The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-06-05

New YORK, May 31.-ScoutiEg parties
report that there areimmense forces at the
Junction, fifteen miles this side Of them
Reports are regarded as greatly exaggerated.
Gen. Scott does not believe there are
more than 1000 or 5000 soldiers at Man
assas Junction, and that these are poorly
armed. ~ ~
Tonight nearly every regiment in the city
Is under marching orders. Before the reb-
els could get within reasonable fighting dis
lance of Alexandria, 10000 troops could be
concentrated on the heights west Of Alexan-
dria to meet them.
Since it is known the South Carolini-
ans are holding AMI commanding Manassas
Junction, the Federal troops are more anx-
ious to get at them, especially the Massachu-
sets troops. sH gsh ga IA 4.
Last week the State Of Virginia advanced
gold enough to pay the duties at the Alex
andria Custom House, on large amount of
iron for rails on the unfinished road to run
from Strasbury south. On Thursday night
number of labores were busy removing the
iron to the cars running down the Alexan-
dria and Orange railroad, and had about half
finished when the Fire Zouaves stopped
their operations. The amount taken off is
sufficient to lay 25 miles of track The
rebels intend to use it on the IS miles of
turnpike road from Strasbury to Winchester
They can thus more easily relieve Harpers's
Ferry or evacuate IT. Speedy measures will
be taken to forestall this. In week, Har-
per's Ferry, by movements from the North
East, West and South, 1000 rebels will be
hemmed in. .aa sv. o6E I'D uuiIahm@
Among the effects seized at Alexandria,
are letters of great Importance, which were
found in the Sentiners Office. Showing the
means by which the secession of Virginia
was brought about. That the ordinance of
secession was only passed by fraud. 7H
The Heralds Baltimore dispatch says
there are 10000 troops at Harper's Ferry,
and plenty of heavy artillery at every assail-
able point. 1 aa @92a div yIrs~rr
| Gen. Butlcrwss re- inforced Yesterday, by
| 1000 troops. 10 $50 g.gaaa aassraa at I'an
The Times dispatch states there are 5000
troops at Harper's Ferry in all, including
!, 900 stationed at Point of Rocks. These are
much demoralized and will make desperate
fight. There were indications of an inten.
ton to evacuate the post, but he could get
no positive information. They expect an at.
tack from the West, and keep sharp look.
out eyery night-the men sleeping on their
arms Tasgr ns vEa TrH 81 Her aHu ~as
| 1t is understood to-day, that Gov. Banks
plans for increasing the army to 100000
men, will be adopted. iea 5lat
Gen. Nc Dowell, commanding our forces
/ in Virginia, has information that Col Lee
late of the U. S. Army, is advancing with
| $4,000 rebels upon Alexandria from the d.
rection of Manassas and Richmond, VIII icf
are being strongly fortified. o gEa.s ii
WASHINGTON. May 3o.-There was a
movement oftroops to day near Alexandria
! in consequence Of a rumor that Gen. Lee
was approaching in force. 'la OF 2@ q .
Charges have been filled with Secretary
Cameron, representing that one of the lar
gest contractors employed by the Quarter
master General of Philadelphia shipped 9
cargo of satpeter and birthstone to South
Carolina. After her secession he once at.
tempted to send large quantity of camp
kettles to the rebel army which were stopped
by the Government. He was watched by
the Mayor of Philadelphia on suspicion O
being in league with an agent Of South Car
DINA and was only saved from the indigna
ton of the people by the interposition of the
authorities and the publication of card de-
denying his completely l
The prizes brought to the Navy Yard yes
terday are valued at $4,000. sll agqa
1t is said that with the 5000 troops neal
Fairfax Court House there are 5000 negroes
n the capacity of servants and laborers-
Provisions are scarce and the privaton falls
4 first on the slaves.
Colonel Butler returned to Fort Monroe
/ bearing the following letter of instructions
/ to his brother:- g 90 ~ sen 1ua&
~ WASHINGTON, May 80, 1851.
| Sir Your action in respect to the ne
groes who came within your lines from the
service Of the rebels is approved. The De
dartmentis sensible Of the embarrassment
/ which must surround the officers conducting
military operations in State by the laws o
which slavery is sanctioned The Government
cannot recognize the rejection by any State
of its Federal obligations. However, no ont
can be more important than that of suppress
sing and dispensing any combination assem-
bled for the purpose ofoverthrowing its whole
Constitutional authority, while, therefore
you will permit no interference by persons
under your command with the relations o
! persons held to service under The
laws of an State within which your military
operations are conducted, which remain un.
der the control Of such armed combinations
you will refrain from surrendering to illegal
masters any persons who come within YOU
lines. You will employ auch persons in the
services to which they will be best adapted
4 keeping an account.
A party of ladies and gentlemen visited
Il, 4 L..