The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-10

THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
We are placed this morning in possession of the
important intelligence that the threatened move
ment Of troops upon Baltimore has taken place.
On Wednesday the Pennsylvania troops, accom-
panied by shermans battery, proceeded from
Elkton to the susquehanna, where they were
to embark by steam for Baltimore direct,
whilst simultaneously the troops under COM
mand of Major General Keim would advance
by the Northern Central Railroad, whose
burned bridges had been repaired. third column,
consisting Of some 600 or 5 900 men, with flying
artillery, under command Of General Butler, ac
companied by General Harvey, were ordered to
march to the same destination from the Relay
House, and thus to cooperate with the move
ments Of the other two columns.
In additio on to these operations, General Scott
was about to push troops forward TO Binneys
bridge, north Of Georgetown; and it is stated that
large bodies of troops will soon pass into Virginia
and in the event of any hostile movement OF the
enemy on the line of the Potomac 900 federal sol
siers can be placed on its right bank in few hours
Meantime it is reported that the vrginians have
seized the heights upon the Maryland side of the
Potomac in the vicinity Of Harper's Ferry, and
that the government has the important informa
ton that large masses of troops are concen
tratng in that position with view to
march upon Maryland, so as to draw of por-
ton Of the federal troops from Washington,
and TINS weaken it preliminary to an attack from
the opposite side. 1t seems that Wigfall an
Southerners on their way to Washington, that Mr..
Lincoln and his Cabinet will be captured unless
they retreat before the middle Of June, and that
as for wgfa he intends TO winter in Philadelphia.
Wewonder he did not say New York or even Boston.
That troops are continuing to advance to Virginia
from the South there can be no doubt II is stated
by one correspondent that $4,000 Gust half Wig
falls number) have been sent to the Old Dominion,
and that every able-boded man, from sixteen to
ixty, is compelled to take up arms.
From Montgomery we learn that the Confederate
Congress, in secret session, were making arrange
men.s for vigorous prosecution of the war, and
fer putting the South in state of complete
defence. 1t is boosted that they have
ordnance, small arms and ammunition to
employ in the field 10000 men for one years
campaign. Now this is not much, after all, con-
sidering the numbers being raised and equipped
BY the Northern States. Ohio alone calls out
100 900 as reserve, in addition to the acquisitions
of the President and one branch Of the Pennsyl-
vana Legislature has passed the bill raising the
two million loan, and calling out fifteen regiments
beyond the number called for by the President
proclamation, making total OF ffty-fve regi.
ments.
In al the Northern States the most active pre-
parations are going forward, and troops are
rapidly advancing from every point in the direc.
tion Of Washington. Fifteen hundred from Penn.
sylysnla and Massachusetts, had arrived there on
Wednesday night; and yesterday two regiments
had sailed from New Haven in the Cahawba and
the Bicnvile, direct for Washington. Yesterday
Z,JU
vile, where nine hundred still remained, which
were to be joined last night by several thousands
from Philadelphia.
The preparations Of the government al Wash
ington are most vigorous and extensive. II is
sending out agents to Europe to purchase
number Of modern gunboats OF light
draught to complete the blockade. 1t
had already purchased the Southern lines
OF steamers and all others, with the exception OF
yanderbilt's and the Havre line. In this connec.
lion we may state that the frigate Minnesota sailed
yesterday from Boston under sealed orders, and
that the frigate Niagara is on her way to blockade
Charleston.
1t is stated that there are Is 900 troops in Ten.
nessee and Kentucky, whose destination ia SUP.
posed to be Cairo, and in reference 10
this design resolution was intro.
duced into the Kentucky Legislature request.
sng the Governor to issue his proclamation pro.
hibiting the passage OF armed men through Ken.
lucky for any such purpose. Such is the Union
feeling springng up in the border States. Even
an Wheeling, Virginia, one military company was
enrolled into the service Of the United States, and
Others were to follow to-day.
General Besurcgard, with Mr.. Russell, Of The
London Times, had arrived at Montgomery on the
9th inst
The News.