The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-02
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

ington on Friday, to take command oil the
army of the Potomac, recently commanded
by Brig. Gen. Mcdowell. No new move
ments of the troops in that vicinity are re-
corded. A Washington dispatch says that
the most advanced post OF our army is four
and half miles from Alcxandria-Col.l How.
ards brigade, Sd, 4th and 9th Maine, and
Cd Vermont.
The ranks of the Union army are being
reinforced from various quarters. Gov. Cur
tin Of Pennsylvania has ordered forward ten
infantry regiments from that State, and an
artillery corps and regiment OF 1000 cav
airy are getting ready to follow. The War
Department is accepting all full regiments
which are offered.
Gen. Mansfield is adopting the most strin-
gent measures to re-establish discipline among
the troops who returned to Washington from
tho fight at Bull Run, and to gather them
together in their respective camps.
The troops in Alexandria are represented
to be in rlotous and disorderly condition,
drunkenness prevailing among them to q
fearful extent-but the sale of intoxicating
liquor has been absolutely forbidden, and
several of tho houses in that business have
been closed up. In day or two the demon
alizlng effect of these places will be eiiectu-
ally checked, and the soldiers restored to Or
der and discipline.
WASHINGTON IN DANGER.
Intelligence that the danger of an imme-
date movement of the rebels upon Washing
ton is imminent, reaches us, says tho n. Y.
Times, from trustworthy sources. Their
plans are represented as well digested and
apparently entirely feasible. Leaving Gen.
Johnston to look after Patterson's division,
Gen. Lee, whose column, according to relia-
bic information, had already left the limo at
Manassas, is to proceed along the eastern
slope Of the Blue Ridge, until he reaches
and crosses the Potomac. Then with theaid
Of q general preconcerted instruction Of the
Maryland secessionsts his force will be great
ly strengthened, enabling him to cut of oil
communication, and by rapid advance to
approach the unprotected side of the capi-
tai. Simultaneous with his arrival ut this
point, the main body under Bcauregard will
march with corresponding expedition upon
Arlington Heights, attacking our army there
so fiercely Us to prevent it from assisting In
the repulse of Gen. Lee. The result Of this
strategy is regarded as certain. Washing
ton and its archives must fall into the hands
OF the insurgents. The President, Congress,
and the officers Of the Government, only saw
ing themselves, IL they escape ut all, by EN-.
barkation on man-oi-war and q flight down
the Potomac
HARPER's FERRY.
The War Department, 1t is said, received
intelligence on Monday that large force Of
rebels under Generals Leo and Johnston had
again been concentrated at Winchester, and
an an attack on Ilarper's Ferry was feared
by the Union troops at that place. The sub
stance of this news was that Gen. Johnston,
having heard Of the retiring OF the three
months Pennsylvania volunteers, under Gen.
Patterson, had made retrograde movement
from Manassas Junction 10 Winchester, hop
ing to find the army at Harper's Ferry un.
prepared. The Government has sent several
fresh regiments to supply the place of those
whose term of service has expired.
FORTRESS MONROE AND TIE POTOMAC.
An expedition left Fortress Monroe quiet.
" on "Wednesday afternoon, and proceeded
Ia Back River, an arm of the sea between
Old Point and York River. II consisted OF
about 300 men, with seven pieces OF artil-
lery. under coinand of Lieut.. Crosby. Gen.
Butler had received information that the
rebels. had erected battery there. but the
expedition does not appear to have encoun-
tered any. though fully prepared for such an
event. Lieut.. Crosby surprised and burnt
nine sloops and schOoners belonging to the
rebels, and brought of ono valuable prize
schooner loaded with bacon, corn and fur
niture.
Il would not he very surprising II exciting
intelligence should reach us from the vicinity
of Fortress Monroe before long. The Union
forces at the Fortress, and in the loyal camps
have been 20 reduced, Us almost to invite at
tack from the enemy. The Washington cor
respondent Of the Journal Of Commerce
who generally looks on the dark side OF at
fairs-says there is some danger Of the block
ade Of the Chesapeake being niscd BY sim
ultaneous attack upon all our troops. His
statement will be found in another place.
Whether they will accomplish all they
hope to Is yet to be learned by experiment;
but that they have great resources cannot DO
denied.
FoRTREss MoSRoE, July 20.
The Gag OF truce como into Newport News
this morning with Q proposition giving our
troops "a hours to leave In case the place. y
not evacuated they will force us out. Ins
sloop Of war Dale with 20 guns ut once "e"'
up from Old Point. m .,h.
there, while the Minnesota ana
seven gunboas .. Old Point arc ready 70