Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-28
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsHiSaroN, May 27.-The steamer Min
nesota was expected TO leave Fortress Monroe
to-day for blockade service at Charleston bar,
to be followed by two or three other vessels
A passenger who left Richmond, yesterday,
arrived this morning by way OF Manassas
Gap. He says the train on which he Travelled
brought thousand South Carolina troops to
the Gap, and that the entire number of con-
federate troops there was estimated at $780,
They We're toeraby well armed and equipped
They were throwing up entertainments in an.
ticipation OF an attack, and the belief there
was that the federal troops would move toward
Harper's Ferry by that route
The war dep .rtnent is much annoyed by
irresponsible persons attempting to draw re-
QUESTIONS for various things and incur expen.
SEES on account OF the government under pre-.
tense of patriotic aid in bringing sufficient
force into active service, and the secretary is
daily obliged to answer Geographic Inquiries,
IN regard TO the authority OF such individuals.
The department has no agents other than
those who at all times are able to satisfy in
quiry, either by the commissions they hold in
the army, or the written authority OF the de-
partinent.
To-day small guard of men were ordered
from Alexandra toward Fairfax Court House,
on accommodating expedition. Some miles
out they discovered a company of secession
cavalry drawn up in line Satisfied with their
view, obey retraced their steps, capturing
the way two OF the enemy's picket guard,
who were brought to Washington. One of
them contesses the report that Oh Saturday
afternoon there were ABOUT 100 secessionsts
several miles only from Arlington, who pru-
IDENTIFY retired further back when they discov.
cred the hurrying of troops from Washington.
Tue war department is satisfied Of these facts
from reliable quarters.
A secession scout was to day released from
arrest, on taking the oath OF allegiance He
states that several weeks ago he was accident.
ally prevented subscribing to that OF the Sc
cessipnlsts, and was now glad he had escaped
the severe hardshipS TO which he had been
subjected He represents that many OF his
former military companions would rejoice to
have a similar release.
The contrast Tor supplying stationary to
the senate the ensuing fiscal year, was award
ed to Phillips & SOIomons, and Blanchard
and Mobun OF this city, and 10 Isaac Ames of
New York.
The state department concurS in granting
passports to citizens OF seeding states, where
there is reason TO believe the applicants de,
sign going abroad on business connected with
secession purposes, passports are refused, as
has been the in three or four instances
lately.
Gen. Pierce of Massachusetts, is appointed
brigadier general, i'll place of Gen. Butler, pro.
NOTED. He is ordered to report here, and will
be sent to fortress Monroe.
Every non resident of the city who could
command IA vehicle has visited the cap.ared
city OF Alexandra. All concur in represent
ing the inhabitants as sulien and disaffected-
the only smiling faces seen being those OF the
peculiar institution" All along the river
line or front, the troops are engaged in throw.
ing up works. Several forts are being con-
structed, some of large dimensions. The Six
ty ninth has thrown up bank one mile long
and seven feet high.
The pckets OF Col. Wilcox's command were
fired upon last night by the rebel troops, AMI
one OF the balls passed through a soldiers
hair, slightly grazing his head. Col. Wilcox
Immediately ordered his men to form, and they
slept on their arms all night This morning
he gave notice that the people there could
have peace if they desired it, but if any more
firing was done by the rebels, the retrlbutlon
must fall on their own heads
The only occupant of the Alexandria slave
pen was an old negro, who was told he could
fiud his master, but he could not see the ne
cessity, and attached himself as cook TO the
Michigan regiment.
There are ten thousand Virginia troops at
Manassas Gan Junction, twenty-seven miles
from Alexandra, and thirty five miles from
Culpepper, and will no doubt fight desperately
ii attacked.
The report that Bolman Rock, at Harper's
Ferry, had been blasted with gunpowder, and
thrown down upon the track, is false. 1t was
perfectly mined, and tire train fired, but the
rock stands firm. 1t is forty feet above the
track.
The force at Harpers Ferry is variously
estimated at 1000 to 1000 men. About
twOthirds of these are equipped, and armed
They are undoubtedly very short OF provis-
ions, and must be i'll a starving condition
within week, unless they are to be relieved,
is problem the rebel leaders will find it very
difficult to solve.
This morning, car loaded with provisions,
and eighteen rebel soldiers in citizens dress,
were captured four miles beow Alexandria
and brought TO that city.