Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-05-27
THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Jnqui

WASHINGTON, May g. information derived
from Confederate sources, indicates that the
main BODY of Beauregards forces are evacua-
ting Charleston and Sa, annah and are moving
into Virginia. 1t is thought by some that 1t
is ter the purpose Of reinforcing Cen. Lee, or
else to make an attack upon Suffolk.
There IS nothing M ore official received during
this afternoon and evening from l3eneral Grant,
but 8 despatch boat is expected to morrow at
Memphis.
Ina despatch, this morning, from General
Grant, he states that he had intercepted
message from Jeff Davis to Pemberton, saying
that if he could hold out a short time he would
send one hundred thousand reintorcements.
A special despatch to the Post from Wash,
ington, says:-"Sume six hundred officers and
privates arrived at Annapolis yesterday from
Richmond They report that Captain Mckee,
of the fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry, and Lieu.
tenant Conn, OF the First Virginia Cavalry, will
be hung by the Contederates in retaliation for
the execution of two spies by General Burnside
This information is known to be trustworthy.
Mr. HoIburn, the correspondent OF the
New York World, was released on condition
that he would make certain representations to
the Federal Government, regarding the m ne
sures of retaliation about to be adopted. The
and Brow1, are retained in Libby prison.
So many applications are being made for
commissions in the colored regiments, that it
has become necessary to issue an order tor the
guidance Of Boards in examining applicants
Tor commissions.
Whether or no General Robert E. Lee is
cruel to his slaves lis question that is much
agitated at Boston, at present. A Mr.. Put
nam assuming the affirmative, Mr.. Webster
comes into the support Of the negative with
some interesting circunlstantiality Putnam.
makes his averuents on thu repute statenoht
Of a negro Webster says My intimate
knowledge Of General Lees character and an
secedents enables me to pronounce his story
a shameful tahrica tion-the fgment Of
negro brain. General Lee never owned one
acre Of the Arlington property or any other
portion OF the large estates left by his father
in them than what belonged to him as the
husband Of Mrs. Lee, at whose death his in
terest would cease, and the property 60 ex-
clusively to her children. The servants (Some
400 in all were lett free at the expiration Of
years from the death Of Mr.. c., who died in
1857, six years ago. After his DEATH SOM of
the servants, unwilling to wait the short term
Of five years, ran away, but We're arrested and
hired out, lest, if brought back, they might
annoy Mrs. Lee, as Col. Lee was almost al
ways absent ON frontier service; but not one was
ever sold, or could be under the conditions OF
the will. This tact spoiIs the thrilling rom ,nce
OF the ''teeu Of sons and daughters SO touch
lngly dwet upon by your too credulous COR
responj cnt. There were rarely over thirty
servants at Arlington lthe others being at
White House and other estates in Lower Vir-
ginia), and more INDUCED and good-tor-
nothing set was never found on a Southern
plantation; but the young were carefully In
structed In religious truth. y