the
work on Friday. There are said to DO $4,000
men there.
The retreat of the rebels troops from Will
Transport towards Martinsburg is confirmed
by the statement Of gentlemen just arrived
from there. 1t appears likely that General
Johnston is calling in all his outposts to
Harpor's Ferry.
All is reported quiet at Alexandria. The
Pocahontas is still guarding the Potomac.
and is prepared to move at a moments warn
ing.
The town of Grafton, Va, an important
point upon the Baltimore Il Ohio Railroad,
was on Thursday occupied by the federal
forces, the rebel force in the city fleeing with
out Offering any opposition to the movement.
Nothing definite is known concerning a
movement from Cairo, but the force there is
considerably increased, and Western troops
are already under marching orders. The
government has chartered several steamers
and authorized the construction OF five hoat-
ing batteries, each of q capacity for 500 men.
They are probably for operationsbclow Men,
phis.
The recent detachment of the Niagara and
the Minnesota from the blockade service on
the Atlantic Coast-the former ut Charles
ton and tho latter at Noriolk-and their
dispatch on other service under sealed orders,
caused some surprise, aud q curiosity to learn
their destination. 1t now appears that they
were ordered on special service to the mouth
of the Mississippi for the double purpose OF
blockade and to intercept certain vessels from
Europe with arms for the rebels on board,
full descriptions which arc in possession OF
the Federal Commanders.
FoRr PicKESs.-The rebel troops around
Fort Pickens still continue preparations Us
If they designed an attack. Coluubiads are
being mounted on the rebel batteries, and q
raft or floating battery is about to be sent
down the river. Col. Brown has notified
Gen. Bragg, that IL he continues his hostile
operations he will open fire upon him from
the fort, and Bragg has replied that he does
not care for the fire, but will 60 on with his
movements. In this way fight may prob
ably be brought about at Fort Pickens.
The Charleston Courier, of May 25th, has
the following article:
Most persons are on the lookout for a
fight about Fort Pickens. For our part, il
we may venture an opinion on military mat
tcrs, we trust no attack will be made upon
the enemy at that point. The batteries are
mile and third distant, too far to breach
with certainty. The barracks cannot be
burned out, as in case of Sumter. A storm
ing party would have to advance under the
fire Of the fleet. and iithey succeeded in pass
ing through the breach, would have to take
a large battery protected by sand.bags with
in the fort. The whole undertaking appears
desperate and uncertain in the result, while
the loss Of life cannot fail to be great. These
are reasons to deter from the attempt. What
good reasons are there for making it? An
expensive and much needed fleet of the United
States is there employed, at a great expense.
Fort Pickens is proyerbially very sickly
place. subject to yellow fever. Santa Rosa
III
Island is full of fresh water ponds and pesti-
lent of bilious fevers. No city or special in
terest of the Confederate States requires
relief, and the camp there is an admirable
place for drilling troops. In the face Of the
enemy, all are on their good behavior.
The telegraphic reports to the Boston pa
pers Of last evening were as follows:
NEW YORK, June 3.
The Times Washington dispatch says that
the village Of Fairfax Court House has been
occupied by three regiments Of Federal
troops. Two additional regiments arc to be
stationed there in day or two.
This is not confirmed. Ed
A letter from London says that Col. Free
mont will probably take to the United States
1000 rifles, and park of artillery the
letter says 40 twelye.pounders, riilcd.
Marshal Bonafort Of Baltimore has arrived
at Washington. lie wishes to obtain per-
mission to make arrests on his own response
bility, with warrant, as other people will