Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-05-16
From Washington.


The War Department received dispatch
to night from Gen. Butler, stating that he
had seized the famous steam gun built by
Winans, Of Baltimore, who attempted to
send tito Harper's Ferry, for the Virginians.
Secretary Cameron replied, with the COM
plimcnts of the Government, to General
Butler, and commanding him to seize every
thing contrabsnd being sent to the rebels.
Orders will be ISSUED to arrest Winans,
who. If he is caught, will be treated sum
marty. He sthe,same who gave $500, 200
to aid the Secessidiists in their work oftrea-
son. ~ " t''t"s l ..' 81
Orders from the War Department for the
rigorous treatment of all traitors and abettors,
have been transmitted to every officer in com.
mission.
Messages have been passing constantly
between the Government and Cairo. Trouble
is anticipated there every night.
Messengers have been dispatched to-day
to Cairo and other points, ordering the con.
centration ofa large body of Western troops
at that point.
The President is receiving daily'hearty re-
sponsesfromT Tennessee, Kentucky and Mary
land ~. II
ABrigade from each of these States will
soon be in the field.
There is great anxiety about the result Of
the great Union meeting ut Wheeling on
Monday next We have assurances here
that they will memorialze Government for
protection from the rebels, and put S, 900
men, fully equipped, in the field for the
Union.
Government is in constant receipt of offers
to arm and carry on private expeditions
against seeded States. None of them will
be accepted. The Government does not in
tend to follow the piratical example of JEFF.
Davis. ...... 7.. @ ..--
Secretary Cameron has received already
proffcrs Of upward of 10000 men. 20. OD)
more than were called for. There is great
rush Of regiments TO secure their acceptance
for the war. rE 80.
Government scouts discovered this morn
ing, about four clock, body of about GOO
men leaving Alexandria in the direction OF
Culpepper. They had several wagons loaded
under guard, supposed to contain provisions
for the State troops at Culpeppnr.
Advices from Frederick state that some
four or five companies, numbering about
300 Secessionists, passed through that place
last night and took supper there, en- route
for Virginia from Baltimore. They were a
squalid set. DE-,
Eighteen hundred Ohio troops, recently
encamped at Lancaster. PENNSYLVANIA, arc
on their way here, and other regiments in
PennsylvaDia weresalso moving toward the
Federal capital! .tlnl Baker's California
regiment has been haccepted. =
WASHINGTON, May II.
The President has issued proclamation
setting forth thatiHsurrection exists in the
State Of Florida, byrwhich the lives, liberty
and property Of loyal citizens are in danger,
and 1t is deemed proper that all needful
measures should be taken for the protection
OF such citizens, and all officers of the United
States IN the discharge of their public duties.
The President directs the commander of
the forces of the United States on the sea
coast, to permit no person to exercise any
office or authority upon the islands of Key
West the Tortugas, or Santa Rosa, which
may be inconsistent with the laws and Con
stitution of the United States.
If he shall find it necessary, to suspend
there the writ of habeas corpus and to re.
move from the vicinity of United States
forces all dangerous or suspected persons.
Tho Secretary OF the Treasury aivertiscs
for proposals till the Dist of May, torthe re.
mainder Of the stock, of the United States is,
sued under the act of February, amounting
to $9,000,000. -
Transport vessels passing up and down
the Potomac are armed with heavy gun.
shotted and primed, and instructed to fire
at the first sign Of hostile demonstration.
The war steamer Anascota came up the
river last night. She reports no batteries a,
yet erected on the right bank. Alexandria
is now said to be occupied by one thousand
rebels.