Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1862-09-08

pie that they came as friends and not as enc
mics. At many houses they found the people
had all fed, carrying of their horses and cattle
with them. AS to whether any violence was
used or depredations committed VI have not
heard.
So far as ascertained no damage wa2 commit.
ted to the Baltimore and Ohio l{allroad though
it IS said that they destroyed the Monocacy
Culvert of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
letting out the water and Of course snspendlng
navigation with Washington. Ihcir appear
ance on the Railroad has Of course suspended
operations Every Car and locom0tlVo be-
tween the lIonocacy and Cumberland had
been Withdrawn Oh the preylous Gay, those
above the Point Of Rocks to Cumberland: and
those on this side to Elicott' Mills and the
Relay House.
Tt is also understood that another division Of
the Confederate force crossed the Potomac du-
ring FRIDAY night at a ford about three miles
above the Point Of Rocks, near Borhn consist
inc Of cavalry, artillery and infantry; and pro
ceeded across the Frederick road, and thence
making junction with the other force at y hite
Oak Springs.
On Friday evening information was received
at Frederick Of the fact that party OF Contede-
rate cavalry and artillery were at " hite Oak
Springs and that they were collecting cattle
and sheep from the farmers Of the Surrounding
country. The announcement Of course created
great excitement in Frederick: especially as 1t
was understood that Bradley johnson was with
the Confederate force. Previous to this lnior-
nation having been received on Friday, mum
Der Of prominent Secesslonlsts had whispered
to some Of their loyal relatives and acqualn-
tances that Frederick would be IN possession
Of the Confederate troops before. twenty
four hours; that they had positive information
of the fact This information had previously
occasioned considerable excitement, and many
Unionists who placed confidence in the sources
of information of these symyathsers had made
their DreparatiOns to leave with their wives and
children.
The military force in Frederick consisted of
but one company, under command OF Captain
Faithful. Provost Marshal, and of course no at
temDt could be made to defend the city from
attack. There was OF course great commotlon
dnriDc the evening, and Marshal Faithful hay
inc satisfied himself Of the near approach Of all
overwhelming Confederate force, at once made
preparations to evacuale the place.
At midnight, having loaded the wagons at
his command with the most valuable Of his
stores, and left sufficient for the supply OF the
hospitals, in which there was about SIX hun
drcd patients, apploQ the UOlcil W IIle Daldnct,
DESTROYING them rather than allow them to tall
into the hands Of the enemy.
This conhagration, Of course increased the
excitement, and every vehicle that could be
obtained was brought into requlslton to convey
the fleeing population. Thousands OF men,
women and children left during the night,
many of them on foot, and the roads leading
towards PENNSYLVANIA and Baltimore are repre-
sonted as having been lined with fugitives.
We have met with several gentlemen from
Frederick. who left there short time after the
Confedcrates had arrived and taken possession.
Their statements, in the main, agree as to the
condition Of aHf;airs: though; being loyaIi$:ts