The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-06-10

eted about half mile beyond the river the crest
OF the hill in the open woods. The number Of troops
in in the neighborhood is judged to be about 20O-
The largest body is encamped at Falling Waters
live miles below. Every ford is strictly guarded,
and the Confederates have seized and broken up
every small boat on the river that they could get
theirs hands As as the river falls, howev-
er, there will be fifty fOrds of easy for the
Federal infantry aud cavalry.
Reliable information from Harpers Ferry, down
TO Thursday, says that no change had taken place
IN the position of affairs there. The number of
troops there is put down, from half dozen sources
at about IL 900. Your correspondent believes the
number to be about 200. News received to-day
from the Ferry, confirms the statement of the
bridges at Harper's Ferry and Sheppardstown be-
ing mined. Trains of gunpowder are laid from
sde middle piers IN water proof cases, with long
fuses attached
have seen deserters from the Confederate
troops at Harper's Ferry, Sheppardstown and Mar
tinsourg to-day, who escaped over the Potomac
last night. Fifty Nirginians are at WilliamspOrt,
awaiting the advance of the Federal troops to re-
turn home
The Confederates have destroyed dam No. on
the Potomac, eight miles above Wamsport to day,
10 prevent the construction of boat bridge on its
breast for the passage of Federal troops 1t is ex-
pected also that they will destroy dam No. nine
miles below WilliamspOrt, tonight. The Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal men are very indignant at
these acts. and large numbers of them will Join the
Federal forces at once. The six deserers reported
to have Joined the Confederate forces at Harpers
Ferry were the same drummed out of camp at
Chambersburg for worthless, drunken conduct.
The Charleston Mercury on Northern War
Movements.
From the Charleston Mercury, Kdy 81
Night and day, for the last two months, has the
Northern Government been making hercuean ef-
forts In Its department of war. Preparation on the
most gigantic scale has gone on steadily and un-
hagging, under the intelligent and able superin-
tendence and direction of Gen. Scott. An immense
body of volunteers have been thrown into camp,
and are drilling eight hours day under competent
officers of West Point training. The arms at hand
have been distributed, and all who are to engage
soon in battle have been thoroughly equipped with
the best weapons. Factories, for the manufacture
OF cannon, rifles, sabres, bayonets and ammunition
of every description, IN full operation at the
North during the whole twenty-tour hours of each
day.
Agents have long since been sent abroad to Eu
rope to procure and forward, as fast as possible,
cargoes of improved arms, and already they have
begun to arrive. Great efforts have also been
made for the health, comfort and support of North
ern troops. Energy and promptitute have charac-
terlZed their movements both in MARYLAND and St.
Louis, and their success along the border has, so
Tar, been complete. They have, in the West, OBJ
tanned and secured the great repository of arms
for that section equipped our enemies of St. Louis
Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, leaving the resistance
men of Missouri poorly provided, Kentucky unarm-
ed and oyerawed, and Tennessee aso with mea-
gre provision for fighting, dependent on the cotton
States for weapons of defence. Maryland has been
secure may be, while Virginia is invaded, and
Richmond threatened with capture.
In all thls the M htary proceedings of the North
since the fall of Sumter, have been emineUty wise
For the purpose of overpowerine, dishearteniDg
and gaining the first advantages, which, both at
home and abroad, are of immense Importance, the
concentration of all the forces available as prompt
Iy as possible has been clearly the course of gene
ralship and true economy. The first blow is said
to be often half the battle. The war policy of
Scott and Northern Government has all he
effect OF the first blow. The final result we can
not in the slightest degree, doubt. The immedi-
ate signal will depend, in a great measure, upon
the number of troops got ready and the eff
clency OF the preparation made for them by the
Confederate Government during the same period
Scott has been at work.
Let us not commit the mistake of undertaking our
enemy, fsupposing that in modern warfare it is
only the courage of prople and the relative mill
tary talent of their field officers that decide the is
sues of war. Ability in combinations, and bravery
10 executing them, may fail of success where the
material is wanting or deficient. An hours delay
oil corps of reserve lost the battle Of Waterloo;
and Napoleon fought the battle with the best troops
in the world. They cut to pieces.
Cumberland Military Guarding the Railroad
Bridges.
The C1mber land Civilian of Thursday saws that
about the middle of last week information of re-
liable character received by the agent of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company at this place,
that the bridge spanning the North branch, about
by the Virginiaus. The Railroad Company pr-
yately sent force of our citizens who volunteered
with commendable alacrity to save it.
ASSURANCES ot positive nature were shortly af-
terwards received that three companies from Moor
field were coming to destroy the bridge at all
hazards. Strong reintOrcements of our most hardy
and daring men were promptly sent to the threat
ened point, well armed and equipped, ready to re-
pei any attack. They took with them two pieces
of artillery, one a sx-pounder, and the other of
less calibre, and planted them at the entrance of
the bridge. They charged with the most de-
structve missiles and manned in the most efficient
manner.
1t is said that each piece fire three rounds to
the minute. Sad will be the destruction of those
VITO attempt to burn that bridge while it is guarded
by our men. The attempt has not vet been made,
but the guilty parties who intended to do it are
still lurking about the neighborhood the Vir-
gnia side. Union from Piedmont and New
Creek also assisted in the defence.
The weather for the last few days has been very
inclement, which has rendered the duties of the
m n very arduous and unpleasant. They expect
to be relieved by Government troops, who are
now hourly looked for.