, 1861-05-30

The n. 7. Htrald's correspondent learns
from . Government officer that the Secretary
Of War had made application some days ago
eJ haog gs sSg Sgq10a 0a6 of rolling gtsS stok Of t the
Orange aud A'exandriaroad Hewill soon have
that road In working order for the transpor-
tation OF men and supplies The first move
Will probably be made at Manassas Gap juno
tion, that being considered highly important
position, and when once In possession Of the
GoEetnmsnt, Will ba the key to al operations
Of the rebels.
[He1ald's Despateh.1
WASHINGTON, May 28-There are constant
IL coming into Fort Monroe from the sur
rounding county quite number of slaves,
who are desirous OF being set at work. Gen.
Butler holds them as contraband OF war.
BALTMoRE, May GA steamer from Fort
resa Monroe has arrived here She left last
evening st SIX O'Clock, when small steamer
from Norfolk, under q flag OF truce, had just
placed over one hundred refugees on the
Cumberland. They were mostly wives and
Children Of labore1s In the navy yard. They
report that there are from 1000 to 9, 900 troops
at Norfolk and Portsmouth, Gen. Beauregard
had not arrived The Louisiana and Georgia
tEoors were the best accoutred and discl-
pinned. Provisions were very high. Sixty
seven Union votes were cast at Portsmouth,
and over twenty in Norfolk.
Several batteries have been erected between
Fort Monroe and Norfolk. That upon Craney
Island, midway between aud commanding the
approach to Norfolk and Portsmouth, ,has en-
brazures for 20 guns.
The aucampment at Newport Point had thus
far been unoisturbed
No immediate nttack On, Sewal1's Point or
Norfolk need be expected. Gen. Butler will
not risk valuable lives for point Of SO little
near at hand.
WASHINGTON, May 29.-The following Is
from Fortress Monroe, dated Monday evening,
May 9Th, from the correspondence Of the
Associated Press:
E force Of 1850 men, including . few regu-
intrenched camp ut Newport, near the mouth
Of the James River, about ten miles from
Fortress Monroe.
The rebel battery fired four shots at the En-
pire City and the Quaker City, off Sewall's
Point, and though over three miles distant,
the guns Of the rebel battery are Of the
heaviest calibre. Newport, like Sewall's
Point, Is in plain sight from Fortress Mon.
roe. The rcadsted there Is about three miles
vide.
Ono object of the entreuched camp is to
command sand Island, which is about mid,
way between, and completely guards the en-
trance to James River. Gen Butler Was fear
full that the rebels would take possession Of
the Island.
Newport commands also to great extent
tho peninsula between the James aud York
rivers. A large force is to be assembled there,
audso importanta movement is likely to meet
opposition.
There was evidently great activity at sew-
alls Point last night
Hampton is nearly deserted. The long
bridge there was burned on Saturday
About 100 fugitive slaves came In this NOR
ming. They we're provided with rations and
get to work.
Gen Mcdowell, commanding the New Vir-
ginia Military Geographical Department. has
no particular place for bis headquarters. They
wi1l be movable according to circumstances.
Information has reached Washington that the
secession forces have thrown up earth works,
perhaps 200 feet square, at Manassas Gap
Junction, and commanding the track for per.
hapa mile. They are under command Of
Gen: Bonham, Of South Carolina, Col Ma
grude1 was there in command Of battery.
It is believed that Col. Kershaw's South Car
o1ina battery was removed up. the road to
Centreville, Fairfax county, to strengthen
the position there in view Of the probability
that the Federal troops would strike b1oT
at That point to cut Oft communication with
Harper's Ferry.