From Harper's Ferry.
prospects for a fight — Accidents — seizure of U. S. Flag--Mrs. Johnsen, of Maryland.
[special correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Harpers' Ferry, Va., June 5, 1861.
Judging from the display of soldiery in the Western part of this State, made up of Northern trash, we are not very far off from a fight, if Lincoln really means to repossess the property of the United States.
The taking of Grafton by the United States troops, will become about as notorious probably as the celebrated capture of Greytown, by the U. S. forces, in which engagement one life was lost; but it turned out to be a monkey.
So with Grafton.
Northern journals make great boasts of taking the village, when there was none to dispute their entrance.
The announced flight of Virginia forces is all gas, for there were none there to fly. Several hundred had been there, but had left several days before Northern troops came — as per the order of the General who sent them on a special mission.
So much for the truthfulness of Northern journals.
Doubtless, though, all the demonstrations around us look to one end, and that is an attack on this place.
No one is bothered about their menaces.
We will not be surprised, and they cannot take us with twice our number in a fair fight.
No blanched cheeks here when attacks are spoken of. If Northern troops want a real victory, just let them give us a chance.
We expect a fight, are in trim, and we don't care how soon.
Accidents are becoming numerous with fire-arms, notwithstanding all necessary precaution has been taken by those in command to prevent their frequent occurrence.
A day or two since, two men were shot in one day--one was killed instantly, the whole of the back part of his head was torn off, and he never knew what hurt him. His name was Acres, and was a member of the Fort Louis Volunteers, from Montgomery county, Va.--He was a young and newly-married man, and the intelligence will be very painful to his friends and relatives.
He was followed to the grave by several South western Virginia companies, headed by Prof.Eshman's Regimental Band, playing solemn dead marches.
The young man who shot him is a sad looking man now, notwithstanding he was so recently the vivacious friend and companion from childhood of the deceased.
The carelessness with fire-arms is astonishing, considering the number of accidents.
Mrs. Bradiey T. Johnson, of Maryland, arrived a day or two since with 500 Mississippi titles, $500 in cash, 3,200 cartridges, and 10,000 caps for the Maryland boys.
She was serenaded at night by the Marylanders, and Mr.Johnson made a handsome speech, followed by others, all from the same State.
A company of about one hundred Baltimore troops went over into Maryland last night (some distance from here) and captured a U. S. flag and other documents, and this morning they have the flag hoisted at their barracks, with the Union down.
The Maryland soldiers seem to think they have a superior right to go into Maryland to execute orders, and swear they will never give up the Maryland Heights to Northern troops until the last man expires.
Maryland and Kentucky claim the privilege of taking care of the Maryland Heights, and I feel sure there is not enough back-bone in Lincom's men to take the heights away from them.
The Dispatch, I am sorry to say, does not reach me regularly.
I received May 30, and the next was June 3.
Something wrong somewhere; yet, the Post-Office Department in our Government has not had the time to get all right.
Things will work right, I suppose, by-and-by.
There is much inconvenience on account of Confederate Post- Office stamps.
Five cents in silver is not always commutable, and we have some bother.
We have plenty of provisions, comfortable quarters, and general health very good.
No small-pox nor epidemic disease to contend with. A. U. S. soldier was brought in yesterday by a member of Capt. T. L. Yancey's Cavalry, as a prisoner of war. There was a small skirmish, in which two or three U. S. soldiers were killed and one prisoner taken.
Three or four Colt revolvers were taken at the same time.
I hope to soon have the pleasure of reporting our victory, in a battle at Harper's Ferry. Pen.
