The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-11
New York, Saturday, May IL, 1861.
TIE SITUATION OF, AFFAIRS.


TIE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
The intelligence from the seat Of war to-day,
though not comprising any very important military
movements, is nevertheless most interesting and
significant, not alone as regards events trans
piring in the vicinity of the federal capital.
but in the exciting circumstances which
are revealing themselves in Western Vir-
einia Maryland and Kentucky. From Wash.
ington we have assurances that the utmost ac-
tivity exists on the part of the Executive and
the War Department in providing for the emer-
gency; that their movements are by no means
slow, but on the contrary most energetic in pre-
pairing to prosecute the war vigorously when the
arrangements are fully completed. Troops con-
tinue to pour into Washington from the North
The Pennsylvania regiments, together with five
companies Of the regular infantry and Sher
mans battery, comprising 1,500 men, arrived
there yesterday morning, having passed
through the suburbs of Baltimore, arriving
at Locust Point, which is located in the
southeast suburbs of the city, about a mile
from Fort McHenry, on the northwest branch Of
the Patapsco, being the coal depot of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad. The track upon which
they passed runs about fou miles through the
southerly portion of the city.
They were not molested in their passage. A
force of Ohio troops, 800 strong now stationed
at Lancaster, together with large force of Penn
force In Washington and within the city limits at
present, consists of 25, 900 men and six companies
of flying artillery, with thirty field pieces.
Eleven steamers from Philadelphia, New York
and Boston have arrived at Washington within the
last forty-eight hours, laden with ammunition,
uniforms, stores and blankets for the soldiers.
There are said to be fully thousand rebel troops
still in Alexandra.
The work of repairing the bridges on the Bush
and Gunpowder rivers is progressing rapidly, and
will be completed in all probability by Sunday, in
which event the trains will be run on Monday or
Tuesday. The people in those districts appear to
be quite friendly but guards are strictly kept there
night and day.
With regard to the movement OF the Southern
troops, we learn that Virginia is divided into
twenty-five military districts, in which the armed
bodies are concentrating-th principal points
being Richmond Petersburg and Culpepper.
Six hundred men from New Orleans have Just
arrived at one OF these stations, and it was said
City Point, on the James river, and of Fort Pow.
hatan on York river.
While such is the disposition OF the forces on
both sides, other events of equal importance are
transpiring in other quarters, which may have
very potent influence on the future issue OF the
struggle. Western Virginia, for example, holds
out strong against secession, and refuses to be
dragged into the contest. A Convention is to as.
semble at Wheeling on Monday, for the purpose
Of considering the question Of forming separate
State out of the counties west Of the Alleghanies
Thirythree counties it is said will be represented
ut the Convention all in favor Of maintaining the
United States government. II is intended to elect
Governor, members Of the Legislature, a United
States Senator and representatives to Congress,
and in every way TO act as sovereign State.
This proceeding will tend to cripple the energies
Of the secessionists in Virginia. and leRe them at
the mercy Of the government.
In the Maryland Legislature yesterday, the Com.
mittee on Federal Relations made report
10 the effect that the war now waged
against the Confederate States was uncou.
sttutiond and repugnant to civilization,
and would result in bloody and shameful over.
throw Of their institutions; but that while they
sympathize with the South, they also recognise
The obligations Of Maryland TO the United States
government; and though protesting against the
war Maryland viii take no part In it. They
implore the President, in the name OF
God, to cease this unholy war;" at least
ninth Congress meets. The report further de-.
tlsres that Maryland desires and consents TO
ihe recognition Of the independence Of the Con.
iederate States, and protests against military
occupation OF her soil, though the violent inter.
terence with tie passage Of federal troops Ia dis.