The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-26
New York, Sunday, May 20, 1861.
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

The most intense excitement was created in this
city Yesterday as well as in every quarter of the
country where the telegraph news from Washing
ton reached, by the report Of battle supposed to
be in progress on the heights Of the Potomac in
the vicinity Of Alexandria. The federal capital
was stirred 10 its centre by the intelligence,
and The a'acrty with which the reserve troops
tn re FASTENED TO the Virginia side on receipt of
the rumor that the federal forces were attacked,
shows how well prepared the army in that quarter
are for active service at q moments notice. When
yne War department got information of an attack
IN the government troops ON the Virginia side,
orders we're issued for achievements to repair
across he Long Bridge and in five minutes the
Fifth Massachusetts, regiment were under arms
guard, who were attending Colonel Ellsworths
funeral. no sooner heard the news than they gal
Hoped across the Long Bridge towards Virginia,
although their services not required outside of
iI1 nIliislt = Columbia.
.,.,.. Of tsle alarm proved TO be an attack
,uuoe nv body of rebel infantry, $50 strong, on
Arlington Heights. The pickets were driven in
and volley fired on both sides. The New York
Seventh together with the Twelfth, Immediately
fell into line Of battle and the rebels, see
! ing 20 strong a force opposed to them, instant
IL ded. The Sixty.ninth, who were busily
e. gagged throwing up earthworks, threw away
their picks and shoyels on the alarm being given
an Immediately fell into line ready for action
Further than this it does not appear that any con-
fict took place.
The special duty Of the sixty ninth was the de-
s!ruction Of the railroad from Alexandria to Lees.
burg, forming the connection with Harper's Ferry,
and that regiment appears to have performed their
work CALAMITY, for before sunrise on the morning
Of their arrival they had destroyed seven bridges
ard had torn up the tracks for five miles Of the
road Up to the latest accounts they had des.
|trOyed fifteen miles Of the railroad besides max.
ling in.renchments on the Heights. The Sixty.
cinth Is reported to be the most Industrious Vi.
giant and enthusiastic body Of men in service al
The scat Of war.
No attack mas yet been made at Harpcr's Ferry.
"a reported but il is said that the rebel force
here is much larger than is supposed, u 900 men
being posted in and around that vicinity, although
is stated, on the other hand that the rumors Of
Effective batteries being erected on the Maryland
side are exaggerated
We learn from Chambersburg that 200 Penn.
kylyana troops left there yesterday for Horper's
Ferry
General Butler, who recently arrived at Fortress
Monroe, LAD moved out into camp towards Nor.
ok, IN that vicinity, with about nine hundred men.
Fhere, II was believed, he intended to await rein.
oroements from New York, preparatory to an
tack In the direction Of Norfolk.
-Four or five thousand additional troops were
expected to march into Virginia last night, and II
not at oil improbable that very important
lovenent in that State will take place at once