The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-21
New York, Friday, June FL, 1861.
THE SITUATION.


reached us last night-the particulars OF which
we publish to-day-that the theatre OF the first
grand battle is TO be in the vicinity Of Washing.
ton. and in all probability, before many hours
haze passed over, collision between a large
iUrce Of The Union and the rebel armies. at
some pom. between the banks of the Poto.
fearful opening Of the campaign. 1t is
stated that an advance movement Of the entire
force under Gen. Mcdowell took place yesterday
afternoon. The Eighth New York regiment
started with two days rations, and without KNAPP
sacks. towards Fpirfax Court House several other
regiments and all the cavalry stationed in that
were advancing from Manassas Junction aad
Fairfax Court House in the direction OF the
lines Of the Union troops Arlington Heights,
and that they were close yesterday that the
lckeis OF both armies were within speaking dis
lance. General Mcdowell had made an inspec.
ton Of his division, and returned to hi hcadquar.
for an attack, and the officers and men anxousy
awaiting II. The idea prevails that the rebel
leaders, finding delay no longer possible, design
to provoke a conflict with the army of the Union,
and thus by retiring from the field at an oppogtune
moment draw them into ,uccession o. ambus.
cales OF masked batteries. which they have located
..lo a.,
Court House. The War department, however is
preparing for the emergency, not only by adyauc-
ing the iooops into Virginia, hut by strengthening
the forces around Washington. A body OF not
less than 900 men passed through Baltimore yes
tcrday for the capthl. They comprised the Four
teenth and Eighteenth regiments Of New York
Rhode hiand regiment and regiment of the
scott lie Guard. A steamer had had also arrived
Il Balt.aore from Fortress Monroe, with ninety
tons of shell which were landed at Fort McHenry.
It i. evident that the rebels are still lingering
around Harpeis Ferry, for some purpose or
the other. Their pickets show themselves occa-
the Maryland shore at the Union troops there. 1t
is reported that rebel camp j. located within
two miles of the river, at Falling Water. General
Cadwal!ades still remains a; williamsport. with
six Thousand men.
There appears to be some doubt to the pre-
else locality at which the recent conflict at Pied
mont iust confirmed by news received at the
War Department place. 1t has been stated
that the bridge over the New creek on the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad has been guarded FOR
some time past by Captain Resley and some forty
or fifty men from Cumberland This bridge
is seven miles south Of Piedmont, which
is little village in Hampshire county, on the
north branch Of the Potomac where the Baltimore
aud Ohio Railroad Company had several machine
shops. It appears that Captain Resly was adj
Ysed about ten days ago that rebel force was
about to attack the bridge, and he Immediately
applied o Colonel Wallace, of the Indiana Zou,
ayes, thea stationed at Cumberland. for assist
ance. The Zouaves were sent down, but no at
ttcn brtug maue lOioHet Ndl4dCe hHdIIs Walcheu
his troops to Romney, where he dispersed the
rebels. From these facts it is presumed that the
recent light did not take place exactly at the vii
lase OF Piedmont. but at New Greek Bridge, seven
miles distant. A despatch from Grafton state,
there was no battle, but that the rebels destroyed
The bridge and some telegraph poles.
Tie news from the West is not of very m
portant nature. The garrison at Cairo are still
in expectation Of an attack from General Pillow
but SO far as we learn no active demonstration
has az yet been made from the South. General
Lyon has issued very sensible and firm
proclamation to the people Of Missouri
after the late brilliant battle at Boone.
vile, which we give in full to-day He states
that the prisoners whom he captured are mostly
immatured youths who confessed themsc Give.
duped aud misled by their leaders, and that he
liberated them upon promising not to take an,
part sganst the government. He reminds thu
people, however, that the clemency Of the govern
ment cannot be too far relied upon in the case
of persons taken in array against its authority
He assures them that his mission is not to invade
their private rights as citizens, or to interfere
with their business occupations, and lie implores
all loyal citizens to return to their ordinary avo
cations, in which they shall be protected
The intelligence from Europe bearing upon